A weekly dose of science for the church

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Raising Our Spirits Together: Q&A with Dr. Addie Weaver

Addie Weaver, assistant professor of social work at the University of Michigan, believes churches can be part of the solution to our mental health crisis. For her, the delivery of mental health care to underserved groups, particularly those in rural areas, is a justice issue.

The Neuroscience of Teaching Christian Formation

Our human brains are made to grab onto knowledge that we can both apply in our lives and that is also efficacious—it makes a difference. It strikes me that too often when I’ve mentioned science and faith, people tell me, “That’s too heady for me,” which can mean that it seems abstract and academic, not related to the lives we actually live 24-7. Applicability and efficacy seemed like antidotes.

Conflicted about the Conflict

This has me conflicted about the conflict between science and religion. How do we extract it from our churches, especially those that witness the ways science works alongside the Christian faith? Will it go away if we focus on the cooperation and don’t give voice to the opposition? Or must we acknowledge the conflict and work to reframe it?

The Shadow Side of Self-Driving Trucks

The Shadow Side of Self-Driving Trucks

Clearly, self-driving autonomous trucks will make truck drivers a relic of the past. The industry needs an army of engineers, mathematicians, and technicians to keep these systems working safely and at optimal levels. This seismic industry shift presents a prime opportunity for helping BIPOC students see STEM as a viable alternative… We can use our social capital, influence, and collective wisdom to help guide this shift in ways that are equitable and just.

How Carver Became an Emblem in One Seminary’s Science and Faith Programming

How Carver Became an Emblem in One Seminary’s Science and Faith Programming

But Grant will add to the model by integrating Carver’s life in a curriculum aimed as regenerating souls too. “Our souls have been ravaged the last two years, so we will do soil work and soul work,” said Grant. “Everyone is experiencing trauma and seeing it in the pandemic. Carver’s life shows us how one engages in a lifelong journey to fulfill one’s God-given potential” despite trauma. 

George Washington Carver on Revitalizing Soil and Soul

George Washington Carver on Revitalizing Soil and Soul

While many science and faith conversations are dominated by questions about how life began on Earth or if God exists, Black people aren’t questioning that, said Grant. What they do wonder about can be discussed through the life of Carver: “Why is there so much evil and why are we treated less than human? We want to look at the nature of evil, and what does it mean to be human? What does it mean to be disregarded and dehumanized?”

James Webb Telescope: The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

James Webb Telescope: The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

From ancient times, we have peered into the skies seeking to understand the magnitude of God’s handiwork… This quest has led theologians and scientists alike to peer into the skies for clues to help them build and support cosmogonic theories. So, following this great tradition of scientific and theological inquiry, the James Webb space telescope images provide us with the latest window into God’s creative impetus.

How Do We Really and Truly Relate our Faith with Science?

How Do We Really and Truly Relate our Faith with Science?

How do we bring science to our faith? And what difference does it make in our church ministries? I’m certainly fascinated by the first question, but it’s the second one I’d like to focus on here. Why? Because it’s our actions that demonstrate what we truly believe. They do in fact speak louder than words.

How Judaism Engages Science: My Conversation with Geoff Mitelman

How Judaism Engages Science: My Conversation with Geoff Mitelman

…in Jewish discussion of texts, such as the Torah and the Talmud, there’s a good deal of argumentation—“show me the text”—it’s like science (and to some degree, like Canon Law in Catholicism). We call this havruta or “pairs,” since two people learning together are better than one learning alone. It’s therefore not lectio divina—a silent reflection on Scripture. Instead, there’s lots of gesticulations and textual work. Traditionally, in the Jewish school or yeshiva, it’s cacophony.

Psychology for the Church: Q&A with Erin Smith

Psychology for the Church: Q&A with Erin Smith

I worked with a professor who had a research program probing religious cognition. They were asking fascinating questions around how we know and how we come to decide what is real. The implications in their research for both religion and science were really important.