Science and Religion Lecture Series

The goal of the Science and Religion program is to raise the level of awareness of issues in science and religion at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University and among the community at large in central Minnesota. Each year, we focus on a particular topic at the intersection of science and religion, examining that topic from the perspective of a theologian and of a scientist.

This program is coordinated by Dr. Noreen Herzfeld, who teaches both computer science and theology at Saint John's University and the College of Saint Benedict. For more information, contact nherzfeld@csbsju.edu or go to Noreen's website.

Programs and Events

2006-2007 -- religious and scientific narratives

In Feburary, Dr. Jeffrey Pugh, Maude Sharpe Powell Professor of Religion at Elon University presented a lecture on "Narrating Nature, Reframing Christianity." Dr. Pugh is the author of The Triune Mystery: God, Science, and the Space Between.

2004-05 -- scientific and religious perspectives on being human

In March, Dr. Wentzel van Huysstein, James I. McCord Professor of Theology and Science at Princeton Theological Seminary spent a few days in residence. Dr. van Huysstein is the author of The Shaping of Rationality: Toward Interdisciplinarity in Theology and Science and was the Gifford Lecturer in May 2003. Van Huysstein’s lecture and a personal interview were filmed by Twin Cities Public Television as Are Human's Unique?

2003-04 -- the interrelationship between religion and theories of evolution

Our first invited speaker was Dr. David Sloan Wilson, Professor of Biology at SUNY Binghamton and author of Darwin’s Cathedral. Wilson’s discussion with the faculty, public lecture, and a personal interview were filmed by Twin Cities Public Television as Darwin’s Cathedral: A Visit with David Sloan Wilson.

We completed our year on evolution with a visit from Dr. John Haught, Thomas Healey professor of theology at Georgetown University. A group of 19 faculty and monks read and discussed his newest book, Deeper Than Darwin. In conjunction with his visit, we also sponsored Haught as the keynote lecture for the annual meeting of the Minnesota Academy of Science.

2002-03 -- ethics of biotechnology

Our first invited speaker was Dr. Ted Peters, professor of systematic theology and President of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Dr. Peters is the author of "Playing God? Genetic Determinism and Human Freedom." He was also a principle investigator on the Human Genome Project.

The second speaker was Dr. William Hurlbut, physician and lecturer at the College of Medicine of Stanford University and member of the President’s Council on Bioethics.