The “design argument” – the idea that God designed the world – has a long history. It was taken for granted for centuries as part of natural theology. Currently, it is undergoing revived interest because of new ideas in cosmology: “cosmic fine tuning” and “the anthropic principle.” However, some forms of the design argument were (and remain) challenged by Darwinian evolution. “New atheists” (firmly aligned with materialism and scientism) assert that Darwinian evolution means that ideas of design and purpose are dead. “Intelligent design” advocates, fighting for the traditional idea of creation according to a specific plan, claim scientific arguments for “irreducible complexity” in biology. This suggests an irreconcilable conflict between theology and science, and yet theology, to be relevant in today’s world, needs to engage constructively the natural sciences. The concept of a more open teleology, guiding to a future not fully determined, has been developed in “open” and “process” theologies, has found allies in scientific ideas of “emergence” and “self-organization,” and may give new life to the religious sense of divine design in the created order. We will:
- Explore historical and current expressions of the design argument.
- Examine the responses of “new atheism” and “intelligent design.”
- Explore the science, the often unstated metaphysical assumptions, and the theological implications (especially for theodicy and for human freedom) of the various positions on “design.”
- Analyze and critique a variety of theological approaches to the design argument, and their implications for human behavior.
Offered by the Zygon Center for Religion and Science, the Advanced Seminar in Religion and Science is designed as a research seminar for faculty and graduate students. 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 LSTC course number is CC/RHTH601 (McCormick student course number is T523). For more information, please visit www.zygoncenter.org.
Advanced Seminar Schedule - Fall 2015
| Date | Time | Topic | Speaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 7, 2015 | Does not meet | Labor Day - No Class | NONE |
| September 14, 2015 | 6:30 - 9:30 pm | Purpose and Process in Science and Theology: Historical and Contemporary Contexts | Rev. Dr. Linda Eastwood, Religion and Science, McCormick Theological Seminary |
| September 21, 2015 | 6:30 - 9:30 pm | God, Fine-tuning, and the Multiverse: A Short Philosophical Introduction | Dr. Neil Manson, Philosophy, University of Mississippi |
| September 28, 2015 | 6:30 - 9:30 pm | Man, the Goal of the Evolutionary Process in Darwin's Origin of Species | Dr. Robert J. Richards, History and Philosophy of Science, University of Chicago |
| October 5, 2015 | 6:30 - 9:30 pm | Creation: Evolution, Contingency, and Intentionality | Dr. Gayle Woloschak, Molecular Biology, Northwestern University |
| October 12, 2015 | 6:30 - 9:30 pm | An Open and Relational Account of Providence, Love, and Design | Dr. Tom Oord, Theology , Northwest Nazarene University |
| October 19, 2015 | 6:30 - 9:30 pm | Divine Design: Some Theological Considerations | Rev. Dr. Anna Case-Winters, Theology, McCormick Theological Seminary |
| October 26, 2015 | 6:30 - 9:30 pm | Is Teleology a Four-Letter Word? | Dr. Cynthia Crysdale, Theology and Ethics, University of the South |
| November 2, 2015 | 6:30 - 9:30 pm | Cosmic Direction and the Spirit: On Teleology and Eschatology | Dr. Amos Yong, Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary |
| November 9, 2015 | 6:30 - 9:30 pm | God in Process, World in Process: Constructive Theology and the New Engagement with the Sciences | Dr. Phillip Clayton, Theology, Claremont School of Theology |
| November 16, 2015 | 6:30 - 9:30 pm | Student Book Presentation & Group Discussion | Rev. Dr. Linda Eastwood, Religion and Science, McCormick Theological Seminary |
| November 23, 2015 | Does not meet | No Lectures (Thanksgiving Recess at LSTC) | NONE |
| November 30, 2015 | 6:30 - 9:30 pm | Design Passes Through the Human Mind | Dr. Philip Hefner, Theology, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago & Zygon Center |
| December 7, 2015 | 6:30 - 9:30 pm | Student Project Presentations and Panel Discussion | Rev. Dr. Linda Eastwood, Religion and Science, McCormick Theological Seminary |