The Intriguing "War" between Science and Christianity

For millennia, humans have questioned the world around them, searching for clues that may explain natural phenomena ranging from the appearance of stars in the sky to the origin of life itself. This broad survey of historical... [ view full abstract ]

For millennia, humans have questioned the world around them, searching for clues that may explain natural phenomena ranging from the appearance of stars in the sky to the origin of life itself. This broad survey of historical actors ranging from the classical philosophers of Greece, to the theologians and early intellectuals of the Middle Ages and Early Modern Period, and concluding with the contemporary approaches of medical science and Christianity, seeks to explore the dynamic relationship between scientists and Christian theologians—including the deceptive current polarization that often masks a rich past of mutual support and cooperation that often occurred alongside disagreement. This talk will aim to provide the listener with key events and figures of their respective periods and how they have influenced the discussion of science and religion today. Additionally, an examination of early course catalogs of Middlebury College provide a local lens into the reception of 19^th century Darwinian biology at a small, religious, liberal arts institution. Understanding the roots of the modern relationship is important in assessing the roles religion and science may play in what is perceived by many to be an increasingly divided America.