How can we reconcile the creation accounts in Genesis with the findings of evolutionary and cosmological science?
How can we engage in constructive, hospitable dialogue on these issues?
How can we participate in these conversations without fear, following Christ’s model of self-giving love?
These questions have prompted scientists, philosophers, and theologians at Church of the Servant to dig deeper together, and with the congregation, into issues in faith and science. Church of the Servant received a $30,000 grant, funded by the John Templeton Foundation, from Scientists in Congregations to foster dialogue between the Christian faith and modern science.
Program Activities
1. Congregational Dialogues. A series of public dialogues held on the following schedule:
October 2011: God and Cosmology
February/March 2012: God and Evolution
October 2012: God and Human Origins
February/March 2013: God and the Brain
2. Distribution of Books. Attendees received Origins: A Reformed Look at Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design by Deborah B. Haarsma and Loren D. Haarsma (see review below)
3. Sunday School Curriculum. Jana Brasser will develop a set of Sunday school lessons for elementary and middle school students.
4. Recommended Books. Study materials on the top 10 science-and-religion books (see list below) will be developed for Christians and church libraries.
Program Directors and Consultants
Rev. Jack Roeda, co-director
Senior pastor, Church of the Servant CRC
Dr. Kelly James Clark, co-director
Senior research fellow, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, Grand Valley State University
Dr. Daniel C. Harlow, project consultant
Professor of religion, Calvin College
Rev. Michael Gulker, project consultant
Executive director, The Colossian Forum on Faith, Science and Culture
Faith-and-Science Reading List
1. Origins: A Reformed Look at Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design
by Deborah B. Haarsma and Loren D. Haarsma
→ View a book review: as HTML or as PDF
2. The Language of Science and Faith
by Francis S. Collins and Karl W. Giberson
3. Quarks, Chaos & Christianity
by John Polkinghorne
4. Bioethics: A Reformed Look at Life and Death Choices
by Ruth Groenhout
5. Tending to Eden: Environmental Stewardship for God’s People
by Scott C. Sabin
6. Born Believers: The Science of Children’s Religious Belief
by Justin Barrett
7. Wars and Rumors of Wars
by Kelly James Clark
8. Galileo Goes to Jail and Other Myths About Science and Religion
edited by Ronald L. Numbers
9. Naturalism
by Stewart Goetz and Charles Taliaferro
10. God’s Universe
by Owen Gingerich
→ “Like” Faith and Science: A Dialogue on Facebook (and see event photos)
