Items included on this page come from a variety of sources. The perspectives conveyed may or may not express a Lutheran ethos. They can serve our instruction as discussion-starters, examples (positive and negative), and illustrations of intersections between God’s two kingdoms, intersections sometimes characterized by tension, sometimes by congruence. Inclusion does not imply endorsement.
This NPR 13.7 article on a cognitive science conference at UT Austin offers 15 videos on religion and cognition. The clips are 2 to 5 minutes long and address such questions as: How is the process of acquiring religious and scientific explanations similar? Why should scientists care about religion? How can evolutionary perspectives on […]
The program, Scientists in Congregations, funded by the John Templeton Foundation, sought to cultivate a conversation on science and faith within congregations. The Pascal Project, in honor of Blaise Pascal (1623–1662, the brilliant French mathematician often considered the first thinker to seriously consider the intersection of faith with the natural sciences) included 35 congregations. See […]
These two articles on sex identity and gender identity are written by Christopher O. Tollefsen, Professor of Philosophy at the University of South Carolina and a senior fellow of the Witherspoon Institute. They may be useful for helping students identify the forms of the Aristotelian/Thomist arguments (Luther or Bonhoeffer take a different approach) that favor […]
This review of the Planned Parenthood incident and their use of abortion organs and tissue can help students consider several elements of the controversy and particularly why the issues continue to be intractable. The discussion could be used with courses in research, journalism, ethics, psychology, pre-law, and other social sciences.
Bethel College, in Indiana, last month adopted a new policy on the creation of the Earth and humanity — and applied it in a new way that has led one professor to quit and raised concerns among others about the state of academic freedom at the institution.
The Intersection of Science & Christian Theology — The LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations has published a study document on science and religion titled In Christ All Things Hold Together. This book-length treatment addresses topics in theology, the history of science, issues in philosophy, exegetical concerns, and church practice. It is available in […]
Do Strong Religious Beliefs Stifle Innovation? — Countries that are intensely religious are typically less innovative than those that aren’t, according to a new paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research. The study compares religious beliefs and belief in God with scientific innovation as measured by issuance of patents.
Philosopher Alva Noe Challenges Redefining God in the NPR Science Blog — In 13.7, guest blogger Nancy Abrams suggest we rethink the definition of “God.” Professor Noe responds, questioning how this would work and what is to be gained.
Einstein’s Universe Turns 100 — One hundred years ago, Albert Einstein presented the complete formulation of the General Theory of Relativity to the Prussian Academy of Sciences. Perhaps the greatest lesson from Einstein and his theories of relativity is that reality is not what it seems. What we perceive as real is a distortion, a […]
Religion Complicates Calif. Vaccine Debate — The issue of religious exemption for vaccinating children has become a key theme in current legislation on the senate floor in Sacramento.
True Paradox: How Christianity Make Sense of Our Complex World by David Skeel (Veritas Books IVP, 2014)
David Skeel teaches corporate law at the UofPenn Law School. This book calmly presents five chapters in 160 pages that explain the Christian account of life to a skeptical, distracted, yet still-interested society. No simple answers here to human complexities. Rather, Skeel discusses how these complexities point us toward Christ.
