In this issue:
Theological anthropology discussed at Goshen Conference
Dalai Lama awarded Templeton Prize
"Darwin Wars" headline latest First Lutheran lecture
Theological anthropology discussed at Goshen Conference
Celia Deane-Drummond, a professor in theology at the University of Notre Dame, gave a series of three lectures last month on the topic of “Re-Imaging the Divine Image: Humans and Other Animals.”
In the opening lecture, Deane-Drummond defined the work of theological anthropology as asking what it means to be human in relation to other animals and in relation to God. In the first talk on “Freedom”, she analyzed the ideas of image bearing and what distinguishes humans from other animals. Human freedom seeks to gain the absolute, but always is unattainable, because this freedom is only attainable by God, she said. Human freedom also brings with it the possibility of sin, she added.
Looking through the lens of evolution, she looked at the evolution of religion and whether it is a direct or indirect adaptation and whether other animals are really free and express characteristics that we often consider uniquely human. In historical theological thought on human and animal minds, humans are distinct in their ability to construct universal codes in abstract thought. In the end it can be recognized that animals have their own agency that we may never fully understand.
Her second lecture, looked at moral agency within an overall look at our sources of attitudes to other animals. Humans often judge animal behavior in turn when we view nature’s predatory side. In viewing our own actions, science may claim that many of our choices are explained by the evolutionary account, while others say the evolutionary background is only a filter to analyzing our own behavior.
Deane-Drummond, who is working on a book on human nature and other animals, views morality and agency in other animals as them only acting in their own worlds, unlike the view of the middle ages that saw animals being put on trial for their actions against humans.
The final lecture of the conference was on cooperation among both animals and humans. Her findings include the idea that vices are developmental in context of community and social animals exhibit social tendencies, but humans can choose whether to be social. She encouraged conference attendees to think of what aspects of our evolution tell us about what it means to be human and in the image of God.
This summer Deane-Drummond will lead a new study on evolution and human nature, heading up a team of theologians, philosophers and scientists in residence at the Center of Theological Inquiry at Princeton University in New Jersey. Deane-Drummond will serve as a senior research fellow along with Dominic Johnson of the University of Edinburgh. Together they will create an interdisciplinary dialogue "Inquiry on Evolution and Human Nature." Princeton's Center of Theological Inquiry will put together a team of 10 other scholars in the fields of evolution biology, psychology, anthropology, religious studies and philosophy of science.
Next year’s Goshen College Conference on Religion and Science will host Gayle Woloschak, who is well-known for her work as a molecular biologist at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. She is also an active member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and has been a leader in the religion and science dialogue.
Dalai Lama awarded Templeton Prize
The Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader whose long-standing engagement with multiple dimensions of science and with people far beyond his own religious traditions has made him a global voice for universal ethics, nonviolence, and harmony among world religions, has won the 2012 Templeton Prize.
The prize, which recognizes leadership in religion and science, will be presented to the Dalai Lama at a ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral in London on the afternoon of Monday, May 14. Valued at $1.7 million, the prize is the world's largest annual monetary award given to an individual and honors a living person who has made exceptional contributions to affirming life's spiritual dimension.
The Templeton announcement praised the Dalai Lama for his life's work in building bridges of trust in accord with the yearnings of countless millions of people around the globe who have been drawn by the charismatic icon's appeal to compassion and understanding for all.
"With an increasing reliance on technological advances to solve the world's problems, humanity also seeks the reassurance that only a spiritual quest can answer," said Dr. John M. Templeton, Jr., president and chairman of the John Templeton Foundation and son of the late Prize founder. "The Dalai Lama offers a universal voice of compassion underpinned by a love and respect for spiritually relevant scientific research that centers on every single human being."
The Dalia Lama often notes that the rigorous commitment of Buddhists to meditative investment and reflection similarly follows the strict rules of investigation, proof and evidence required of science.
Among his most successful efforts is the Mind & Life Institute, co-founded in 1987 to create collaborative research between science and Buddhism. The Institute hosts conferences on subjects such as contemplative science, destructive and healing emotions, and consciousness and death. While initially beginning as quiet academic affairs, they have evolved into enormously popular public events.
"Darwin Wars" headline latest First Lutheran lecture
Dr. Kenneth Miller, professor of biology at Brown University and well-known author will be speaking on “The Darwin Wars: Faith, Reason and Science in the Struggle over Evolution” on April 26 at Nebraska Wesleyan University.
The free lecture is sponsored by First Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, through the Scientists in Congregations grant (see March 2012
Covalence).
Miller is both a Christian and an outspoken defender of evolution. Miller in an article for the John Templeton Foundation writes: “Science itself does not contradict the hypothesis of God. Rather, it gives us a window on a dynamic and creative universe that expands our appreciation of the Divine ways that could not be imagined in years’ past.” He also envisions a role for faith in the world of science.
First Lutheran is planning additional lectures as part of a series called “Growing in Faith through the Lens of Science.” Sponsored by the Scientists in Congregations grant, the next prominent lecture will be in October, when Dr. Karl Giberson, author of
Saving Darwin, will focus on cosmolog in a keynote presentation. More information can be found at the church’s website,
http://flclincoln.org/.
Covalence, April 2012