Shared Principles, Diverging Paths: Neo-Calvinism, neo-Thomism and the Natural Sciences, 1880–1960

Type:

Book Chapter

Author:

A.C. Flipse

Published:

2023

Won't Stand up for Science."3While it may be that Giberson's reaction does not do justice to the decision, it is nonetheless revealing as to the general perception of the debate.This chapter will provide a comparative, historical analysis of the neo-Calvinist and Roman Catholic views of science in the late nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century, the period during which neo-Calvinism and neo-Thomism came into existence and flourished as frameworks for reflection on social, cultural and scientific issues.4Both late-nineteenth-century neo-Calvinism and neo-Thomism can be viewed as attempts to appropriate the natural sciences, by criticizing them on certain aspects while also developing a synthesis of science and religion compatible with their own worldviews.Accordingly, this chapter will analyse the similarities and parallels of the foundational views of neo-Thomism and neo-Calvinism within their socio-cultural context.Although neo-Thomism was a wide international movement during this period, this chapter will limit its focus to the Netherlands, where interaction between neo-Calvinism and neo-Thomism was particularly clearly manifest.While both neo-Calvinists and neo-Thomists developed an all-embracing view of science, I will use evolutionary theory as a case study, because the question of creation and evolution is viewed by many as the most controversial issue in the debate.As shall be seen, although there were important similarities between neo-Calvi…

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