The Seminary Explores

In this episode, a part of our ongoing series about Science for Seminaries, geneticist Dr. Jennifer Powell describes her work and the importance of genetics for understanding life.

Astrophysicist Dr. Craig Foltz makes physics come alive in this engaging discussion of the origins of time, how telescopes work, and what it all means for our knowledge of the world and ourselves. 

As part of our Science for Seminaries series, Dr. Michael Wedlock explains what chemistry is, why it was once called the “central science,” and most importantly, how it helps us better understand and appreciate the world.

Dr. Vincent Evener, Visiting Instructor in Reformation and Lutheran Studies at the Gettysburg Seminary discusses his choice of the ten top stories/events in religion for 2015. These include: The visit of Pope Francis, the Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage, issues of violence in particular the A.M.E. church killings in Charleston, South Carolina and terrorism, and immigration. He highlighted his concern for cooperation, openness, constructive endeavors to counter the rhetoric of suspicion and hate.

Continuing our focus on “Science in the Seminary” this year, in this episode, Dr. Stephenson offers a basic description of physics and the kinds of things physics teaches us about the world.   Then moving into some specific theories about creation, the universe and how it all matters to our understanding of God.

Dr. Principato describes with clarity and precision the importance of geology for understanding our world, and the current state of the climate.  She is informative, interesting, and compelling!

Dennis F. Carter, Career Foreign Service Officer, Department of State addresses several important questions: How is the U.S. and the United Nations handling the refugee crisis? Is there reason to fear the influx of Syrian refugees?  What religious ideology drives Isis to detest the “secular state”?  Why does Russia support the Assad regime?

Two retired professors of education and school Superintendents, Dr. Wenifort Washington and Dr. Jean Harper discuss the challenges and opportunities in public education. They talked about the need for partnership between the schools and community agencies and institutions including the church. In addition they highlighted the role of the Federal Government in the educational process.

Pastor Paul Mundey, Senior Pastor at the Frederick Church of the Brethren, discusses the issues of retirement for the clergy. What does retirement mean for the pastor? What are the issues for the congregation? Mundey shares his process of transition into retirement as an example and highlights some of the research and scholars on retirement and transitions in the parish.

In this episode, which kicks off our year of “Science in the Seminary,” Kristin Largen talks with Kristin Stuempfle about the importance of dialogue between science and religion.  Kris uses the example of her father, Herman Stuempfle who was the President of Gettysburg Seminary from 1976 to 1989.  In particular she references the hymn he wrote for her, “Go Forth in Search of Truth.”