When we “look up at the heavens” that God “set in place” (Psalm 8:3), I think we want to see a work of art. We want to marvel at a masterpiece honed to perfection, every last brushstroke precisely composed as the artist intended. We want to wonder at the final product, awed that anyone could be so skillful, certain we could never reproduce anything so astonishing. We don’t want to know how it was made; that would break the spell. Questions would creep in. Could it be reproduced? Could it have been done differently? Could it have been done better?
[Read more…] about Once Upon a Time: The Story of Creation Told in the Language of Science
BioLogos
Science Corner: BioLogos Conference Recap, Pt 2
Earlier this summer, I had the privilege to attend BioLogos‘ Evolution & Christian Faith conference. Last week, I shared some of the talks from the conference, with an emphasis on theological topics. This week, I want to highlight some of the scientific topics. I had a hard time choosing, especially since these recordings allowed me to catch up with talks I wasn’t able to attend in person. There are even more talks available here, covering areas I haven’t even begun to address, like science education. [Read more…] about Science Corner: BioLogos Conference Recap, Pt 2
Science Corner: BioLogos Conference Recap, Pt 1
Earlier this summer, I had the privilege to attend BioLogos‘ Evolution & Christian Faith conference. It was easily the best experience I’ve had at an academic conference. Every day began and ended with a time of worship, singing the kinds of hymns you can really dig into, with the kind of accompaniment that encourages everyone to join in. I usually have a hard time talking to people at conferences, but everyone was very gracious and friendly so I got to have a lot of great conversations with new people. It was particularly exciting to meet several of my fellow ESN bloggers in person. [Read more…] about Science Corner: BioLogos Conference Recap, Pt 1
Book Review: The Language of God
The value of The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief is that it was written by the Director of the Human Genome Project. Francis Collins’[1] personal narrative of coming to faith and his sometimes eloquent plea for an end to the warfare between science and faith are the most valuable parts of the book. These are the strengths of The Language of God and worth the price of admission if you have not heard his story. Likewise, Collins gives a good, if relatively brief, narrative of his work in genomics and the human genome project and some sense of why he thinks this was such a worthy endeavor to pursue both as scientist and Christian.
On other counts, I would rate this book “just OK”. Collins’ apologetic for faith is derived from C.S. Lewis and I would say here, “read Lewis”! [Read more…] about Book Review: The Language of God
Summer reading: “Welcome to the [Wright] Revolution!”
(N.T. Wright sings “Genesis” at Hearts and Mind, https://vimeo.com/4214987)
Last week Mike asked what’s on our various summer reading lists. I’m going to be reading some works by the story-telling minstrel Rt. Rev. N.T. (Tom) Wright, Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. As some of you know Rt. Rev. N.T. (Tom) Wright has recently blessed a number of groups with singing as part of his speaking tour. On Saturday, I had the privilege of hearing him share “Genesis”* and Bob Dylan’s “When the Ship Comes In” at Hearts & Minds Books, Dallastown, PA. Thank-you to Byron for hosting the garden party and keeping me “on top of” N.T. Wright’s publications through posts such as this one! I’m starting my summer reading with Tom’s Targum and then will move to the controversy regarding How God Became King: The Forgotten Story of the Gospels (HarperOne, 2012).**
What do you think of the “Wright’s revolution?” Will you be reading some of his work this summer? Any interest in an on-line book discussion? Feel free to start making comments here 🙂
(N.T. Wright sings Bob Dylan’s “When the Ship Comes In”, https://vimeo.com/42149870)
[Read more…] about Summer reading: “Welcome to the [Wright] Revolution!”