Pittsburgh Theological Seminary will present a series on theology and science, “Evolution Today: The new Challenge to Christian Faith” Oct. 20, 27, and Nov. 3, 2010 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Ronald S. Cole-Turner, H. Parker Sharp Professor of Theology and Ethics at PTS, will lead this broadcast course.
The theory of evolution presents Christianity with its most profound and complex challenge ever, going right to the heart of what we believe about Scripture, God, human nature and uniqueness, the origin of our need for redemption, and the meaning of salvation itself. The challenge is even more difficult because the theory of evolution itself keeps evolving, raising new insights and asking new questions. In these three evenings, we will sort through the main claims of evolution from Darwin to today and ask how Christians can affirm a rich and authentic faith while living in an age of evolutionary biology.
Topics for discussion include “The Evolution of Evolution: A Changing Challenge for Christianity” Oct. 20; “Christianity’s Answers: The Amazing Variety of Christian Responses” Oct. 27; “Evolution and Christianity Today: Living Options for a Living Faith” Nov. 3.
This course will be broadcast live from the Seminary to three locations. Attendees at these sites will see and be seen by those at the Seminary and each other, and discussion will involve participants at all the sites. Off campus locations include First Presbyterian Church, Tulsa, Okla.; Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church, Wheeling, W.Va.; and Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pa.
Cost is $45 at the Seminary and $35 off-site. Continuing Education Units and certificates are available upon completion of this course. Contact the Office of Continuing Education at 412-924-1345 or for more information.
As a faculty member at Pittsburgh Seminary Cole-Turner works to relate theology and ethics to developments in science and technology. He is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ and is active in the UCC Science and Technology Network. He is a founding member of the International Society for Science and Religion, currently serving as vice president. Cole-Turner has served on the Advisory Board of the John Templeton Foundation and the Metanexus Institute. He is the author of The New Genesis: Theology and the Genetic Revolution; the co-author (with Brent Waters) of Pastoral Genetics: Theology and Care at the Beginning of Life; the editor of Human Cloning: Religious Responses and of Beyond Cloning: Religion and the Remaking of Humanity; the co-editor of God and the Embryo: Religious Voices on Stem Cells and Cloning; and editor of Design and Destiny: Jewish and Christian Perspectives on Human Germline Modif cation. He is also the author of the popular baptism hymn, “Child of Blessing, Child of Promise.”
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a graduate professional institution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). Founded in 1794, the Seminary is located in Pittsburgh, Pa. and approximately 320 students are enrolled yearly in the degree programs. The Seminary prepares leaders who proclaim with great joy God’s message of good news in both word and deed. PTS is rooted in the Reformed history of faithfulness to Scripture and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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