wfn.org | New Day is Dawning in Relationship Between Theology and Science

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

GA99101 
24-June-1999 
 
               New Day is Dawning in Relationship  
                   Between Theology and Science 
  
 
FORT WORTH   A closer relationship between theology and science is on the 
horizon following a long history of conflict in ideology, Anna Case-Winters 
told members of the Presbyterian Association on Science Technology and the 
Christian Faith (PASTCF). 
     Case-Winters, an associate professor of theology at McCormick 
Theological Seminary in Chicago, was the featured speaker Thursday at the 
annual PASTCF luncheon. 
     The general purpose of the association is to challenge and assist the 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in studying, understanding, discussing and 
acting on the implications of science and technology as they affect the 
theology, worship, practice and moral actions of the church. The group also 
assists Presbyterian scientists, engineers and other technical 
professionals to study, understand, discuss and act on the implications of 
the Reformed theological tradition for their scientific and technical 
vocations. 
     "A new day is dawning in the relationship between theology and 
science. Now that I've been looking I can find that everywhere," she said 
referring to news articles published on the subject in such publications as 
"Newsweek" magazine. 
     She said after a long period of science and theology being considered 
"non-overlapping" with different questions and a different message, each 
has gone through a transformation with our entry into the post-modern era. 
"Each in its own way has experienced a crisis of authority," she said. 
     In the past theology in scripture and tradition were treated as truth 
not requiring explanation or defense, she told more than 50 people at the 
Ramada Plaza Hotel. But under the weight of historical criticism "the house 
of authority that once seemed solid has collapsed." From this a "parallel 
crises of authority" has occurred in science. 
     "The mechanistic and lawful world of Newton gave way to the general 
relativity framework of (Albert) Einstein challenging absolute time and 
space. Now that gives way to quantum mechanics...with these rapid and 
radical shifts science has undergone a shape of its salvation," 
Case-Winters said.  
     As new humility has been imposed there is a "new openness, a new 
teachableness for both fields and, within that, a safer dialog has been 
created," she said. "Interestingly some common ground is forming." 
     She said the trend does not as much signal a new day between science 
and theology as it is a normalization of relations.  
     "When theology and science meet, faith seeks understanding. I invite 
you to follow this dialog closely and join in," she concluded. "I see 
exciting times ahead in the conversation, [with] challenges, discoveries, 
perplexities, and illuminations, as we together, in wonder, unfold the 
admirable wisdom of God."  
 
Evan Silverstein 

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