Stephen Freeland
Author, BioLogos Advisory Council
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.
Stephen Freeland As a Christian and an evolutionary biologist, I support with enthusiasm the work of BioLogos as part of my personal commitment to nurture dialog (dia-Logos!) between science and the Christian faith. I identify most strongly with the organization’s eleventh article of belief (“What we believe”): We believe that conversations among Christians about controversial issues of science and faith can and must be conducted with humility, grace, honesty, and compassion as a visible sign of the Spirit’s presence in Christ’s body, the Church.
Life Beyond Earth: What Would It Mean for Christians?
Presentations from the 2019 BioLogos Conference, featuring Deb Haarsma, Jennifer Wiseman, and Stephen Freeland.

Origins of Life: The Questions Are Big, and The Answers Complex
How did life on Earth originate? There are many reported breakthroughs in this area of study, but news items are often overstated and designed to attract readership. Real progress is being made, but the questions are big-- and answers complex.

The Evolutionary Origins of Genetic Information
To address a major Intelligent Design critique of evolutionary theory, Stephen Freeland discusses the progress mainstream science has made towards understanding the origin of genetic information.
Stephen Freeland | Life on Earth and Elsewhere
Stephen Freeland joins Jim to talk about astrobiology, the rich benefits of a multidisciplinary and faith-centered approach to the subject, and his take on the possibility of life, intelligent or otherwise, beyond our planet.
Life Beyond Earth: What Would It Mean for Christians?
Presentations from the 2019 BioLogos Conference, featuring Deb Haarsma, Jennifer Wiseman, and Stephen Freeland.

Origins of Life: The Questions Are Big, and The Answers Complex
How did life on Earth originate? There are many reported breakthroughs in this area of study, but news items are often overstated and designed to attract readership. Real progress is being made, but the questions are big-- and answers complex.

The Evolutionary Origins of Genetic Information
To address a major Intelligent Design critique of evolutionary theory, Stephen Freeland discusses the progress mainstream science has made towards understanding the origin of genetic information.
Stephen Freeland | Life on Earth and Elsewhere
Stephen Freeland joins Jim to talk about astrobiology, the rich benefits of a multidisciplinary and faith-centered approach to the subject, and his take on the possibility of life, intelligent or otherwise, beyond our planet.
Life Beyond Earth: What Would It Mean for Christians?
Presentations from the 2019 BioLogos Conference, featuring Deb Haarsma, Jennifer Wiseman, and Stephen Freeland.

Origins of Life: The Questions Are Big, and The Answers Complex
How did life on Earth originate? There are many reported breakthroughs in this area of study, but news items are often overstated and designed to attract readership. Real progress is being made, but the questions are big-- and answers complex.

The Evolutionary Origins of Genetic Information
To address a major Intelligent Design critique of evolutionary theory, Stephen Freeland discusses the progress mainstream science has made towards understanding the origin of genetic information.