The Future of Creation 2010

Foundations for a Just and Sustainable World

Chaired by Ben Stewart and Gayle Woloschak

Tuesday Evenings 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM, February 2 through May 4, 2010

Common Room 350, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 1100 East 55th Street, Chicago, IL 60615

To live faithfully in today’s world, we need to face today’s problems. At the Zygon Center for Religion and Science (ZCRS), we believe that community coalitions—between scientists and people of faith, between scholars of religion and leaders of religious communities—are necessary to forge a better world. “The Future of Creation: Foundations for a Just and Sustainable World” addresses one key element in making a better world: developing effective, equitable, and sustainable responses to environmental degradation. Through the Future of Creation course, we invite you to learn, reflect, and act in response to today’s and tomorrow’s environmental crises—informed by contemporary scientific insights, guided by critical religious perspectives, and trained in practical public strategies.

Offered by the Zygon Center for Religion and Science (ZCRS), the Future of Creation course is designed as a graduate-level seminary course and public lecture series. All lectures are free and open to the public. Course credit is available via registration through the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) or cross-registration through member schools of the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS); the course number is LSTC T/B/I-400. For more information about ZCRS, please visit www.zygoncenter.org, email [email protected], or call 773-256-0670.

Ecology: Introduction and Scientific Backgrounds

February 2 (6:30 PM) Introduction to the Course: Ben Stewart, liturgical studies, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

February 2 (8:00 PM) Introduction to the Course: Gayle Woloschak, molecular biology, Northwestern University

February 9 (6:30 PM) Ecology and Evolution: Gayle Woloschak, molecular biology, Northwestern University

February 9 (8:00 PM) Species Diversity: Tatjana Paunesku, molecular biology, Northwestern University

February 16 (6:30 PM) Organisms and Habitats: Linda Vick, biology, North Park University

February 16 (8:00 PM) Loss of Species Diversity: Paul Heltne, former director, Center for Humans and Nature

Ecological Stresses and Environmental Sustainability

February 23 (6:30 PM) Air and Water Pollution: Paul Heltne, former director, Center for Humans and Nature

February 23 (8:00 PM) Population Processes and Extinction: Chris Mulvaney, science coordinator, Chicago Wilderness

March 2 No Lectures (Reading Week at LSTC)

March 9 (6:30 PM) Sustainable Strategies for a Sustainable Environment: George Nassos, environmental management, Illinois Institute of Technology

March 9 (8:00 PM) Sustainability: Paul Heltne, former director, Center for Humans and Nature

March 16 (6:30 PM) Film: “Renewal”

March 16 (8:00 PM) Practical Ecology and Community Witness: Clare Butterfield, director, Faith in Place

Theological Perspectives and Biblical Reflections

March 23 (6:30 PM) Theology of Nature: Philip Hefner, theology, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

March 23 (8:00 PM) Old Testament Reflections: Ted Hiebert, Old Testament, McCormick Theological Seminary

March 30 No Lectures (Holy Week at LSTC)

April 6 (6:30 PM) New Testament Reflections: David Rhoads, New Testament, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

April 6 (8:00 PM) Ecology and Liturgy: Ben Stewart, liturgical studies, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

April 13 (6:30 PM) Joseph Sittler and Christian Theological Approaches to Ecology: Matthew Frost, Joseph Sittler Fellow, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

April 13 (8:00 PM) The Future in Review: Open Questions: Ben Stewart, liturgical studies, LSTC

April 20 (7:00 PM) Luther, the Word, and Nature: The Ambiguities and the Promise: H. Paul Santmire, theology, recipient of the 2010 Confessor of Christ Award from LSTC

April 27 (6:30 PM) Interfaith Perspectives on Environmental Justice and Sustainability: speakers TBA

May 4 (6:30 PM) Student Project Presentations