Science

Science is full of scholars, researchers, and scientists. It involves fostering the depth and breadth of understanding creation and enriching our minds. How do we find truth in science? Is science at odds with religious faith?

God and the Universe:

Religious and non-religious responses to recent astronomical discoveries

April 11, 2016

At Church of the Incarnation

Featuring Dr. Deborah Haarsma


Do science and the Christian faith fit together? An astronomer examines this question in light of recent astronomical discoveries like exoplanets, galaxy formation, and dark energy. 


Deborah Haarsma earned a PhD in physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1997. An experienced research scientist, she was Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Calvin College from 2009-2012, and Professor of Astronomy from 1999-2012. Her research has focused on very large galaxies (at the centres of galaxy clusters), very young galaxies (undergoing rapid star formation in the early universe), and gravitational lenses (where spacetime is curved by a massive object). Her work uses data from several major telescopes, including the Very Large Array radio telescope in New Mexico, the Southern Astrophysical Research optical and infrared telescope in Cerro Pachon, Chile, and the Chandra X-ray Observatory in orbit around the earth. Since January 2013, Dr. Haarsma has served as President of BioLogos, a serious academic dialogue between current world-class science and Christian faith. BioLogos was founded by Dr. Francis Collins of the National Institute of Health in the USA, and runs annual conferences for scientists and theologians.


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