Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences
From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science
Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences (CTNS) is an international organization which serves for researching, teaching and services. The CTNS focuses on developments in physics, cosmology, evolutionary biology, and genetics, with additional topics in neuroscience, the environmental sciences, and mathematics. CTNS is reflected by both Christian and multi-religious. The Christian theological agenda focuses on the various doctrinal loci of systematic theology. The multi-religious agenda takes theological issues coming from the promise between the sciences and religious traditions such as Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and native spirituals. CTNS publishes the journal Theology and Science through a partnership with Taylor and Francis which is a division of Routledge publishing.
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Programs
CTNS conducted several programs and research projects.
Currently being managed by CTNS is STARS: Science and Transcendence moved forward to Research Series. This program's goal is to sponsor research by small teams of scientists and humanities scholars on the ways science, in light of philosophical and theological reflection, points towards the nature, character and meaning of last reality. CTNS worked on the Science and the Spiritual Quest project until 2003. They worked for developing scientists dialogue connections between their scientific works and their religious identities. During its seven years, the Science and the Spiritual Quest program got connection over 120 different senior scientists in dialogue at the intersections of science and spirituality. SSQ proved that scientists of Nobel caliber can also be people of faith, and that those who are not traditionally religious can offer insights into great value to religion.
The Science and Religion Course Program.
During the past eight-years, the Science and Religion Course Program has taught science and religion in seminaries, colleges, and universities around the world. Originally Gordon College controlled the Course Program at the first time and also these focused on scholars in North America and England. From 1998-2002, CTNS administered and widened the program in many ways, which most importantly focused on three goals: (1) to strengthen the base of scholars currently teaching in this field, (2) to widen the impact of science and religion on leading research universities and theological seminaries, and (3) to further internationalize dialogue by introducing and cultivating programmatic works in Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, continental Europe, and Latin America. Nearly eight hundred US $10,000 Course Awards were spread to institutions and professors across the globe. As the program is over, the community of scholars and the legacy of pedagogical resources that the Course program created continue to influence ongoing dialogues between science and religion. This program was made possible by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation.
Education
CTNS offers courses at the doctoral and seminary level as an affiliate of the Graduate Theological Union, an ecumenical and interfaith consortium of nine independent seminaries and ten affiliated centers based in Berkeley, California. CTNS is committed to offer these courses instead of bring future clergy and teachers to greater awareness of this important interdisciplinary work. Located next to the University of California at Berkeley, CTNS welcomes U.C. graduate students into course discussion.
The Science and Religion Course Program takes eight year courses which encourage the teaching of science and religion in seminaries, colleges, and universities worldwide. A lot of courses in science and religion spread out around the world very actively; more than 700 courses in science and religion have already been taught around the world. This program was made possible by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation.
As part of this program a contingent of CTNS faculty, associated faculty and staff, led a multi-lecture tour in Taiwan and China.
Here is the Robert Russell's comments on this unique science and religion lecture tour in China.
| “ | In October 2002 CTNS sponsored the first-ever lecture tour on science and religion in the People's Republic of China. These lectures by biologist Francisco Ayala, Ted Peters and I were held at the leading research universities of the PRC, in Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Ji'nan. Hundreds of scholars, scientists, top university administrators, and students packed into the conference room at each event to hear what seemed like a startling new hope: that science does not commit them to atheism, but rather that science can be a pathway to God and spiritual knowledge. My lecture has been translated into Chinese and is expected to be published in their leading science journal. In advance of the conference, Ted Peters worked with Kang Phee Seng, along with Gaymon Bennett, to put together an extensive textbook on science and religion including the top essays in the field. This textbook promises to be very effective in teaching courses in science and religion in China. Phee Seng had the entire textbook, Bridging Science and Religion, translated into Chinese, and published by the China Social Sciences Press. Every participating professor and student at our conferences received a copy of this resource to promote classroom involvement in the future of science and religion in China. | ” |
Founder
Robert J. Russell is a Founder and Director of CTNS. He is also the Ian G. Rarbour Professor of Technology and Science at in Residence at The Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. He represents the growing international body of theologians and scientists concentrated to a positive dialogue and creative mutual interaction between these fields. Dr. Russell has written a lot of articles, and now he is walking on five volume CTNS/Vatican Observatory series on scientific valuations,(Eerdmans, 2002) and made Fifty Years in Science and Religion: Ian G. Barbour and His Legacy (Ashgate, 2004). Dr. Russell recently wrote, Cosmology, Evolution and Resurrection Hope: Theology and Science in Creative Mutual Interaction (Pandora, 9/2006). Dr. Russell win from the PCRS/Templeton Grant for Research and Writing on the Constructive Engagement of Religions and Science for his proposed book, Time in Eternity: Theology and Science in Mutual Interaction. Recently he is Serving as Coeditor of Theology and Science journal, and he is also working as P.I. of STARS: Science and Transcendence Advanced Research Series: "Science and the Quest for Ultimate Reality".
Dr,Russell is an minister of the United Church of Christ. He graduated the University of Califormia and received a Ph.D. in physics, and he also received M.A. in Theology and an M.Div. form Pacific School of Religion. before 1981, he taught physics at Carleton college and science and religion withe Ian Barbour. Charlotte is his spouse who is a minister at First Congregational Church at Berkeley.
Contact
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Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences |
Staff
Jennifer Bradford <jennifer@ctns.org> Development Assistant
Nathan Hallanger <nhallanger@ctns.org> CTNS Program Director: 510-649-2481
Blake Horridge <blake@ctns.org> Research Assistant
Bonnie F. Johnston <bonniej@ctns.org> Administrative Director; Communications and Web Manager
Joshua Moritz <jmoritz@ctns.org> Research Assistant to Dr. Russell
Melissa Moritz <melissam@ctns.org> Receptionist, Membership Coordinator and Office Assistant
Robert John Russell, Ph.D. CTNS Founder and Director, Co-Editor, Theology and Science and Ian G. Barbour Professor of Science & Theology in Residence, Graduate Theological Union. 510-649-2485
Eric Metoyer <metoyere@ctns.org> Staff Accountant
CTNS Publications Office: 510-848-8152
James Haag Managing Editor,Theology and Science
Nathan Hallanger Book Review Editor
Ted Peters Ph.D. Co-Editor, Theology and Science, Professor of Systematic Theology,
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and GTU
Robert J. Russell Ph.D Co-Editor, Theology and Science, Professor of Theology and Science in Residence,
Graduate Theological Union
STARS—Science and the Quest for Ultimate Reality: Science and Transcendence Advanced Research Series.
Email:ctns-stars@ctns.org
Ph: 510-649-2490 or 510-848-2350;
Fax 510-848-2535;
Website: www.ctnsstars.org
Robert J. Russell Ph.D. Principal Investigator, STARS
Dennis W. Hair Ph.D. Program Director, STARS
Nathan Hallanger Program Coordinator, STARS
Braden Molhoek Research Assistant , STARS, 510-848-2491
Laurin Beckhusen IT and Database Consultant
Bonnie Johnston Conference Coordinator, STARS
CTNS Board of Directors
| Name | Professional Merit | |
|---|---|---|
| Francisco J. Ayala | Honorary Member, Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences and Professor of Philosophy,University of California, Irvine | |
| Ian G. Barbour | Emeritus Member, Bean Professor of Science, Technology and Society, Carleton College | |
| Arthur Holder | Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Graduate Theological Union | |
| Mary-Claire King | Honorary Member, Professor of Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington | |
| William Levada | Cardinal of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith | |
| John T. Noonan | Judge, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals | |
| Nancey Murphy | Professor of Christian Philosophy, Fuller Theological Seminary | |
| Ted Peters | Professor of Systematic Theology, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary | |
| John J. Roche | Former Consultant to the office of the General Counsel, Citigroup | |
| Charlotte Russell | Minister of Minister of Seniors and Care, First Congregational Church, Berkeley | |
| Robert John Russell | Professor of Theology and Science in Residence, Graduate Theological Union and Founder and Director, CTNS | |
| William R. Stoeger, S.J., Chair | Resident Cosmologist and Astrophysicist, Vatican Observatory | |
| Charles H. Townes | Nobel Laureate and Professor of Physics in the Graduate School, University of California, Berkeley | |
| Claude Welch | Dean Emeritus and Professor of Historical Theology, Graduate Theological Union | |
| Adrian M. Wyard | Founder and President, Counterbalance | |
| Carl M. York | Treasurer Former Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of Denver |
Introductory Resources
CTNS has listed introductory books to get you started to learn journey in the science and religion dialogue. For more resources, visit the CTNS Brief Bibliography.
Barbour, Ian G.
When Science Meets Religion. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2000.
Ian Barbour worked in the 1950s and 1960s and served as a catalyst for the current dialogue between science and theology, presents four ways for understanding the relationship between science and religion: conflict, independece, dialogue, and integration. Barbour then had a view areas of scientific and theological concern using this typology, including quantum physics, evolution, genetics, divine action, astronomy, and creation.
Peters, Ted, Ed.
Science & Theology: The New Consonance. Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press, 1998.
This edited volume includes essays by fifteen authors on topics ranging from physics and divine action to evolution, ethics, and ecology. The opening chapter by Ted Peters, "Science and Theology: Toward Consonance" offers an overview of recent discussions in science and theology as well as a description of the various ways in which science and theology relate.
Polkinghorne, John.
Belief in God in an Age of Science. London/New Haven: Yale University Press, 1998.
The Dwight Harrington Terry Foundation Lectures on Religion in the Light of Science and Philosophy.
John Polkinghorne, a theoretical physicist and theologian, explores natural theology, divine action, critical realism, and prospects for future dialogue between science and theology. The book comprises variations on a theme, as Polkinghorne writes in the introduction: "if reality is generously and adequately construed, then knowledge will be seen to be one; if rationality is generously and adequately construed, then science and theology will be seen as partners in a common quest for understanding."
See Also
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