Exploring the intersections of various theological traditions, Olli-Pekka Vainio analyzes the foundational assumptions of prominent Christian theologies. He investigates how these traditions can engage in meaningful dialogue with one another and with non-Christian beliefs, all while maintaining their distinct identities. The work addresses the challenge of fostering communication in a postmodern context, emphasizing the importance of preserving individual traditions during discourse.
What does it mean to use language religiously? How does religious language differ from ordinary linguistic practices? Can religious language have meaning? These questions are part of the so-called problem of religious language, originating from the peculiar object of many religious claims, that is, the transcendent, or more precisely, God.
Disagreement is inevitable, particularly in our current context, marked by the close coexistence of conflicting values and perspectives in politics, religion, and ethics. How can we deal with disagreement ethically and constructively in our pluralistic world? In Disagreeing Virtuously Olli-Pekka Vainio presents a valuable interdisciplinary approach to that question, drawing on insights from intellectual history, the cognitive sciences, philosophy of religion, and virtue theory. After mapping the current discussion on disagreement among various disciplines, Vainio offers fresh ways to understand the complicated nature of human disagreement and recommends ways to manage our interpersonal and intercommunal conflicts in ethically sustainable ways.
Exploring the relationship between certainty and faith within Christian belief, this book offers a historical analysis that spans from the early Church to contemporary times. It examines how assurance has evolved and highlights the confessional differences that shape these concepts. Through its chapters, the text delves into the nuances of faith, providing insights into how certainty has been understood across various Christian traditions.
Exploring the evolution of virtues from Plato to Nietzsche, this book delves into their philosophical and psychological dimensions. It examines the significance of virtues across various disciplines, including epistemology, positive psychology, ethics, and politics, highlighting their resurgence since the 1960s. Through this comprehensive overview, readers gain insight into the historical context and contemporary relevance of virtues in shaping human behavior and societal norms.
Olli-Pekka Vainio, a leading expert in science and theology, explores questions concerning the place and significance of humans in the cosmos. Vainio introduces cosmology from a "state of the question" perspective, examining the history of the idea in dialogue with C. S. Lewis. This work, which is related to a NASA-funded project on astrobiology, ties into the ongoing debate on the relationship between Christian theism and scientific worldview and shows what the stakes are for religion and theology in the rise of modern science.