Scientists

2012 European Scientists Network

The European Scientists Network is committed to two main purposes:

(1) Increasing the praise of God the Creator-Saviour through what humans study and know in His creation (science). As it is written in Colossians 1:16, “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him”;

(2) Putting scientific findings in the context of His Word so that what we know about His creation will not obfuscate our knowledge of the Creator. As it is written in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

In order to achieve its purposes, the European Scientists Network is geared to serve two kinds of audiences: (1) Scientists and Christians interested in science will obtain the knowledge, language, and courage to do science and speak about science within the framework of a Bible-informed Christian understanding of the cosmos. (2) Christians of all backgrounds will be helped to understand and interact with scientific findings and claims in a way that is truly apologetic, integrating scientific facts into the Christian worldview in an affirmative, active way rather than only defensively and reactively.  “You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:11). At the same time, the demarcation lines will be demonstrated between scientific facts and their interpretation by naturalistic vs. Christian worldviews. We do not shy away from sensitive and dangerous subjects like the evolution debate and ethical implications, wishing to engage in constructive, respectful discussions.

In 2012, the European Scientists Network will embark on a three-year cycle of subjects that are meant to add up to a “Basic School of Science in Christianity”. For this, we will put together topics and find speakers to cover the most pertinent aspects. The directors and advisory board of the Network have decided to use John Lennox’s God’s Undertaker - Has Science Buried God? as the basis and textbook for this because of its excellence, topicality, and availability in several languages.

Apart from this basic reading requirement, the Network advisory board has put together a list of reading recommendations.

Alexander Fink studied physics at the universities of Bayreuth (GER) and St. Andrews (UK). He received his PhD in biophysics from the University of Regensburg (GER). He was active in university student ministry, and served as staff worker of SMD (German IFES). After three years as product manager for sensors in industry, he is now the Director of the SMD Graduates' Ministry. He helped found the Kepler Forum, which organises symposia for the discussion of worldview issues in science and society. He is on the Steering Committee of the European Leadership Forum. He is married to Bettina and has two children. 

Peter Imming received degrees in pharmacy and chemistry and a PhD and venia legendi in pharmaceutical chemistry from Marburg University, Germany. He has been involved in drug chemistry teaching and research in the UK, Germany, and China. Presently, he holds a professorship of pharmaceutical chemistry in the Martin-Luther-Universitaet Halle, Germany. He is interested in the molecular mechanisms of drug action (cf. doi:10.1038/nrd2261), and in the relation of science and biblical truth. Since 2006, he has served as vice chairman of the Studiengemeinschaft Wort und Wissen, a German association of Christians discussing matters of science, theology, humanities, archaeology, and economics within the framework of the Scriptures.

William Lane Craig is Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology in California. He has doctorates in philosophy (Birmingham UK) and theology (Munich).  Conversant in philosophy, theology, science, and history, he lectures and debates  widely on university camp uses in North America, Europe, and beyond. Dr. Craig has authored or edited over thirty books, including his signature work Reasonable Faith. Many of his articles and debates are available online at www.williamlanecraig.com.

Douglas Groothuis (Ph.D., University of Oregon in Philosophy), is Professor of Philosophy at Denver Seminary, where he has served since 1993. He is the author of eleven books, including Unmasking the New Age, Jesus in an Age of Controversy, The Soul in Cyberspace, Truth Decay, On Jesus, On Pascal, and Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith. He has also published two-dozen papers in academic journals such as Religious Studies, Sophia, Inquiry, and Philosophia Christi, as well as articles in magazines such as Christianity Today, The Christian Reseach Journal, and Books and Culture. His comments on religion and culture have appeared in Time Magazine, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. He often speaks at secular campuses defending Christianity.

John Lennox is Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University and a Fellow in Mathematics and Philosophy of Science at Green Templeton College, Oxford. He is also an Honorary Fellow of Wycliffe Hall, an Adjunct Professor of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, and he teaches for the Oxford Strategic Leadership Programme at the Executive Education Centre, Said Business School, Oxford. He is particularly interested in the interface of science, philosophy, and theology and his most recent books include Seven Days that Divide the World (on Genesis 1), Gunning for God (on the new atheism) and Stephen Hawking and God (a response to The Grand Design). In the past five years, Professor Lennox has debated a number of the world’s leading atheists including Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Peter Singer. His website is www.johnlennox.org.

Iain Morris is Producer/Director at Kharis Productions Scotland. Having graduated from Glasgow University with degrees in English Literature, Sociology, Psychology, and Education, his early career led him into teaching and research in the Scottish educational system. Subsequently, he became a producer of educational television within ITV and then, as Head of Programmes at Scope Productions in Glasgow, developed a broad portfolio of programming which, in addition to broadcasting for BBC and ITV, also incorporated many international productions for Christian ministries such as Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, for which he produced more than thirty documentaries. In 2002, he set up Kharis Productions where, among a wide range of educational and religious documentary programming, including two feature films, he is now immersed in the production of The God Question. He also had responsibility for the media content for Cape Town 2010 – a world congress held in October 2010 under the auspices of the Lausanne movement. 

Day 1

Scientific Apologetics: Essentials and Contribution to Worshipping God
John Lennox

Science and religion are increasingly considered to be at odds with one another. The new atheists, for example, argue that scientific findings show that there is almost certainly no God. However, is this really the case? In this lecture John Lennox will assess the limits of what science can tell us about the world and will show that it does provide evidence that points to God’s existence.

Questions and Answer Session
John Lennox

This session provides a platform for delegates to ask any question to the experienced scientific apologist, John Lennox. Questions can relate to his book, God's Undertaker: Has Science Buried God? (see pre-reading), his preceding lecture on scientific apologetics, or any related topic.

Day 2

Are There Rational Grounds to Believe in a Creator God? Part 1
William Lane Craig

This talk will lay out in a logical fashion an argument for the existence of a personal Creator of the universe based on the philosophical and astrophysical evidence for the beginning of the universe related to the Kalam cosmological argument. A number of the theologically important attributes of the Creator will be deduced.  At the end, the speaker will address the most common objections to this argument and provide sound answers to them.

Are There Rational Grounds to Believe in a Creator God? Part 2
William Lane Craig

After presenting the Kalam cosmological argument in the first session, the speaker will discuss some of the most prominent additional arguments for the rationality of belief in a Creator God. Afterwards, he will address the most common objections to these arguments and provide sound answers to them. Discussion and questions and answers with Network participants will follow.

Day 3

Dark Matter, Higgs Boson, Big Bang, and What to Make Of It All
Alexander Fink

The developments in cosmology and particle physics in the last few decades have met scientists with great surprises. At the same time the issues are increasingly entangled and become more complex. For example, observations which have been interpreted in the big bang picture forced scientists to accept the existence of dark matter and energy, while having nearly no idea about the nature of these or how to test for their existence directly. As scientists who are active in evaluating the current scientific discoveries with respect to our Christian faith, we must therefore have a basic understanding of the main concepts and their scientific status and discuss their relevance for different models of how to reconcile science and faith.

The Making of “The God Question” Television Series
Iain Morris

“The God Question” TV series invites viewers to come with open minds to consider the case for and against God's existence as they encounter the findings of modern science in relation to the cosmos, evolution, and human consciousness.This session, led by the producer of the series, will demonstrate how the giants of New Atheism compare and contrast with heroes of Christian apologetics in their interpretation of the evidence—and, most especially, in how they have starkly different concepts of God.  This is a factor of deep significance in the Christian clash with New Atheism. There will be an account of how the agenda for the interviews was set and a demonstration of how the series' narrative was structured. Finally, there will be an opportunity to see how the resources can be used to empower Christians in this intellectual battlefield as well as to learn how non-believers have responded.

Day 4

Is the Observable Universe the Best of Possible Worlds? Unity, Limits, and Divides in Ontology and Epistemology
Doug Groothuis

Naturalists often reject theistic accounts of the origin and nature of the universe by claiming that it is too flawed to be designed. But this is a false dichotomy: perfect design or no design. The Christian hypothesis is that the universe is designed by a Perfect God, but it has fallen into sin through the fall. Further, the Bible does not say that the present observable world is the best possible world: that world lies in the future. However, there is sufficient evidence from science to conclude that the universe is both created and designed by one personal and all-powerful being.

General Discussion
Alexander Fink

After touching many difficult issues, we want to reflect and step back, taking some time in small groups. What content of the Network can be used in our respective ministry and in which way? How do we summarise what we have learned? This time also will be open for further discussion on open questions or additional contributions and ideas from participants.