Science for Seminaries: Integrating Science into Core Theological Education

Science raises many societal issues that the public often considers in the context of a religious worldview. As they grapple with these issues, many people turn to religious leaders for guidance but these leaders are frequently ill-equipped to respond to their concerns. This is particularly true in the Christian communities that constitute a large fraction of the US public and stems in part from the limited exposure to science received in seminary. The DoSER program, in partnership with the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), proposes to address this problem by supporting a select group of seminaries in efforts to integrate more science into their core curricula. Within each school, professors teaching core courses will work with advisors from the theological and scientific communities to create resources that bring science into what they teach. DoSER will build on their feedback to develop a video series featuring scientists explaining their work accompanied by illuminating visuals. These videos, along with accompanying resources developed by the chosen professors, will be made available on a website designed for the wider seminary community. The selected seminaries will also offer campus-wide activities that promote the importance of science. Workshops away from campuses will bring a wider group of professors together to explore the pilot materials and develop their own strategies for their use. At the end of the project we expect to see a broader level of interest in and understanding of science among professors and students within the selected seminaries as well as an emerging culture change spreading throughout the seminary community at large. This effort will produce a growing number of pastors equipped to advise congregants on science-related questions and to develop an atmosphere in places of worship that promotes science as relevant. This in turn will promote greater appreciation and support for science in the public at large.