Spring 2013/Pasadena

FullerLive! with Seattle

CH527

Feldmeth

CH527: CHRISTIANITY AND SCIENCE IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE. Nathan P. Feldmeth.

DESCRIPTION: Scientific development since the sixteenth century has affected nearly every aspect of human culture—including the Christian church. This course will examine both the ancient harmony and modern tension that have developed when Christian theology and scientific inquiry intersect. The scope of study will range from the foundations of Western science in ancient Greece, to recent developments in biology, cosmology, physics, psychology, and medicine.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The Christian teacher, writer, counselor, and preacher of the twenty-first century will need at least a basic knowledge of the interplay between the sciences and Christian theology. This course will provide a structure and context for that understanding.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students in this course of study can expect to acquire the tools to think critically about the key issues generated by the intersection of theology and science. Although not an apologetics course per se, students will become conversant with several contemporary debates in the church, including creationism, intelligent design, cloning, and genetic engineering.

COURSE FORMAT: This class will follow a seminar model, and students will be asked to participate in class discussions that will draw upon assigned readings. Lectures and videos will also be employed. Class will meet weekly for three-and-a-half-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING:

Collins, Francis S. The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief. Free Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-1416542742, Pub.price 15.99 [294 pp.].

Dawkins, Richard. The Blind Watchmaker. W.W. Norton, 1996. ISBN: 978-0393315707, Pub.Price $18.95 [496 pp.].

Desmond, Adrian. Darwin: The Life of a Tormented Evolutionist. New York: W.W. Norton ,1994. ISBN: 978-0393311501, Pub.price $23.95 [896 pp.].

Dowe, Phil. Galileo, Darwin and Hawking. Eerdmans, 2005. ISBN: 978-0802826961, Pub.price $23.95 [896 pp.].

Freud, Sigmund. The Future of an Illusion. W.W. Norton, 1989. ISBN: 978-0393008319, Pub.price $13.95 [112 pp.].

Lindberg, David C., and Ronald L. Numbers. God and Nature: Historical Essays on the Encounter between Christianity and Science. University of California Press, 1986. ISBN: 978-0520056923, Pub.price $36.95 [516 pp.].

Polkinghorne, John C. Science and Creation: The Search for Understanding. Templeton Foundation Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-1599471006, Pub.price $14.95 [152 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Barbour, Ian G.When Science Meets Religion. HarperOne, 2000. ISBN: 978-0060603816, Pub.price $16.99 [205 pp.].

Darwin, Charles. Autobiography. Dover Press (Out of print).

Darwin, Charles. The Voyage of the Beagle. Penguin Books, 1989. ISBN: 978-0140432688, Pub.price $14.00 [448 pp.].

Dawkins, Richard. The Selfish Gene. Oxford University Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0199291151, Pub.price $19.95 [pp. not available].

Livingstone, David N. Darwin’s Forgotten Defenders. Eerdmans, 1987. ISBN: 978-1573830935, Pub.price $19.95 [120 pp.].

Murphy, Nancey. Reconciling Theology and Science: A Radical Perspective. Pandora Press, 1997. ISBN: 978-0969876243, Pub.price $14.50 [104 pp.].

Pais, Abraham. Subtle Is the Lord: The Science and Life of Albert EinsteinOxford University Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0192806727, Pub.price $24.95 [576 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: Reading assignments from the required texts will be included in the syllabus. Students are expected to come to class prepared for discussion on the relevant topics covered in the readings. Three papers of five to seven pages each will be due in stated intervals. The three papers will be weighted equally in determining the course grade.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.