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Series: Shaping the Human Soul
In Washington DC, Church of the Advent teamed up with The Trinity Forum to offer a series of lectures exploring the synergy between modern science and Christian Faith. This presentation by psychiatrist Curt Thompson and philosopher James K.A. Smith addressed the process of Christian discipleship and spiritual formation through the lens of neuroscience.
Body and Soul, Mind and Brain: Pressing Questions
“Bit by experimental bit,” writes philosopher P. Churchland, “neuroscience is morphing our conception of what we are.” For many, this includes dispensing with the “soul” in favor of biologically anchored processes.
Series: The Meaning of mîn in the Hebrew Old Testament
The related ideas of the “fixity of species” and “natural kinds” have been prominent in the science and faith conversation. Some Christians take Genesis to mean that God created (bara) fixed species (mîn). But does the text truly indicate such a concept? Biblical scholar Dr. Richard Hess looks at the Biblical context and meaning of the Hebrew mîn, and suggests that when Christians use it to frame our understanding of the entire created order, we may be asking too much of this single word.
Series: But Does it Move? John Lennox on Science and the Bible
Taken from Chapter 2 of John Lennox's book Seven Days That Divide The World, this three part series looks at scripture interpretation. Lennox looks especially at the Galileo controversy regarding the movement of the Earth and why our own interpretations do not necessarily call into question the authority of the Scripture.
Series: The Genesis of Everything
Theologian, historian and Christian apologist Dr. John P. Dickson addresses the history and interpretation of Genesis 1. Making no claims about human biological origins, Dickson urges us to treat the early chapters of Genesis as a literary and historical statement, and listen carefully to it on those terms.
Below the Surface; Behind the Scene
In this video, Alister McGrath discusses the importance of going beyond surface readings, both in Scripture and in the natural world. The parable of the sower, for example, contains a far deeper meaning than a story of a man scattering seed.
Gaining Perspective
In today’s video, Michael Ramsden discusses the humility and openness we need to have before we approach Scripture.
God's Accommodation to Humans
According to Calvin, accommodation is a pedagogical tool that God employs to communicate to human beings. If God wishes to speak to us, he must bridge the gulf by descending into our world and speaking our language. In other words, God accommodates himself to our ability to comprehend.
Beware Evolutionary 'Just-so' Stories About Religious Belief
As an evolutionary biologist I am fascinated by the emergence of cognitive abilities that make us so distinctive from other living species. There are, however, risks in making up evolutionary "just-so" stories to explain the origins of complex human beliefs.
A Pastor’s Perspective on the Dangers of an Ultra-Literal Perspective
In this video Conversation, Greg Boyd notes that some believers conceive of their faith as a “house of cards”—where shifting one element will collapse the whole thing.
On Myth and Meaning
In this video, John Walton talks about ancient myth and how we might better understand it if we think about its intended functionality—that is, myths were a way to explain a culture’s origin and universal significance though they lacked the advances of scientific discovery.
N.T. Wright on Understanding Ancient Texts
In this video Conversation, N.T. Wright emphasizes the importance of understanding the context of biblical texts in order to know whether to read them as literal or metaphorical narratives.
Are We Genetically Predisposed to Believe in God?
While the question of evolutionary predisposition toward religious belief may be challenging, Christians need not see it as threatening. In fact, this is actually a Pauline notion that is explored in Romans 1, where Paul claims that it is in mankind’s nature to “know God”.
Reading Nature and Reading Scripture
I recently led a seminar on faith and science at a large Christian music festival in rural Illinois. One pugilistic gentleman bulldogged me all week, insisting that geologists and biologists were misguided and mistaken. "If evolution is right," he said, "then the Bible is wrong―about everything."
Narrative Theology
When addressing the science and faith dialogue, one of the first things we must look at is how we interpret scripture. In today's video, Nancey Murphy discusses the importance of narratives as a tool for the ancient writers to teach theological truths, especially about the nature of creation.
Biblical Genre and Relational Truth
In today’s video, theologian Chris Tilling discusses biblical genre and the relational truth of Scripture. Tilling notes that when we read the Biblical text, we bring our own presuppositions and assumptions to the text (what theologians call “eisegesis”).
Evangelicals, Creation, and Scripture: An Overview
Mark Noll, historian and author of The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind, enumerates 15 attitudes, assumptions, and convictions he considers to be most influential in inciting anti-intellectual sentiment among evangelical Christians.
Concerns of the Typical Agnostic Scientist
Falk's paper asks evangelical Christians to explore whether they are propping up a bubble that they, not God, have created, thereby isolating themselves from the world of academics. The essay describes five layers that may play a role in unnecessarily blocking entry, or reentry, of agnostic scientists into the realm of evangelicalism.
Series: Genesis, Creation and Ancient Interpreters: The Beginning
In this series, Pete Enns explores how ancient interpreters—ones who “regularly picked up on real interpretive challenges in the biblical text that tend to pass moderns by”—thought about and solved various issues regarding the Genesis 1 account. He brings forth points that they discussed such as the creation of angels in the beginning and the plural pronoun “we” used by God when making humans in his image. Enns reminds us that the Genesis 1 text may not be so straightforward and complete as people would like to assume.
Science and the Question of God, Part 5
Consider a theology that interprets the Word of God with no acknowledgment of nature. The incarnation then makes no sense. Nature cannot be ignored or devalued.
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