The Washingon Theological Union, a member of the Washington Theological Consortium, with the support of a grant from the John Templeton Foundation, initiated a program to encourage a lively conversation between scientists and theologians on big issues of common interest such as creation, evolution, and spirituality. Is whole-hearted acceptance of evolution compatible with the Catholic faith or must believers choose between faith and the results of science? Can science teach us what God is like? How can the findings of neuroscience broaden our concept of what it means to have a human soul? Karol Wojtyla, later Pope John Paul II, once said, “Science prunes religion of superstition; religion warns science against false absolutes.”
Under the leadership of Rev. Joseph F. Wimmer, S.T.D. and Daryl P. Domning, Ph.D., four public conferences featuring scientists and theologians were held between fall 2011 and spring 2013 on various issues of the interaction between science and religion. The results are published here and available to all.
Scientists Stephen M. Barr (Univ. of Delaware) and Sten Odenwald (NASA), along with Catholic University theologians Robert D. Miller and James Wiseman, OSB, have provided us with much food for thought and a sophisticated understanding of divine creation in their November 12, 2011 presentations on the Origin of the Universe. Video, audio, and written copies of the lectures from Conference 1 can now be viewed on the Conference 1 page.
Evolutionary biologists traced the scientific basis of the origin of life and its development, including that of higher primates and humans. Catholic theologians proposed an enlightened view of the creation of the human soul that is in harmony with scientific findings. Both groups sought to answer questions on the origin of life, from the viewpoint of their own discipline. Print copies, audio, and video of the presentations from April 14, 2012 are now available here.
Scientists reviewed studies on the group behavior of higher primates which is homologous to human competition and cooperation, and looked at the evolutionary roots of human morality. Catholic biblical and moral theologians laid out a contemporary view of evil, theodicy, original sin and moral life that is harmonious with contemporary science. A major goal was to offer ministers a more adequate way of addressing the “problem of evil” in a pastoral context. Print copies, audio, and video of the presentations from November 10, 2012 are now available here.
Scientists and Catholic theologians examined Divine Providence, the Cosmological Anthropic Principles and new insights gained from a holistic view of science and theology in an increasingly interconnected world. What spiritual benefits can be gleaned from a heightened scientific awareness?
Lectures, video and audio of this conference are now available here .
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