Fyzikoteologie raného novověku a kartograf Gerhard Mercator coby teolog

The article deals with the issue of the so­called physico­‑theology of the Early Modern age and its relationship to contemporary natural science. It serves as a background for one of the representatives of Christian natural science, Gerardus Mercator (1512–1594). An outline of the concepts, characteristics and period of physico­theological thought is followed by an analysis of Mercator’s main work, Atlas, sive cosmographicae meditationes, against marked features of the physico­theological method. Although known to the world as a geographer and cartographer whose inductive methodical approach ranks him among protagonists of natural science, in particular modern geography, Mercator himself places the focal point of his activities in cosmographic texts. They are clearly marked by a teleological way of thinking. All of Mercator’s (specialist) cognitive endeavours are doxologically aimed at a praise of God’s omnipotence, wisdom and goodness.