A History and Critique of Methodological Naturalism

Methodological naturalism is the thesis that only natural features can be factored into any legitimate explanation. Moreover, the thesis contends, any attempt to explain natural phenomena by appealing to supernatural features is unscientific and, therefore, illegitimate. This book argues that nothing inherently problematic afflicts possible appeals to supernatural agency in the attempt to explain select phenomena in nature. Reputable philosophers of the ancient and medieval periods, as well as prominent scientists of the early modern era, invoked supernatural agency in their attempts to understand nature. For them, miraculous interventions in nature by a supernatural agent were not unreasonable. However, the super-naturalistic worldview has been replaced by methodological naturalism. The assumptions of two pivotal figures--David Hume and Charles Darwin--brought about this change. This book shows that this change was motivated by unscientific means. Hence, the change itself remains inconsistent with the assumptions of methodological naturalism.

""Dr. Joseph Okello's presentation on the history and critique of naturalism reflects the clarity of his thinking and the convincing logic of his argument that an unqualified naturalism fails to embrace the larger and more rational comprehension of nature. In our postmodern culture, with its expectation of a more inclusive and relational interpretation of life, this book shows that naturalism fails to account for a more inclusive vision of reality and its larger relational context.""
--Laurence W. Wood, Frank Paul Morris Professor of Systematic Theology, Asbury Theological Seminary

""The assumption that supernatural explanations have no place in science is common among many today. In this informative and stimulating book, Okello not only demonstrates that this assumption is philosophically flawed, he also shows that supernatural explanations have played a prominent role throughout the history of science. But Okello also insists that appealing to God is not a substitute for the task of unearthing scientific explanations. The book is an important voice in the debate.""
--John Njoroge, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries

Joseph B. Onyango Okello is an associate professor of philosophy and ethics at Asbury Theological Seminary, Dunnam Campus, in Orlando, Florida. He holds both a master of arts and a doctor of philosophy degree, both in philosophy, from the University of Kentucky. He also holds a master of divinity and a master of arts in church music from Asbury Theological Seminary. Joseph has authored two books: Revisiting God and Heaven: God's Solution to Human Pain. Joseph, his wife, Sophie, and their son, Sean, live in Oviedo, Florida.