Series #5: Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science

Written By Austin Stevenson

For hundreds of years, Christian theologians have wrestled with how to understand the findings of science from a Christian perspective. Scientists have also had a range of views on the faith implications of their work. Sometimes they have imagined a conflict between the two and sometimes a mutually enriching harmony. There is often a gap between what the top scientists and theologians say and what ordinary people on the street tend to think. The real relationship between faith and science is not always the same as the way it is represented by the media, in schools and churches.

So how do we bridge that gap? That is the purpose of Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS), the partner to this podcast series. Each episode features one or more ECLAS researcher sharing insights and talking about ECLAS’s exciting projects to bring faith and science together at the concrete level of the local church, the local seminary, and the local school.

This series explores the history of the supposed conflict between Christianity and science, the diverse range of perspectives from different cultures and ethnicities, and we will learn about what projects like Science for Seminaries and Scientists in Congregations have uncovered about the potential for retelling the story in a compelling and powerful way. We will even find out what science fiction can reveal to us about our faith to help us see it in fresh ways.

All episodes are linked and described below.

  • #45 The True Story of the Science-Faith ‘Conflict’, from the Galileo affair to Draper and White

    What is really at stake in seeing faith & science as in conflict with each other? What are the origins of this conflict narrative and what were the theological motivations behind it?

    These questions and others are the driving force behind today's episode, the first in our ⁠ECLAS⁠ series. We interview ⁠David Hutchings⁠ and Dr Amanda Rees for their perspective - both practical and academic - on the common perception of a conflict.

    Note this episode was recorded shortly before the passing of Tom McLeish, who is mentioned near the beginning.

  • It may sound like a strange idea to teach science in seminaries. But after recording this episode, it made much more sense to the hosts! Lucas Mix (ECLAS) and Katy Hinman (AAAS) help run help run ECLAS’ ‘Science for Seminaries’ programme, in which future pastors, priests, and church leaders get to learn what it’s like to engage in science and with scientists. We discuss questions like:

    • Why do people turn to their religious leaders for advice on scientific questions?

    • Why has there been justified suspicion of science from minority ethnic groups, and what do we do about it?

    • What might Science for Seminaries look like in the future?

    If you’re interested to learn more, check out:

  • What do Charismatic/Pentecostal Christians think of science? Two of their number discuss the distinctives of their tradition on this question:

    1. Chris Done, Professor of astrophysics at Durham University

    2. Simo Frestadius, executive director of the institute for Pentecostal theology

    Among their many insights are that:

    • Charismatics place a lot of emphasis on experience and experiment - not so different to scientists!

    • Charismatics are keen to ‘demythologise’ the Bible - but not the same way Bultmann did!

    Enjoy listening!

  • #49 Where Science and Politics Collide: Black Majority Churches and the Covid Vaccine

    Barney interviews Pastor Alton Bell about his experiences persuading his church congregation to take the Covid vaccine. This episode digs into the history of black peoples' engagement with white medicine, and is not always easy listening. But its message is important: science is always communicated by someone, and if that someone is the government, there are political issues at play.

  • #51 Mitres and Microscopes: How church leaders think of science - with Dr. Thoko Kamwendo

    Science is done in a society. Society affects not only what science is done, but how people understand it and its role. Dr. Thoko Kamwendo is part of a growing field of research called ‘science
    studies’ which uncovers the social dimension of scientific research. She has studied in particular how church leaders approach science, and how they communicate its meaning and relevance to congregations.

  • Let's open the science & religion debate to include voices from beyond the White Western world! In this episode Barney interviews two Anglican bishops who are doing just that:

    • Bishop Richard Cheetham, co-director for global engagement with ECLAS & a member of the ⁠Anglican Communion Science Commission⁠.

    • Bishop Joseph Galgalo, provincial secretary of the Anglican Church of Kenya, and assistant bishop of All Saints Cathedral diocese. 

    This episode is full of insights about the way Africans conceive of the faith/science relationship, and what we can learn from it and other global perspectives. 

Austin Stevenson
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Series #1: Refugees