The Soul of Science, ch. 4

A large case study from the previous chapter focusing primarily on Newton, this chapter carefully demonstrates the movement from Newton's thinking/worldview to a Newtonian way of understanding the world that is naturalistic. Readers of Newton parted ways with him using him as their evidence for their naturalism. Thaxton and Pearcey argue that Newton's apologetic was fourfold:

1. Active principles in the world are avenues for God's ordering of the world.

2. Space and time give a clue to God's eternal being, both physically and (a)temporally.

3. Because of this, God has designed this world and given it order; intelligent design

4. Newton also argued that God has to intervene to correct creation from time to time.

It seems strange, in light of Newton's foundation of God, that he became the poster child of materialistic and naturalistic worldviews.