Christianity and Modern Science.
This is a Christian expansion of another of his courses which won a $12,000 award from CTNS (Center for Theology and the Natural
        Sciences) based in Berkeley, California and funded by the Templeton Foundation.) 
Power Point Presentation
To access this file you need Microsoft's Power Point software


Below is a brief description of Howard Taylor's course.
(There is considerable overlap between this course and his Philosophy of Science and Religion module which he teaches at Edinburgh's Heriot-Watt University.)
 

Aims

To enable students to explore how a dramatically changing scientific view of what is real has influenced discussions between various and competing worldviews, and how modern scientific insights have influenced various theological discussions.

Learning Outcomes  

Students will be able to:

1    critically assess modern scientific understandings of being and existence, and formulate a coherent and informed Christian Biblical worldview on these matters, comparing it with atheistic, pantheistic and deistic systems of thought;
2    understand and assess how scientists and theologians have used insights from the science-theology dialogue to gain deeper understandings of such subjects as incarnation, atonement, purpose, the soul, free will, prayer, miracles and hope.

Content  

The module includes:

1    an examination of the Judaeo-Christian world view and the way we know God, and its importance for the scientific enterprise and the full flowering of knowledge;
2    a study of science and the growth of secularism, including discussion of an earlier science's ideas as to the alleged eternity of nature's laws governing a mechanistic universe;
3    a consideration of modern science at its open frontiers as a challenge to materialism, including discussion of such issues as theories about origins, space-time, fundamental building blocks of matter, the nature of life, and the mystery of consciousness;
4    an exploration and evaluation of various other worldviews such as atheism, pantheism and deism;
5    a study of the biblical worldview, including discussion of its viewpoint on such matters as creation, providence and redemption, prayer, and the nature of space-time and the material world.
 
The Power Point presentation refers to various substantial handouts, especially Units 1 - 11. These can be obtained on request from Howard Taylor: howardtaylor1944@live.co.uk Except for his registered students, he charges £1 or $2 for each unit. The units will be sent electronically in Word97 format. In exceptional circumstances hard copies can be sent  in the mail for an extra charge.
 

Home page of FAITH AND THE MODERN WORLD.