Conference to explore relationship between science and religion

Encouraging a non-adversarial and mutually-informative engagement of Christian theology and the natural sciences is the goal of the keynote speaker at the upcoming Grand Dialogue in Science and Religion.

The annual conference is hosted by Grand Valley State University and supported by a grant from the Metanexus Institute, with funds from the Templeton Foundation. It takes place on Saturday, February 9, at Loosemore Auditorium, in DeVos Center, 401 W. Fulton, on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. The keynote speaker, at 9:45 a.m., is Howard Van Till, professor emeritus of physics and astronomy at Calvin College.

The Grand Dialogue is an inter-disciplinary, inter-institution and inter-faith association which seeks positive ways of exploring the relationship between science and religion. Afternoon breakout sessions offer a variety of topics presented by faculty from Aquinas College, Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Valley State University and Western Theological Seminary.

Van Till’s research experience includes both solid-state physics and millimeter-wave astronomy. Since 1980, he has devoted a considerable portion of his writing and speaking efforts to topics regarding the relationship of science and religion. He is the author of several books, book chapters and essays on this theme and was featured in a recent cover story in Chicago Tribune Magazine, “The New Theology.” The complete article can be viewed here . His lecture will be followed by responses from other physics and astronomy faculty.

All events are free and open to the public. Lunch is available for $5, if ordered in advance. Registration and more information are available at www.GrandDialogue.org . Contact Douglas Kindschi, project director, at [email protected], or call (616) 331-5702.