Providence Theological Seminary
The Providence Theological Seminary project, “In Him All Things Hold Together: Integrating Science & Faith,” sought to develop institutional capacity for science engagement and create supportive opportunities for students to consider the theological implications of scientific research.
The Science and Faith Symposium brought interdisciplinary scholars to campus to explore perspectives on the problems and opportunities that science presents to faith communities. The theologian Dr. Josh Reeves headlined the event and delivered two lectures, Christianity and Science: Where the Problem Lies and How to Trust an Expert: Becoming a Wise Consumer of Science. These plenary talks were followed by sessions from Dr. Nyasha Gordon on God’s Kaleidoscope: Where Faith and Science Meet and Dr. Keith Fox on Living with Science and Faith. These scientists spoke about their research experiences in neuropharmacology and biochemistry, respectively, and shared their perspectives as Christians working in science. Finally, a Panel Discussion with Providence Faculty rounded out the event. Rev. Dr. Robert Dean, was joined co-lead Dr. Rebecca Dielschneider (Biology), and Drs. Gavin Hall (Church Ministries), Dennis Hiebert (Sociology, Arts & Sciences), and Laura Vander Velden (Counseling & Psychology) to process and integrate the symposium.
Rev. Dr. Robert Dean’s course in Theological Foundations incorporated scientific topics, with a focus on the frontiers of brain science. For students, an introduction to neuroscientific topics and questions in this core course helps to foment curiosity for research insights on the human experience as well as to foster appreciation of the interactions and complementarity of theological knowledge with modern science.
A visit and lecture from Dr. Joshua Swamidass brought to campus a scientist’s inquiry into ancestry (read about the visit here). Students were presented an opportunity to further engage science topics in their preaching through a campus Science & Faith Sermon Contest (read about the winner here).
Providence Seminary is an interdenominational evangelical institution located in Otterburne, Manitoba, Canada.
