Daring to Believe and Question: Theological Anthropology in an Age of Science

The relationship between science and theology is often framed as a tension between empirical inquiry and metaphysical meaning. However, classical Islamic thought offers a framework where science is integrated within a broader theological vision. By distinguishing between rational, nomic, and legal dimensions of reality, Islamic theology provides a systematic approach to understanding natural regularities, ethical imperatives, and metaphysical truths. This perspective challenges both scientism, which reduces reality to mechanistic processes, and reactionary skepticism, which dismisses scientific inquiry. Instead, it presents science as a locus of divine signs—observable patterns that reflect contingency and point beyond themselves. This model allows for engagement with contemporary issues such as artificial intelligence, evolution, and the nature of consciousness, offering a richer discourse on meaning and existence. By reclaiming this integrated perspective, science and theology can be meaningfully reconciled, fostering a dialogue that embraces empirical discovery while preserving a sense of purpose and transcendence.