Deborah B. Haarsma: Science & Christian Faith

I would be happy to talk to you about my personal Christian beliefs and how I reconcile apparent differences between Christianity and science. Please feel free to contact me via email or other means (see my home page).

Books:

Origins (Revised Edition): Christian Perspectives on Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design
by Deborah B. Haarsma and Loren D. Haarsma
(Faith Alive Resources, 2011). ISBN 978-1-59255-573-4.
Read an excerpt or buy the book
Browse the supplemental website material

Origins: A Reformed Look at Creation, Design, and Evolution
by Deborah B. Haarsma and Loren D. Haarsma
(Faith Alive Resources, 2007). ISBN 978-1-59255-227-6.
Read the press release

Projects:

I am co-director of The Ministry Theorem, a project of Calvin Theological Seminary and the Calvin College Science Division, funded by the Templeton Foundation 2009-2011, led by Rev. Scott Hoezee. Our goal is to provide continuing education to pastors and ministry leaders on how to effectively integrate science into the life of the church. Our web page recommends resources for pastors, youth group leaders, worship planners, and other ministry leaders on many areas of science. We have also commissioned several essays from practicing scientists who are Christians on the theme "What I Wish My Pastor Knew About ...".

I spoke at the Vibrant Dance of Faith and Science Symposium, October 26-28, 2010 in Austin Texas. Calvin College was an official co-sponsor of the event.

I assisted with Test of Faith, a project based in the U.K. to provide accessible materials on science and Christian faith for churches. I was interviewed for the DVD (90 minutes plus supplements), was a consultant for the curriculum Test of Faith: Science and Christianity Unpacked, and co-wrote a chapter in the accompanying book Test of Faith: Spiritual Journeys of Scientists. Available for purchase in the U.S. here: DVD, study guide, book.

I am the administrator of the chr-astro email discussion list for Christians in astronomy. If you are a professional astronomer and a Christian, consider subscribing! The chr-astro page also contains several links to organizations and web sites on science and the Christian faith.

Articles and Book Chapters:

"Heart and Mind: Understanding Science and Faith", Deborah Haarsma and Ruth Bancewicz, chapter in Test of Faith: Spiritual Journeys with Scientists, ed. R. Bancewicz (Paternoster, 2009)

"Speaking of Evolution...", D. B. Haarsma and L. D. Haarsma, The Banner.  v.144 n.2 (February, 2009). p. 32-35.

Deborah B. Haarsma.  ``Science and Religion in Harmony'', ``How Christians Reconcile Ancient Texts with Modern Science'', and ``Christian and Atheist Responses to Big Bang Cosmology.''  Invited lectures at Wuhan University in China 2005 December 13-16. Published in Chinese in Science and Religion in Dialogue, ed. Melville Stewart (Peking University Press) 2008. Published in English in Science and Religion in Dialogue Vol 1, ed. Melville Stewart (Wiley-Blackwell) 2010.

"An Evolving Cosmos", Deborah Haarsma and Jennifer Wiseman, chapter in Perspectives on an Evolving Creation, ed. K. B. Miller (Eerdmans, 2003)

"Worshiping the Creator", Deborah Haarsma. chapter in Perspectives on an Evolving Creation, ed. K. B. Miller (Eerdmans, 2003)

"Doing Science and Loving the Needy", Catherine H. Crouch, Deborah B. Haarsma, and Loren Haarsma. 1999. Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, 51, 76

"Neutrino Mass, Cosmology, and the Fine-tuning Argument", Loren Haarsma and Deborah Haarsma. 1998. Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, 50, 160

Loren and I had fun writing Parables for Modern Academia, 1996.

Media:

Interviewed by Joan Huyser-Honig for the article "Science and Faith in Harmony: Positive ways to include science in worship," Calvin Institute for Christian Worship, 2009 Nov 4. Link includes the article, a resource guide, and audio clips of the interview

Interviewed by Janine Calsbeek for  the article “Religion and science inform book,”Sioux County Capital-Democrat newspaper, 2009 Jan 29

Interviewed by Charles Honey for the article "Married Calvin profs: science, scripture mesh", Grand Rapids Press, 2008 Feb 23

Talks:

Engaging Science in the Life of Your Congregation (1 hour for pastors and ministry leaders on using science in worship, preaching, and education, sometimes given with Scott Hoezee)

Creation, Design, and Evolution (1 hour overview of our book or 2 session adult Sunday School, often given with Loren Haarsma ). We gave this talk at the the January Series (link includes audio, video, and handout)

Teaching origins in christian college science courses (15-30 minute advice for teachers)

Speaking to christians about science (15-30 minute advice for scientists speaking at churches)

A Universe of Wonder (1 hour tour of recent astronomical discoveries from a Christian perspective)

An Astronomer Looks at Creation (1 hour teaching presentation on the relationships between science and faith: conflict, unrelated, complementary, foundational)

Astronomical Evidence the Universe is Billions of Years Old (1 hour on scientific evidence)

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God (10-30 minute worship presentation)
I have given this several places, including a November 2000 Calvin chapel service (link includes text and images)

Science as a Christian vocation (30-60 minutes, often given to Christian student groups on university campuses with Loren Haarsma)

Content updated August, 2011