Q3 Conference
Q3 2010 Conference Articles
Q3 Is Not Alone
If you find that you and members of your church congregation are struggling with issues of how Christian faith and science in both theory and practice interact, you will be interested to know that these topics are under serious scrutiny around the globe... Read More
Lewis on Evolution & Intelligent Design
I am pleased to introduce the following essay by Dr. Mike Peterson, Professor of Philosophy at Asbury University, who has been an attentive reader of C.S. Lewis for many years. In this paper, he shares some of his discoveries from Lewis in relation to faith, science, and especially, evolution and intelligent design. We hope this will provide more insight for understanding better the conversation between faith and science through the lens of Lewis' classical training in theology and philosophy.
-- Dr. Mike Pasquarello, Director Q3
God, Persons and Machines: Theological Reflections
There is a cartoon that shows a salesperson pointing out the benefits of the latest personal computer to a potential buyer. She says, ‘It’s beginning to show some human characteristics – faulty reasoning, forgetfulness and repetition.’
The fact that you perhaps found this cartoon even mildly amusing indicates that you are actually human and not just a machine! As it stands at the moment the ability to read the text, interpret the pictures, understand the literal meaning, comprehend the much more subtle point that is being made, and then feel even slightly amused and, finally, show that emotion in a manner appropriate for this setting, are all abilities and characteristics of humans… Read More
A New Immortality
One of the theological challenges of the twentieth century has been to respond to those issues relating to the creation of human life. Whether theology has adequately met the challenge or not birth control and enhancement techniques must rank as one of the major social developments of the century. The contraceptive pill and abortion have had an enormous impact on social structures… Read More
Dumb Luck and Jellyfish Eyes
It is widely believed that evolutionary theory teaches that it is simply a matter of dumb luck that the universe ended up producing intelligent human life, and that if we re-played ‘the tape of life’ a million times it is unlikely that anything like homo sapiens would ever emerge again. Some people, like the eminent evolutionary biologist and popular science writer Stephen J. Gould, have claimed this on the basis of paleontological findings… Read More
The Electrifying John Wesley
What was John Wesley doing when, in 1753, he purchased four portable electrical machines able to subject people to electrical charges? It came about as a result of his fascination with Benjamin Franklin's electrical experiments which became widely known through the publication of his letters to Peter Collison, a member of the British Royal Society. Wesley developed a deep appreciation for the powerful effects of electricity and, along with others of his day, saw great potential for its medical use… Read More
Beauty, God and Science
One of the most profound connections between science and faith is the concept of beauty. A deeper appreciation of beauty not only illuminates the work of scientists, it also extends our understanding of the reason for faith and the divine nature of God. It is well accepted that experimentation and reason are critical elements of scientific pursuits of all kinds. But some would reckon that beauty is even more important… Read More
