Scientists in Congregations Speaker Series

Sylvania United Church of Christ was one of 37 churches nationally awarded a Scientists in Congregation grant in 2012 through a program of the John Templeton Foundation. Our proposal, entitled Integrating our Faith and Modern Science, was aimed to educate and engage our congregation in the questions common to both science and faith. Videos and press coverage of our lectures are linked below.

Session 1: Lectures to explore creationism, evolution

The scholary view, modern criticisms and how the canon came to be, with Dr. Louis Stulman, University of Findlay professor of religious studies.

No video available
Read on Toledo Blade

Session 2: Stellar Evolution

Our faith, our scriptures and the big bang, stellar evolution, and the geological record, with Rev. Dr. Julian A. Davies and Dr. Al Compaan, both from the University of Toledo.

Watch on YouTube

Session 3: Our Faith, Our Scriptures, Life’s Early Origins and Evolution

Our faith, our scriptures, life’s early origins and evolution, with Dr. George Bullerjahn, Bowling Green State University professor of biological sciences, and Dr. Sheila Banerji, molecular biologist.

Watch on YouTube

Session 4: Transhumanism

What does it mean to be a human person? What the Bible says and what modern biology/medicine tells us, with Dr. Mark Douglas, Associate Professor of Christian Ethics, Columbia Theological Seminary.

Watch on YouTube
Read on Toledo Blade

Session 5: Father James Bacik

What does it mean to be a member of human society? With Father James Bacik of Corpus Christi.

Watch on YouTube

Session 6: Marcus Borg

Reclaiming Christian language and mysticism, with biblical and Jesus scholar Marcus Borg.

No video available
ToledoFAVS: Bible scholar Borg speaking this weekend at Sylvania UCC
ToledoFAVS: Scholar says language of Christianity widely misused, misunderstood
View Toledo Blade Photo gallery

Session 7: Myths of Science and Religion

America’s creation/evolution controversy, with Karl Giberson

Watch on YouTube

Session 8: Robert J. Russell and NIODA

Robert J. Russell, founder and director of the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences.

Watch on YouTube