Paul Tillich's realistic stance toward the vital trends of nature

Many scientists have argued forcefully for the pointlessness of nature, som ething that challenges any doctrine of Creation. However, apparent design a nd comprehensibility are also to be found in nature; it is ambivalent. This trait is nowhere more evident than in the natural inclinations that lead t o concupiscence and the "seven deadly sins" in human beings. These inclinat ions are dealt with as pertaining to the "pre-fallen" condition of nature a nd human beings. As a framework to make sense of the goodness of creation i n this context, Paul Tillich's notion of the "vital trends of nature" is ca lled to the fore. Being at the intersection of a philosophy of religion and a philosophy of nature, this notion hints at the goodness of Creation in f ragment and anticipation.