Winter 2010/Pasadena
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:
- Dawkins, Richard. The Blind Watchmaker. New York: W.W.
Norton, 1996.
- Desmond, Adrian. Darwin: The Life of a Tormented Evolutionist.
1994.
- Dowe, Phil. Galileo, Darwin and Hawking. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
2005
- Freud, Sigmund. The Future of an Illusion. New York: W.W. Norton,
1989.
- Lindberg, David C., and Ronald L. Numbers. God and Nature: Historical
Essays on the Encounter between Christianity and Science. Berkeley:
University of California Press, 1986.
- McGrath, Alister. Science and Religion. Oxford: Blackwell, 1999.
- Polkinghorne, John C. Science and Creation: The Search for
Understanding. Philadelphia: Templeton Foundation Press, 2005.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Barbour, Ian G. Religion and Science: Historical and
Contemporary Issues. San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1997.
- Dales, Richard C. The Scientific Achievement of the Middle Ages.
Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1986.
- Darwin, Charles. Autobiography. Dover Press (Out of print).
- Darwin, Charles. The Voyage of the Beagle. New York: Penguin Books,
1989.
- Dawkins, Richard. The Selfish Gene. Oxford: Oxford University Press,
1990.
- Lindberg, David C. The Beginnings of Western Science. Chicago:
University of Chicago Press, 1992.
- Livingstone, David N. Darwin's Forgotten Defenders.... Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 1987.
- Murphy, Nancey. Reconciling Theology and Science: A Radical
Perspective. Pandora Press, 1997.
- Pais, Abraham. Subtle Is the Lord: The Science and Life of Albert
Einstein. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1982.
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.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (11/09)