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St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
The Infancy Narratives
Discussion Led By Rev. Mike Kreutzer
Sunday, December 4, 2005

Matthew 1:18 - 2:23

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St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
The Infancy Narratives
Discussion Led By Rev. Mike Kreutzer
Sunday, November 27, 2005

Matthew 1-2

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St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
Faith, Science, and Understanding by John Polkinghorne
Discussion Led By Prof. George John
Sunday, November 6, 2005

SESSION 8

This last session consisted of the group listening to a C-Span recording on the topic of Natural Selection vs. Intelligent Design as emceed by John Entine of the American Enterprise Institute. The topic was focused on which of those two theories should be taught in our schools today. Father George Coyne took the position that Intelligent Design should not be presented as an alternative scientific theory, while Michael Novac took the opposite side suggesting that students should be exposed to both theories so that they could decide for themselves.

Father Coyne centered his discussion on the scientific findings to date regarding evolution. He hypothesized from his book, "The Dance of the Fertile Universe," that evolution was not solely dominated by random chance. If the age of the 15-billion-year-old universe were compressed to an hour, we would be living in the last two seconds before the end. The heavy elements that are part of our life today were created by the life and death of many stars over billions of years. The sun is a third-generation star and there are ten to the twenty-second power stars in the Milky Way. Intelligent Design was not required for our evolution to occur. God is not the response to a need and is not found through a practical process. In its early years, evolution was supported by the church as a means of showing that God was still allowing the world to evolve. In fact, Father Coyne believes that Intelligent Design diminishes God. God lets the world be what it wants to be! Science and religion should be treated as totally separate entities.

Michael Novak of the American Enterprise Institute believes that Intelligent Design is crucial to American schools. It needs to be discussed as an alternative theory to Darwinian evolution. There are many cases that support religion has made a difference in the world of science, such as how people with a deep religious faith tend to heal faster. Many of today's scientists are deeply religious. Don't keep science and religion separate from each other.

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St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
Faith, Science, and Understanding by John Polkinghorne
Discussion Led By Prof. George John
Sunday, October 30, 2005

SESSION 7

Professor John began by reviewing the essence of the John Polkinghorne writings. He is an avowed Christian who believes that science and religion are not separate domains. Following this brief summary, we then listened to a lecture by Robert H. Kane, entitled "Meaning and Belief in a Pluralistic Age."

There are two main problems confronting modern religion today: 1) Plurality of religions and 2) Continuing secularization of life itself. When we are confronted by a plurality of religions, it makes us ask more questions about our own beliefs. When we observe how secular the world is becoming, we ask how God could allow differing standards for different people.

The idea that there may be multiple ways to "climb the mountain" is becoming a more popular belief as witnessed by the increasing number of classes being offered in comparative religions and comparative mythologies. Pluralism creates uncertainty. The growth of secularism diminishes the role of "the sacred." The distinction between the secular and the sacred is the key to religion. Marriage, for example becomes a sacred and universal event and not just a secular ritual.

Some groups have rebelled against secularization by resorting back to fundamental beliefs. Such is the case with some of the various Jewish sects where its followers have rejected the lifestyle and beliefs of the modern world and resorted to ancient cultures. This phenomenon has been labeled orthodox retrenchment. For most of us, this is not acceptable, so what are the other options?
Religion is a path that is a made up of a theory of reality plus a theory of value. Examples include the Buddhist 8-fold path, Daoism's way, Hindu's works and meditations, and Christianity's "I am the way, the light, and the truth."

These paths of reality and value are meant to converge if we are to reach the highest level. In Hinduism, it is Brahma, or the merger of infinite being, consciousness, and bliss. In Daoism, it's the way of the universe. In Christianity it's God and love that ultimately converge to God is love.

Ethical behavior is also connected to religion. Most beliefs have their own version of the "Golden Rule." Elevation of a secular rite to something sacred changes relative worth to universal or objective worth. The question then arises as how do we know that these two paths will converge. The fact of the matter is that we don't know, but also that religion is a journey along the path and it is our belief that sustains us since human simply embody the truth, but do not necessarily know it. This is no different than a scientist searching for the truth.

With the various religions, there are conflicting ways to be saved. In many Eastern religions, there are "many paths up the mountain." In other religions, there is only "one way." This is something we won't really know until it is all over. A good analogy is the particle and wave theories that were debated by scientists for many years until they found out later that they were both right! Thus, as humans can we accept that we don't know the "whole truth," and thus accept that a faith outside of our own may also be the right path to the top of the mountain?

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St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
Faith, Science, and Understanding by John Polkinghorne
Discussion Led By Prof. George John
Sunday, October 23, 2005

SESSION 6

I. Brief comments about Chap 3 on Revelation

II. Chap 5: Second Thoughts

A. 5.l - Critical Realism

1. Science, via its methodology, progressively refines its observations and theories to obtain a more accurate representation of a rich and multi-leveled reality

> "Scientists are map makers of the physical world. No map tells us all that could be said about a particular terrain, but it can faithfully represent the structure present on a certain scale. In the sense of an increasing verisimilitude, of ever better approximations to the truth of the matter, science offers us a tightening grasp of physical reality."

2. Examples:

a) Atomic and nuclear models

b) Classical Physics vice Modem Physics .c) Quantum Theory and General Relativity

d) Inability to reconciling Quantum theory and General Relativity. Is it critical realism's Achilles heel?

e) Mathematical elegance and simplicity -- beauty

>  Description of an Ellipse as an example

>  Matrix vice wave mechanics ==>Dirac

>  Inverse square law/curved space ==>
Schwartzchild solution

f) Metaphor vice Model

B. 5.2 Quantum Cosmology and the Anthropic Principle

1. Religious interpretation

2. non-theistic interpretation.

C. 5.3 Panentheism

1. JCP has difficulty reconciling panentheism's "detached and distant deity" with Christianities fundamental belief that 'God is Love.'

2. JCP:- p- 90 "I do, however, acknowledge that the ultimate destiny of creation, prefigured in the resurrection of Christ, understood as the seed from which God's new creation has begun to grow through the redeeming transformation of the old
..creation, will indeed be a state in which God is 'all in all'(l Cor.15:28), so I believe that panentheism will prove to be an eschatological reality. "

3. I'm reminded of Teilhard de Chardin's comment that we contain the totality of the universe in part, from which I think of a parallel that God contains the totality of the universe in whole.

4. Clayton and Moltman

D. 5.4 Dual Aspect Monism

1. Matter-energy

2. matter-energy-information

E. 5.5 Chaos Theory

1. Brief description

2. Implications

III. Chapter Six: God in Relation to Nature: Kenotic Creation and Divine Action

A. Can we reconcile science's account of the regularity of natural processes with "Christian theology's claim to speak of the God who acts in history?

B. Divine kenosis: p 111 -"The Creator self-limits divine power in allowing the created-other to be truly itself, in the God-given freedom of being"

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St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
Faith, Science, and Understanding by John Polkinghorne
Discussion Led By Prof. George John
Sunday, October 16, 2005

SESSION 5

Faith Science & Understanding

I. Part I. Consists of Chapters 1 through 5

A. Brief comments about Chap 1

B. Discuss the Methodology of Science cited in Chap 2

C. Use detection of radioactivity emitted by Coleman Lantern
Mantles as a means to demonstrate observation and identification of
"unseen" emanations.

1. Relate historical development of the discovery and
properties of electrons

2. Emanations from mantles, called Beta particles, have the
same characteristics as electrons, hence they are electrons.

D. Relate electrons to atomic theory of matter

E. Properties of "free" electrons versus electrons bound in atoms

F. Excitation and de-excitation (decay) of atomic states. Nuclear atom
and radioactive decay,; origin of beta particles

G. Bound electrons require Quantum Mechanics to account for their
behavior whereas Classical mechanics can describe some properties of
free electrons.

II. Contrast methods and results of science with those of theology

III. Respond to Questions

IV. Chapter 3: The Role of Revelation---Mike Kreutzer.

Some notes on Revelation

(Compiled by Rev. Mike Kreutzer)

Part 1: from The Experience of God: an Invitation to Do Theology 
by Dermot A. Lane; revised edition, Dublin: Veritas Press, 2003, pp. 46-72

"There is nothing more vulnerable in life than unquestioned presuppositions."

Whenever a change in focus occurs, especially in an area of fundamental theology, it takes time for the Christian community to adjust to its implications."

Different theories of revelation:

1) the propositional theory: "It claims that God communicated basic truths, hitherto unknown, about God's self in history to a privileged people, and that these were written down in a human language and passed on in Scripture and the tradition of the Church."

2) "revelation as history" theory: "Revelation is about the action of God in history which is available to us in the great events of salvation history… Revelation is a series of different historical events which are 'open to anyone who has eyes to see.'"

3) subjectivist or existentialist theory of revelation: "It is claimed that revelation takes place only when humanity responds in faith to God's message contained in the Bible. This happens when Scripture actually changes and transforms the life of the person."

4) "A balanced theology of revelation must attempt to integrate these three complementary points of view as well as add to them."

· "It is reasonable to assume that God in divine revelation follows, more or less, the built-in created capacity that humanity has for human revelation. God deals with people as they are. He takes the human condition as it is and draws it to perfection in grace. The gift of grace does not bypass human nature; it develops from within nature."

· "Human revelation entails a process of self-disclosure between persons that normally takes place through words and deeds. This communication between people reaches a special level of integrity when the words become deeds and the deeds reflect the words in unity. If the exchange is to be complete, then there must be some mutual interaction between the parties involved. This takes place through the medium of human experience which is essential to revelation... These basic elements which make up the dynamics of human revelation also belong, with some qualification, to the process of divine revelation between God and humanity."

· "A fundamental unity exists between revelation and faith. There can be no divine revelation without the response of faith which receives it, and there can be no faith without the grace of God's self-revelation which draws forth faith in us…. The reception in faith of God's gracious offer of God's self in experience and history by the individual, and ultimately by the community, is what constitutes revelation."

· "Religious experiences are those moments in life when we perceive a world of meaning as grounded in the immanent yet transcendent reality we call God."

· "The revelation of God in experience is something that cries out for imaginative interpretation in linguistic symbols: narratives, stories and doctrinal statements. In fact interpretation assisted by imagination is an essential part of the revelation of God in experience. A fundamental unity exists between experience, imagination, and interpretation."

· "Revelation is about the personal communication and dialogic relationship that exists between God and humanity in past and present history."

Part 2: from Faith, Science & Understanding by John Polkinghorne
New Haven: Yale University Press, 2000

"God is always there, just as the laws of nature are always there, but it may well be that there have been particular moments in history that have been unusually open to the divine presence, particular communities unusually responsive to the divine will, particular individuals unusually aware of the divine nature. These transparent occasions and inspired persons are the vehicles of God's self-manifestation, sources of the spiritual insight whose record is what constitutes the revelation preserved in a religious tradition. Such a concept of revelation is one that should not be uncongenial to a scientist. The close analogy is with the astronomer's observations than with the physicists' experiments, since encounter with the divine cannot be induced or contrived but it can only be received as gracious gift." (p. 37)

Revelation:

· suspicions of many people: They seem to think that religious believers enter into intellectual discussion with the ace of trumps of revelatory certainty hidden up their sleeves and with the brazen claim that it is the Holy Spirit who has put it there." (p. 53)

· "Two kinds of responses could be made, one broad in character, the other more specific." (p 53):

> (pp. 53-56) "The broad point is to challenge the scientist's innate inclination to favor generality over specificity and at the same time to question the assertion that the repeatable is always a more reliable source of evidence than the unique."

> (pp. 56-57) "To this general argument can be added a further and more specific consideration. It arises from the actual experienced power of scripture to speak across the centuries, and across all the many cultural changes that intervene, to enlighten us in our day in ways that are meaningful and powerful. The fact of continuing study of the Bible by many people is something to be taken into account… Persistence of a people and their writings is a phenomenon that is worth investigating. It calls for an explanation."

· "The possibility of revelation, of God made known through persons and events, is one that deserves a place on my agenda of rational inquiry." (p. 57)

· "Appeal to revelation is not the closure of theological discussion, but the ground of its initiation." (p. 58)

· "There is an inescapable tension involved between, on the one hand, the acknowledgement that uniquely significant events may well have about them unusual or unprecedented characteristics which are part of the reason for believing them to carry a revelatory significance and, on the other hand, the recognition that also there must be some degree of resonance with ordinary human experience if these events are to be intelligible to later generations." (pp. 58-59)

· "For me, the Bible is neither an inerrant account of propositional truth nor a compendium of timeless symbols, but a historically conditioned account of certain significant encounters and experiences. Read in this way, I believe it can provide the basis for a Christian belief which is certainly revised in the light of our twentieth century insights but which is recognizably contained within an envelope of understanding in continuity with the developing doctrines of the Church throughout the centuries." (pp. 64-65)

Group discussion ended by discussions as to whether God reveals himself to individuals today and if so, how does one determine if whether that person is a true prophet of God or not?  Mike was asked if he thought there were any modern-day prophets to which he responded in the affirmative and suggested that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. may be considered a good candidate for that title!

Other references:

"What is the Universe Made Of?" by Charles Seife

"Postmodernism Disrobed" by Richard Dawkins

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Return to Christian Education

St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
Faith, Science, and Understanding by John Polkinghorne
Discussion Led By Prof. George John
Sunday, October 9, 2005

SESSION 4

Professor John began the class by explain that in science there are many things that are "real," even if we cannot detect them with our human senses.  He demonstrated this point by passing around cloth mantles from a gas lamp.  There was nothing special to see or feel, but when a Geiger counter detector was placed next to one of the mantles, the "bleeps" from the normal background radiation increased in frequency significantly.  Thus, in this case, the human ear could judge by the differences in the tonal frequency, that something unique was happening on or around the mantle.  George explained that this was because a small amount of the element thorium was embedded in the mantle.  It has the property to glow under certain heated and atmospheric conditions which helps to give the lamps their brilliant light.  He also showed how thin layers of aluminum or lead could effectively block or absorb a portion of the radiation.

Next, it was explained how other methods could be employed to further show the effects of this type of radiation.  A cloud chamber could be simply made and subjected to this radiation phenomenon.  Even though the particle or waves cannot be seen, there would be telltale tracks left in the cloud chamber as further proof that the radiation was real.  Other tests such as subjecting the chamber to a magnetic or electric field will cause the particles to be bent in a prescribed path.  This allows scientists and engineers to further define properties about the radiation.  So with the assistance of these detection devices, the properties of the radiation may be shown to be repeatable and verifiable.  This, in essence, is what science is all about.

However, as science progresses, theories about the natural phenomena around us can change.  A case in point is our understanding of gravity.  Sir Isaac Newton was the first to accurately define gravity as a predictable and measurable force field.  However, when certain measurements at a distance were taken, things did not always line up exactly with the Newtonian theories.  Albert Einstein came along many years later and proposed to define gravity from a more geometric point of view relative to a space-time continuum, which is still the accepted theory to this day.

Yet another example cited was that of defining the idea of the atom as first postulated by the Greeks and what its properties may be like.  As man understood the sun to be the center of our solar system and not the earth, it was very logical that  a planet-type of description of electron orbiting around a nucleus be accepted as the leading model.  However, there were observations that these particle also acted at times more as waves than as true particles.  Thus, the concept of quantum mechanics was proposed to better define this type of sub-atomic behavior.  Schroedinger was able to hypothesize a mathematical model of wave mechanics, which was subsequently followed by Heisenberg's uncertainty principle that noted electron position cannot be exactly defined, but can only be described in terms of probabilities.

Then class discussion turned towards talking about the first section of Polkinghorne's book.  The author, who is a proclaimed Christian, tries to explain the unitary nature of science and religion in that that teaching of theology and the unity of knowledge should go hand in hand.  Some of the areas that the class found interesting included the author's definition of a person, how human suffering may be explained and how to explain why there are multiple religions in this world and how they may all be tied together.  There was also an interesting section on how the English clergy first saw Darwin's theory on evolution as being positive and in line with church doctrine in that God's hand in creation continues to this day.

Since many in the class found the first section of the book fairly difficult to read, it was decided to review the same section again next Sunday, but in more depth.  Everyone should come prepared with a list of questions to help generate more class discussion.

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St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
Faith, Science, and Understanding by John Polkinghorne
Discussion Led By Prof. George John
Sunday, October 2, 2005

SESSION 3

>> Evolution of theological and religious content in school texts and teaching in public schools.

>> Wm. Jennings Bryan's concerns about teaching evolution

>> Rise of Social Darwinism and eugenics -- supported by Christians who accepted evolution and survival of the fittest.

>> Rise of fundamentalists and its evolution

>> Response of scientific community via pamphlets

>> Despite wide distribution pamphlets had minimal impact

>> Variety of non-conventional attempts to describe God and religion as being consistent

A CATECHISM OF CREATION

I. Part I. Theology of Creation

   A. Profession of Faith: the Creed

   B. Bible -Genesis 1 & 2 and theological truths

      1. Transcendence and immanence of God

      2. not How but What God gives

   C. God's relation to humanity expressed in poetry and metaphor

   D. Theology of Creation as discussed in last three items


II. Part II. Creation and Science I

   A. Scientific knowledge and Biblical knowledge

      1. Bible contains all things necessary to salvation

      2. Bible does not contain all necessary truths about everything else

      3. Bible is not a divinely dictated scientific textbook

   B. Is there science in Bible?,

      1. How to interpret

      2. How to deal with apparent conflicts with science

   C. Contemporary Cosmology

      1. "Big Bang"

      2. Current concepts of the Universe or Cosmos

      3. Evolution of Cosmos

   D. Biological evolution

      1. What is it?

      2. Evidence-fossil record, biogeography, and genetics

   E. A Theology of God's role consistent with findings of science

      1. Interaction not intervention

      2. secondary causes vice Primary Cause

   F. Evolution

      1. Why hostility

      2. Young and old earth creationists

      3. Intelligent Design

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Return to Christian Education

St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
Faith, Science, and Understanding by John Polkinghorne
Discussion Led By Prof. George John
Sunday, September 25, 2005

SESSION 2

Science and Religious Fundamentalism in the 1920s, by Edward B. Davis

1. Controversy and questions raised concerning role and public image of
science in a religious society

2. Religion and science in schools from 18th century to now.

3. Intent of the Scopes trial and its subversion by Darrow

4. Author's goal: pamphlets written by American scientists.

5. "Fundamentalist" early definition compare with current usage

6. William Jennings Bryan's image, philosophy, and fears

7. Rise of Social Darwinism and eugenics

8. Influence of WW I on fundamentalist's opposition to teaching evolution

9. Bryan's editorials in NY Times and response of scientists

10.Birth of pamphlets '

11.Distribution of pamphlets

12. Content of pamphlets
      a. Samuel Schmucker, Through Science to God
          i. concept of God
         ii. eugenics to further God's purposes for humanity
      b. Eugenics supporters: Harry Emerson Fosdick, Edwin Grant
          Conclin, Henry Fairfield Osborn
      c. Robert Millikan, Evolution in Science and Religion,. A Scientist
          Confesses His Faith
          i. compatibility of science and religion testimonials from
             religious scientists
         ii. his definitions of science and religion
      d. Arthur Holly Compton, Life After Death
      e. Shailor Mathews--theologian
       f. Kirtley Mather influenced by Mathews
          i. Sunday School teacher
         ii. concept of God
      g. Conklin echoed Mather in talk titled "The Religion of Science"

13. Commentary by historian James Gilbert

14.A Question of Compatibility
a. Asa Gray
b. Failure of pamphlets
c. Current spectrum of response to teaching evolution

                                 --------------------

Science and Religious Fundamentalism in the 1920s, by Edward B. Davis
a brief synopsis...

Edward B. Davis is Distinguished Professor of the History of Science at Messiah College. He received his Ph.D. in the history and philosophy of science in 1984 from Indiana University. Best known for his work on Robert Boyle and early modem science, his current research focuses on the religious beliefs of American scientists in the 1920s. Address: Messiah College, Box 3030, One College Avenue, Grantham, PA 17027. Internet: tdavis@messiah.edu

> Controversies over teaching of evolution have raised fundamental ...questions about science, its public image and its role in, a religious society.

> Issues are broader than constitutional disestablishment of religion

> How is science related to religion and morality?

> Can scientists and religious authorities cooperate in educating the public about the content and limits of scientific knowledge, or are they separated by contrary views of what knowledge is?

> What are the role and responsibility of religious scientists in such conversations?

> Scopes trial and Clarence Darrow's role discussed.

> Pamphlets written by prominent American scientists in efforts to convince readers of the compatibility of religion and science are an important part of the story of science and religion in America.

> "fundamentalists"

> Conservative Protestantism

> William Jennings Bryan objection to evolution

> Social Darwinism and eugenics

> Reform-minded scientists-embrace eugenics

> World War I stirred Bryan and fellow fundamentalists to believe
that German militarism linked to natural selection and the Bible
is literary text rather than the Word of God


Science Responds

> Bryan editorial in New York Times

> Many scientists felt a response was necessary 

> Pamphlets widely published over next 10 years





CONTENTS-Other Articles
1. Physics, Philosophy, and Scientific Progress, Albert Einstein
In this 1950 speech to the International Congress of Surgeons in Cleveland, Ohio,
Einstein argued that the 19th-century physicists' simplistic view of nature, illusory
as it was, gave biologists the confidence to treat life as a purely physical
phenomenon.

2. Diagonal Considerations, Jim Foorman, Sightings, 6/2/05, Martin Marty
Center, University of Chicago Divinity School
Questions concerning domains of science, theology, philosophy, history braring
on nature of our existence, what we know about it" what it means, reality

3. Design of the Times, Richard A. Rosengarten, Sightings, 7/21/05, Martin
Marty Center, University of Chicago Divinity School
Comments on Catholic Church's position on "Intelligent Design"

4. Finding Design in Nature, Christopher Schonborn, Cardinal, Archbishop
of Vienna, New York Times, 7 July, 2005 
Cardinal's opinion or interpretation of Pope John Paul il's position on evolution.
This created a significant response by several scientists, including Lawfence M.
Kraus, who wrote a letter to the new pope, Benedict, XVI, Francisco Ayala of UC
Irrvine, and biologist Kenneth Miller, of Brown University.

5. Krauss-Letter to Pope Benedict XVI
Comments on Pope John Paul's statement about the Church's position on
Evolution; criticizes Cardinal Schonborn's letter to New York Times in
which' he gives his understanding of Pope John Paul's position; asks
Pope Benedict reaffirm Pope John Paul's statements.

6. Bush Remarks Roil Debate on Teaching of Evolution, Elisabeth Bumiller,
New York Times, 3 August 2005
Reaction and commentary on President Bush's statement that both ill and
Darwin's theory of evolution should be taught

7. Evolution or Intelligent Design? Science and Faith Meet School Policy, i Glenn Cook, Managing Editor, National School Boards Association, American School Board Journal, 2005
Response of school boards and members in Pennsylvania and Kansas to teaching
ID with evolution.

8. Undoing Darwin, Chris Mooney and Mathew C. Nisbet, 2005 Columbia
Journalism Review at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism.
The failure of the media to present adequate details of the ill vs Evolution
debate.

A. Politicized Scholars Put Evolution on the Defensive, Jodi Wilgoren, August 21 2005, The New York Times.
The Discovery Institute-Conservative Think Tank based in Seattle-leaders in the nation's "culture wars" championing ill.

B. In Explaining Life's Complexity, Darwinists and Doubters Clash, Kenneth Chang, August 22, 2005, The New York Times
A discussion of the contenders, featuring ill promoters Dr. Michael Behe and Dr William A. Dembski and various contenders

C. TEACHING EVOLUTION: ill Foes on Trial This Month in Pennsylvania School Case, Constance Holden, Science, Vol 309, No. 5742, Issue of 16 Sept. 2005
Parents sue school board

D. School Boards Want to 'Teach the Controversy,' What Controversy?, Lawrence M Krauss, May 17, 2005, The New York Times
Krauss argues that there is no controversy among those who support the theory of evolution. There is a controversy, though, between ill believers and scientists.

E. AAPT Statement on the Teaching of Evolution and Cosmology,.
Statement adopted by the Executive Board of The American Association of Physics Teachers on April 24, 2005

F. Let fact and faith coexist outside schools Alan I. Leshner, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of. Science and executive publisher of the journal Science., 9 May 2005

G. Neo-Creo, William Safire, August 21, The New York Times
Safire's inimitable style uncovers the language and origin of the ill, creationism, evolutionism debate

HI. Teaching of Creationism is Endorsed in New Survey, Laurie Goodstein, 31 Aug The New York Times
The poll found that 42 percent of respondents held strict creationist views, agreeing that "living things have existed in their present form since the beginning of time." -
In contrast, 48 percent said they believed that humans had evolved over time. But of those, 18 percent said that evolution was "guided by a supreme being," and 26 percent said that evolution occurred through natural selection. In all, 64 percent said they were open to the idea of teaching creationism in addition to evolution, while 38 percent favored replacing evolution with creationism

JK. Challenged by Creationists, Museums Answer Back, Cornelia Dean, 20 September 2005, The New York Times
Fundamentalists and' Biblical Literalists visit museums and challenge docents as they present information on exhibits relating to evolution, origins of life, and cosmology. Museums respond by training docents.

L. Two Realms and Their Relationships, A review by Craig B. Anderson,
Science, Vol. 286, No. 5441, Issue of 21 Oct 1999, pp. 907-908
Rocks of Ages Science and Religion in the Fullness of Life
Stephen Jay Gould
Library of Contemporary Thought (Ballantine), New York, 1999.250 pp. $18.95,
C$26.50. ISBN 0-345-4300,9-3.
Seduced by Science How American Religion Has Lost Its Way
Steven Goldberg
New York University Press, New York, 1999.230 pp. $27.95. ISBN 0-8147-3104-X.
The Sacred Depths of Nature
Ursula Goodenough
Oxford University Press, New York, 1998.219 pp. $24. ISBN 0-19-512613-6.
"Three recent books add to the growing interest in the relationship between
science and religion. Two of these share a common premise: Given science's task
of defining the natural world and religion's goal of providing a moral universe,
science and religion should coexist peacefully and respectfully in separate
spheres. The third volume illustrates this premise. "

M. Gould's Separate 'Magisteria': Two Views-Book reviews, Mark
W. Durm has one view, and Massimo Pigliucci presents

N. The Holes in Gould's Semipermeable Membrane 'Between Science and
Religion, Ursula Goodenough
A fair and clear critique of Gould's Non-Overlapping Magisteria (NOMA)

O. Do the Magisteria of Science and Religion Overlap?, Steve Hansen
Smythe, http://www.3.telus.netJHansenSmythe/NOMA.html
They do says this critic

PQ. Science and Religion: Conflict or Conciliation,
Commentary by Norman Hall on the Skeptical Inquirer Special Issue on Science
and Religion, July-August 1999-

R. Evolution Under Fire, Rudy Baum, Editor-in-chief of Chemical and
Engineering News, August 29,2005
Editors comments on his editorial on ill and evolution with samples of many
letters sent in response. Good cross section of belief from chemists and
engineers who read C&E News

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Return to Christian Education

St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
Faith, Science, and Understanding by John Polkinghorne
Discussion Led By Prof. George John
Sunday, September 18, 2005

SESSION 1

1 Introductory Comments and Discuss Process for Study
   a) Articles from Journals, Internet, and media
   b) Polkinghorne's book: "Faith, Science, and Understanding"
   c) Other materials

2 Examine and Comment on. Printed Material

3 Begin with "Conflict in Cambridge" to indicate types of conflict.


It was noted that our textbooks had not yet arrived, however, George had prepared a series of handouts that were given to all in attendance. "Seeing is believing!" Science has a roll. Religion has a roll. Are they related or are they separate? Physical reality vs. spiritual reality.

Reviewed handout contents:

CONTENTS (please do not copy or distribute)

1. Clash in Cambridge, John Horgan
2. Science and Religious Fundamentalism in the 1920s, Edward B. Davis
3. CONTEXT, Martin Marty' on Religion and Culture, September 2005, Part A
4. A Catechism of Creation, An Episcopal Understanding
5. A God Who Does Not Itemize Versus a Science of the Sacred, Edward B. Davis, Review of Belief in God in an Age of Science, John Polkinghome, and Skeptics and True Believers: The Exhilarating Connection between Science and Religion, Chet Raymo
6. Cosmic Design, Christian Century Magazine, Editor's Desk, September 06, 2005
7. Article in Dayton Daily News on Science and Religion, 5 Aug 2005, Rodney W. Kennedy
8. Our Special Universe, Charles H. Towne, Wall Street Journal, March 11, 2005
9. Science Nourishes the Mind and Soul, Brian Greene, NPR Commentary, All Things Considered, May 30, 2005
10. A scholar's View: The Long and Winding Road, Martin, E. Marty, Newsweek, September 12, 2005
11. In Search of the Spiritual, Jerry Adler, Newsweek, September 12, 2005
12. Definitions and Selected Elaborations

Article “Clash in Cambridge” by John Horgan read and discussed:  The clash between science and religion is still ever present.  A prominent group of scientists and journalists gathered for the Templeton-Cambridge Journalism Fellowship this past June 2005 discussed this topic for two weeks.  Discussions included questions about the healing power of prayer, the role of religion and morality, and God’s role in the shaping of the universe.  By the end of the conference, the participants agreed that no real common ground had been found, but everyone had thoroughly enjoyed the discussions.

Definitions and selected elaborations reviewed:  This included definitions of science, theology, religion, deism, theism, pantheism, and panentheism.

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