Questions of gender identity and gender dysphoria have become prominent in our culture. Our churches are not exempt from this development, as Christians can also struggle with gender identity. What do we know about the biology of gender? What are Christian perspectives on gender and the trans experience? What are the important and unresolved questions? On the ASA and CSCA web sites Tony Jelsma, PhD, has written an essay that informs us about what we know and do not know about gender. He is chair and professor of biology at Dordt University and has taught courses in human anatomy, physiology, …
PANDEMIC: From Christian Perspectives
Pandemics are part of human life. We live and die through the Spanish Flu, Ebola, and SARS, only to face Covid-19. What have we learned about how to deal with these assaults, and ourselves in the midst of them? What do we need yet to figure out? What insights might Christian perspectives bring to the table? On the ASA and CSCA web sites Luke Janssen, PhD, has written an essay that informs us about what we encounter in these outbreaks, how such pandemics have shaped our societies before, and some of the unique challenges of Covid-19. He is well prepared to lead …
The Nuclear Options: Christian Perspectives on Fission, Fusion, and Our Energy Future
Do we have any energy source that is available 24 hours every day, releases no CO2 into the atmosphere, and does not kill birds? Yes. Nuclear fission. Then why do Sweden and France rely on it, but Germany is trying to phase it out to zero? Can we justify burying nuclear waste for thousands of years? Are there security risks? Will fusion ever be less than a few decades away? What insights might Christian perspectives bring to the table? Robert Kaita has written an essay that informs us about what is currently available in fission and fusion, and raises a …
Raising Food for Thought
We all depend on agriculture to provide our food. Further, agriculture is a major player in the quality of our water to drink and air to breath, the only two things we need even more immediately than food. What can the sciences and Christian faith tell us about how we should best raise and consume food? How should we proceed with GMOs, catching or farming fish, eating down or up the food chain, organic or factory farming, vegetarian, locavore, or omnivore…? Steven G. Hall (PhD Cornell University) raises a gamut of such questions. He is well prepared to lead us …
Transhumanism: Christian Destiny or Distraction?
David C. Winyard Sr. (Ph.D., Virginia Tech) is an engineer and Science and Technology in Society scholar. From 1975–2012, he worked in R&D for the U.S. Navy and Defense Logistics Agency, receiving multiple awards and patents along the way. After retiring from federal service, he taught at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, 2014–2018, building its new engineering program. Since 2010, Winyard’s focus has shifted from technology development to its meaning. His 2016 dissertation analyzed connections between Christianity, and Transhumanism which seeks fundamental enhancements of life by science and technology. In an essay on the ASA and CSCA web sites, Winyard describes …
Astronomy, Life, and Our Cosmic Creator
S. D. Benecchi (PhD, MIT) is a senior astronomer at the Planetary Science Institute. Her research focuses on small bodies, often binaries, in the outer solar system. That work has included being part of the Deep Ecliptic Survey (DES), a program to discover and dynamically characterize ~500 Kuiper belt objects (KBOs), and the Outer Solar System Origins Survey. Indeed there is a minor planet, 21458 Susank, named for her. Active in educational outreach, she recently completed with two co-authors, a curriculum entitled The Crossroads of Science and Faith: Astronomy Through a Christian Worldview. On the ASA and CSCA web sites, …
Artificial Intelligence: Discerning A Christian Response
Derek C. Schuurman (PhD, McMaster University) is a professor of Computer Science at Calvin College where he currently holds the William Spoelhof Chair. Shaping a Digital World: Faith, Culture and Computer Technology (InterVarsity Press, 2013) is his most recent book. He describes for us on the ASA and CSCA web sites, the latest developments and challenges in artificial intelligence. That focus calls for our attention to the promise and threat, at hand and in the near future, for issues such as job enhancement and displacement, building in guidance for systems that will then act autonomously, and what it is to be a person. Schuurman’s essay is intended as an invitation. Readers are encouraged to take up one of the insights or questions, or maybe …
Addiction: Diseased Brain, Divided Will, or Restless Heart?
Judith Toronchuk (PhD McGill) teaches physiological psychology for Trinity Western University. She has published on affective neuronal selection, and both the phylogeny and ontogeny of affective social behaviour. She describes for us here the latest developments and challenges in the science of addiction for our society and Christian faith. That focus calls for our attention with opioid, marijuana, nicotine, gambling, porn, and alcohol addictions staggering our society. Toronchuk’s essay is intended as an invitation. Readers are encouraged to take up one of the insights or questions, or maybe a related one that was not mentioned, and draft an article (typically …
Loving God with All Your Mind, and Alzheimer’s
Bryan C. Auday, PhD, is Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at Gordon College, Wenham, MA, and is also the founding Director of the Neuroscience Program there. He recently completed as Co-Medical Editor the Salem Health Magill’s Medical Guide (7th edition), Vols. 1-5, Hackensack, NJ: Grey House Publishing, 2014. Auday describes for us here the latest developments and challenges from Alzheimer’s Disease for the sciences, our society, and Christian faith. The essay is intended as an invitation. Readers are encouraged to take up one of the insights or questions, or maybe a related one that was not mentioned, …
Think Write Publish: Science & Religion
CSCA folks may be interested to take advantage of this unique opportunity to participate in a writing fellowship focusing on non-fictional narratives that emphasize the compatibility of science and religion. Communicating Harmonies Between Science & Religion Using Narrative Nonfiction—Through an Innovative, Collaborative Thinking and Writing Program This is a call for applicants to our flagship program–12, two-year, non-residential narrative writing Fellowships. Fellows will receive travel to 3 all-expense-paid writing workshops around the nation, dedicated mentors and editorial support, exposure of their work at 5 events at science museums in the US and Canada, publishing opportunities, and a $10,000 honorarium. Recipients …