FAITH & SCIENCE
“ Many evangelicals remain wary of scientific study and some scientists feel as though the church does not have a place for them.” —Karl Giberson, Ph.D.
Professor, Eastern Nazarene College (MA)
Karl Giberson, Ph.D., professor at Eastern Nazarene College (MA) and the director of the Forum on Faith & Science at Gordon College, agrees with Blend’s assessment of the science program at Gordon College, but believes that Gordon is an outlier in its acceptance of science when compared to some Christian institutions. “Many evangelicals remain wary of scientific study and some scientists feel as though the church does not have a place for them,” Giberson said. COURTESY OF GORDON COLLEGE
THE SECOND PHASE of the construction for the Olsen Science Center is set to be completed by fall 2010. from page 31>>
million and will upon final completion house the college’s math and science departments, along with two libraries and a 400-seat lecture hall.
It is this quandary that led Collins and others to create the BioLogos Foundation, an association dedicated to promoting the harmonious connections between faith and science. Giberson is executive vice president of BioLogos. Giberson remains optimistic that CCCU institutions can influence the church toward a greater understanding of science. “Universities have always led,” Giberson said. “For a school like Gordon
“Everyone at Gordon should be very proud of this
College to finish a magnificent $30 million facility
facility,” said Chuck Blend, Ph.D., assistant professor
that serves as the signature building on campus
of marine biology and parasitology at Gordon. “Every
shows a tremendous commitment to science.”
detail helps make it conducive for both research and learning and we’re blessed to have it.”
Collins echoed similar sentiments when speaking at the dedication of the Olsen Science Center last
According to Blend, the success of Olsen Science
fall. “Do we have to choose between the worldviews
Center represents the commitment the college has
of science or faith?” Collins asked in his dedication
shown to the study of science. “The administration
speech. “Though some would argue that’s the way
and faculty have shown a great commitment to our
it has to be, my scientific worldview and my spiritual
study of scientific principles,” said Blend. “I don’t get
worldview do not have a wall between them. As I’m
the sense that anyone here is uncomfortable with or
working in the lab or as I’m reading my Bible, there are
intimidated by what I call the scientific enterprise.”
opportunities for discovering God’s truth. To imagine
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