Boston College School of Theology and Ministry

The aims of this project are to foster dialogue between religion and science at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry (BC STM), and thus enhance the intellectual growth and ministerial effectiveness of their students. They will achieve these aims in three ways: [1] revising at least five and as many as seven courses that impact over 120 STM students to include substantial, new sections on science; [2] holding three on-campus events on religion and science; and, [3] drawing upon the well-resourced institutional support of Boston College.

The STM will facilitate the novel and intentional integration of social, cognitive, and affective neuroscience research, theory, and concepts in five existing and consistently well-enrolled courses. The first two, Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling: A Narrative Approach and Fundamental Theology, are core M.Div. courses. They are strongly encouraged for—and taken by almost all—M.Div. students, and are as close as the program comes to required courses. The third course, Theological Foundations in Practical Perspective, is a required core course for the M.A. in Theology and Ministry. The other two courses, Synoptic Gospels and Health Care Ethics, meet core distribution requirements for both M.Div. and M.T.S. students.

They are excited to collaborate with neuroscience experts in the creation of three on-campus events. The first event is a high-profile panel on neuroscience and theology with internationally recognized speakers. The other two events—a webinar series and a book club—focus on student appropriation of science for their vocation, as they engage questions that emerge directly from their experience in ministry and faith formation.