Chicago Theological Seminary

By integrating science into our core curriculum course work in the fields of Christian Ethics and Systematic Theology, CTS professors will strengthen the campus-wide commitment to holistic education and the discourse which considers how scientific discoveries challenge our assumptions about ourselves, our faith, and our role in creating a just society. CTS embraces a philosophy of “academic activism” in which social justice activities are grounded in strong theological scholarship. Beyond simply engaging with science, CTS challenges students to critique the uses and applications of science as we seek to create the world we wish to see.

The critical moral questions being examined in the proposed courses consider the limits and possibilities of human rationality, and the need for greater awareness of new scientific issues that our communities of faith are being called upon to address. CTS already stands at the forefront of queer and black theology by equipping emerging leaders to address the essential moral questions related to the systematic racism and homophobias our communities of faith must challenge. CTS recognizes new opportunities to intentionally integrate science into foundational courses that will push the boundaries in developing theologies designed to support building a just and sustainable society. Both faculty members are exploring the intersection of science—historic and emerging scientific discoveries—with humanity and our understanding of our place in the universe. Many of the current questions are related to society’s biological and cultural understandings of race, especially as it is influenced by previous scientific discoveries as well as new work in artificial intelligence and genetics.

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