When I was approached to lead conversations with graduate students about science and faith topics as part of the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN) STEAM grant project, I accepted with a good deal of hesitation. I had grown up with a narrative of science and Christianity being in conflict, had no resources for resolving that narrative as an undergraduate chemistry major, and became totally exhausted of the topic by the time I was starting my graduate school journey. Things were no different by the time I graduated and joined the staff of InterVarsity’s Graduate & Faculty Ministries at Duke University.
The goal of ESN’s project was to publish a short booklet for a young adult curriculum on science and faith. So for a full academic year I met with a small group of graduate students once or twice a month to read, discuss, and provide feedback on a series of blog articles. I was surprised to find the process to be entirely healing. After finishing the ESN series, the graduate students wanted to continue to find their own readings to discuss together, and I was eager to continue with them! I continue to grow in the way that I think about the coherence of science and faith. The process of living integrated lives is a process of healing, and it is no different when it comes to faith and science! ~ Stephanie Holmer, PhD
This project was made possible through the support of an award from the Science and Theology for Emerging Adult Ministries project at Fuller Theological Seminary. The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Fuller or the STEAM project.
The Emerging Scholars Network is always seeking opportunities to identify, encourage, and equip the next generation of Christian scholars to be a redeeming influence in the academy, church, and the world. As you have an announcement, a “call for papers”, an event, a prayer request (e.g., campus, field, higher ed), a resource suggestion, a review, etc., which is in concord with our Kingdom of God endeavor, please send materials (marketing/sales material not accepted) for consideration to post via email or the ESN Writer Survey. Thank you.
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