Teaching
An important component of CTNS' mission is to encourage creative teaching in science and religion. CTNS, as an affiliate center of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU), is intimately involved in religious higher education: CTNS faculty teach courses and give guest lectures at the GTU and at its member seminaries. However, the pedagogical work of CTNS is not limited to teaching courses at the GTU. The now completed Science and Religion Course Program awarded grants to professors around the world who developed new courses in science and religion, and held supporting conferences and workshops on the art and method of teaching in this interdisciplinary field. CTNS publications also serve the academic community by providing texts for use in classes at all levels of interest, from adult education to graduate research.
Graduate Courses (seminary and doctoral levels)
CTNS faculty continue to offer a variety of M. Div., M. A. and Ph. D. level courses through the Graduate Theological Union (GTU). Dr. Robert Russell and Dr. Ted Peters oversee M.Div and M.A. students and supervise a number of doctoral students currently pursuing their dissertation research in theology and science at the GTU. Current CTNS-sponsored graduate courses at the GTU are listed below.
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Course Development Resources
The Science and Religion Course Program was an eight-year initiative to encourage the teaching of science and religion in seminaries, colleges, and universities worldwide. The Course Program was initially administered by Gordon College and focused primarily on scholars in North America and England. From 1998-2002, CTNS has administered and broadened the program in a variety of ways, focused principally on three aims: (1) to strengthen the base of scholars currently teaching in this field, (2) to broaden the impact of science and religion on leading research universities and theological seminaries, and (3) to further internationalize dialogue by introducing and cultivating programmatic work in Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, continental Europe, and Latin America.
Nearly eight hundred US $10,000 Course Awards were distributed to institutions and professors across the globe. Though the program is over, the community of scholars and the legacy of pedagogical resources that the Course program created continue to influence ongoing dialogues between science and religion. This program was made possible by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation.
To aid the development of new courses, the Course Program
has selected seventy-five
exemplary syllabi that are available for downloading and viewing. The complete list of
Course Program winners from 1995--2002 is available here, as well as the 2002 Research Fellowships.
To support the Course Program's
goals, CTNS held numerous workshops and conferences on topics
from genetics to cosmology. Select lectures and panel discussions
are available in written form and via streaming
audio and video.
CTNS-Sponsored
On-Line Resources
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CTNS Sponsored Faculty
Dr. Robert J. Russell
Dr. Nathan Hallanger
CTNS Affiliated Faculty
Dr. Ted Peters
CTNS Faculty are available as teaching resources for pastors and speakers for religious groups. Email or call CTNS to request a speaker.
Dr. Robert John Russell is the Founder and Director of the Center and the Ian G. Barbour Professor of Theology and Science in Residence at the GTU. He is ordained in the United Church of Christ to Ministry in higher education. Dr. Russell is the author of Cosmology from Alpha to Omega: Towards the Mutual Creative Interaction of Theology and Science (Fortress Press, 2008), serves as primary editor of the CTNS-Vatican Observatory volumes on science and divine action, is editor of the festschrift, Fifty Years in Science and Religion: Ian G. Barbour and His Legacy, and is author of numerous articles in the science and religion dialogue. Dr. Russell serves as Co-editor of Theology and Science journal and as P.I. of STARS: Science and Transcendence Advanced Research Series: "Science and the Quest for Ultimate Reality".
Dr. Nathan J. Hallanger is the CTNS Program Director. Nathan received his Ph.D. from the Graduate Theological Union in 2008. He is co-editor of God's Action in Nature's World: Essays in Honour of Robert John Russell and a contributor to The Evolution of Evil (2008).
Dr. Ted Peters is Professor of Systematic Theology, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and the GTU, teaching in systematic and philosophical theology. A former Parish pastor, Rev. Peters is ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). He directed the CTNS Science and Religion Course Program and has authored numerous books and articles on theology and science--theology. Dr. Peters is Co-editor of Theology and Science and serves on the CTNS Board of Directors, Executive Committee.
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Click here for T he Graduate Theological Union registration information
STHS 5111-01 History of Theology: 1914-1965
Dr. George Griener (JSTB)/ Dr. Robert John Russell. (GTU/CTNS)
3.00 Units,
Thursdays, 2:10 - 5:00 pm. Mudd 206.
This seminar explores major Protestant and Roman Catholic theologians from World War I to Vatican II. The class focuses on key figures and movements from theological, political, philosophical, and cultural perspectives. The course is required for Systematic and Philosophical Theology doctoral students and is open to master's level students in the final year of their programs with Faculty permission.
STSP 4870-01 Creation and Cosmology
Dr. Ted Peters (PLTS)/ Dr. Carl Pennypacker (UCB)/ Dr. Nathan Hallanger (CTNS)
3.00 units
Tuesdays, 2:10 - 5:00 pm JSTB 216, beginning September 2.
Within the field of "Theology and Science," this course will combine physical cosmology with the Christian understanding of the world as God's creation. It will include active exploration and measurement of the universe: its origin and future with special attention to Big Bang cosmology and the evolution of life both terrestrial and extraterrestrial. Astrophysics and astrobiology will be placed into creative interaction with theological concerns for creation, anthropology, and eschatology. The inherent spiritual dimensions of outer space will be analyzed in conjunction with the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). This course is aimed primarily at MDiv students to enhance their preaching and teaching ministries. Evaluation: Class participation and a term paper.
STHS 4840: The Soul and the Social Order
Dr. Ted Peters / Dr. Patricia Codron / Gaymon Bennett (PLTS)
Fridays, 2:10-5:00 pm, Mudd
A seminar study of ancient and contemporary discussions of the human subject understood as the soul along with the relationship of the soul to the social order. Special attention will be given to the Bible, Plato, Aristotle, Gregory of Nyssa, Thomas Aquinas, Eric Voegelin, Michel Foucault, and Nancey Murphy. This course is appropriate for doctoral students as well as M.Div. or M.A. students ready for advanced work in the fields of systematic theology or spirituality.
Recent Past Courses
ST5930. Evolution, Evil, and Eschatology
Thursdays, 2:10 to 5:00 pm
Dr. Ted Peters (PLTS/GTU), Dr. Robert John Russell (CTNS/PLTS), Gaymon Bennett (CTNS/PLTS),
Dr. Martinez Hewlett (CTNS/DSPT).
This advanced seminar will focus on one of the key issues at the frontier of "Theology and Science" today: the relation between biological evolution and theological reflection. Specifically, the problem of natural evil as a phenomenon in the pre-human world will be examined in light of natural theodicy and in light of the Christian hope for eschatological New Creation. The course begins with a review of the neo-Darwinian model of biological evolution combined with an analysis of Sociobiology and Evolutionary Psychology. Darwinian interpretations of predation, extinction, and genetic determinism will be interrogated, asking whether human moral evil is rooted in pre-human natural evil. A theological response to these issues and questions will be framed in terms of an eschatology that is robust enough to respond to natural theodicy.
This seminar is aimed at masters and doctoral students in Systematic Theology, Ethics, or Christian Spirituality, as well as UCB students in the sciences. Some background reading in the evolution controversy will be presupposed.
ST4600, Christian Theology and Natural Science
Tuesdays, 2:10 to 5:00 pm
Dr. Robert John Russell and Nathan Hallanger
In this advanced M.Div./M.A. course, we will examine principal Christian doctrines in light of the natural sciences and the philosophy of science. Theological topics include method, God, revelation, creation and providence, theological anthropology (imago dei), sin and moral / natural evil, Christ and salvation, and eschatology. Scientific areas include Big Bang, inflationary and quantum cosmologies, quantum physics, relativity, thermodynamics, chaos theory, evolutionary and molecular biology / genetics, and the cognitive and neurosciences.
The course will help students preparing for Christian ministry or for doctoral theological studies introduce the natural sciences into their professional formation. A background in Christian theology is required; a background in science is recommended.
ST 4366, Tillich and Pannenberg
Thursdays, 2:10 to 5:00pm
Dr. Patricia Codron (PLTS), Dr. Ted Peters (CNTS/PLTS), and Dr. Robert John Russell (CTNS/GTU)
This seminar will provide a study in comparative systematic theologies. We will read critically and compare the two multi-volume works in Systematic Theology authored by Paul Tillich and Wolfhart Pannenberg. This course will be of value especially to students preparing for the General Comprehensive Examination in systematic theology as well as other students wishing to gain a better grasp of these two important thinkers.
Student responsibilities include regular class attendance, contribution to discussion, teaching leadership, a brief expository paper, and a term paper.
ST5900, Advanced Seminar in Theology & Science
Thursdays, 2:10 to 5:00pm
Dr. Robert John Russell (CTNS/GTU)
In this doctoral level/ upper level M. A. seminar, we will read major new works in the interdisciplinary field of Christian theology and the natural sciences. The focus will be on the Peter / Hewlett 2006 J. K. Russell Fellowship Conference and the Festschrift for Bob Russell ( God's Action in Nature's World ). A strong background in theology is recommended.
STSP 4600, Christian Theology and Natural Science
Thursdays, 12:40
Dr. Robert John Russell and R. Daren Erisman (CTNS/GTU)
Robert Russell and R. Daren. Erisman and are co-teaching a course designed for middle to upper level MDiv/MA students that have some background in theology and who are seeking to familiarize themselves with the issues between the natural sciences and theology. A major goal of this course is for theological students to garner a greater comfort with and appreciation for the sciences and for the scientific community, particularly as scientists are involved in the life of the church.
STPS 5950, Theology, the Person & Neuroscience
Tuesdays, 12:40-3:30
Dr. Mark Graves and Dr. Robert Russell (GTU/CTNS) This advanced MA/PhD seminar focuses on our growing understanding of the relationship between theological anthropology, cognitive science, and neuroscience. It provides the student a background in neuroscience; a mediating framework based on cognitive science to explore the connections between theology and neuroscience; and opportunities to participate in new scholarship in the relation between theology and neuroscience. Topics examined in the course may include cognitive, affective, and social neuroscience; religious experience, theological anthropology, neuroethics, and imago Dei; narrative and contemplative psychology; philosophy of mind and pragmatism; artificial intelligence and systems modeling; concepts and metaphor in language; and consciousness and emergence.
STSS 0447, The Evolution Controversy
July 25-August 5
M-Th: 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Fr: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Dr. Ted Peters(CTNS/PLTS) and Dr. Martinez Hewlett (DSPT)
This advanced seminar in theology will map the sometimes vitriolic controversy over Darwinian evolutionary theory. The following positions will be examined: Darwinian biology, Social Darwinism, Eugenics, Fundamentalism, Scientific Creationism, the neo-Darwinian synthesis, Sociobiology, Evolutionary Psychology, Intelligent Design, and Theistic Evolution. Theology students, parish clergy, high school science teachers, and university scholars will be introduced to an empathic understanding of the contending perspectives and be encouraged to develop their own non-combative approach to the controversy. The faculty team includes Ted Peters, Professor of Systematic Theology at PLTS, plus Martinez Hewlett, Professor Biology in the department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and the Medical School at the University of Arizona and adjunct at DSPT. They are co-authors of a new book, Evolution from Creation to New Creation (Abindgon 2003).
For more information, visit the web site at: www.gtuss.org.
Previous CTNS-Sponsored Courses
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