Mere Science and Christian Faith

Via Webcast | A SELF-GUIDED COURSE

We live in a science and technology-obsessed culture. It’s tempting to think both will make our faith obsolete. At the same time, how are we supposed to engage young adults who, more and more frequently, see the church as “anti-science?”

Is it possible for science to enhance faith and promote spiritual growth?

Not only is this possible, but understanding how is necessary.

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What You’ll Learn

  • How science and faith relate today and how they’ve interacted historically
  • The connections between contemporary science and biblical practices like forgiveness
  • Key areas of struggle and discovery—like evolution, Big Bang cosmology, and more
  • Critical issues of technology and faith, including social media, AI, and transhumanism

CONNECT WITH GOD

This course will provide theologically grounded spiritual practices that empower your day-to-day life as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Course Agenda

  • Session 1:

    Understanding the Need

    In this first self-guided session, you’ll gain a better understanding of the strategic need for the church to engage science right now. You’ll also learn the three ways science and faith relate today, as well as how they’ve been viewed historically.

  • Session 2:

    Outcomes and Practices

    With insights into the connections between contemporary science and key biblical doctrines, you’ll gain helpful ways of understanding and explaining evolution, Big Bang cosmology, and the Cosmic Anthropic Principle. Based on that foundation, the second session is a chance to formulate key outcomes for yourself and your congregation.

  • Session 3:

    Creating an Initiative

    In this third session, you’ll learn how to select one critical area of science and Christian faith – for example, global climate change – and begin formulating an initiative for discussing the impacts on (and responsibilities of) your faith community.

  • Session 4:

    Faith and Science in Tandem

    As your self-guided course comes to an end, this final session is an opportunity to learn more about areas of interaction technology and faith that don’t always make the headlines. Those include Transhumanism, Artificial Intelligence, and the use of technology – like social media – to spread the Gospel.

Meet the Instructor

Dr. Greg Cootsona is a speaker and writer in science and faith, emerging adults, C. S. Lewis, and Christian life and thought. He teaches religion, humanities, and philosophy at California State University, Chico. Greg also currently co-directs Science for the Church, a project designed to bring science to Christian congregations as a resource for spiritual growth. His most recent books are Negotiating Science and Religion in America: Past, Present, and Future (Routledge, 2020) and Mere Science and Christian Faith: Bridging the Divide with Emerging Adults (InterVarsity, 2018). Greg studied comparative literature at U.C. Berkeley (B.A.); theology and biblical studies at Princeton Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity); and the philosophy of religion, Christian doctrine, as well as science and religion at the Universities of Tübingen and Heidelberg and Berkeley’s Graduate Theological Union (where he received his Ph.D.). He has appeared on the Today Show and has been interviewed by CNN, the Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio, the BBC, and the New York Times. He and his wife, Laura, live in Chico, California, and have two emerging adult daughters (22 and 25). Besides hanging out with his family, Greg loves to bike, read, write, and drink good coffee.

How it Works

Led by Dr. Greg Cootsona, you’ll be able to work through this course at your own pace

  • Prerecorded webcast sessions on your schedule

    As Dr. Cootsona expertly guides you through the course material, you’ll be able to start, stop, and pause whenever you need to.

  • Absorb the material in a whole new way

    With a self-guided course, you’ll have the ability to reflect in realtime—skipping back to something you didn’t fully catch or sitting with some new way of thinking.

  • Develop a better way forward

    By the time you’ve completed this course, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how science enhances and informs faith—as well as a vision for integrating these truths into your faith community.

REGISTRATION INFO

Get access to the full course for just $55.

  • Four 60-minute webcasts (4 contact hours)
  • On-demand replay of the entire course
  • Experiments and assignments to try in context
  • A safe space to learn and grow
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