Science and Religion

Overview

Course No. 4691
What is the nature of the relationship between science and religion? When do they conflict? And how do they influence each other in the pursuit of knowledge and truth? While conventional wisdom often suggests that science and theology clash, these two realms have historically been partners in the quest for understanding.

In these 12 engaging lectures, you will uncover both the historical and philosophical dimensions of the science/religion interaction. Professor Hans-Friedrich Mueller reveals how theologians and natural scientists—ranging from St. Augustine to Sir Isaac Newton—have shared methods, ideas, aspirations, and a tradition of dialogue.

Beginning with early Christian thought, such as St. Augustine’s concepts of reason and faith, the course explores key historical moments, including the Galileo affair, the implications of Darwin’s theory of evolution, and the rise of fundamentalist responses to modern science. Students will gain insights into how these interactions shape contemporary discussions and how history can inform current debates.

Course Lectures

1. Science and Religion
   Define the basic terms and focus of the course regarding the interactions between science and religion.
   Duration: 34 min
2. The Warfare Thesis
   Examine the conflict thesis proposed by John William Draper and Andrew Dickson White and its errors.
   Duration: 32 min
3. Faith and Reason—Scripture and Nature
   Discuss legitimate means of acquiring knowledge in the Christian tradition and explore St. Augustine’s writings.
   Duration: 31 min
4. God and Nature—Miracles and Demons
   Analyze the implications of divine intervention versus naturalistic explanations in religious belief.
   Duration: 30 min
5. Church, Copernicus, and Galileo
   Explore the complexities of the “Galileo affair” and its broader implications for science and religion.
   Duration: 30 min
6. Galileo’s Trial
   Investigate the arguments on both sides during the latter phase of the Galileo affair.
   Duration: 31 min
7. God the Watchmaker
   Survey the concept of a mechanical universe and the concerns it raised about faith and irreligion.
   Duration: 31 min
8. Natural Theology and Arguments from Design
   Examine the emergence of natural theology and its relationship to contemporary intelligent design theories.
   Duration: 31 min
9. Geology, Cosmology, and Biblical Chronology
   Discuss the age of the Earth and responses from religious figures regarding scientific dating methods.
   Duration: 31 min
10. Darwin and Responses to Evolution
    Analyze the impact of Darwin’s theory on religious thought and its varied receptions.
    Duration: 31 min
11. Fundamentalism and Creationism
    Explore the rise of fundamentalism and its opposition to evolution, including the significance of the 1925 Scopes Trial.
    Duration: 31 min
12. Past, Present, and Future
    Conclude with a survey of the course and the ongoing interactions between science and religion today.
    Duration: 31 min