What does the electromagnetic spectrum have to do with the Gospel? What does the West Antarctic Ice Sheet have to do with liberation theology? What does international climate finance have to do with the Greatest Commandment? At first glance it seems like physics, chemistry, and meteorology that govern our climate have nothing to do with theology and faith. But a new program at Austin Seminary seeks to bridge that divide.
The goal of “Science at the Seminary,” a Lunch and Learn workshop series debuting in February, 2024 at Austin Seminary, is to train future faith leaders so that they are prepared to lead conversations with their communities about climate change, a scientific problem with deep ethical and moral implications.
The program is funded by a grant from the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion program. Each Lunch and Learn session will begin with a friendly explanation of a climate science topic; everything from the greenhouse effect to drought to climate impacts like public health will be covered in the series, which will have ten workshops over three semesters. Then, a theological topic related to the science topic will be introduced. Guided discussion will follow.
A recent report by the Yale Climate Communications project (Climate Change in the American Mind: Beliefs & Attitudes, Fall 2023) revealed that 65% of Americans people are somewhat worried about climate change, including 29% who report feeling “very worried” and some who experience anxiety and depression as a result of climate change. This makes climate change an emerging area for those engaged in pastoral care work. Pastors, chaplains, and counselors can all benefit from a base of knowledge about the ways our faith informs our response to climate change.
NASA says this “blue marble” image is the most detailed true-color image of the entire Earth to date.
It is our hope that Science at the Seminary will start a conversation among future faith leaders and equip them with useful background knowledge that will help them feel prepared to be leaders in the climate change conversation in their own communities.
Registration is live for the first three Lunch and Learn sessions! We hope you can join us!
Session 1, February 8 – It is Good: Creation and Climate Science 101
Session 2, March 28 – Learning from the Past: Climate Proxies and the Hebrew Bible
Session 3, April 25 – Interconnection: How Human and Earth Systems Affect Human Experience