Dr. Jill Ellenbarger is one of the two scholars who received a 2017 Christian Scholars Foundation Grant, given to ESN members who are junior faculty. In this interview, she talks about her research, how the CSF grant is supporting her work, and how her faith and her scholarly vocation fit together. Earlier we interviewed Eleanor McGlinchey, PhD, the other 2017 awardee. Click here to learn more about the 2018 CSF Grant and apply by March 15, 2018. [Read more…] about Interview with 2017 Christian Scholars Foundation Grant Awardee Jill Ellenbarger
science and faith
Conference: “From Sea to Sea … to Sky! Science & Christianity in Canada”
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Update: 2/28 Extended Deadline for ASA Abstract Submission
As regular readers likely know, ESN has partnered with the American Scientific Affiliation (ASA) on a number of initiatives in the last few years, notably student tracks for the ASA’s last two Annual Meetings. This regular faith/science conference rotates around the country and will be at Gordon College near Boston for summer 2018. ESN is planning to collaborate with ASA on student tracks again, and we’d love to see members submit abstracts. Students: Some scholarship opportunities are available, so stay tuned for further information on that. [Read more…] about Update: 2/28 Extended Deadline for ASA Abstract Submission
Elevator Apologetics, Part 1
Are you new to graduate school and looking for ways to respond when people around you ask questions about faith? Or searching for some helpful shorthand to distill your years-long study of apologetics into a brief conversation? Sometimes we only have a moment to share a question or idea that can be a springboard to later conversations. In this new series, Rick Mattson shares some ideas for these moments from his extensive work in apologetics.
Sometimes in apologetic dialogue (making a case for Christian faith) we don’t have the luxury of extended conversation where we can explain our points thoroughly.
Instead, there’s time only for an “elevator speechâ€â€”a short, persuasive message designed to spark interest in Christianity and/or further dialogue.
Here are suggested elevator speeches for two topics:
1. Religious Pluralism
 The Skeptic’s Objection: All religions are pretty much the same.
 Theological background to our reply (not actually verbalized): Religions are similar to each other only in the most general terms, such as the call for adherents to love other people and to serve God or the gods. But in fact religions are actually deeply dissimilar to each other and often contradict. For example, Christians believe in the Trinity, while Jews and Muslims do not.
Elevator reply (what we actually verbalize): Religions are like books with similar covers. When you open the books and read the contents inside, you find that they tell radically different stories about reality. Far from being “pretty much the same,†they’re very distinct from each other. For example, Christianity says that Jesus was God in the flesh. Muslims and practitioners of most other religions find this offensive or just plain false.
Parting Question to the skeptic: How do you handle the contradictions between religions?
2. Science and Faith
The Skeptic’s Objection: Science is based on fact, religion is based on faith. I’ll take fact over faith any day.
Theological background to our reply: Science is actually a gift given by God enabling us to explore and love his creation. Additionally, for Christians there’s no ultimate conflict between science and faith. If they seem to be in conflict, most likely we’re misinterpreting one or the other.
Elevator reply: As a Christian, I believe science and faith are friends, not enemies. Friends show respect to each other, even if they come from different backgrounds. Ultimately, there is no contradiction between the two. God gave science as a gift to help us understand the creation and make the world a better place.
Parting Question to the skeptic: I’d rather have science and faith working together in society, rather than just science, wouldn’t you?
Notice in these two examples that the theological background is what we’re trying to communicate, but we choose a method of delivery—the Elevator Reply—that is short and memorable, which is what Jesus often did.
And notice that we end these short conversations with a question that is meant to linger in the mind of the other person.
For more illustrations and analogies for communicating apologetic issues, see Faith is Like Skydiving: And Other Memorable Images for Dialogue with Seekers and Skeptics.
Image courtesy of Hans at Pixabay.com
The Martian and Speed Mentoring: ESN at ASA 2017 Annual Meeting This Weekend
If you’re headed to the American Scientific Affiliation 2017 Annual Meeting, join ESN for the following events. Even if you’re not able to go, we would deeply appreciate your prayers. Hope to see many of you there! ESN’s events at the ASA conference are 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 speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Fuller or the STEAM project. Check out our faith/science series, another part of our STEAM grant project, or read about the whole project here.Â
Did you see The Martian? Do you like breakfast? If either of those things rings true and you’re coming to the American Scientific Affiliation Annual Meeting this weekend, join us for the student/early career breakfast on Saturday. We’ll hear about The Martian from a scientist with actual Mars Rover experience. Read on to learn more about this, other informal opportunities for early career scientists and students, and the student track sessions (also in the program). [Read more…] about The Martian and Speed Mentoring: ESN at ASA 2017 Annual Meeting This Weekend