Trinity Western University’s Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences and the Canadian Scientific & Christian Affiliation’s Vancouver chapter present an in-person and online book launch lecture by Dr. Dennis R. Venema, Professor of Biology, on his latest book, Biology, Religion, and Philosophy: An Introduction (Cambridge University Press, 2021).
This event on November 29, 7:30 p.m. will include a lecture from Dr. Venema, and a response from Dr. Myron A. Penner, Professor of Philosophy.
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Date: Mon, 29 November 2021
Time: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM PST
Location:
Trinity Western University - DeVries Auditorium
DeVries Centre (Formerly Northwest Building)
22500 University Drive
Langley, BC V2Y 1Y1
This evening will include a lecture from Dr. Dennis R. Venema, Professor of Biology, and a response from Dr. Myron A. Penner, Professor of Philosophy. This event is funded by a Supporting Structures grant from Scholarship & Christianity in Oxford and the Canadian Scientific & Christian Affiliation.
Evangelicals and Science Skepticism: Can Philosophy Help?
“The Gospel of John tells us that the Word who was made flesh and dwelt among us, full of glorious grace and truth, was also the Word through whom all things — all phenomena in nature, all capacities for fruitful interaction, all the kinds of beauty — were made. To honor that Word as he deserves to be honored, evangelicals must know both Christ and what he has made.”
— Mark Noll, The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind
With increasing science skepticism among evangelicals, the church faces pastoral and missional pressures that science alone is not capable of addressing. Despite current trends, an understanding of the deeper and richer history of Christianity, science, and epistemology may provide signposts to a better future. This talk will survey some areas of evangelical science skepticism and discuss how philosophy might help the church navigate these issues.
More about Biology, Religion, and Philosophy: An Introduction from the publisher:
The intersection of biology and religion has spawned exciting new areas of academic research that raise issues central to understanding our own humanity and the living world. In this comprehensive and accessible survey, Michael L. Peterson and Dennis R. Venema explain the engagement between biology and religion on issues related to origins, evolution, design, suffering and evil, progress and purpose, love, humanity, morality, ecology, and the nature of religion itself. Does life have a chemical origin - or must there be a divine spark? How can religious claims about divine goodness be reconciled with widespread predation, suffering, and death in the animal kingdom? Peterson and Venema develop a philosophical discussion around such controversial questions. The book situates each topic in its historical, scientific, and theological context, making it the perfect introduction for upper-level undergraduates, graduate students, scholars, and the interested general reader.
About the author, Dennis R. Venema
Dennis R. Venema (Ph.D. University of British Columbia) is Professor of Biology at Trinity Western University and past Fellow of Biology for the BioLogos Foundation. He is co-author, with Scot McKnight, of Adam and the Genome: Reading Scripture After Genetic Science (Brazos, 2017). His research focuses on the genetics of pattern formation using the common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. He also writes and speaks widely on the intersection of evolutionary biology and Christian faith.
See also—TWU’s Dr. Katie Steeves awarded a federal grant to research women in leadership within religious institutions in Canada:
TWU News
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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