In furtherance of the AAAS mission of advancing science in service to society, AAAS|DoSER’s role in the Science for Seminaries project is to support efforts to integrate science into seminary education. AAAS|DoSER does not advise on or endorse the theological content of the participating seminaries.
Science for Seminaries Resources
Curricular resources from the Science for Seminaries project have been developed by partner institutions and a series of educational science videos has been produced by AAAS for classroom use. Project resources are searchable by topic, resource type, ecclesial family, seminary, and core curriculum area. Use the filtering tool at right to explore the archive. For more information about curricular resources, please contact the school(s) that produced those resources.
Old Testament Exegesis: Explorations in Trauma and Bible
This course, taught by Paul K.-K. Cho at Wesley Theological Seminary, is an exploration of the relevance of trauma to the study of the Bible and of the Bible for a traumatized world through select readings in the Bible and trauma theory.
- Course Categories: Biblical Studies
- Science Topics: Social Sciences, Neuroscience, Brain, & Mind
- Seminaries: Wesley Theological Seminary
- Syllabus: Old Testament Exegesis: Explorations in Trauma and Bible
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Tags:
trauma, resilience
Old Testament Exegesis: The Book of Isaiah
This course, taught by Paul K.-K. Cho, is an exegesis course on the Book of Isaiah which takes seriously the historical contexts of its formation, the history of composition, the literary artistry, and the theological depth of the canonical text and explores its ongoing importance for the life and faith of the church today.
- Course Categories: Biblical Studies
- Science Topics: Neuroscience, Brain, & Mind
- Seminaries: Wesley Theological Seminary
- Syllabus: Old Testament Exegesis: The Book of Isaiah
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Tags:
ethics, trauma, resilience
Pastoral Care and Counseling in Contexts
This course, taught by Michael Koppel at Wesley Theological Seminary, is an introduction to foundational issues in pastoral theology, care, and counseling (PTC&C). We will survey a broad range of topics, including the following: analysis and construction of theology from a pastoral perspective; the interplay of culture, social analysis, and care; ethical and legal issues in pastoral practice; pastoral care in specific crises; congregational care; lifespan issues and pastoral care. The course methods include assigned reading and writing projects, video teaching material, large group discussions, and small group care exercises for development of pastoral skills.
- Course Categories: Pastoral Theology
- Science Topics: Health & Wellness, Neuroscience, Brain, & Mind
- Seminaries: Wesley Theological Seminary
- Syllabus: Pastoral Care and Counseling in Contexts
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Tags:
pastoral care, addiction, trauma, depression
Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament 2
An introduction to the literature and thought of the Hebrew Bible, considered in the light of the historical contexts of its formation and its ongoing theological importance to the life and faith of the Church. The course, taught by Paul K.-K. Cho at Wesley Theological Seminary, is the second part of a year-long sequence and focuses on the Latter Prophets and the Writings. It takes seriously the history of the formation of the biblical literature, the canonical form(s) of the text, and the history of interpretation and reception. As such, the course surveys the history of ancient Israel, performs close analysis of key passages, and introduces diverse interpretative issues and viewpoints.
- Course Categories: Biblical Studies
- Science Topics: History & Philosophy of Science, Neuroscience, Brain, & Mind
- Seminaries: Wesley Theological Seminary
- Syllabus: Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament 2
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Tags:
history of science, trauma
Pentateuch
The Pentateuch tells a story about the origins of the cosmos and of humans that provides a framework for the origins of the Israelite nation. Through an examination of the Books of Genesis, Exodus, and Deuteronomy, this course, taught by Fr. Dale Launderville at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary, will not only aim to understand the message of these books for their original audiences but will also be attentive to how this message has been received through the generations. A special focus of this course will be on how this message has been received in light of scientific theories of evolution and of the origin of the cosmos.
- Course Categories: Biblical Studies
- Science Topics: Social Sciences, History & Philosophy of Science, Life Sciences, Neuroscience, Brain, & Mind, Physics and Cosmos
- Seminaries: Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary
- Syllabus: Pentateuch
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Tags:
Big Bang Theory, evolution, history of science, creation, origins of the universe
History of Christianity II
This course, taught by William Cahoy at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary, will examine the development of the Christian tradition, including the expression of seminal doctrines within the Christian church, from the 15th century to the present day. The course will explore the main trends in the development of the institution and primary doctrines of the church within the larger philosophical, social, and political contexts of the second millennium, paying attention to the ways in which the lived experience of Christian peoples informs and shapes its thinking.
- Course Categories: Church History
- Science Topics: History & Philosophy of Science
- Seminaries: Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary
- Syllabus: History of Christianity II
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Tags:
history of science, Philosophy of Science, scientific method, science and faith
Johannine Tradition
The Gospels and Letters of John have been very influential in the shaping of Christian theology. In this course, taught by Fr. Michael Patella at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary, students will closely read the texts to provide an examination of the Johannine corpus within its theological, social, and historical context.
- Course Categories: Biblical Studies
- Science Topics: History & Philosophy of Science, Life Sciences, Physics and Cosmos
- Seminaries: Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary
- Syllabus: Johannine Tradition
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Tags:
evolution, history of science, astrophysics, origins of the universe
Theology and Science in the Twenty-First Century
Since the advent of modernity, it has become increasingly common for people to view science and religion as being in conflict with one another. According to scientism and the new atheists, this is because the former relies on rationality and evidence, whilst the latter is the result of faith and superstition. In this course, taught by Ross Hastings and David Robinson at Regent College, we will offer a robust theological response to such polarization, developing in its place a complementary–even coinherent–position that shows how each of these great traditions of thought has “deep mutual relations” (T.F. Torrance). and are the richer for the reality of the other. By considering commonalities of epistemology, ontology, aesthetics, as well as an in-depth look at particular sciences, we will demonstrate that there is much more overlap between theology and science than is commonly thought. Ultimately, we will show that there is no contradiction between Scripture as properly interpreted and science as properly observed, and that science is not something that should be feared by Christians. Rather, science can become an expression of our curiosity and wonder and a means for deepening our worship. We will also encourage those in scientific vocations to re-discover their work as a participation in God’s work in the world.
- Course Categories: General Theology
- Science Topics: Life Sciences, Physics and Cosmos
- Seminaries: Regent College
- Syllabus: Theology and Science in the Twenty-First Century
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Tags:
evolution, physics, genetics, biotechnology, Philosophy of Science
Christian Thought and Culture II
This course, taught by Iain Provan at Regent College, and its partner, CTC I, are organized around the theme of “story.” What does it mean to live out the Christian Story comprehensively and with integrity in the midst of cultures shaped to some or a great extent by counter-stories? What does it mean, in the broadest terms, to confess that JESUS IS LORD — a statement that lays claim to all of human thought and activity, public as well as private, to all history, and indeed to the entire created world? Along with CTC I, this course is intended to provide a historical, theological and cultural complement to OT and NT Foundations, and Church History I & II. CTC I covers the period from the beginning of Christianity to the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century and its immediate aftermath. CTC II covers the period from the early seventeenth century down to the present.
- Course Categories: General Theology
- Science Topics: History & Philosophy of Science, Life Sciences, Physics and Cosmos
- Seminaries: Regent College
- Syllabus: Christian Thought and Culture II
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Tags:
evolution, physics, genetics, genomics
Theology II
This course, taught by Ross Hastings at Regent College, will take up the Christian doctrinal themes of Soteriology, Pneumatology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology in a description of the accomplishment, application and actualization of redemption. It is concerned with showing the relevance and process of redemption in the present context and pointing forward to the completion of redemption at the eschaton. It will be shown that Salvation is accomplished in the work of Christ, realized in the sanctifying work of the Hoy Spirit in the Church, and completed in return of Christ as sovereign Lord.
- Course Categories: General Theology
- Science Topics: Physics and Cosmos
- Seminaries: Regent College
- Syllabus: Theology II
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Tags:
astrophysics, big bang, origins of the universe, theology of science