Science and Religion Program

Journal of Faith and Science Exchange
"Thoughts on the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day"

After nearly a ten year hiatus, we are pleased to announce the resurrection of the Journal of Faith and Science Exchange by the Boston Theological Institute.  This sixth volume of the e-Journal is dedicated to James A. Nash and its release coincides with the publication of the book James A. Nash: A Tribute, Environmental Ethics, Ecumenical Engagement and Public Theology.  This latest volume features award-winning essays from the "Christian Environmenal Ethics Essay Contest," written by graduate student in the spring of 2010 that at the time were attending BTI member schools.  Please enjoy looking at this latest volume and at the essays and other content in the archives of the original volumes that were written between 1997 and 2001.

Read all issues on-line! 

1) VIDEOS

Boston University School of Theology and the Boston Theological Institute
Darwin Anniversary Conference

“The Science and Politics of Improving the Human Species: The Disastrous History of Social Darwinism and Eugenics”
Friday, April 3 – The Faculty Lounge, Room 325 (Boston University School of Theology 745 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston)  This event ties into the Darwin Anniversary Series of Boston University acknowledging the scientific contributions and philosophical influence of Charles Darwin. The symposium is supported by the Boston Theological Institute on the occasion of its 40th anniversary with thanks to the
Metanexus Global Network Initiative.

2) ABOUT

ABOUT the program
The Science and Religion program is a non-certificate program as of Fall 2009. The program is being redeveloped and reconceived in relation to the work of the BTI schools. Students who applied towards the Certificate Program during the Spring 2009 will be allowed to complete their programs.

The Purpose:
The purpose of the program in Science and Religion is to foster dialogue in these two languages of human understanding. It is designed for students interested in working in pioneer fields of ministry (e.g., pastoral genetics), persons in the sciences seeking to develop greater sensitivity to theological issues and ethical concerns, and those seeking to use a masters degree at one of our schools as an entry point into a doctoral program.

The Nature of the Program in Science and Religion:
The Program in Science and Religion is supported by the BTI in relation to courses taken in Science and Religion through the schools of the Institute.  

3) OPPORTUNITIES

Special Essay Contest in 2009-2010
40th Anniversary of Earth Day
BTI Student Climate and Energy

Essay Conference

• Climate Change
• Stewardship
• Developing and Developed World Policy
• Global Environment
• After Copenhagen, What?
• Energy and the Environment
• Ecology and the Biosphere
• Global Energy and Food Supply
• Housing and Transportation
• International Law and the Kyoto Protocol
• Carbon Emission Caps
• Millennium Development Goals

This Student Essay Conference comes in the academic year of the Parliament of World’s Religions (Melbourne, Australia, December 2009) whose theme is, “Make a World of Difference: Hearing each Other, Healing the Earth,” reminding us of the implications of ecumenical and inter-faith engagement with the theme of climate and energy. It also comes on the occasion of the 40^th Anniversary of Earth Day (April 2010).

The theme of “healing the environment” and violence done to the environment is also a theme picked up by the World Council of Churches’ Decade to Overcome Violence and its International Ecumenical Peace Convocation, to be held in Kingston, Jamaica in May of 2011. 

The BTI is soliciting student essays on topics related to “Healing the Earth”; qualifying essays to be published in Volume 6 of the BTI Journal In Faith and Science Exchange (forthcoming in June 2010). Papers are to be adjudicated by leading local environmental and religious leaders. Provisional Date for essay conference is Friday, April 23, BTI school to be designated. You are welcome to work up a paper being written for one of your courses. Deadline for paper submissions is Friday, April 9, 2010.

For further information, contact Court Randall courtran@roadrunner.com or call the BTI main office, 617-527-4880 (btioffice@bostontheological.org).