The BioLogos Forum: Ard Louis

Ard Louis is a Reader in Theoretical Physics and a Royal Society University Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, where he leads a research group studying problems on the border between chemistry, physics and biology. He is also the International Secretary for Christians in Science, an associate of the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion and served on the board of advisors for the John Templeton Foundation.

Series by Louis

Reducing Irreducible Complexity (1 Parts)

In this series, Darrel Falk and Ard Louis carefully examine the idea that certain biological structures are irreducibly complex—an idea put forth by scientists such as Michael Behe and Michael Denton. After providing a brief background on Behe and the beginnings of the Intelligent Design movement, Falk dives into Behe’s mouse trap model. He then reveals the scientific and theological problems associated with design inference. The series finishes with a discourse about the bacterial flagellum (another classic example of an irreducible structure). There is, Falk and Louis confirm, no sound reason on the basis of Christianity or science to assert that divine intervention was necessary at specific points in the unfolding creation process.

Miracles and Science (5 Parts)

In this five section series, Ard Louis explores the relationship between science and miracles. He indicates the self-imposed limitations of science to discover knowledge while warning against the God-of-the-Gaps explanations. Then, he explains the two types of miracles seen in Scripture: those that are divine timing and those that are violations of the natural. Overall, God sustains natural processes, but, as the master composer, he has the ability to perform miracles as well.

Addressing Christian Concerns about the Implications of BioLogos’ Science (6 Parts)

In this series, Ard Louis addresses concerns that Christians may have about the BioLogos view that stem from specific misconceptions. Among these are misunderstandings about the nature of science, God’s action in the universe, and natural theology. In addition, there is unwarranted mistrust towards the academic world. Finally, he encourages the BioLogos team to carefully confront “the ways we in the church have all been shaped by the spirit of the age” and to patiently listen and speak about these issues.

Posts by Louis

Beginning with the End in Mind

December 15, 2011

In today's video, Oxford physicist Ard Louis discusses the famous debate between renowned evolutionary biologists Stephen Jay Gould and Simon Conway Morris over the idea of evolutionary convergence.
Comments (32)

Human Value

October 19, 2011

In this video, physicist Ard Louis discusses the misconceptions about evolution and what it says about our purpose. A lot of the young earth arguments against evolution, says Louis, can be beneficial to those promoting atheism. According to Louis, both sides are attempting to extract theology from the natural world and wrongly accept the premise that where we come from determines who we are and how we should live. However, that’s not what the Bible tells us.
Comments (14)

Ard Louis on Intelligent Design

April 14, 2010

In this short video, physicist Ard Louis echoes these same doubts about Intelligent Design, noting that his primary resistance to the movement is based on theological grounds as opposed to scientific. That is, he suggests that accepting Intelligent Design is a bit like acknowledging that God “[couldn’t] get the world right the first time around”.
Comments (39)

What Do You Mean When You Say “Evolution”?

January 20, 2010

In this video clip, Oxford University biophysicist, Ard Louis posits that one of the reasons Christians are hostile to evolution is that they latch onto a particular definition, which puts it in conflict with their theological convictions.


Comments (35)

Essays by Louis

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