Journal Articles by C.W. Howell
Christian Perspectives on Science and Technology, 2022
Theodosius Dobzhansky was one of the foremost evolu-
tionary biologists of the twentieth century ... more Theodosius Dobzhansky was one of the foremost evolu-
tionary biologists of the twentieth century who spent a great deal
of time pondering, studying, and writing about religion. A con-
fessed Eastern Orthodox Christian, though one with an idiosyn-
cratic take on the faith, Dobzhansky was interested in harmonising
the different elements of his life—religious background, scientific
knowledge, and political beliefs. Throughout his oeuvre, he made
various attempts to do this, and his legacy therefore amounts to a
great synthesis. His greatest scientific achievement is the fusion
of genetics and natural selection, which constitutes the ground-
work for modern evolutionary biology. He also worked to synthe-
sise democratic politics with Christian ethics, and religion with
science. Dobzhansky was worried that science could not provide a
basis for morality, and believed that Dostoevsky definitively proved
this. Accordingly, he undertook not only to make sense of his own
life and beliefs, but to protect and secure science, religion, morali-
ty, and democracy as parts of a cohesive whole.
Almagest: International Journal for the History of Scientific Ideas, 2019
Though the Orthodox in America remain a small minority, two figures-the monk Seraphim Rose and th... more Though the Orthodox in America remain a small minority, two figures-the monk Seraphim Rose and the theologian David Bentley Hart-have nevertheless exerted great influence on Christianity both within and without the United States. In comparing these two figures, the multifarious perspectives of American Orthodox on science, theology, and biblical hermeneutics can be seen up close. Though, at first, Rose and Hart may seem at first to have little in common, they agree on one foundational issue: that modernity is essentially nihilistic and is the result of the world's inexorable slide away from Christianity into "nothingness." However, while they share this diagnosis of what ails the modern world, they differ wildly in their solution to it, illustrating how wide the chasm can truly be between two members of the same church. Rose was deeply hostile to ecumenism and evolutionary biology, finding refuge in a creationism he thought backed by the Church Fathers. Conversely, Hart argues there is only hope in ecumenical unity, and he rejects creationism and Intelligent Design, arguing instead for the classical doctrine of creatio ex nihilo, an understanding of the natural world as intrinsically teleological, and a biblical hermeneutic based not on literalism but reading ad litteram.
Popular Articles by C.W. Howell
Wired, 2023
It’s easy to forget how little students and educators understand generative AI’s flaws. Once they... more It’s easy to forget how little students and educators understand generative AI’s flaws. Once they actually try it out, they’ll see that it can’t replace them.
Eclectic Orthodoxy, 2022
This piece takes seriously Nietzsche's criticism that Christianity is secretly vengeful and full ... more This piece takes seriously Nietzsche's criticism that Christianity is secretly vengeful and full of hate. Nietzsche argued that behind the mask of brotherly love, Christianity was animated by a lust for power and a love of cruelty. The doctrine of eternal hell made this most evident. But can apokatastasis help rebut Nietzsche's claims? This essay investigates the way Christian universalism may blunt Nietzsche's attacks.
Public Orthodoxy, 2022
In light of the Russian War in Ukraine, and the relation of the Orthodox Church to Russian nation... more In light of the Russian War in Ukraine, and the relation of the Orthodox Church to Russian nationalism, this essay looks at the Greco-Turkish War of 1919-1921 and considers whether the Hellenism of then is comparable to the Russian World of today (as some critics of The Declaration on the Russian World Teaching alleged). Concurrently, it asks, what is the relation of Hellenism to Orthodoxy? If Hellenism takes the form of revanchist attempts to restore the Byzantine Empire, then it can easily commit the same sins as imperial Russia. But if Hellenism is understood instead as the Greek concept of philoxenia, then it is not only compatible with Orthodoxy but integral to it.
Public Orthodoxy, 2022
Part 3 of a series on Theodosius Dobzhansky, which would eventually be revised and published as a... more Part 3 of a series on Theodosius Dobzhansky, which would eventually be revised and published as a peer-reviewed article for Christian Perspectives on Science and Technology (2022).
Public Orthodoxy, 2021
Part 2 of a series on Theodosius Dobzhansky, which would eventually be revised and published as a... more Part 2 of a series on Theodosius Dobzhansky, which would eventually be revised and published as a peer-reviewed article for Christian Perspectives on Science and Technology (2022).
Public Orthodoxy, 2021
Part 1 of a series on Theodosius Dobzhansky, which would eventually be revised and published as a... more Part 1 of a series on Theodosius Dobzhansky, which would eventually be revised and published as a peer-reviewed article for Christian Perspectives on Science and Technology (2022).
Public Orthodoxy, 2020
An examination of the Orthodox thought in Greek poet George Seferis, with a consideration of what... more An examination of the Orthodox thought in Greek poet George Seferis, with a consideration of what freedom in art and thought might mean in a poet whose work was animated by a love, and difficulty, with tradition.
Public Orthodoxy, 2019
A shortened version of my journal article from Almagest (2019) that covered the disparate thought... more A shortened version of my journal article from Almagest (2019) that covered the disparate thought of Seraphim Rose and David Bentley Hart.
Papers by C.W. Howell
Christian Perspectives on Science and Technology, 2022
Christian Perspectives on Science and Technology, New Series, Vol. 1 (2022), 28–45
Abstract: T... more Christian Perspectives on Science and Technology, New Series, Vol. 1 (2022), 28–45
Abstract: Theodosius Dobzhansky was one of the foremost evolutionary biologists of the twentieth century who spent a great deal of time pondering, studying, and writing about religion. A confessed Eastern Orthodox Christian, though one with an idiosyncratic take on the faith, Dobzhansky was interested in harmonising the different elements of his life—religious background, scientific knowledge, and political beliefs. Throughout his oeuvre, he made various attempts to do this, and his legacy therefore amounts to a great synthesis. His greatest scientific achievement is the fusion of genetics and natural selection, which constitutes the groundwork for modern evolutionary biology. He also worked to synthesise democratic politics with Christian ethics, and religion with science. Dobzhansky was worried that science could not provide a basis for morality, and believed that Dostoevsky definitively proved this. Accordingly, he undertook not only to make sense of his own life and beliefs, but to protect and secure science, religion, morality, and democracy as parts of a cohesive whole.
Keywords: Theodosius Dobzhansky; evolution; Eastern Orthodoxy; religion; science
Full text available at
https://journal.iscast.org/articles/between-darwin-and-dostoevsky-the-syntheses-of-theodosius-dobzhansky
Author's bio
Christopher Howell is an adjunct assistant professor of religious studies at Elon University. He holds a PhD in Religion from Duke University and a Masters in Theological Studies from Duke Divinity School.
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Journal Articles by C.W. Howell
tionary biologists of the twentieth century who spent a great deal
of time pondering, studying, and writing about religion. A con-
fessed Eastern Orthodox Christian, though one with an idiosyn-
cratic take on the faith, Dobzhansky was interested in harmonising
the different elements of his life—religious background, scientific
knowledge, and political beliefs. Throughout his oeuvre, he made
various attempts to do this, and his legacy therefore amounts to a
great synthesis. His greatest scientific achievement is the fusion
of genetics and natural selection, which constitutes the ground-
work for modern evolutionary biology. He also worked to synthe-
sise democratic politics with Christian ethics, and religion with
science. Dobzhansky was worried that science could not provide a
basis for morality, and believed that Dostoevsky definitively proved
this. Accordingly, he undertook not only to make sense of his own
life and beliefs, but to protect and secure science, religion, morali-
ty, and democracy as parts of a cohesive whole.
Popular Articles by C.W. Howell
Papers by C.W. Howell
Abstract: Theodosius Dobzhansky was one of the foremost evolutionary biologists of the twentieth century who spent a great deal of time pondering, studying, and writing about religion. A confessed Eastern Orthodox Christian, though one with an idiosyncratic take on the faith, Dobzhansky was interested in harmonising the different elements of his life—religious background, scientific knowledge, and political beliefs. Throughout his oeuvre, he made various attempts to do this, and his legacy therefore amounts to a great synthesis. His greatest scientific achievement is the fusion of genetics and natural selection, which constitutes the groundwork for modern evolutionary biology. He also worked to synthesise democratic politics with Christian ethics, and religion with science. Dobzhansky was worried that science could not provide a basis for morality, and believed that Dostoevsky definitively proved this. Accordingly, he undertook not only to make sense of his own life and beliefs, but to protect and secure science, religion, morality, and democracy as parts of a cohesive whole.
Keywords: Theodosius Dobzhansky; evolution; Eastern Orthodoxy; religion; science
Full text available at
https://journal.iscast.org/articles/between-darwin-and-dostoevsky-the-syntheses-of-theodosius-dobzhansky
Author's bio
Christopher Howell is an adjunct assistant professor of religious studies at Elon University. He holds a PhD in Religion from Duke University and a Masters in Theological Studies from Duke Divinity School.