1/11/2007 Integrating Faith with a Career in Science (Elizabeth Komives, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCSD)
Professor Elizabeth (Betsy) Komives, a professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UC San Diego, discusses the ancient Christian interpretation of Genesis as it relates to evolution, the nature of man, and who God really is. She also gives a personal account of how this perspective has influenced her career in science and the integration of faith and science in her own life.
This discussion was hosted by the Graduate Christian Fellowship at UC San Diego
(http://gcf.ucsd.edu/). Speakers invited to GCF do not necessarily represent the views of all GCF members. The notes below, taken by David Minh, are not necessarily accurate to the content of the discussion.
1) In the beginning. The main point of Genesis is to teach that God is the creator of the universe. Thus, there is a difference between the created material realm and the eternal spiritual realm. The passage is poetic and is not meant to be taken literally; the seven days do not necessarily refer to seven 24 hour periods. As acknowledged by the Catholic church, there is a lot of scientific evidence for evolution. (Please excuse the camera adjustments in the first minute.)
2) God created man in his own image. Man is not just another animal. He has a spiritual and physical component. It cannot be argued that physically, man is very similar to animals.
3) Why do Christians fear evolution? (An aside, 85% of the National Academy of Sciences claims to be atheist. However, there is no contradiction between science and belief in God.) Christians fear evolution because it has been used to imply that there was no creation and that people are merely undignified animals.
4) Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas' revolutionary thought used Aristotelean philosophy to supplant Christianity. Aristotle referred to a being that always existed.
5) "I am." In speaking with Moses, God describes himself as "I am." Jesus also says "I am." Aquinas says that God is the being who always existed.
6) Baptism. Jesus was a role model in being the Son of God. Baptism makes people children of God and consequently brothers and sisters with one another. As children of God, we will face hardships, as Jesus did. However, we must remember that God wants the best for us.
7) Note: Science and Miracles. Miracles don't contradict science.
8) Question 1: Can there be purpose in evolution?
9) Question 2: How does your faith play out in daily life as a scientist at UCSD?
10) Question 3: How are Christians perceived in educated circles?
11) Question 4: How does your faith affect your research?
12) Question 5: How has your experience been with other Christians in the academy?
13) Question 6: How do you see the relationship between science and the church?
14) Question 7: What are your views on stem cells and in vitro fertilization?
7/20/2006 Forming a Christian Perspective on Foreign Policy
(Kyle Beardsley,
Professor in Political Science, Emory University) - How does loving your neighbor
apply to international relations? Is it possible for nations to practice humilty,
justice, and mercy in dealing with one another? Kyle, a recent UCSD alumnus, laid out a
foundation for further discourse on the matter. It was followed by a lively discussion.
Check out his powerpoint slides.
Also see a quicktime movie of the first 60 minutes (86 MB).
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