EARTHKEEPING
NEWS
A NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COALITION FOR CHRISTIANITY AND
ECOLOGY
Volume Three, Number One
September/October 1993
GOD AND SCIENCE: MUST WE CHOOSE?
IMPRESSIONS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
by Elizabeth Dyson.
For information on audio and video tapes of Conference speakers and seminars, write CHARIS Ecumenical Center, Concordia College, 901 S. 8th St., Moorhead MN 56562.
Churches today are called to fulfill their mission in a world whose basic assumptions are shaped by science and technology. When churches ignore the scientific and technological views which have permeated our modern society, their own message may be dismissed.
For four days in July, 362 scientists, technologists, pastors, and interested laypersons from 16 denominations and 4 countries engaged in concentrated listening, academic argument, relaxed conversation and spirited singing, as they explored the theological and ethical implications of science and technology for church life and ministry.
Sponsored by the CHARIS Ecumenical Center and the Ecumenical Roundtable on Science and Technology, this Summer '93 Conference featured internationally recognized scientists and theologians in 6 plenaries, as well as 30 seminars. Some seminar titles: God and the Chip; If These Bones Could Talk; A Gausian (math) Model of Sin; Cosmologically Correct Hymnody; From Chaos to Chaos; Genes, Behavior and Responsibility. I made notes on the following subjects because of their possible applications in local congregations.
An Ecological Theology of the Cross
In an age of environmental consciousness does a theology of the cross have any place? Is it too anthropocentric to be applicable? How does redemption connect to creation in such a way that the cross is for all existence, not just human?
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The greatest of all the accomplishments of 20th century science has been the discovery of human ignorance. Lewis Thomas, M.D. |
" It begins with an emphasis upon the embodied character of the Incarnation which connects creation and redemption. The Word of creation (logos) becomes incarnate in the creation it makes possible; and by so doing redeems (reconciles and restores) that same creation. The Christ of the Incarnation is the Cosmic Christ of creation. The cross of redemption is grounded in the soil of the cosmos."
"One impact of the evolutionary theory is that in the mid- 19th century Nature gained a history. Ecology is the interaction of nature's and human history."
The implications of this perspective for how we celebrate holy week and three hours on Good Friday afternoon offer great scope for congregational and ecumenical worship. Where, for example, could ecumenical groups place stations of the cross in urban and rural settings to express both the suffering and the hope in an ecological theology of the cross?
For full text write Dr. Ernest L. Simmons, Concordia College, Moorhead MN 56562.
Christian Worship in a Scientific World
Seminar leader George Murphy gave examples of how to connect human and natural history in our liturgies: Depending on the nature of the congregation, science can be introduced in didactic sermons (Genesis and the Big Bang), stories (science fiction), and illustrations (the magnet model: "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me").
The Parable of the LaserLaser light is powerful because it is coherent. Waves are added together in steps to get maximum effect. Like the laser, prayer aligns human will and God's providence coherently. Group prayer aligns more wills with the divine will. Prayer acknowledges the mystery and strangeness of the world and of human destiny in the world. From a Conference lecture "Prayer and God's Action in the World." by John Polkinghorne, physicist, mathematician, Anglican vicar and President of Queen's College, Cambridge. |
"But don't use out of date illustrations," he warned, "And don't be squeamish about evolution."
"Expand litanies by inserting brief scientific commentaries in appropriate places (e.g. canticle Benedicite Omnia Opera, Lutheran Book of Worship #18).
Sing some new hymns (e.g."Lord of the boundless curves of space and time's deep mystery, to your creative might we trace all nature's energy").
For more ideas and resources, write Rev. George L. Murphy, St. Mark Lutheran Church, Tallmadge OH 44278
An increasing number of resources are available today, dealing with science and faith issues. An extensive bibliography can be obtained from Dr. Barbara Pursey, University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, Dubuque, IA 52001.
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