Dear ISSR member,

 

What a time it has been these last (almost) two months. So much has happened, with effects that will likely last far beyond the current situation. I know universities around the globe are sending in research proposals related to these unprecedented times. While all this is going on, I hope that you and your family and friends are staying safe. The ISSR, as you know, is an international community, and no time like right now is more important for being strong together.

 

This month’s newsletter is a little shorter than usual, but I do hope you find something of interest. Please do share anything here with colleagues, students, whatever; the more people that know the better!

 

This month we have:

 

  • Starting in Fall 2020, Edward B (Ted) Davis, Distinguished Professor of the History of Science at Messiah College (Pennsylvania), will direct a new Th.D. concentration in Christianity and Science at Evangelical Seminary in Myerstown, Pennsylvania (Students will study the 2000-year history of constructive engagement between Christianity and the natural sciences, focusing on how Christian ideas of God, humanity, and nature have influenced, and been influenced by, natural philosophy from early Christianity until the present. Careful attention is given to historical, theological, philosophical, and ethical dimensions of this conversation. For more information on this new program, please visit: https://evangelical.edu/admissions/doctor-of-theology/.

 

 

  • Job Kozhamthadam has finished a new book titled, Science-Catholicism Interfacing: Some New Perspectives, coming out later this year. Here is a brief write up: “Although in recent times a long chain of writings has been appearing in the area of science-religion interfacing, this valuable contribution has been mostly from scholars in the West, particularly from university circles. This book is an attempt to present some of the activities that have been afoot in the Eastern sector of the globe. Two points are emphasized here: Firstly, the old view that modern science and contemporary religions have been in a never-ending warfare with each other, with science in the winner’s seat, is a popular myth created by certain historians of science with certain personal interests and ideologies. Recent research and study by reputed historians of science show that this view has very little historical foundation, although there have been periods of tension and disagreements. Secondly, the Catholic Church has been a major player in the origin and development of modern science, particularly the Jesuit Order. This book is a modest attempt to assist in the development of the Eastern Wing of science-religion interfacing. It is my hope that more and more scholars from this part of the world will add their much-needed knowledge and wisdom to this initiative of blending harmoniously the latest findings of modern science and the deepest insights of religions in our multireligious, multicultural and multiracial world in order to usher in a better humanity.”

 

  • The Research Center for International and Interdisciplinary Theology in Germany invites applications for “The Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise”, on the topic of God and Spirituality. Ten scholars will be awarded €3000 each. The application deadline is 31 May. A PDF with more details, including requirements and how to submit, can be viewed here: https://www.issr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/fiit-lautenschlaeger2021.pdf

 

 

That is all for this newsletter. However, this newsletter is fueled by you. If you have anything of interest to share that the ISSR community would benefit from, please send it to me at admin@issr.org.uk. We would like to post news from around the globe, so please send something even if you think few will be able to take action on it. Also, if you have an idea for our monthly blog post, please submit that to me as well. And as always if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Please stay safe during these trying times.

 

All best,

 

Anthony K Nairn

www.anthonynairn.com

ISSR Administrator

www.issr.org.uk