Calvin College

Christian Perspectives in Science
Seminar Series

This seminar series explores interactions between Christian faith and scholarship in the natural and applied sciences.  A schedule of future seminars (and a list of past seminars) is given below.  Seminar topics vary over a range of interdisciplinary issues, drawing insights from religion, philosophy, astronomy, geology, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, physics, engineering, nursing, mathematics, computer science, psychology, sociology, history, and other departments and programs. 

Time and place:  Seminars are typically held several Fridays per semester, 3:30-4:45 p.m., at Calvin College in Science Building room 110, unless otherwise noted. (See the “abstract” of the talks, below, for details).  See Calvin's Visitor Resources for maps and directions to the Science Building.  Faculty, students, staff and off-campus visitors are welcome.  If you would like to receive regular email announcements for each week's seminar, or if you have other questions or comments, contact Loren Haarsma.

 

Leading a seminar:   If you are interested in leading a seminar, contact Loren Haarsma.  You don’t have to write an entirely new lecture in order to lead a seminar.  You could also
--present a lecture you have given elsewhere or an article you have recently published;
--present a preliminary draft of a lecture or an article on which you are working, to get some feedback;
--lead a discussion about how to teach Christian perspectives on a certain topic in the classroom.

 

Other science-and-religion seminar series in the Grand Rapids area:
     Grand Dialogue in Science and Religion


Spring 2008 Schedule

Date

Title

Speaker

  Saturday

February 9*

   (10:00 a.m.)

 (Loosemore

  Auditorium,

  Grand Valley

  State Univ.)

Is the Cosmos All There Is?  The quest for answers to big cosmological questions*

 

   (Keynote lecture of the Grand Dialogue in Science and Religion Annual Conference.)

   (Additional talks in breakout sessions at 1:00 p.m.)

Howard J. VanTill, Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy, Calvin College

February 15

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

 

Randomness, Purpose, God, and Evolution – Can they go together?

 

          abstract

   powerpoint slides              audio recording (Quicktime)

  

Richard Colling, Professor of Biology, Olivet Nazarene University.  Author of Random Designer: Created from Chaos to Connect with the Creator

February 29

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

 

Where is the “C” in Developing E-Type Systems?

 

          abstract

   powerpoint slides                 audio recording (.wma)

 

Patrick Bailey, Computer Science & Information Systems Department, Calvin College.

March 28

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

 

Interactive Cellular Assemblies, Neural Suppression, and the Unified Character of Consciousness

 

          abstract

    

Eric LaRock, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Oakland University.

Monday,

  April 7

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

 

Real Faith and Fictional Worlds

 

        abstract                audio recording (.wma)

    

George Murphy, Pastoral associate at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Akron, Ohio; adjunct faculty member at Trinity Lutheran Seminary; author of several books on science on religion.

April 11

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

 

   Rescheduled to fall, 2008

 

          

Rolf Bouma, Director of the Center for Faith and Scholarship, University of Michigan

May 2

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

Christianity and Climate Change:  Understanding the Range of Responses                      abstract

 

This is a repeat of seminar presented last October 26, to be given for a group of visiting alumni.  If you missed the earlier seminar, feel free to attend this one.

Janel Curry, Dean of Research and Professor of Geology, Geography and Environmental Studies, Calvin College.

*Events with an asterix are not part of the CPiS seminar series, but should be of interest to many attenders of CPiS seminars.


Previous seminars

Fall 2007 Schedule

Date

Title

Speaker

September 21

   (3:30 p.m.)

    (SB-110)

Revisiting the “God of the gaps”

 

      abstract

     powerpoint slides                 audio recording (.wma)

Ronald Larson, Chair and George Granger Brown Professor of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan.

September 28

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

A Classical Christian Emergent Anthropology

 

       abstract

        handout                 audio recording (.wma)

John Cooper, Professor of Philosophical Theology, Calvin Theological Seminary.

October 12

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-010)

Origins: A Reformed Look at Creation, Design, and Evolution

 

       abstract

     powerpoint slides                 audio recording (.wma)

Deborah Haarsma, Physics & Astronomy Department; Loren Haarsma, Physics & Astronomy Department, Calvin College.

October 26

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

Christianity and Climate Change:  Understanding the Range of Responses

 

       abstract

     powerpoint slides                 audio recording (.wma)

Janel Curry, Dean of Research and Professor of Geology, Geography and Environmental Studies, Calvin College.

November 30

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

Animal Welfare and Global Sustainability:  Compassionate Eating as Care of Creation

 

       abstract

     text of lecture                 audio recording (.wma)

Matthew C. Halteman, Philosophy Department, Calvin College.

 

Spring 2007

Date

Title

Speaker

February 2

   (3:30 p.m.)

    SB-010

Epiphany for a Small Planet:  Christology, Astronomy, and Mutuality

 

   (co-sponsored by Calvin Philosophy Department)

 

       abstract

      powerpoint slides             audio recording (.wma)

Alan Padgett, Professor of Systematic Theology, Luther Seminary. Crosson Fellow at the Center for Philosophy of Religion at Notre Dame University, 2006-2007.

February 9

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

De ordine creationis: a theological approach to the nature of mathematical reasoning

 

       abstract

      powerpoint slides             audio recording (.wma)

Jim Turner, Mathematics & Statistics Department, Calvin College.

  Thursday

February 22

   (3:30 p.m.)

    SB-010

Naturalism, Nanotechnology, and Our “Post-human” Future: A Reformed Perspective

 

   (co-sponsored by Calvin Engineering Department, Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship, and Seminars in Christian Scholarship.)

 

       abstract

      powerpoint slides             audio recording (.wma)

Charles Adams, Dean of the Natural Sciences and Professor of Engineering, Dordt College;

Association of Reformed Institutions of Higher Education (ARIHE) Lecturer, 2006-2008.

February 23

   (3:30 p.m.)

   Meeter

     Center

      Lecture

       Hall

Teaching “Technical Courses” from a Christian Perspective:  A Reformed Approach to Pedagogy

 

   (co-sponsored by Calvin Engineering Department, Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship, and Seminars in Christian Scholarship.)

 

       abstract

      powerpoint slides             audio recording (.mp3)

Charles Adams, Dean of the Natural Sciences and Professor of Engineering, Dordt College;

Association of Reformed Institutions of Higher Education (ARIHE) Lecturer, 2006-2008.

  Saturday

February 24*

   (10:00 a.m.)

 (Loosemore

  Auditorium,

  Grand Valley

  State Univ.)

Body, Mind, and Spirit: Emerging Perspectives in Science and Religion.*

 

   (Keynote lecture of the Grand Dialogue in Science and Religion Annual Conference.)

   (Additional talks in breakout sessions at 1:00 p.m.)

Philip Clayton, Ingraham Professor of Theology at Claremont School of Theology; Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Claremont Graduate University.

Tuesday

March 27*

   (7:30 p.m.)

   (Calvin

    Seminary

    Auditorium)

Scripture, God and Time*

 

   (Calvin Philosophy Department:  2007 Jellema Lectures)

 

Brian Leftow, Professor, Oxford University.

Wednesday

March 28*

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (Calvin

    Seminary

    Auditorium)

Creation ex Nihilo*

 

   (Calvin Philosophy Department:  2007 Jellema Lectures)

 

Brian Leftow, Professor, Oxford University.

April 20*

   (7:00 p.m.)

   (Calvin

    Seminary

    Auditorium)

Topic: Public health issues surrounding factory farms.*

 

   (Sponsored by Farms Without Harm, in conjunction with the Calvin College Philosophy and Biology Departments.)

Michael Greger, M.D., physician, Director of Public Health and Animal Agriculture at The Humane Society of the United States

*Events with an asterix are not part of the CPiS seminar series, but should be of interest to many attenders of CPiS seminars.

Fall 2006

Date

Title

Speaker

September 15

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

Is There a Purpose in the Living World?  Some Thoughts about Creation and Emergent Evolution

      abstract             audio recording (.wma)

Jaap Klapwijk, Free University in Amsterdam

September 29

     3:45 p.m.

in Bunker Interpretive Center

Outdoor Experiences for the Young and Young at Heart

     abstract                    audio recording first half (.wma)
    powerpoint slides       audio recording second half (.wma)

Cheryl Hoogewind,Calvin Ecosystem Preserve Manager, Calvin College

October 12*

   (Thursday)

   (3:30 p.m.)

(North Hall 078)

Evangelicals and Climate Change

Rev. Jim Ball, Ph.D., Executive Director, Evangelical Environmental Network

October 27

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

Human Origins:  Scientific Theories and Christian Theologies

      abstract                         handout from speaker

   (audio recording unavailable due to technical glitch)

John Cooper, Professor of Philosophical Theology, Calvin Theological Seminary

November 3

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

What is a Number?   Augustine’s Philosophy of Mathematics

      abstract

    powerpoint slides             audio recording (.wma)

Jim Bradley, Mathematics Department; Director of Assessment & Institutional Research, Calvin College

November 10

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-010)

The Realm of Ghosts:  Sickness and Death in the Early Holland Colony

      abstract                         audio recording (.wma)

Dr. Jan Peter Verhave, Visiting Research Fellow

Van Raalte Institute, Hope College; and microbiologist at the Radboud University Medical Centre of Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

November 17

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

Intelligent Design on Trial

       abstract                        powerpoint slides

                                           audio recording (.wma)

Edward B. Davis, Professor of the History of Science, Messiah College

December 1

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

The Search for Extra-terrestrial Life

       abstract                        powerpoint slides

                                           audio recording (.wma)

Larry Molnar and Loren Haarsma, Physics & Astronomy Department, Calvin College

*Events with an asterix are not part of the CPiS seminar series, but should be of interest to many attenders of CPiS seminars.

Spring 2006

Date

Title

Speaker

February 8

   Wed., 3:30 pm

   Meeter Center

Science and Religion: Nature as Interpreted Book

(Co-sponsored by Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship)

(Co-sponsored by Seminars in Christian Scholarship)

Arie Leegwater, Chemistry & Biochemistry Department, Calvin College;  ARIHE lecturer for 2005-2006.

March 3

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

Creation in Genesis 1: Genre, Purpose, Truth

Daniel C. Harlow, Religion Department, Calvin College.

March 8

   Wed., 3:30 pm

 Commons

      Lecture Hall

Putting Science in its Place: The Culture of Scientific Practice

(Co-sponsored by Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship)

(Co-sponsored by Seminars in Christian Scholarship)

Arie Leegwater, Chemistry & Biochemistry Department, Calvin College;  ARIHE lecturer for 2005-2006.

March 10

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

Thinking God's Thoughts after Him

Ronald A. Buelow, Professor of Mathematics, Bethany Lutheran College.

April 1*

   Saturday

   10:00 am

   at GVSU

Darwin, Intelligence, and Religion: How Much Can Evolution Explain?*

   (This is the keynote address of the spring conference of

the Grand Dialogue in Science and Religion)

John F. Haught, Landegger Distinguished Professor of Theology, Georgetown University.

April 21*

A New Image of Science and Nature*

   (Sponsored by the Metanexus Local Society Initiative of Calvin College and the Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship)

Joseph Rouse, Professor of Philosophy, Wesleyan University.

April 27

   (Thursday)

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

Science:  A Misused Weapon in a Religious War

Randy Isaac, Executive Director, American Scientific Affiliation

May 5

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

Spiritual Care in Nursing:  Christ Has No Hands But Ours

Judith A. Baker, Nursing Department, Calvin College.

*Events with an asterix are not part of the CPiS seminar series, but should be of interest to many attenders of CPiS seminars.

Fall 2005

Date

Title

Speaker

September 16

Sustainability: An Opportunity for the Calvin Curriculum

Ken Piers, Chemistry & Biochemistry Department, Calvin College.

September 29*

   (7:30 p.m.)

   (SB-010)

Einstein and His World

   (Lecture for a general audience)

Martin Klein, Eugene Higgins Professor Emeritus of Physics and History of Science, Yale University; former general editor, The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein.

September 30*

   (3:30 p.m.)

   (SB-110)

New Paths to the Depths of Physics: Einstein in 1905

Martin Klein, Eugene Higgins Professor Emeritus of Physics and History of Science, Yale University; former general editor, The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein.

October 7

Chastened Realism:  Mathematics as a Model for  Theology

Douglas Kindschi, Professor of Mathematics and Philosophy, Grand Valley State University

October 13*

   (3:30 p.m.)

(Meeter Center)

Beliefs in Natural Science, Then and Now

   (This is a Meeter Center colloquium.  It will be held

      in the Meeter Center Lecture Hall.)

Christopher B. Kaiser, Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology, Western Theological Seminary

October 21

Progress and Its Discontents – In the History of Life

Ralph Stearley, Geology, Geography and Environmental Studies Department, Calvin College.

October 28

Global Warming and Public Policy

Matthew Heun, Engineering Department, Calvin College.

November 3-5*

Conference on “The ‘Nature’ of Belief” at the Prince Conference Center

Sponsored by the Templeton Foundation and by the Calvin Seminars in Christian Scholarship

November 18

Evolution Wars: A Failure to Communicate

Uko Zylstra, Prof. of Biology and Dean of Natural Sciences, Calvin College.

*Events with an asterix are not part of the CPiS seminar series, but should be of interest to many attenders of CPiS seminars.

 

Spring 2005

Date

Title

Speaker

February 18

Place-based agbiotech: Bridging ideological divisions over genetically modified crops

(Co-sponsored by Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship)

David Koetje, Biology Department, Calvin College.

March 4

The Truth of a Tree:  Logos Christology as a Foundation for a Christian Environmental Ethic

Laura Smit, Dean of the Chapel & Assistant Professor of Religion, Calvin College.

March 23 (Wednesday)

Partnering with Faith Communities to Promote Advance Care Planning

Karen VanderLaan, Nursing Department, Calvin College.

April 1

Science, Experience, and Philosophy:

  from Henri Bergson to Maurice Merleau-Ponty

    (Sponsored by the Metanexus Local Society Initiative of Calvin College and the Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship)

Gary Gutting, Professor, Philosophy Department, University of Notre Dame.

April 8

   (SB-010)

Religious Opinions Concerning Human Reproductive Genetic Technologies

   (Sponsored by the Calvin Sociology Department)

John Evans, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of California, San Diego.

April 15

Truth and Interpretation:  Science, Religion and Culture

    (Sponsored by the Metanexus Local Society Initiative of Calvin College and the Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship)

Lambert Zuidervaart, Professor of Philosophy, Institute for Christian Studies.

April 29

A Student’s Perspective on Integrating Faith and Science

Elise Crull, Physics major, Calvin College.

May 6

Is the Continuum Hypothesis True or False?

Mike Stob, Mathematics Department, Calvin College.

 

Fall 2004

Date

Title

Speaker

October 8

Consciousness Studies, Philosophy of Science and Theology:  Why the Sciences Do Not Threaten Consciousness, Free Will or Miracles

(Co-sponsored by Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship)

   (Co-sponsored by the Calvin Philosophy Department)

Steven Horst, Associate Professor and Chair, Philosophy Department, Wesleyan University.

October 12

    7:30 p.m.

Calvin Chapel

But It’s Only a Rat!  Christian Reflections on Painful Animal Research

    (Sponsored by Templeton/ASA Lecture Series)

Robert N. Wennberg, Professor, Philosophy Department, Westmont College.

October 29

The Birth of Mathematical Astronomy: 

    Observational Equivalence, Simplicity, and

    Metaphysics in Ptolemy and Copernicus

Steve Wykstra, Philosophy Department, Calvin College

November 12

“Green” Academic Buildings:

   Good Stewardship or Temples for a New Religion?

John H. Scofield, Professor and Chair, Physics and Astronomy Department, Oberlin College

December 3

Christian Philosophy, Spatiality and Geography

(Co-sponsored by Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship)

  (Co-sponsored by the Calvin GGES Department)

Henk Aay, Geology, Geography and Environmental Studies Department, Calvin College

December 10

The Problem of Boundaries

(Co-sponsored by Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship)

  (Co-sponsored by the Calvin GGES Department)

Janel Curry, Dean of Research; Professor of Geology, Geography and Environmental Studies, Calvin College

 

Spring 2004

Date

Title

Speaker

February 13

The Scientific Efficacy of Prayer

Douglas VanderGriend, Chemistry Department, Calvin College;  and Rev. Alvin VanderGriend, Prayer-Evangelism Associate for Harvest Prayer Ministries

March 12

The Human Creature

Rebecca Flietstra, Associate Professor of Biology,

         Point Loma Nazarene University

March 30

 

Can We Allow Climate to Change and Biodiversity to Become Extinct?

  (Sponsored by Templeton/ASA Lecture Series)

Sir Ghillean Prance, former Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, adjunct professor at the City University of New York and a visiting professor at the University of Reading

March 31

 

The Eden Project      (www.edenproject.com)

  (Sponsored by Templeton/ASA Lecture Series)

Sir Ghillean Prance

April 16

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