Date: December 1, 2022
Thanks to Dr. John Knight, our director of research, we managed to obtain a grant from AAAS (American Association for the Advancement for Science) to explore the relationship between science and religion. A group of faculty will be on a 24 hour retreat to explore possible synergies and potential program initiatives.
As students in my classes will know, I take the view that scientific literacy is crucial for the development of congregational leaders. It is not simply that we provide a witness in Christendom that it is possible to be a Christian and affirm the truth of evolution but also there are real apologetic opportunities emerging from the latest developments in science. The “anthropic principle” is one such development that seems to suggest strongly that this universe was intended and a result of purpose.
For a whole range of topics (from creation to providence to eschatology), scientific literacy should inform our theology. So, I am grateful to John Knight for getting this funding and organizing this retreat. It is an honor to be part of the conversation.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President