Summit on Human Nature: The Science of Morality and Spirituality

Summit on Human Nature: The Science of Morality and Spirituality
Date Friday, November 6, 2015
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 7, 2015
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location
Instructions for GuestsColonial Church
6200 Colonial Way
Edina, MN 55436
Cost$5 per day, $5 per lunch
Registration Registration is now closed, however, space is available for day-of registration provided that you bring your own lunch, limited day-of lunches are available. Cash, check, or credit card can be taken on-site.
SponsorsBethel University's "Intersections" program on Science and the Church, sponsored in part by the John Templeton Foundation

Event Description

Join us for the Summit on Human Nature, a 2-day educational conference to present and promote a vision of Evangelical theology and science in productive dialogue.

Current discussions of the science of human behavior, cognition, and morality among Christians are often punctuated by a sense of despair. The onslaught of science appears an overwhelming threat to religious teaching on what we are as humans and how we are called to relate to God and the world. Indeed, scientific investigations into these areas have profoundly shaped our modern intuitions about what it is to be human and how we ought to live. But one could argue that the scientific conclusions on what it means to be human represent the lowest-common denominator of human behavior. We can and should hope for something better. 

Rather than simply shrugging off scientific investigations on what it means to be human for their potentially low view of human behavior, thought and morality (as many religious folks have), the thinkers that we will hear speak have sought to engage these areas of scientific research and raise the stakes of the discussion. They represent the best re- imagining of what it is to be a Christian in our scientific world by engaging the world and those in it as they are – and not just as we wish them to be. Their dedication to deeply understanding the reality of what it means to be human epitomizes the hope and fullness with which Christ engaged the world.

Schedule & Sessions

Friday, November 6, 2015

Theme: The Science of Moral Belief and Action
8:00 – Welcome
8:30 – James Van Slyke
9:15 – Michael Spezio
10:00 – Break
10:15 – Faculty Panel
11:15 – Audience Q&A
12:00 – Lunch
1:30 – Richard Beck
2:30 – Faculty Panel
3:30 – Break
3:45 – Audience Q&A
4:30 – Finish

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Theme: The Science of Religious Belief and Spirituality
8:00 – Welcome
8:30 – Rebekah Richert
9:15 – Julie Yonker
10:00 – Break
10:15 – Faculty Panel
11:15 – Audience Q&A
12:00 – Lunch
1:30 – Steven Sandage
2:30 – Faculty Panel
3:30 – Break
3:45 – Audience Q&A
4:30 – Finish

Session Speakers

Richard Beck
Associate Professor of Psychology, Abilene Chrisitan University

Steven J. Sandage
Albert and Jessie Danielsen Professor of Pastoral Psychology of Religion and Theology, Boston University

Rebekah A. Richert
Associate Professor of Psychology, University of California Riverside

James Van Slyke
Assistant Professor of Psychology, Fresno Pacific University

Michael Spezio
Associate Professor of Psychology, Scripps College

Julie Yonker
Associate Professor of Psychology, Calvin College

Questions?

Contact Ken Reynhout, Professor at Bethel Seminary, at science-church@bethel.edu