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Robert J. Russell is a very unique individual and highly qualified in the area of science and spirituality. Now retired, he has a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of California, Santa Cruz and he is an ordained pastor in the United Church of Christ.

In this interview, Richard Randolph and Robert Russell discuss Christian theodicy--or, The Problem of Evil--and the theological challenge it poses for Christians. Here's the challenge: "How do we reconcile the presence of Evil in the world, if we believe that God is all-loving and all-knowing and all-powerful?"

They also discuss current research into Big Bang Cosmology and prevailing cosmological scenarios concerning the destiny of the universe. Then, they look at the Christian concept of God the Creator. Christian doctrine holds that God created the universe out of nothing and that God continues as an active Creator in the present.

Following the work of British cosmologist John Polkinghorne, Bob and Richard explore the possibility that God as Creator is also preparing to redeem all of Creation at the eschaton, or end time. This line of theological thought offers a unique pathway that Christians may follow as they try to reconcile the Problem of Evil in the world.

In the interview, Bob also explains his proposal for “creative mutual interaction.” This methodology proposes different paths that researchers in science and theology may use to interact with each other.

For more information,
Robert J. Russell, Cosmology: From Alpha to Omega, Fortress Press, 2008. (See especially Chapter 10 for Bob’s methodological proposal for “Creative Mutual Interaction” (CMI).

John Polkinghorne, The Faith of a Physicist, Princeton University Press, 1994.
Check out the website for The Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences at
https://www.ctns.org/.

(Please note that a longer, video version of this interview is available online on the Science and
Spirituality YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ScienceSpiritualityInstitue.)