Washington Theological Union
atom + Eve: Using Science in Pastoral Ministry
Join Washington Theological Union on Saturday, November 12, 2011, 9:00AM-4:30PM for the first in an exciting series of Conferences on the Origin of the Universe!
About the Conference:
Scientists will explain the scientific perspective on the origin of the universe, including the theory of multiverses. Through the lens of quantum mechanics, they will discuss claims by Stephen Hawking and others that God is no longer needed as creator of the universe.
Designed specifically to aid those in using Science in their pastoral ministry, Catholic theologians will explain how the Big Bang (and other theories) can cohere with their understanding of divine creation of the universe as an “authentic renewal” of faith within our Catholic Church communities. All are welcomed to attend! This conference is free and open to all - lunch will be provided.
Register today
Registration is required for this event. Questions? contact us at conference@wtu.edu or call 202-541-5255.
Sessions
“Modern Physics, the Beginning, and Creation"
The purpose of this talk is to clarify the issues in a way accessible to non-experts in science, theology or philosophy. It will explain what physics knows about the beginning of the universe, some much-discussed physics speculations (such as "quantum creation of universes"), and what science may be learned in the future. It will also explain how various scientific ideas relate to traditional teaching on Creation.
Presented by: Dr. Stephen M. Barr, PhD, University of Delaware
“Modern Cosmology, Building a Better Container for the Human Soul”
The purpose of this talk is to highlight some of the seminal experiments and discoveries in astronomy and physics that have moved the discussion of the Material World well beyond the implicitly understood definitions found in most forms of religious teaching.
Presented by: Dr. Sten Odenwald, PhD, National Aeronautics & Space Administration
“What the Bible Can Contribute to an Understanding of Divine Creation”
What is badly needed is a doctrine of creation without the distraction of a creationism that bows in the direction of science in treating the Bible as a book of science, as if this were the only form of discourse worthy of acceptance.
First we must revisit the Catholic understanding of biblical inerrancy and its scope as set out in Dei Verbum. Creation is at the core of Catholic theology, and the Bible must be a key source for that theology. In other words, the truth of the biblical view of creation is invaluable, but lost if the demand is for scientific truth.
“Theology and the Big Bang
It is important to note that there is considerable diversity about any possible religious or theological implications of the theory of the Big Bang. Even some persons who are not themselves religious believers, such as the agnostic astrophysicist Robert Jastrow, assert that there are positive implications. It is significant that Pope John Paul II spoke on this subject to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences some thirty years after Pius XII’s remarks: “Any scientific hypothesis on the origin of the world, such as the hypothesis of a primitive atom from which derived the whole of the physical universe, leaves open the problem concerning the universe’s beginning. Science cannot of itself solve this question. There is needed that human knowledge that rises above physics and astrophysics and which is called metaphysics; there is needed above all the knowledge that comes from God’s revelation."
Presented by: Rev. Abbot James Wiseman, OSB, STD,
Catholic University of America
*a John Templeton Foundation Project
Presenters
Dr. Stephen M. Barr, PhD, University of Delaware
Dr. Sten Odenwald, PhD, National Aeronautics & Space Administration
Dr. Robert D. Miller, II, S.F.O., PhD, Catholic University of America
Rev. Abbot James Wiseman, OSB, STD, Catholic University of America