What Christians in a Scientific Age Should Know about Theology Concordia Seminary / Lay Bible Institute 5 August 2017 Session 4

As we conclude… Here are a few other things about theology and science: “Theological History of Science”: Concordia Seminary is holding a series of lectures with historians of science on Christians and their contributions to modern science. Videos of the lectures and interviews with lecturers will be made available. The November 2016 issue of Lutheran Mission Matters on science and technology. http://www.lsfm.global/missioissues.html The Summer 2017 issue of Concordia Journal on science and theology. Coming very soon. http://concordiatheology.org/category/cj-online/

What does the church look like that has a theology for a scientific age?

“What does the church look like?” How we think is more “caught” than “taught.” So everyday life matters a lot. This applies to our congregations as much as our homes, schools, and workplaces. To do better in this respect, it can help to ask, “What does the church look like that believes X or wants to do Y?” For example, prayer.

“What does the church look like?” We began with these aims: Be clear, consistent, and fair about the nature and aims of “science” Be clear, consistent, and unsentimental about the nature and tasks of “theology” What does the church look like that pursues these aims?

“What does the church look like?” We began with these aims: Be clear, consistent, and fair about the nature and aims of “science” Be clear, consistent, and unsentimental about the nature and tasks of “theology” What does the church look like that pursues these aims?

“What does the church look like?” We maintained: Christians should actually think about their theology, and not take it for granted! What does the church look like that does this? What needs thinking about? What is taken for granted?

“What does the church look like?” We maintained: Theology should be “cosmological.” What does the church look like that does this? A theology that is cosmological tells the story of God and creation in a certain way. How is this story embodied in the life of the congregation?

“What does the church look like?” We maintained: God created “out of nothing.” What does the church look like that believes this? “The doctrine that the world was made out of nothing is meant to alert us to the mind-blowing contingency of the cosmos—the fact that like a modernist work of art it might just as well never have happened, and like most thoughtful men and women is perpetually overshadowed by the possibility of its own nonexistence” (Terry Eagleton).

“What does the church look like?” We maintained: God created “out of nothing.” What does the church look like that believes this? “The doctrine that the world was made out of nothing is meant to alert us to the mind-blowing contingency of the cosmos—the fact that like a modernist work of art it might just as well never have happened, and like most thoughtful men and women is perpetually overshadowed by the possibility of its own nonexistence” (Terry Eagleton).

“What does the church look like?” Here is a common concern: “Every week, I am contacted by young Christians who tell me their faith cannot survive their interest in science. They feel the church has forced them into an either-or decision—either they can stay true to the Christian faith or become an intellectually honest scientist.” A scientist quoted by David Kinnaman What does the church look like that recognizes the “relative autonomy” of science?

“What does the church look like?” What does the church look like that… Acknowledges God is God? Confesses Jesus is Lord? Believes human beings are creatures? Looks for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come? Treats the Bible as the Word of God?

Questions?

References Eagleton, Terry. Reason, Faith, and Revolution: Reflections on the God Debate. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2009. Kinnaman, David with Aly Hawkins. You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church… and Rethinking Faith. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2011.