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BioLogos - Francis Collins

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Francis Collins is one of the world’s leading scientists and geneticists, and the founder of BioLogos, where he is now a Senior Fellow. In his early scientific career, he discovered the gene for cystic fibrosis. Then he led an international collaboration that first mapped the entire human genome. For that work he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Science. In 2009 he was appointed as Director of the National Institutes of Health, where he served three presidents until 2021, including oversight of the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022 he was asked to serve for 8 months as Acting Science Advisor to the President, and he continues service today in the White House as a Special Projects Advisor.

In 2006, Collins wrote the best-selling book The Language of God. It tells the story of his journey from atheism to Christian belief, showing that science actually enhances faith. The tremendous response to the book prompted Collins to found BioLogos. He envisioned it as a forum to discuss issues at the intersection of faith and science and to celebrate the harmony found there. His reputation quickly attracted a large network of faith leaders, including Tim Keller, Philip Yancey, and NT Wright. These and others joined the BioLogos conversation and affirmed the value of engaging science as believers. BioLogos is now an organization that reaches millions around the world.

In celebration of his world-class scientific accomplishments and deep Christian faith, Collins was awarded the Templeton Prize in 2020. It honors individuals who are “harnessing the power of the sciences to explore the deepest questions of the universe and humankind’s place and purpose within it.” He joined a prestigious group of previous winners, including Mother Teresa, Francis Ayala, Charles Townes, Desmond Tutu, and Billy Graham.

Francis Collins

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College/University Professor

Educator

Pastor/Theologian

Scientist/Tech Worker

Seeker

Videos

General Science and Faith

Evolutionary Creation

Miracles &amp; Divine Action

Wonder &amp; Worship

What Do YOU Believe, Doctor?

BioLogos founder Francis Collins opens the 2019 BioLogos Conference with his presentation, "What Do YOU Believe, Doctor?"

What Do YOU Believe, Doctor? - BioLogos

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John Ortberg

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John Ortberg is the senior pastor at <a href="http://mppc.org/">Menlo Church</a> (MPPC). John's teaching centers around how faith in Christ can impact our everyday lives with God. He has written books on spiritual formation including, <cite><a href="https://amzn.to/OThTj3">The Life You’ve Always Wanted</a></cite>, <cite><a href="https://amzn.to/1pUW5S9">Faith and Doubt</a></cite>, <cite><a href="https://amzn.to/1fVwT9w">The Me I Want To Be</a></cite>, and most recently, <cite><a href="https://amzn.to/1pUWt33">Who is This Man?</a></cite>. John teaches around the world at conferences and churches.

Born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, John graduated from Wheaton College with a degree in psychology. He holds a Master of Divinity and doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Fuller Seminary, and has done post-graduate work at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. Prior to joining MPPC, John served as teaching pastor at Chicago’s Willow Creek Community Church.

John is a member of the Board of Trustees at Fuller Seminary, where he has also served as an adjunct faculty member. He is on the board for the Dallas Willard Center for Spiritual Formation, and has served on the board of Christianity Today International. John is married to Nancy Ortberg, and they have three grown children.

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Gracious Dialogue

Science, Faith, & Public Witness

Pastor John Ortberg presents on Science, Faith, & Public Witness at the 2019 BioLogos Conference.

Science, Faith, & Public Witness - BioLogos

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Jesus

Francis Collins and John Ortberg Discuss Science and Faith

Q&A between Francis Collins and John Ortberg during the 2019 BioLogos Conference.

Francis Collins and John Ortberg Discuss Science and Faith - BioLogos

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Justo L. González, retired professor of historical theology and author of the highly praised three-volume History of Christian Thought, attended United Seminary in Cuba and was the youngest person to be awarded a PhD in historical theology at Yale University. Over the past thirty years he has focused on developing programs for the theological education of Hispanics, and he has received four honorary doctorates.

Justo L. Gonzalez

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The Bible in Ancient Context

The Fall &amp; Original Sin

Creation: Rediscovering a Misunderstood Doctrine

A presentation by bible scholar and theologian Justo González at the 2019 BioLogos Conference.

Creation: Rediscovering a Misunderstood Doctrine - BioLogos

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Tim O’Connor has taught philosophy at Indiana University-Bloomington, since 1993, apart from year-long research fellowships at the Universities of Notre Dame, St. Andrews, and Oxford. He has given over 160 academic and popular lectures in 22 countries. His main areas of scholarship and teaching are metaphysics, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of religion. He has published over 70 scholarly articles, edited seven books, and written two monographs, one on free will and the other on God and the quest for ultimate explanation. He is now writing a third book for a broader audience, Thinking About Faith: Philosophy, Science, and Christian Belief. On his website, he claims to be the ‘Philo-Pong World Grad Champion,’ or top table tennis player among professional philosophers.

Tim O'Connor

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Science as Christian Calling

What is Science?

Science & Its Limits: Properly Receiving God's Good Gift

Philosopher Tim O'Connor shared this presentation at the 2019 BioLogos Conference, followed by a Q&A session. 

Science & Its Limits: Properly Receiving God's Good Gift - BioLogos

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deborah-haarsma

Deborah Haarsma is President of BioLogos. She is an astrophysicist and frequent speaker on modern science and Christian faith at research universities, churches, and public venues like the National Press Club. Her work appears in several recent books, including <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Creation-Evolution-Intelligent-Design-Counterpoints-ebook/dp/B06XFN3TW6/ref=sr_1_5" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Creation-Evolution-Intelligent-Design-Counterpoints-ebook/dp/B06XFN3TW6/ref%3Dsr_1_5&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1547561515803000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHiLRhboyYIpvHL1dswTaThwutQ7g">Four Views on Creation, Evolution, and Design</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christ-Created-Order-Perspectives-Philosophy-ebook/dp/B072TLQ1NX/ref=pd_sim_351_3/145-1145379-1292039" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Christ-Created-Order-Perspectives-Philosophy-ebook/dp/B072TLQ1NX/ref%3Dpd_sim_351_3/145-1145379-1292039&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1547561515803000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFGfW2uchYcRzCbsvuuMXj25k6hgA">Christ and the Created Order</a>.  She wrote the book <a href="http://www.faithaliveonline.org/origins/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.faithaliveonline.org/origins/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1547561515803000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHrmogLeDSXX0_fZ8D6zAc2G7tJ4g">Origins</a> with her husband and fellow physicist, Loren Haarsma, presenting the agreements and disagreements among Christians regarding the history of life and the universe.  She edited the anthology <a href="http://store.calvin.edu/shop_product_detail.asp?catalog_group_id=LTQ&amp;catalog_group_name=U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHM&amp;catalog_id=0&amp;catalog_name=U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHM&amp;pf_id=30286&amp;product_name=RGVsaWdodCBJbiBDcmVhdGlvbg&amp;type=3&amp;search_text=delight+in+creation&amp;f=" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://store.calvin.edu/shop_product_detail.asp?catalog_group_id%3DLTQ%26catalog_group_name%3DU2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHM%26catalog_id%3D0%26catalog_name%3DU2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHM%26pf_id%3D30286%26product_name%3DRGVsaWdodCBJbiBDcmVhdGlvbg%26type%3D3%26search_text%3Ddelight%2Bin%2Bcreation%26f%3D&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1547561515803000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGU8ygTu9wHyLuzR0LQR1SJ91uiBA">Delight in Creation: Scientists Share Their Work with the Church</a> with Rev. Scott Hoezee. Previously, Haarsma served as professor and chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Calvin University.

She is an experienced research scientist, with several publications in the Astrophysical Journal and the Astronomical Journal on extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. She has studied large galaxies, galaxy clusters, the curvature of space, and the expansion of the universe using telescopes around the world and in orbit.  Haarsma completed her doctoral work in astrophysics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her undergraduate work in physics and music at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. She and Loren enjoy science fiction and classical music, and live in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Deborah Haarsma

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Stephen Freeland

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Stephen Freeland is an Astrobiologist and the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies at UMBC in Baltimore. Building from a bachelors degree in zoology (Oxford), a Masters’ degree in computer science (University of York), and a Ph.D. in genetics (Cambridge University), his personal research came to focus upon the earliest evolution of life on our planet. After a postdoctoral fellowship to Princeton, Steve worked for eight years as a biology professor at UMBC before leaving to serve for four years as the project manager for the University of Hawaii node of the NASA Astrobiology Institute (where he worked to facilitate scientists from diverse disciplines working together to derive insights into the origin, distribution and evolution of life in the universe.) In 2013, he returned to UMBC in order to run one of the oldest interdisciplinary studies programs in the country (where he works to support students in creating and executing of unique undergraduate degree programs that combine two or more traditional academic disciplines.) Raised Methodist, Steve explored many different denominations before coming to land at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal church in Baltimore (Saint Bee’s). He is the proud husband and father in a blended family that comprises and three daughters who bring such joy and energy that only his amazing wife can rescue him to go for a quiet walk with the dog.

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Jennifer Wiseman

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Jennifer J. Wiseman is an astrophysicist, author, and speaker. She studies the formation of stars and planets in our galaxy using radio, infrared, and optical telescopes. Dr. Wiseman studied physics for her bachelor’s degree at MIT, discovering comet Wiseman-Skiff in 1987. After earning her Ph.D. in astronomy from Harvard University in 1995, she continued her research as a Jansky Fellow at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and as a Hubble Fellow at the Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Wiseman also has an interest in national science policy and has served as an American Physical Society Congressional Science Fellow on Capitol Hill. She is currently a senior astrophysicist with NASA, and she also directs the Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion for the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Wiseman enjoys giving talks on the excitement of science and astronomy to schools, youth and church groups, and civic organizations. She is a former Councilor of the American Astronomical Society and a former President of the American Scientific Affiliation.

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Human Identity

Arts &amp; Popular Culture

Astronomy

Big Bang

Origin of Life

Life Beyond Earth: What Would It Mean for Christians?

Presentations from the 2019 BioLogos Conference, featuring Deb Haarsma, Jennifer Wiseman, and Stephen Freeland.

Life Beyond Earth: What Would It Mean for Christians? - BioLogos

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Rick Lindroth

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Richard (Rick) Lindroth (Ph.D., University of Illinois-Urbana) is a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor of Ecology Emeritus and former Associate Dean for Research at the University of Wisconsin- Madison. His research focused on evolutionary ecology and global change ecology in forest ecosystems. He has been a Fulbright Fellow and is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Ecological Society of America, the Entomological Society of America, and the American Scientific Affiliation. Funded by grants from the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other agencies, Rick and his research group have published 250 journal articles and book chapters. Rick is currently working as a Distinguished Research Fellow with <a href="https://www.thelumencenter.org/">The Lumen Center</a>, a community of scholars working at the intersection of Christianity and culture. He speaks to public and faith-based groups about creation care, climate change, biodiversity, and science denialism/communication (see this profile in <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2022/04/16/climate-despair-christian-scientist-finding-hope/">The Washington Post</a>). Rick serves on the Board of Directors for <a href="https://arocha.us/">A Rocha USA</a> and an advisory board for <a href="https://scienceforthechurch.org/">Science for the Church</a>. He and his wife have two daughters and three grandchildren. For recreation, they enjoy road cycling, flyfishing and reading, though not necessarily in that order.

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Richard Lindroth

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Ecology &amp; Creation Care

Scientisting Life: Creation Care Lessons from Biology, Scripture, & Five-Year Olds

A presentation by ecologist Rick Lindroth at the National Aquarium, held during the 2019 BioLogos Conference.

Scientisting Life: Creation Care Lessons from Biology, Scripture, & Five-Year Olds - BioLogos

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Bethany Sollereder

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Dr. Bethany Sollereder is a research coordinator at the University of Oxford. She specialises in theology concerning evolution and the problem of suffering. Bethany received her PhD in theology from the University of Exeter and an MCS in interdisciplinary studies from Regent College, Vancouver. When not reading theology books, Bethany enjoys hiking the English countryside, horseback riding, and reading Victorian literature.

Bethany Sollereder at BioLogos Conference

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Death, Evil, Suffering

Evolution

Animal Suffering: God & Pain in the Evolutionary Story

Bethany Sollereder's presentation at the 2019 BioLogos Conference.

Animal Suffering: God & Pain in the Evolutionary Story - BioLogos

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Jeff Hardin

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Jeff Hardin is chair of the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Wisconsin. In addition to numerous scientific research articles relating to embryonic development, Hardin is senior author of World of the Cell. He received a Master of Divinity degree at the International School of Theology in Southern California, where he met his wife, Susie, who worked in campus ministry with Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ). He is on the national advisory board for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship’s Faculty Ministry and serves as faculty advisor for the Navigators and InterVarsity Graduate Christian Fellowship on the UW-Madison campus.

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Topics to Address Lightly

Image of God

Medicine &amp; Bioethics

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made: Embryos & Ethics

Presentation by Jeff Hardin at the 2019 BioLogos Conference.

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made: Embryos & Ethics - BioLogos

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Jonathan Merritt is an award-winning writer on religion, culture, and politics. He currently serves as a contributing writer for The Atlantic and contributing editor for The Week. Jonathan has published more than 3500 articles in respected outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, Buzzfeed, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. As a respected voice, he regularly contributes commentary to television, print, and radio news outlets and has been interviewed by ABC World News, NPR, CNN, PBS, MSNBC, Fox News, and CBS’ “60 Minutes.”

Jonathan is author of several critically-acclaimed books, including Learning to Speak God from Scratch, Jesus is Better Than You Imagined, and A Faith of Our Own: Following Jesus Beyond the Culture Wars, and has collaborated on or ghostwritten more than 50 additional books, with several titles landing on the New York Times, USA Today, or Wall Street Journal bestsellers lists. Additionally, he trains hundreds of young writers through his Write Brilliant course.

Named one of “30 young influencers reshaping Christian leadership“ by Outreach Magazine, Jonathan is a sought after speaker at colleges, conferences, and churches. He holds a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Master of Theology from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.

Jonathan Merritt

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Biblical Interpretation

Speaking God in a Scientific World: Reviving our Sacred Vocabulary

Reviving our sacred vocabulary in the current age. Discussing how old phrases and words change overtime

Speaking God in a Scientific World: Reviving our Sacred Vocabulary - BioLogos

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Deb Haarsma at 2019 BioLogos Conference

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Celebrating BioLogos at 10 Years (And Beyond!)

BioLogos President Deb discusses the organization's past, present, and future at the 2019 BioLogos Conference.

Celebrating BioLogos at 10 Years (And Beyond!) - BioLogos

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Richard Mouw

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Richard J. Mouw is a senior research fellow at the Henry Institute for the Study of Religion and Politics at Calvin University (Grand Rapids, MI). Previously, Mouw served as the President of Fuller Theological Seminary (1993-2013) and directed their Institute of Faith and Public Life (2013-2020). His initial career in academia began at Calvin College, where he taught philosophy from 1968 to 1985. A graduate of Houghton College, Richard received his Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Chicago. He is the author of 19 books, including Restless Faith: Holding Evangelical Beliefs in a World of Contested Labels. He has participated on many councils and editorial boards, serving a term as president of the Association of Theological Schools and six years as cochair of the official Reformed-Catholic Dialogue. In 2007, Princeton Theological Seminary awarded him the Abraham Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Life.

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Seeing the Harmony

Theologian Richard Mouw presents on "Seeing the Harmony" at the 2019 BioLogos Conference.

Seeing the Harmony - BioLogos

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Creating a Place Where Both of God’s Books Can Be Honored

Francis Collins presented on "Creating a Place Where Both of God’s Books Can Be Honored" at the 2019 BioLogos Conference.

2019 BioLogos Conference

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