Should Theologians Answer the Question "Is Religion Natural?": Panel Contribution on the 2024 Boyle Lecture

In his 2024 Boyle Lecture, David Fergusson takes up the question “is religion natural?” In response, this panel contribution provides four reasons why theologians should be hesitant to offer answers to this question. Debates on the naturalness of religion are (1) frustrated by intractable disagreements about the definition of key terms, (2) a trap for theologians, (3) often exclusionary to autistic people, and (4) serve no practical purpose. I conclude by conceding that Fergusson’s unique combination of deep theological reflection and concrete predictions for the church relieves many of these worries.