By the Mainline Protestant Portal TeamMuch has been written about the incompatibility of religion and science and the ways that science might threaten Christian belief. In this week's Patheos Public Square on Religion and Science, more than a few authors offer compelling arguments for forging a more dynamic relationship between science and faith. In his article "Living in the Intersections," theologian Philip Clayton challenges us, as curious and faithful Christians, to engage the big questions of science and religion and move beyond the stalemate "if for no other reason than for the sake of the planet." He concludes with an exhortation "to think about these issues, engage in discussions with friends, read books, blog, and comment on blogs; ask your pastor, rabbi, and other religious leaders to engage the questions, not flee from them."
In response to Clayton's -- and others' -- passionate plea for intentional and charitable conversation in this arena, we invited several leading thinkers in the religion-science dialogue to offer a response from their particular fields of study to the following questions:
"What -- if any -- are the contributions science might make to Christian faith? How has Christianity benefited from the advance in scientific knowledge, or how might it benefit?"
Our responders:
John Haught, Senior Fellow in Science & Religion at Woodstock Theological Center, Georgetown University
Noreen Herzfeld, Professor of Science and Religion at St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota