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Science, Religion, and Interreligious Encounters

6/7/2016

6 Comments

 
Picture
The 11:15 AM science and religion class led by Dick Ransom and Phil Rounseville here at First Baptist Church in Newton is nearing its end.
 
Recently the group has been studying issues in bio ethics as described in the Appendix of The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief by Francis S. Collins, who served as head of the Human Genome Project. Topics covered include medical genetics (does a woman with a strong family history of breast cancer really need a prophylactic double mastectomy?), pharmacogenetics (genetic history can improve the effectiveness and safety of prescription drugs), the potential misuse of genetic information by insurance companies and employers, research using stem cells and cloning, and genetic enhancement (should everyone be programmed to be tall, dark and handsome?).
 
Previously they discussed four options presented by Collins for resolving the apparent conflict between the theory of evolution and belief in God:
  1. Atheism and Agnosticism (When Science Trumps Faith)
  2. Creationism (When Faith Trumps Science)
  3. Intelligent Design (When Science Needs Divine Help)
  4. BioLogos (Science and Faith in Harmony)
And in the Fall of 2015 they worked through A Fine-Tuned Universe: The Quest for God in Science and Theology by Alister E. McGrath, a professor at Oxford who has earned doctorates in both biophysics and Christian theology.
 
Once summer ends the group will transition into next year’s class studying Shared Stories, Rival Tellings: Early Encounters of Jews, Christians, and Muslims by Robert C. Gregg in the Fall. That book explores Jewish, Christian and Muslim versions of the following biblical stories:
  •  Cain and Abel
  • Sarah and Hagar (unsurprisingly, the Muslim version is sooo much different than the Jewish version!)
  • Joseph’s temptation by his Egyptian master’s wife
  • Jonah the Angry Prophet
  • Mary, Mariam, Maryam
Gregg looks at each story as it is portrayed in the Hebrew Bible, and then shows how it was expanded upon, refined and reinterpreted by rabbis (in the Talmud), Jesus, Paul, the Church Fathers, Mohammed (in the Qur'an), and subsequent Muslim leaders.
 
If you are interested in the relationship between science and religion, it is not too late to join us Sundays at 10 AM for worship and at 11:15 AM for small groups. The science and religion class may be ending, but you will get to meet others who share your interest, as well as learn a little about the upcoming Fall class. 
6 Comments
Dusya Lyubovskaya
6/10/2016 01:17:30 am

I am interested in your classes

I am not able to attend this Sunday , But would like to know how many Sunday classes are left for June and if I can use public transportation to get to your church

Thank you


Dusya

Reply
Dick Ransom
6/10/2016 09:52:26 am

Dusya, We are glad you are interested in the class and would be happy to have you join us! This Sunday and next (June 12 and 19), we will be studying the chemical and biological building blocks of life (Chapters 10 and 11 of A Fine-Tuned Universe by Alister McGrath). These classes will begin at 11:15 am. On Sunday, June 26 (our last class of the year), we will do an introduction to next year's course on the Jewish, Christian and Muslim approaches to five biblical stories. That class will start at 9:00 am. First Baptist is about two blocks west of the Newton Centre T stop. Hope to see you soon!

Reply
Dusya Lyubovskaya
6/10/2016 01:18:04 am

I am interested in your classes

I am not able to attend this Sunday , But would like to know how many Sunday classes are left for June and if I can use public transportation to get to your church

Thank you


Dusya

Reply
Dusya Lyubovskaya
6/10/2016 01:19:22 am


Hello ,

How many classes are left for June and how do I get to your church via MBTA ?

Thank you


Dusya

Reply
Dusya Lyubovskaya
6/10/2016 01:19:37 am

Reply
Dusya Lyubovskaya link
6/10/2016 01:20:58 am

Hello ,

How many classes are left for June and is ut acesssable via MBTA

Thank you

Reply

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848 Beacon Street,  Newton Centre,  MA 02459  - 617-244-2997  -  info@fbcnewton.org

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