Guest Lecturers
Fall 2005

In its first active semester the Shenandoah Anabaptist Science Society (SASS) sponsored a variety of activities promoting dialogue between the vocations of science and religion. All too often these two disciplines have been viewed as contrasting and contradicting opponents vying for intellectual and popular legitimacy. The conversations that occurred during these lectures paint another picture, however, a picture of a third way. This interesting format for dialogue will continue this spring (see Upcoming Events) as each speaker seeks their own understanding of faith and science, and helps us to refine our own vocations.

“From Neurons to Politics - Without a Soul"

Dr. Nancey Murphy
Professor of Christian Philosophy
Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, Ca.

This past fall Dr. Nancey Murphy presented a talk on the Biblical basis for a more scientific approach to understanding the state of human existence. This talk explored the ideas of the traditional dualistic approach to being human, the ideas of body and soul, and the difficulties this approach can encounter when faced with modern scientific understanding. Dr. Murphy’s well-researched and considered position has led her to propose an idea of non-reductive physicalism, which allows for the retention of free will, but also refocuses Christianity onto the conditions of existence, as opposed to the current focus of a “soul”.

This shift in understanding of the human as a product and producer of their own existence, as opposed to the human as product of existence and soul as product of divinity has direct implications for how we treat others in Dr. Murphy’s view. The understanding of ancient Hebrew references to the soul as meaning not something separate from the body, but rather as the whole of the person, thought and deed, also helps to accommodate scientific understandings of how changes in the brains physiology directly affects the expression of the individual’s (for lack of a better word) soul.

Murphy's first book, "Theology in the Age of Scientific Reasoning" (Cornell, 1990) won the American Academy of Religion award for excellence and a Templeton Prize for outstanding books in science and theology. She is author of seven other books and co-editor of seven volumes, including "Neuroscience and the Person: Scientific Perspectives on Divine Action."

Respondents: Dr. William Hawk, Professor of Philosophy, James Madison University; and
Dr. Myron Augsburger, Professor Emeritus of Theology, Eastern Mennonite Seminary

“Adam, Where Are You? Issues on Human Origins”

Dr. David Wilcox
Professor of Biology
Eastern University (St. Davids, Pa.)

In the ongoing debate over Intelligent Design versus Evolution we see what may be an unnecessary dualism. The dialogue on what it means to have evolved as a Christian, and what it means to be designed to a Biologist is a timely and interesting discussion. Dr. David Wilcox from Eastern University, PA, presented a seminar that explored the latest thought on the origin of the species we call Homo Sapiens.

Dr. Wilcox discussed how the phylogenic trees visually describe how distant various species may be related. Such trees indicate more genetic similarity between chimps and humans than between chimps and gorillas.

Wilcox also explained how the existence of a telomeric fusion chromosome strongly supports the hypothesis that there is a common genetic ancestor. In humans one chromosome appears to result from the joining of two different chromosomes found in chimpanzees.

The importance of discussing human origins, as scientists and Christians is that it gives us a unique and valuable perspective in the Biblical account of the creation of the first man, Adam. Using the framework and evidence that Dr. Wilcox presented he postulated that we are merely seeing a painting, and not the strokes taken to create the masterpiece.

Throughout the responses a theme of wonder, and openness was maintained providing a relaxing and safe environment for open-minded discussion on these somewhat controversial topics.

David Wilcox is the author of numerous articles on science and religion, he holds a Ph.D. in population genetics from Penn State University. He recently published "God and Evolution: A Faith-Based Understanding," Judson Press, 2004.

Respondents: Dr. Stephen Cessna, EMU Associate Professor of Chemistry; and Dr. Sara Wenger Shenk, Eastern Mennonite Seminary Associate Professor of Christian Education and Associate Dean