Language of God

181. Norman Wirzba | Textures of Hope Oct 31, 2024

Hope has sometimes been made out to be something we possess, something we hold like a shield to protect us from pain. But Norman wants to recast hope as something we do, and most importantly, as something that is animated by love. He talks through some of the different textures of hope to bring out more of its richness so that it might better form us through times of crisis.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Simon Stevens courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

BioLogos is searching for our next President. Is it you?

180. Hans Madueme | A Better Way to Disagree Oct 17, 2024

Hans Madueme is a Young-Earth Creationist. In this conversation, the goal was not to come to an agreement about the age of the earth but instead to understand one another better, find common ground, and explore the points of disagreement with curiosity and friendliness. Hans explains his views of where the Bible has a clear message and where he sees the limits of science in explaining things that contradict those messages.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Titan Sound courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

179. Francis Collins | Truth, Science, Faith, Trust Sep 26, 2024

After many years working at the very top levels of science and medicine, pursuing knowledge that would lead to better and healthier lives for so many people, Francis Collins started to see an erosion of trust in science, as well as across social and political landscapes. That led him to start wondering about what leads people to trust—in facts, in ideas, in institutions—and to wonder about the nature of truth itself. His new book, A Road to Wisdom: Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust is the result. It is a book that speaks to the deep divisions in society and calls us all to humility and wisdom as we do the work to find common ground.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Nick Petrov, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

178. Brian McLaren | Showing Up in the Face of Doom Sep 19, 2024

The title of Brian McLaren’s new book, Life After Doom, might at first be imposing…that word, “doom" looms large, but there is also life. McLaren has been looking into the face of the climate crisis and has, himself, felt the sense of doom that many people describe when they look into the future. McLaren does not dismiss the seriousness of the problems, nor is he paralyzed by it, but instead imagines the kind of life that is worth living no matter what kind of future will meet us.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Ricky Bombino, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Are you a pastor, ministry leader, or layperson interested in helping the Church engage in creation care and climate change? BioLogos wants to hear from you! We're looking for participants in some upcoming focus groups. Those selected to participate will receive a $25-Amazon gift card as a thank you. See details HERE.

177. Extinction | You Can't Love What You Don't Know Sep 12, 2024

It is hard to care for, protect, or even to mourn those we have no relationship with. We try to develop a relationship with a few creatures that are still among us, even if they are imperiled, to better know and love our world. And we end with a last few thorns…should we attempt to bring back extinct species and how should we think about the future of our own species?

This is episode three of a three-part series.

About the series: Extinction might seem to be a pretty simple idea: a species goes out of existence. But a deeper exploration reveals all kinds of thorny questions. What is a species anyway? Is extinction a natural part of the development of life that leads to new life or is it something that should be mourned and stopped? What will happen to our own species? These are only a few of the questions we follow on a journey of creatures here and gone.

Learn more about the series and about our guests here.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Vesper Tapes, Trending Music, Babel, Immersive Music, Full Frontal Audio, and Cosmo Lawson, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

176. Extinction | Will There Be Wild Things Out There? Sep 05, 2024

We look to present times to see how extinctions are actually happening and what we know about them and we explore the work of biological conservation to protect species. Then we return to the question of how to feel about extinction, comparing modern day and historical extinctions and adding a few more layers to the question.

This is episode two of a three-part series.

About the series: Extinction might seem to be a pretty simple idea: a species goes out of existence. But a deeper exploration reveals all kinds of thorny questions. What is a species anyway? Is extinction a natural part of the development of life that leads to new life or is it something that should be mourned and stopped? What will happen to our own species? These are only a few of the questions we follow on a journey of creatures here and gone.

Learn more about the series and about our guests here.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Remember the Future, Ricky Bombino, Northern Points, Simon Stevens, Oakvale of Albion, and Vesper Tapes, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

175. Extinction | Creatures Here and Gone Aug 29, 2024

Extinction is a familiar idea for almost everyone, but it wasn’t long ago that no one would have thought a species could go out of existence. We explore this history of the human understanding of extinction, and then we go much further back in history, to explore how extinction has played a role in the development of life over hundreds of millions of years leading to our world today.

This is the first episode in a three-part series.

About the series: Extinction might seem to be a pretty simple idea: a species goes out of existence. But a deeper exploration reveals all kinds of thorny questions. What is a species anyway? Is extinction a natural part of the development of life that leads to new life or is it something that should be mourned and stopped? What will happen to our own species? These are only a few of the questions we follow on a journey of creatures here and gone.

Learn more about the series and about our guests here.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Evan MacDonald, High Street Music, Northern Points, Nathan King, Babel, Ballian De Moulle, Paradiso Music, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

174. From Play to Purpose | How Culture and Faith Made and Make Us Human Jul 25, 2024

The story of evolution is often centered around genes and randomness. More and more, scientists are finding that culture is also a driver of evolution. When we explore how humans have both emerged from an evolutionary process and contribute to it, we begin to understand ourselves differently. This new understanding will ultimately lead us to a deeper relationship with God.

In this episode, we follow researchers who set out to explore four different ways in which culture and evolution interact and how they might inform our theological ideas about what it means to be human and how we relate to God: Play, Imagination, Morality, and Purpose. Thanks to our guests: Michael Burdett, Andrew Jackson, Vicki Lorrimar, Nathan Lyons, and Megan Loumagne Ulishney. (See their bios)

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Vesper Tapes, Babel, Northern Points, and Nick Petrov, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

143. The Ocean Declares | Horseshoe Crabs, Hospitality & Creatureliness Jun 20, 2024

When the wind is just right, on a small beach in Titusville, Florida, horseshoe crabs crawl out of the water and onto the beach to lay their eggs. Jim and Colin joined up with two marine biologists—Bob Sluka who works with A Rocha, a Christian conservation organization and Margaret Miller, a coral biologist who works with SECORE International—and three A Rocha interns to survey the horseshoe crabs. That experience began an exploration into paying attention to many of the creatures that surround us, extending hospitality, and learning from the creatures, even from the ocean itself, about how we might better worship the creator of it all.

This episode was originally aired on April 27, 2023

Additional Resources:

Learn about A Rocha
Do your own nurdle hunt
Atlantic Article about Synthetic alternatives to LAL
Radiolab Episode about Horseshoe Crabs

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

173. Creation Groans | Living with Grief, Living with Hope Jun 06, 2024

The climate crisis often leads people to feelings of grief, despair, and fear. With the of help faith leaders, climate activists, artists and teachers from around the world we explore some of the emotions that result from an awareness of the climate crisis. And consider how naming and accepting the grief and sorrow that many people are feeling can also be a path toward hope.

Featured guests: Heather McTeer Toney, Marinel Ubaldo, Madeleine Jubilee Saito, Dr. Malinda Berry, Hannah Malcolm, Robynn Bliss, and Lowell Bliss. And thanks to Nangula Kathindi and Christopher Douglas Huriwai for their recorded testimonials, used in the episode. Check out the link here to find more resources from these guests.

Check out more BioLogos resources on creation care and the environment here.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Ballian De Moulle, Robert Meunier, Kyle Booth, Sirus Music, Justin Breame, & MS Elyas, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

132. Neuroscience, Mental Health and the Church May 23, 2024

The church has had a complicated relationship with mental health. Research shows that 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness in a given year and yet 66% of pastors talk about mental health in sermons only once a year or less. In the episode we break down what exactly mental illness and mental health are, what is happening in the brain, and how the church can respond in ways that help us all to be healthier individuals and begin to build a more understanding, empathetic and healthy community.

This episode was originally aired on December 8, 2022.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Tiny Music, Lift Music, Magnetize Music, Sirus Music, Pink Marble and Vesper Tapes, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Find Resources on Mental Health

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

172. Camille Dungy | Dandelions and Bindweed May 09, 2024

Camille Dungy is a poet, and it is with a poet’s close attention that she reflects on the interactions between humans and the greater-than-human world. In the conversation, Camille talks about how she came to her connection to the greater-than-human world, about the need to include family and home in nature writing and about the definition of a weed and how good cultivation often requires hands-on management. She ends by reading a poem from her collection, Trophic Cascade.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Titan Sound, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

171. Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire & Francis Collins | Live from Faith and Science 2024 Apr 25, 2024

Francis Collins and Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire are both renowned scientists and both of them played special and important roles during the pandemic. In this conversation, the two of them remember some of the key moments in the scientific development of the COVID vaccine and talk about the many years of scientific work that prepared the way. They also discuss how their faith plays a role in their motivation for doing science and Kizzmekia talks about the challenges of running a science lab at Harvard as a woman, a person of color, and a mother.

This conversation was recorded live in Raleigh, North Carolina at our National Faith and Science Conference.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Klimenko Music, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

170. The Sacred Chain | The Challenge of Pain and Suffering Apr 11, 2024

The science of evolution has caused friction for many Christians. And science does pose some challenges to the way people have been taught to think about their faith, but those challenges don’t have to lead to a decision to reject faith—or to reject the findings of science. In fact, understanding science can lead to a deeper faith.

Jim Stump, host of Language of God has a new book coming out—The Sacred Chain: How Understanding Evolution Leads to a Deeper Faith. In this series Jim walks through three of the challenges posed by science.

The challenge of pain and suffering is a crucial tension and one that has vexed people for millennia. Without solving the problem, we can at least break it down and see how a world which includes pain and suffering is also a world in which creatures might have the capacity to become morally mature.

Featuring clips from previous conversations with Bethany Sollereder and Simon Conway Morris.

This is the third of a three part mini-series.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Vesper Tapes and Ricky Bombino, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

169. The Sacred Chain | The Challenge of Time Apr 04, 2024

The science of evolution has caused friction for many Christians. And science does pose some challenges to the way people have been taught to think about their faith, but those challenges don’t have to lead to a decision to reject faith—or to reject the findings of science. In fact, understanding science can lead to a deeper faith.

Jim Stump, host of Language of God has a new book coming out—The Sacred Chain: How Understanding Evolution Leads to a Deeper Faith. In this series Jim walks through three of the challenges posed by science.

The challenge of the time explores the long time spans of the earth and the universe and what it means about being a human loved by God in the here and now. Featuring clips from previous conversations with John Walton & Makoto Fujimura.

This is the second of a three part mini-series.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Babel, Nick Petrov, & Vesper Tapes, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

168. The Sacred Chain | The Challenge of the Bible Mar 28, 2024

The science of evolution has caused friction for many Christians. And science does pose some challenges to the way people have been taught to think about their faith, but those challenges don’t have to lead to a decision to reject faith—or to reject the findings of science. In fact, understanding science can lead to a deeper faith.

Jim Stump, host of Language of God has a new book coming out—The Sacred Chain: How Understanding Evolution Leads to a Deeper Faith. In this series Jim walks through three of the challenges posed by science.

The challenge of the Bible asks how we can continue to affirm the Bible as inspired and authoritative if the human authors believed incorrect things about the world. Did God correct their cultural-bound beliefs, or work through them, as God has always worked with imperfect people?

Richard Middleton joins Jim for the second part of this episode to talk about biblical inspiration from the perspective of a bible scholar, and the episode features clips from a previous episode with Philip Yancey.

This is the first of a three part mini-series.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Vesper Tapes, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

167. Jonathan Haidt & Francis Collins | Technology, Mental Health, & the Role of Faith Mar 21, 2024

Special guest-host Francis Collins discusses the children's mental health epidemic with Jonathan Haidt. Haidt has been studying the causes of the high rates of depression and suicide in children for many years and has found that social media is at the root of the worsening trends. But he doesn’t just have causes in mind. He also has solutions. In this discussion--and in his new book, The Anxious Generation--he proposes solutions to be put into place in the home, in schools, and by governments. He also calls out faith communities, understanding that they can lead the way in reversing the trend of declining mental health of children.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Magnetize Music, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

166. Molly Worthen | Science and the Journey to Faith Mar 07, 2024

Molly Worthen is a historian by training and wrote the book, Apostles of Reason, which explores the history of evangelicalism in America. When she wrote the book about 10 years ago, she approached the topic as an outsider, identifying as an agnostic. Then in 2022, she rather surprisingly found herself getting baptized at the front of a large evangelical Southern Baptist megachurch.

In the conversation she tells the story of her conversion and questions she asked, including questions about miracles, science, and what it means to be intellectually engaged and also believe in the resurrection of Christ.

This conversation was recorded in front of a live audience at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary on February 21, 2024.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Titan Sound, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

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BONUS | Steven McMullen on Food and Thankfulness Feb 29, 2024

A bonus clip from an interview with Steven McMullen for our series The Gift of Food.

BONUS | Aminah Al-Attas Bradford on Feeding your Microbes Feb 29, 2024

A bonus clip from an interview with Aminah Al-Attas Bradford for our series The Gift of Food.

BONUS | Derrick Weston on Food not Lawns Feb 22, 2024

A bonus clip from an interview with Derrick Weston for our series The Gift of Food.

BONUS | Shauna Niequist on Gathering around Food Feb 22, 2024

A bonus clip from an interview with Shauna Niequist for our series The Gift of Food.

165. The Gift of Food | Economics, Justice, Fellowship (part 5) Feb 15, 2024

In the last episode of the series we ask several related questions: How does the idea of food as a gift fit with the fact that food is also an economic commodity? How does food play into issues of justice? And how can food, instead of dividing us, bring us together? Finally, we end by discussing what all this means about how we should eat. When we eat with love as our guiding principle, it may not always be simple, but it may be more delicious.

This is the last episode of a five part mini-series. Learn more about the series and find related resources at biologos.org/the-gift-of-food.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Northern Points, Babel, Magnetize Music, Diverse Music, Titan Sound, Nathan King, Mike Meehan, & Ballian De Moulle courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

164. The Gift of Food | Eating Meat (part 4) Feb 08, 2024

As creatures that must eat to live, human life is dependent on taking the lives of other creatures. In this episode, we explore ethics, science, and theology behind taking the lives of animals who become our food. In the process, we meet some of the animals and some of the people who raise them. We end up with at least as many questions as when we started and yet we also find a richer appreciation for the ways in which we are connected to other creatures through eating.

This is part four of a five part mini-series. Learn more about the series and find related resources at biologos.org/the-gift-of-food.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Northern Points, Tiny Music, High Street Music, Klaus Hergersheimer, Titan Sound, Mike Meehan, & Vesper Tapes, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

163. The Gift of Food | The Science of Food (Part 3) Feb 01, 2024

Taste is a sense that sometimes gets overshadowed by sight and sound, but it has played a crucial role in the development of our species. Some expert guides help us understand what is happening in our brains when we eat. We also talk about food and cooking and the roles they have played in making humans what we are today.

This is part three of a five part mini-series. Learn more about the series and find related resources at biologos.org/the-gift-of-food.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by High Street Music, Klimenko Music, Northern Points, Tiny music, Glory House, Vesper Tapes, Liam Mansfield, Klaus Hergersheimer, Babel, and Nick Petrov, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

162. The Gift of Food | God’s Love Made Delectable (Part 2) Jan 25, 2024

The idea of food as a gift is one that comes to us frequently in scripture. In this episode we look to the Bible and see if we can better understand God’s intended relationship to food. Beginning with the Old Testament, we explore how ancient Israelites might have thought about food. In the New Testament we see Jesus continually gathering around a table and feeding people, and even many of his miracles were food related. And at the last supper, food takes on even more significance as the elements of communion.

This is part two of a five part mini-series. Learn more about the series and find related resources at biologos.org/the-gift-of-food.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Tiny Music, High Street Music, Klimenko Music, Lost Harmonies, Klaus Hergersheimer, Babel, & Chill Cord courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

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161. The Gift of Food | Sacred Morsels (Part 1) Jan 18, 2024

Food is a great connector. It can connect us to the ground and the soil that produces food, to the plants and animals that turn into food, and to one another. It also has the possibility of connecting us better to God. In part one of the series we talk about some of these connections, eventually leading us to the idea that food is a gift. In the rest of the series we’ll consider what that might mean about how we eat, what we eat, and how gathering around a table, whether it’s a communion table or a dining room table, can strengthen our connections to the world, to each other, and to God.

This is part one of a five part mini-series. Learn more about the series and find related resources at biologos.org/the-gift-of-food.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Tiny Music, Vesper Tapes, and Babel courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

160. David Brooks | To See and Be Seen Dec 07, 2023

Talking about any hard topic—science and faith included—requires first recognizing the person on the other end of the conversation. That’s what David Brooks set out to do and is the result of his most recent book, How to Know a Person, The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen. He draws on neuroscience in order to understand how to see and be seen by others, but ultimately this is a habit that must be formed by practice and it is one that will help us all to have better conversations and relationships.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Babel, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

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159. Andrew Davison | Cosmic Incarnation Nov 30, 2023

In the last couple of decades, we have solved the question of whether there are other earth-like planets in the universe by finding evidence of billions of them. But while we don’t know whether there could be life on those planets—or what it would be like if there was—we can still explore the theological questions that might arise if we did find life. These questions might seem like they don’t have much relevance for us, but besides being fun to think about, they help us to refine the theology of things like the incarnation and what it means for us here on earth.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

158. Emily Smith | Science & Neighborliness Nov 16, 2023

Being a good neighbor in a wide and complicated world can be challenging. Emily Smith has attempted to share her scientific knowledge with the hopes that it can contribute to neighborliness and even help to identify those who are most in need of the caring that can come from medical help.

Emily is known to many as the Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist. Her work as an epidemiologist is to study how disease and illness affects populations, specifically those who don’t have access to many resources. In the episode, she talks about epidemiology and about the pushback that came from her attempts to share information during the COVID pandemic. And she talks about her new book, The Science of the Good Samaritan: Thinking Bigger About Loving Our Neighbors.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Babel, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

157. Jessica Moerman | No Act Too Small Nov 09, 2023

Jessica Moerman’s scientific research has included the study of stalagmites in Bornean caves and digging up ancient lakes in Africa. Through this work, she and other paleoclimatologists—those who study the climate of the past—have started to piece together the puzzle of how earth’s climate has changed in the past, which helps us to understand how it could change in the future. For Jessica, science has always been a tool for ministry and for understanding God’s creation. That idea has led her to her current role as the CEO of the Evangelical Environmental Network where she is able to share her knowledge of science, her passion for ministry and the call to act to bring about a healthy future.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Northern Points, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

156. Joanna Ng | Data, Truth, & AI Nov 02, 2023

Joanna Ng has worked on many projects which have been turned into tools we use everyday. In the episode she talks about the journey to become a Master Inventor and some of the highlights of her career and then discusses some of the risks that come from putting too much trust in computers and artificial intelligence.

Glossary of Terms:
Groundtruth: The information or data that acts as a reference point against which we can measure the performance of computer programs or algorithms.
Compiler: A special computer program that turns the code that programmers write into something a computer can understand and run. It's like a translator between humans and computers.
Parsing: Parsing in computer science is like grammar-checking a sentence. It looks at the code to make sure all the parts are in the right order and make sense together, so the computer can understand what to do.
Black box: A system or device where you can see what goes in and what comes out, but you don't know exactly how it works on the inside.
Bootstrap: The initial push that gets a computer or program running so it can do more complicated tasks on its own. Just like you need that first push to start pedaling a bike, a computer needs a bootstrap to get going.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Titan Sound, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

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155. Sy Montgomery | Soul Deep Sameness Oct 19, 2023

Sy Montgomery has been writing about animals for over 30 years and has befriended many fascinating creatures in those years. Both turtles and octopuses, subjects of two of her books, are ancient relatives of ours, separated from humans by millions of years of evolution. That hasn’t stopped Sy from connecting with individuals of each of these species, learning something about their amazing and special capabilities but also finding a surprising commonality that allows for a deep connection. In the conversation Sy shares her love for all creatures and calls for us to reach into our limitless compassion to care for the creatures that make our world bright and beautiful.

This conversation was recorded live in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the BioLogos Creation Care Summit on October 7th.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

154. Janet Kellogg Ray | Science Denial and Christian Culture Oct 12, 2023

Janet Kellogg Ray is a Christian science educator and author. In the episode, she shares her personal journey of reconciling her faith with the science of evolution and discusses the challenges faced by Christians in accepting scientific evidence. She explores the connection between the denial of evolution, climate change, and COVID vaccines, highlighting the cultural and political factors that contribute to science denial within religious communities. Janet emphasizes the importance of science literacy and understanding the nature of science in order to build trust and engage in meaningful conversations about faith and science.

Learn more about Janet Kellogg Ray and see her books here.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Pink Marble, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

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153. BioLogos Book Club | Braiding Sweetgrass Oct 05, 2023

In our second ever BioLogos book club, we bring you a discussion on the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Our expert guests include Carol Bremer-Bennett, the Executive Director of World Renew; Rick Lindroth, a retired professor of ecology; and Debra Rienstra, a Professor of English. They discuss various themes from the book, including the importance of reciprocity and harmony in our relationship with the natural world, the dangers of consumerism and greed, and the need for a more inclusive and respectful language to describe non-human beings. They also explore the intersection of indigenous wisdom, science, and Christianity, and the potential for these perspectives to complement and enrich one another.

Download our discussion guide for Braiding Sweetgrass here.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

66. Agustín Fuentes | To Believe is Human Sep 21, 2023

The question, what does it mean to be human, demands answers from many fields of study. Agustín Fuentes has looked to anthropology for answers to this question but the answers he has found speak to something that is bigger than science. He proposes that one of the things that make us human is our ability to believe.

Fuentes teaches anthropology and primatology at Princeton University. His studies have brought him around the world, to cities and to remote jungles. He’s written several books, including his most recent, Why We Believe: Evolution and the Human Way of Being, a book that came out of his Gifford Lectures.

This episode was originally aired on December 17th, 2020.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Northern Lights, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

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152. Lee C. Camp | Opening the Door to Faith and Flourishing Sep 14, 2023

As the host of his own podcast, No Small Endeavor, Lee C. Camp is well-practiced at conversations that explore what human flourishing could look like. In this conversation, he looks back to his own experiences in which doors were opened to him in his thinking about faith. He tells about his journey from preaching sermons against the theory of evolution to coming to understand that scientific knowledge about the world was not a threat to his faith, even when that knowledge presented new and challenging questions.

Check out Lee Camp's podcast, No Small Endeavor Including this episode about science and faith with Francis Collins

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Titan Sound, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

151. Joe Vukov | Navigating the Technological Divide Aug 31, 2023

For some technology offers humanity a path into perfection. For others it is the means of our downfall. Somewhere in between there is Joe Vukov. In the episode, Joe helps to explain the pitfalls of both extremes—on one side, the transhumanists (who embrace technology as a way to become more human) and on the other, the neoLuddites (who shun certain kinds of technology)—and begins to clear a path somewhere in the middle.

Original music in this episode is by Carp.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

150. Trees | Living Symbols of Praise Aug 24, 2023

Trees are often seen merely as backdrops or immovable scenery. When we start to learn about the physical realities of trees, their names and histories and the ways they interact with the world around them, we start to wonder if we’ve gotten the wrong idea about what trees are. In this episode, Jim and Colin go on a journey to see trees more completely, to see them as living, dynamic creatures. Learning about the scientific reality of trees leads to an enriched understanding of the role trees play as symbols in the Bible and helps eventually for trees to be seen as creatures who praise God.

Additional Resources:

Check out MyTree Calculator, mentioned in the episode.

There were a lot of trees in the bible we didn't have time to talk about in the episode. The BibleProject podcast has a great series on trees in the bible called Tree of Life.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

149. Kate Boyd | Science and the Messy Middle Aug 17, 2023

Kate Boyd has been learning to live out her faith in the messy middle in a culture that rewards picking a side. While her journey didn’t begin with a conflict between science and religion, her story explores the complexities of understanding the Bible in today’s context and anyone who has struggled with issues of science and faith will resonate with this conversation. Kate’s new book, which tells the story of her journey is called An Untidy Faith: Journeying Back to the Joy of Following Jesus. In the episode, Jim and Kate dive into Kate’s story of her realization of the “untidy” nature of faith and how she has come to embrace the messiness without letting go of core beliefs and how this might apply to the science and faith dialogue.

Learn more about Kate and find her book at www.kateboyd.co

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

28. Alister McGrath | Journey of Science, Story of Faith Jul 27, 2023

Alister McGrath is one of the iconic voices in the dialogue between science and faith. In this episode, Jim Stump talks to him about two of his more recent books: A Theory of Everything (that Matters) and Narrative Apologetics. The conversation ranges from talking about Einstein’s religious beliefs and how they open a door for exploring the relationship between science and theology, to the importance of storytelling for Christian Apologetics.

Find out more about his book A Theory of Everything (that Matters)

Find out more about his book Narrative Apologetics

Jim recommends this book Enriching our Vision of Reality: Theology and the Natural Sciences in Dialogue.

This episode original aired on January 16, 2020

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

148. New Genes | A Science Explainer with Dennis Venema Jul 06, 2023

In a recent article in the journal Science, researchers described a process where new genes come about from parts of DNA that were thought to be useless and led to bigger brains in humans. Jim and Colin, along with Dennis Venema, discuss what’s going on and describe some of the basic science that reveals why this discovery is an exciting new development in understanding what it means to be human and how we got to be the way we are.

Here's the article in Science

Dennis Venema is also the author of a series of BioLogos posts called Evolution Basics, meant as an introduction to the science of evolution.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

147. Curtis Chang | Anxiety & the Doorway to Resurrection Jun 08, 2023

Anxiety disorders are extremely common. Curtis Chang knows firsthand how anxiety can be extremely disruptive to the healthy and happy lives we all strive for. In this episode Curtis, who is a theologian, host of the Good Faith podcast and executive director of Redeeming Babel, tells the story of his own struggles and the peace he found when he reframed his anxiety as an opportunity to participate in resurrection.

Additional Resources

Redeeming Babel
Good Faith Podcast (apple podcasts)
Check out Curtis' book: The Anxiety Opportunity
Mental Health Resources Page

If you like this episode you might like our episode on Neuroscience, Mental Health & the Church

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

146. Sally Bingham | Churches Leading Change Jun 01, 2023

Sally Bingham, the founder of Interfaith Power & Light (IPL), and the Canon of the Environment for the Diocese of California, shares the story of the inception of IPL and discusses the influential role that churches and faith communities can play in the effort to reduce climate change impacts.

Learn more about Interfaith Power & Light

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

145. Dawn Wright | A Divine Abyss May 18, 2023

In the summer of 2022 Dawn Wright became only the 27th person ever, the fifth woman, and the first Black person to descend into the deepest part of the ocean, a place called Challenger Deep. As a scientist, Dawn has been studying and helping to map the depths of the ocean, but being there in person uncovered a new dimension and deepened her connection with the mysterious underwater world. In the episode, Colin and Dawn talk about the science of mapping, the world of deep sea submersibles, and how finding trash in the most remote places of our planet might spark a renewed sense of stewardship for all of God’s creation.

Additional Resources

Story Map of Dawn's Challenger Deep Dive
Explore Challenger Deep Map in GIS
Animated video of Alvin Dive

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

144. Francis Collins & Deb Liu | Live from Silicon Valley May 11, 2023

Deb Liu, the CEO of Ancestry, and Francis Collins, the previous director of the NIH and leader of the Human Genome project, delve into the fascinating world of genetic science, exploring its implications on our understanding of human identity, ancestry and health. Throughout the conversation they also share stories and reflections on how their Christian faith motivates their work and sheds light on the ethical and moral considerations that arise when navigating the complex world of genetic research and its applications.

The episode was recorded in front of a live audience in San Francisco in late April 2023.

Additional Resources

All of Us Research Program
Take Back Your Power by Deb Liu
Ancestry.com

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

91. Jason Fileta | Faith, Justice, Climate May 04, 2023

Jason Fileta didn’t start out as an environmental activist. His first passion was to alleviate the suffering of the poor and hungry. As he met and heard the stories from those struggling with poverty and hunger he often asked them the question: if we could get a million Christians in North America to raise their voices on an issue that impacts your community, what would it be? He was surprised when a farmer in Uganda said climate change. But then he started to hear story after story of how climate change has made the lives of people harder, and this has led Jason to understand the deep connection between our caring for the planet and the lives of the poor and hungry around the world.

This episode original aired on September 30th, 2021.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

143. The Ocean Declares | Horseshoe Crabs, Hospitality & Creatureliness Apr 27, 2023

When the wind is just right, on a small beach in Titusville, Florida, horseshoe crabs crawl out of the water and onto the beach to lay their eggs. Jim and Colin joined up with two marine biologists—Bob Sluka who works with A Rocha, a Christian conservation organization and Margaret Miller, a coral biologist who works with SECORE International—and three A Rocha interns to survey the horseshoe crabs. That experience began an exploration into paying attention to many of the creatures that surround us, extending hospitality, and learning from the creatures, even from the ocean itself, about how we might better worship the creator of it all.

Additional Resources:

Learn about A Rocha
Do your own nurdle hunt
Atlantic Article about Synthetic alternatives to LAL
Radiolab Episode about Horseshoe Crabs

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

142. Kyle Meyaard-Schaap | Environmental Evangelism Apr 20, 2023

When Kyle Meyaard-Schaap joins a climate march or calls a senator to talk about his concerns about climate change, he sees it as an act of evangelism. His new book Following Jesus in a Warming World: A Christian Call to Climate Action tells the story of how he came to understand that acting on climate is necessary and urgent and that it fits within the call to follow Jesus. He tells some of his story here and also talks about parenting, imagination, and the role a pastor can play in bringing about the change we hope to see.

Learn more about Kyle's book, Following Jesus in A Warming World .
Check out Evangelical Environmental Network at creationcare.org
Check out Young Evangelicals for Climate Action at yecaction.org

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

141. Gayle Boss | Let Compassion Take Root Apr 06, 2023

Over the season of lent we’ve been reading excerpts from Gayle Boss’ Book Wild Hope. In this episode we talk to Gayle about where the book came from and about how the stories of wild and imperiled creatures can help us into the story of Christ and his journey to the cross.

Find out More about Wild Hope and Gayle's other books.

Thanks to Paraclete Press which gave permission for the experts from Wild Hope throughout lent. www.paracletepress.com

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

140. Brandon Vaidyanathan | Beauty in Science Mar 30, 2023

As a sociologist, Brandon Vaidyanathan has been studying what scientists think about beauty. Some people might be surprised that scientists think much about beauty at all, but for many scientists, beauty is an important reason for why they do the work that they do. Brandon talks about his research and the different ways scientists understand beauty to be a part of understanding the world and also tells the story of his conversion to Christianity and how he found his way to sociology.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

LENT | Reflections from Wild Hope: The Hawksbill Turtle Mar 27, 2023

This Lent we’re reading reflections from Wild Hope: Stories for Lent from the Vanishing, by Gayle Boss. We’ll end with an interview with Gayle Boss in the last week of Lent.

The reflections from Wild Hope are grouped into five different weeks, with four creatures in each week, through the season of Lent and four more during Holy Week. Week five is "the Hunted" and the story is about the hawksbill turtle.

Wild Hope: Stories for Lent from the Vanishing by Gayle Boss, illustrated by David G. Klein
Copyright 2020: text by Gayle Boss, illustrations by David G. Klein
Used by permission of Paraclete Press www.paracletepress.com

139. BioLogos Book Club | Transcendent Kingdom Mar 23, 2023

In the debut of a new podcast Book Club feature we take on the novel Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi about a young PhD candidate in neuroscience struggling with questions about mental health, the problem of evil, and how to reconcile the evangelical faith she grew up with and her career in science. We asked three guests to join us to discuss the book. Lynette Strickland recently finished a PhD in biology, Rachel Wahlberg is a neuroscience graduate student herself, and Christina Bieber Lake is a literature professor.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

LENT | Reflections from Wild Hope: The Olm Mar 20, 2023

This Lent we’re reading reflections from Wild Hope: Stories for Lent from the Vanishing, by Gayle Boss. We’ll end with an interview with Gayle Boss in the last week of Lent.

The reflections from Wild Hope are grouped into five different weeks, with four creatures in each week, through the season of Lent and four more during Holy Week. Week four is "the Poisoned" and the story is about the olm.

Wild Hope: Stories for Lent from the Vanishing by Gayle Boss, illustrated by David G. Klein
Copyright 2020: text by Gayle Boss, illustrations by David G. Klein
Used by permission of Paraclete Press www.paracletepress.com

LENT | Reflections from Wild Hope: The North Atlantic Right Whale Mar 13, 2023

This Lent we’re reading reflections from Wild Hope: Stories for Lent from the Vanishing, by Gayle Boss. We’ll end with an interview with Gayle Boss in the last week of Lent.

The reflections from Wild Hope are grouped into five different weeks, with four creatures in each week, through the season of Lent and four more during Holy Week. Week three is "the Homeless" and the story is about the North Atlantic right whale.

Wild Hope: Stories for Lent from the Vanishing by Gayle Boss, illustrated by David G. Klein
Copyright 2020: text by Gayle Boss, illustrations by David G. Klein
Used by permission of Paraclete Press www.paracletepress.com

138. Sarah Augustine | Ever Present Every Moment Mar 09, 2023

We have a lot to learn from Indigenous ways of thinking and knowledge about the world, particularly as it relates to the climate and environmental crisis and the place of humans in creation. And in learning about Indigenous knowledge we learn also that Christianity has played a role in the displacement of Indigenous People. Sarah Augustine shares the wisdom she has gained about how a Christian worldview can lead to a different kind of discipleship that both cares for the land and the people who rely on it.

Learn more about the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery

Learn about Unraveling the International Law of Colonialism webinar on March 10th.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

Donate to BioLogos

LENT | Reflections from Wild Hope: The Indiana Bat Mar 06, 2023

This Lent we’re reading reflections from Wild Hope: Stories for Lent from the Vanishing, by Gayle Boss. We’ll end with an interview with Gayle Boss in the last week of Lent.

The reflections from Wild Hope are grouped into five different weeks, with four creatures in each week, through the season of Lent and four more during Holy Week. Week two is "the Sick" and the story is about the Indiana bat.

Wild Hope: Stories for Lent from the Vanishing by Gayle Boss, illustrated by David G. Klein
Copyright 2020: text by Gayle Boss, illustrations by David G. Klein
Used by permission of Paraclete Press www.paracletepress.com

137. ChatGPT | AI on Faith and Science Mar 02, 2023

We welcome our first non-human guest to the podcast, the language model ChatGPT. The chatbot joins us to answer questions about science and faith. ChatGPT draws on extensive digital information to answer the same kinds of questions we have been asking our human guests over the past few years. The results are…interesting. Jim and Colin reconvene afterward to talk about what to take from it all.

The voice of ChatGPT in this episode is given by Steven McClure.

A note about the role of AI in making this episode: staff (humans!) at BioLogos generated the text for this in part with GPT-3, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model. Upon generating draft language, we reviewed, edited, and revised the language to our own liking and take ultimate responsibility for the content of this publication.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

Donate to BioLogos

LENT | Reflections from Wild Hope: The Red Knot Feb 27, 2023

This Lent we’re reading reflections from Wild Hope: Stories for Lent from the Vanishing, by Gayle Boss. We’ll end with an interview with Gayle Boss in the last week of Lent.

The reflections from Wild Hope are grouped into five different weeks, with four creatures in each week, through the season of Lent and four more during Holy Week. Week one is "Tthe Hungry" and the story is about the red knot.

Wild Hope: Stories for Lent from the Vanishing by Gayle Boss, illustrated by David G. Klein
Copyright 2020: text by Gayle Boss, illustrations by David G. Klein
Used by permission of Paraclete Press www.paracletepress.com

136. Jimmy Lin | Scientific Doxology Feb 23, 2023

Jimmy Lin calls himself a scientific doxologist. The science part of that title describes his work to find cures and treatments for cancer and rare diseases and he talks about the real progress that has been made to that end. But for him, the science is merely his path toward doxology, the praise of God, and in this way, his work becomes a kind of hymn of praise.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

BONUS | Welcome Back Jim Feb 16, 2023

We welcome back host Jim Stump after having been away for several months. We hear about where he's been, what he's seen, and what will become of his wanderings and wonderings.

101. Jemar Tisby | Splendiferous Wondrous Differences Feb 09, 2023

Every human bears the image of God and in God’s good future there will be a great diversity of people from all nations and tribes. But we don’t always live as if that were the case. Jemar Tisby joins us to talk about the church’s complicity in racism and what we can do about it. Jemar Tisby is the author of The Color of Compromise, a New York Times bestseller, and How to Fight Racism, as well as the recently published How to Fight Racism Young Reader’s Edition. He’s also the co-founder of The Witness: a Black Christian Collective and co-host of the podcast Pass the Mic.

Extras:

The Witness
The Witness Foundation

This episode originally aired on January 13, 2022.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

135. David Anderson | Comprehension Begins with Conversation Feb 02, 2023

Each February, on the podcast, we make a point of increasing our comprehension about issues of race in America from within the BioLogos mission of exploring God’s word and God’s world. As Dr. David Anderson points out, conversation is an important step toward comprehension. Dr. Anderson tells his own story of how he came to be a pastor of a large multi-cultural church and bridge builder, and how he has integrated science and scientists into that work.

Dr. David Anderson's books
Praying for Scientists video

Music in this episode by Joseph McDade.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

134. Mónica Guzmán | The Gift of Curiosity Jan 26, 2023

In a world of increasing division, Mónica Guzmán offers advice for approaching conversation with curiosity. When we attempt to understand those who we disagree with, instead of merely attempting to change their beliefs, we are able to see people more fully and to even learn more about our own beliefs and ideas.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

Donate to BioLogos

BONUS | God in the Noticing Dec 22, 2022

A reflection on dragonflies, neurobiology, attention and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Support BioLogos

Music in the episode is byBrian Mulder. (Spotify)

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

133. A Wrinkle Occurred | The Nature of Science with Larry Molnar Dec 15, 2022

Larry Molnar spent years with his astronomy students studying a contact binary star system. Their observations and data eventually led them to make the claim that the stars were headed toward an explosion called a luminous red nova, a major discovery. The story of these stars and of the scientists who study them highlight the ways that science leads to knowledge about the world, and not always in straightforward ways.

Support BioLogos

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

132. Neuroscience, Mental Health & the Church Dec 08, 2022

The church has had a complicated relationship with mental health. Research shows that 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness in a given year and yet 66% of pastors talk about mental health in sermons only once a year or less. In the episode we break down what exactly mental illness and mental health are, what is happening in the brain, and how the church can respond in ways that help us all to be healthier individuals and begin to build a more understanding, empathetic and healthy community.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Tiny Music, Lift Music, Magnetize Music, Sirus Music, Pink Marble and Vesper Tapes, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Find Resources on Mental Health

Support BioLogos

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

17. John Walton | More Than History Dec 01, 2022

Biblical interpretation is all about asking questions—How did Ancient Israel understand the book of Genesis? How much context do we, as modern readers, need to discover the intended meaning of the text? Does the text hold the answers to the questions we are asking? Jim and guest host Rebecca McLaughlin discuss these thorny questions with biblical scholar John Walton and explore the answers his work offers them.

This episode was originally aired on September 19, 2019

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131. Katey Walter Anthony | Science, Faith & Thermokarst Lakes Nov 17, 2022

Katey Walter Anthony has done much of her research deep in the arctic, studying the methane bubbles that are released in thawed permafrost lakes. What she has learned helps us to better understand the complexity of earth’s climate and how it might change in the future. But alongside the exciting story of her scientific journey is a story about how she has come to understand God’s place in it all.

Support BioLogos

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

58. Humility | How to Hold Knowledge Nov 10, 2022

Both science and the Christian faith share a commitment to humility. Each also provides us with a perspective of the world which we believe to be true. How then do we hold onto these things we believe to be true and be open to the fact that we can’t know everything? In this episode we explore that tension, looking into the deeper meaning of humility in the realms of both science and faith.

Thanks to our guests in exploring these ideas: psychologist, Charlotte vanOyen-Witvliet; theologian and poet, Padraig Ó Tuama; biologist, Steve Roels; and evolutionary biologist, Sarah Bodbyl Roels.

This episode originally aired on October 8, 2020.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

130. Charles Foster | Inhabit the World Nov 03, 2022

Charles Foster has spent a lot of time trying to deeply understand what it is like to be other than himself. It has led him to explore and emulate the life of badgers, foxes, and swifts as well as the lives of Paleolithic hunter-gatherers. In doing so he hopes to better understand all the people in his world and ultimately himself. He talks about his journey from a curious and wandering child to who he is today, including the place of religion and the place of science, both of which have the opportunity of enriching our view of the world and allowing to see into the other, but which also have the possibility of limiting our openness to inhabit otherness and therefore hinder our ability to better understand God.

Support BioLogos

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

129. Walking with Andy Gosler | Wolfson Meadow Oct 27, 2022

Andy Gosler is an ethno-ornithologist, studying the relationships between people and birds. We talk about what that means and the importance of knowing the names of the living creatures around us, as we walk through an ancient hay meadow on a gray day in Oxfordshire, UK.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

128. Lizzie Henderson | Different Kinds of I Don’t Know Oct 20, 2022

Kids ask a lot of questions. When those questions come to hard topics about science and faith it can be tempting to dismiss them or brush them off or to think they are too young to engage with the questions. But often this shows children that their questions are not welcome and that their curiosity is dangerous. Lizzie Henderson and Faith Stults both work on developing resources for children to engage in the science and faith conversation and they sit down to talk about ways to encourage questions and creativity so that children can grow up with the tools to explore hard concepts without fear and without the thought that they must choose between faith and science.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

127. Walking with Stan Rosenberg | Parks Road, Oxford Oct 13, 2022

We’re trying a new segment on the podcast where we walk with someone, letting the place inspire the conversation. Today we take a walk with historian Stan Rosenberg and talk about the history of science and faith, inspired by some of the buildings built in the 19th century at the University of Oxford that show the often blurry lines between the sacred and the secular. Then, the conversation moves back all the way to the 4th and 5th century with a discussion about science and faith in the mind and the times at Saint Augustine.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

126. Ard Louis | Symmetry, Function & Predictability Sep 29, 2022

There are many biological structures in our bodies, things like proteins, DNA and RNA, and they do amazing things. How these structures came to self-assemble is somewhat of a mystery, but Ard Louis has been studying just that question and his works has shown that qualities like symmetry and function tend to show up quite a lot, more than a purely random process might predict. Ard helps us understand what this means for science and then discusses what it might mean for theology, while being careful to realize that our value does not come from describing our origins but from our being made and loved by God.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

125. Diving Deep Into Science and Religion | Live from the UK Sep 22, 2022

For the past three years, the Faraday Institute and Theos have undergone a large-scale research project to find out how people in the UK understand and think about science and religion. They found that the conversation is much deeper and much more interesting than is often portrayed. Nick Spencer, one of the co-authors of the report and Bethany Sollereder, a theologian and one of the interviewees from the report discuss the findings and how to move into the deep end of the science and religion conversation.

Read the Report here.
Learn more about Theos and The Faraday Institute.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

60. David Lahti | Nature, Culture & Evolution Sep 08, 2022

David grew up exploring the natural places where there were few people. But his love for nature led him back to people and to a deep desire to understand why we have the ideas that we have about the world. His training in both philosophy and biology has given him an ability to explore these questions from many different angles. In the episode, David tells of his circuitous journey, from childhood to his current career, and how his scientific view of the world and his spiritual view of the world were developed in a way that made them inseparable. Then Jim and David talk about cultural evolution and how the ideas interplay with the current landscape of faith and science in the United States.

This episode originally aired on

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124. Deb Haarsma | James Webb Space Telescope Aug 25, 2022

Deb Haarsma visits the studio to talk to Jim about the James Webb Space Telescope and some of the first images that it has sent back to earth.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

123. Denis Alexander | God’s Good Created Order Aug 18, 2022

Denis Alexander has been writing about science and religion for over 40 years. That work eventually led him to found the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, based in Cambridge, United Kingdom. He tells of his scientific career and his faith upbringing, which brings to light some differences in the relationship between science and religion in the United Kingdom and the United States. He also discusses the topic of scientific determinism which has been the focus of some of his more recent work and ends with some advice to young Christians pursuing a career in the sciences.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

Read Stump's Travel Log to keep up with Jim's adventures during his sabbatical.

77. Bill Newsome | Neuroscience, Faith & Free Will Aug 04, 2022

In this conversation with acclaimed Stanford neuroscientist Dr. Bill Newsome, we hear about his journey to becoming a neuroscientist, how hundreds of millions of neurons enable the fantastic emergence of a unified visual world, and how free will might operate in relation to the seemingly infinite causal chains which bring us all to this moment. Along the way, Dr. Newsome shares his own experiences with science and faith and why biological explanations should not be seen as weapons beating back the claims of Christianity.

This episode originally aired on May 27, 2021

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

41. Water | Exploring Spiritual & Scientific Depths Jul 21, 2022

Water is mysterious. It is cleansing, it is dangerous, and it is life-giving. In our everyday life we can tend to overlook just how fascinating and important water is. Water is interesting both scientifically and biblically, so it’s only fitting that we explore it. And in this episode we do just that. Because this is a complex topic, we asked several experts to join us in this episode. You’ll hear from Kent Frens, Jenni Brandon, Sandra Postel, and Ben McFarland who each talk about water through their areas of expertise.

Here’s some fun Ocean Facts

Check out Applied Ocean Sciences

This episode originally aired on April 23, 2020

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

122. Simon Conway Morris | Complete Imponderables Jul 14, 2022

The science of evolution in general has been solidified for a long time now, but there are still plenty of new discoveries and implications being drawn out of the specific details of how our world evolved. Among the scientists doing fascinating work in these areas is Simon Conway Morris, who has become relatively famous both in and outside the professional scientific community for his work on fossils from the Burgess Shale, the Cambrian Explosion, and convergent evolution. Morris’ new book, From Extraterrestrials to Animal Minds: Six Myths of Evolution, draws from a number of these areas to make its claims. In this episode, we chat about the book, some of the well-established tenets of convergent evolution, and even some more controversial hypotheses on human uniqueness among animals and extraterrestrial intelligent life. While not all scientists agree with the conclusions Morris comes to, our conversation still brings clarity to the obscure limits of science and what these limits mean for us as Christians.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

121. J. Todd Billings | Good Servant, Tyrannical Master Jul 07, 2022

Medicine is an amazing gift from God. But there are limits to what medicine can do, and when we forget those limits, we forget that God is acting both when bodies are healed and when bodies deteriorate. Todd Billings shares his depth of thought on healing, medicine and chronic disease, which is informed by his own experiences with cancer.

Music in this episode by Joseph McDade.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

120. Creation Groans | Hope on the Other Side Jun 30, 2022

How should we respond to a problem that seems unsolvable? This is the question we ask in a series about the environmental crisis as we explore the fine line between hope and despair. After having delved into the hard reality of the environmental crisis for the previous two episodes, we spend this episode with our focus on hope. We explore what exactly hope is, how it relates to optimism, and how, when we find hope, we might also find repentance, forgiveness, joy, and love.

This is the last of three episodes in the Creation Groans series.

Check out the list of related resources from this series here.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

119. Creation Groans | Into the Darkness Jun 23, 2022

How should we respond to a problem that seems unsolvable? This is the question we ask in a series about the environmental crisis as we explore the fine line between hope and despair. In this episode we allow ourselves to fully contemplate the woundedness of the planet and we reach into the Christian practice of lament as a way to find hope in the midst of the suffering we see around us. The episode ends with a guided lament liturgy.

This is the second of three episodes in the Creation Groans series.

Check out the list of related resources from this series here.

Liturgy music is by Brian Mulder. (Spotify)

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

118. Creation Groans | World of Wounds Jun 16, 2022

How should we respond to a problem that seems unsolvable? This is the question we ask in a series about the environmental crisis as we explore the fine line between hope and despair. In this episode we explore some of the wounds to the planet that often go unseen and we realize that the path to hope begins with the acknowledgement that the wounds are deep and troubling.

This is the first of three episodes in the Creation Groans series.

Check out the list of related resources from this series here.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

117. Jeff Hardin | Science & Wonder Jun 09, 2022

Ever since he was a kid, Jeff Hardin has been fascinated by the natural world. His long standing avenue for connecting with creation has been science, whether old nature documentary series like Wild Kingdom or exploring the early development of nematode worms in his lab in Wisconsin. Jeff's work as a scientist, exploring the intricate details of life’s origin, has only enriched his wonder toward the God who created it all, an awe which feeds back into his teaching and research.

Find out more about Jeff’s lab’s research on the website.

Read Jeff’s article on cloning and genome editing.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

116. Susan Wise Bauer | Homeschooling, History, and the Foundation of Science Jun 02, 2022

Traditional homeschooling and hybrid models have seen a huge uptick in the last couple of years, and, unsurprisingly, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a huge driver of this migration. But the virus and various school and government responses to it are not the only factor causing parents to consider alternative education options. Contentious discussions of which histories and sciences are taught in the classroom continue to cause worry for parents all over the political spectrum.

Our guest today is historian and educator Susan Wise Bauer. A respected and well known name in the homeschooling world, Susan has spent much of her career developing reliable resources and curricula for homeschoolers. She walks us through her own experiences with, emerging trends in, and the biggest issues facing the homeschooling world today. A Christian, Susan also reflects on the reciprocal relationship between devout theistic faith and careful science.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

Check out the BioLogos faith & science curriculum, Integrate, here.

Find out more about The Well Trained Mind on their website.

115. Willie James Jennings | Hollow Places, Hallowed Places May 19, 2022

When faced with something completely new, how will our theology help us to respond? Willie James Jennings helps us to look back into history at a time when colonialist settlers came into contact with new land and new people and found in their theology a justification to bring order to the world they found. Our theology today is built upon the idea that the hollow places of the earth are filled with treasures for our taking, rather than the idea that the earth is a hallowed place that glorifies God in all its treasures.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

114. Jonathan Moo | Revelation and Radical Faithfulness May 12, 2022

Reading the news these days can make it seem like the world is coming to an end. And reading scientific journals, especially regarding climate, biodiversity loss and other environmental issues, can give a similar feeling. Jonathan Moo is a professor of New Testament and environmental studies and he helps break down how Christians might respond to the bleak picture that is sometimes painted of the world. He helps us to look specifically to the biblical account of end times to understand how to put this in perspective with our own times. We find not only darkness in a conversation about apocalypse but hope and the need for a more radical faithfulness.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

113. Loren Haarsma | Four Approaches to Original Sin May 05, 2022

There are a range of ways that people have thought about original sin, Adam and Eve, and the spread of sin throughout the world. Scientific knowledge, including the science of human evolution has contributed to that conversation but science has not identified a correct position. Loren Haarsma lays out several different approaches in his book When Did Sin Begin and talks with us in the episode about those approaches and the benefits and theological challenges of each approach.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

BONUS | Francis Collins and Phil Vischer Apr 28, 2022

Francis Collins and Phil Vischer sit down to talk about science and faith and the new BioLogos Integrate curriculum.

Learn more about BioLogos Integrate.

Watch the promo video for Integrate.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

112. Bill McKibben | No License to Give Up Apr 21, 2022

With his 1989 book The End of Nature, climate activist Bill McKibben launched the contemporary movement against climate change. In the several decades since its publication, he has continued informing the public about the status of our climate and advocating for necessary mitigation measures. McKibben is also a Christian who sees his activism as a natural result of his ardent faith. In this episode, he discusses how we got to our current situation, including why he thinks many Christians have historically avoided or actively opposed their Biblical mandate to be stewards of the Earth, as well as why the Christian Church may be the only institution with the power to effectively confront the dominant culture of apathy on this issue. These discussions inevitably confront political commitments, yet McKibben makes a strong case that our Christian responsibilities take precedence over political affiliations.

Learn more about Third Act on their website

Check out Bill McKibben’s books here

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

111. N.T. Wright | The Point of Resurrection Apr 14, 2022

For an episode released during Holy Week, it seemed appropriate to have a conversation with the theologian who has written what many consider to be the seminal work on Jesus’ resurrection, The Resurrection of the Son of God. N.T. Wright is a New Testament scholar of high regard and we talk to him about the resurrection: this miraculous, earth shattering event which changed the course of history. We also hear a bit about how he came to be a theologian and writer who has split his time between academia and ministry.

Find N.T. Wrights free ebook, Preaching the Cross in Dark Times here.

The music in this episode is by Joseph McDade

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

55. Tim Mackie | What is the Bible? Apr 07, 2022

In this episode, Jim Stump is joined by Tim Mackie, one of the founders of BibleProject. Tim’s transformation from West Coast skateboarder, to Bible student, to video producer may seem surprising, but his unorthodox journey to faith has given him a unique perspective and passion for the Bible. Tim discusses the history of the Bible, explores the context in which it was written, and demonstrates what it looks like to bring the Bible into relevance for people today.

Tim Mackie is a writer and creative director for BibleProject, an animation studio that produces videos to help make the story of the Bible accessible to everyone. He has ahis Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

BibleProject YouTube Channel
BibleProject Website

This episode was originally aired on September 17th, 2020.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

110. Makoto Fujimura | Creating Beauty from Brokenness Mar 31, 2022

Makoto Fujimura is a world-renowned artist often counted among the preeminent figures in the “slow art” movement. Yet Fujimura also has a deep connection to the sciences: he double majored in animal behavior and art during his undergraduate degree at Bucknell University and his father Osamu Fujimura was an influential speech scientist. In this live episode recorded at the 2022 BioLogos Faith & Science Conference, Fujimura reminisces on the roles of art, faith, and science in his childhood; discusses the relationship between these practices today; and presents his vision on how caring for culture can help revive our sense of enchantment with the world by bringing together disparate ways of knowing God’s world.

Images from the live recording are available at our website.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

109. Tish Harrison Warren | God Is A Bad Fairy Godmother Mar 17, 2022

The problem of evil has confounded people of faith as far back as Job. And the knowledge of the world that has been brought about by science has not made it any easier to answer the question of why a good and powerful God would let bad things happen. Tish Harrison Warren confronts the problem of evil in her book, Prayer in the Night. In the book she asks the question, how can we trust God at all when we can’t trust that God will keep bad things from happening to us? In the episode, we talk about how praying the compline prayer helped her to find an answer to that question and we talk about what prayer is and what it does. We also discuss COVID 19, broaching the topic of returning to in-person church, which she has written about in some recent newsletters in the New York Times.

Original music in this episode is from Carp.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

108. Debra Rienstra | The Discipline of Hope Mar 10, 2022

Our best scientific models make it clear that society needs a big change at a global scale in order to limit irreversible damage—what good can individual actions and attitudes do in the face of this immense problem? Today’s guest, Debra Rienstra, argues that the right relationship with the Earth can actually make all the difference and that new worlds of hope are built in hidden refuges amidst the surrounding devastation. Genuine lament and grief help reorient us toward the beauty and majesty of creation. Only once this groundwork has been laid can we truly repent for what we have done—and begin the work of hope for a better future.

Learn more about Debra’s new book

Read April Maskiewicz Cordero’s article on climate conversations

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

107. Leslie Wickman | Bring on the Multiverse Mar 03, 2022

Leslie Wickman first witnessed the expanse and majesty of creation through a telescope as a young child on one of those rare cloudless nights in the Pacific Northwest. She never could have guessed that it would lead her to working on parts of the Hubble telescope, training in space simulations and becoming designated as a corporate astronaut. In the episode, Leslie talks about her path through her many scientific endeavors and the development of her understanding of faith in relation to that science. We discuss the new Webb telescope, the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe, the multiverse, and the significance of fine-tuning as a pointer to God.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

67. Esau McCaulley | Justice & the Bible Feb 24, 2022

A common refrain at BioLogos is “you don’t have to choose,” and usually it is in the context of the Bible and science. Esau McCaulley, assistant professor of New Testament at Wheaton College, was presented with a different choice, one between the Bible and racial justice. But this too is a false dichotomy.

The Bible is a good place to turn in times of confusion or questioning, but whether it is science or issues of injustice, it is important that a reading of the Bible be informed by the perspectives of other people and other cultures. McCaulley’s book, Reading While Black lays out the case for a Black Ecclesial interpretive tradition. He shows how asking questions of the text that grow out of the reality of being Black in America, helps to give us a fuller perspective on what the Bible has to say about things like race, governing authorities, and justice.

This episode was originally aired on Feb 4, 2021.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

106. Joseph Graves | Race, Racism, and the Church Feb 17, 2022

In Dr. Joseph Graves’ recent book, Racism, Not Race: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions, he and his co-author build a case that our concept of biological races was brought about because of the racism that was a part of the fabric of our lives, not the other way around, as is often assumed. In a previous series of episodes, Dr Graves helped us to understand the nuances of why race is not a biological concept. In this episode, we build on that, talking about institutional racism, the myth that athletic ability is tied to race, and the church’s inaction, so far, on following the call to love our neighbors and enact justice.

Listen to episodes 48 and 49 of Language of God to hear Joseph Graves on the genetics of race.

Find books mentioned in this episode:

Race, not Racism by Joseph Graves and Alan Goodman
Becoming an Anti Racist Church by Joseph Barndt
New Jim Crow by MIchelle Alexander
White Too Long by Robert Jones

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

105. Bishop Claude Alexander | What the Lord Requires Feb 10, 2022

On his return to the podcast, Bishop Claude Alexander talks with Jim about his new book, Required: God’s Call to Justice, Mercy, and Humility to Overcome Racial Division. Co-authored by Bishop Claude and Mac Pierre, the book explores what the Bible calls us to do in the face of racial injustice. While Protestantism often prefers to emphasize the importance of grace in being saved rather than works, the authors make a strong, Biblically centered case for how we as Christians should love our broken world.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

104. Regina McCurdy | Teaching Teachers to Teach Science Feb 03, 2022

Regina McCurdy loved science as a child and also took her faith really seriously, which eventually led to a conflict. But when she was eventually told by a pastor that she didn’t have to choose between science and faith, her world opened up. Now she spends her days teaching teachers how to teach science. In the episode we hear her story and then talk about some different aspects of science teaching including the importance of bringing empathy into the classroom and the role race and ethnicity plays in the science classroom.

Read Regina's story on the BioLogos website here

Learn about Integrate Science and Faith Curriculum

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

103. Reconciling Evolution | Part Two Jan 27, 2022

Though the theory of evolution has revolutionized the biological sciences, bringing the theory into the classroom still causes some fear and trembling—from teachers, students, parents. Last fall we spent some time with a group of people who have been researching how to teach evolution better, in a way that acknowledges the emotional and religious tensions that comes into the classroom and attempts to help students understand the science of evolution while retaining—even bolstering—their faith. In this episode we hear from some of the people putting this work into practice and we hear a few stories of the hardships that are faced when evolution comes to the classroom.

Learn more about the Reconciling Evolution Research Group

Science and the Bible series by Ted Davis

Learn more about Integrate Curriculum

The music in this episode is by Joseph McDade

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

102. Reconciling Evolution | Part One Jan 20, 2022

Though the theory of evolution has revolutionized the biological sciences, bringing the theory into the classroom still causes some fear and trembling—from teachers, students, parents. Last fall we spent some time with a group of people who have been researching how to teach evolution better, in a way that acknowledges the emotional and religious tensions that comes into the classroom and attempts to help students understand the science of evolution while retaining—even bolstering—their faith. In this episode we talk about the history of teaching evolution and introduce some of the research from the team.

Learn more about the Reconciling Evolution Research Group

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

101. Jemar Tisby | Splendiferous Wondrous Differences Jan 13, 2022

Every human bears the image of God, and in God’s good future there will be a great diversity of people from all nations and tribes. But we don’t always live as if that were the case. Dr. Jemar Tisby joins us to talk about the church’s complicity in racism and what we can do about it. Jemar Tisby is the author of The Color of Compromise, a New York Times bestseller, and How to Fight Racism, as well as the recently published How to Fight Racism Young Reader’s Edition. He’s also the co-founder of The Witness: a Black Christian Collective and co-host of the podcast, Pass the Mic.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

100. May Hope Abound Dec 16, 2021

N.T. Wright, Francis Collins, John Walton, Deb Haarsma, Julia Wattacheril, Charlotte vanOyen-Witvliet, and Curtis Chang come back to the podcast to share their wisdom about hope.

Jim Stump's article on hope
Deb Haarsma's article on hope
Arthur Brooks Atlantic article on Hope and Optimism
N.T. Wright and Francis Collins sing 'New World Has Been Born' (video)
Christians and the Vaccine

99. Heino Falcke | The Hidden World Above Dec 09, 2021

From stargazing as a child to helping lead the team which took the first ever image of a black hole, Heino Falcke has only seen his faith and his work as an astronomer as deeply connected. In this episode we talk about his new book, Light in the Darkness: Black Holes, the Universe and Us, where Falcke shares more about what creating the image actually consisted of, and some wisdom he picked up along the way. New discoveries will always challenge and redefine our old frameworks of thought, but Falcke shows us that this change is not fundamental, that it is a humbling reminder that our finite knowledge of the infinite God is always partial. Heino Falcke and his team’s image of the black hole at the center of galaxy M87 reminds us of a message from Paul—that we now see through a glass, darkly; then, face to face.

See the picture of the black hole here

Check out Heino Falcke’s new book

Find out more about Heino on his website

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

98. Phil Vischer | Being Evangelical Dec 02, 2021

His characters on VeggieTales are arguably among the most recognizable voices in the evangelical world. As a co-creator and writer on the show, many of us came to know Phil Vischer primarily through his wacky characters. More recently, however, Phil has taken on a new role in the evangelical community as a thoughtful voice and host of the Holy Post Podcast. Phil has not been afraid to breach controversial subjects, and as a result has been subject to some controversy himself. Yet Phil’s dedication to a truth-seeking and faith centered evangelicalism is an inspiring, and perhaps challenging, model for us all.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

50. Shauna Niequist | Let’s Sit Here A Little Longer Nov 25, 2021

For Thanksgiving, we’re bringing you an episode about food. Shauna Niequist is a popular author, speaker, and podcaster and we talked about her book called Bread and Wine. Shauna uses food as a gateway into larger, more existential questions about life, what it means to be human, and the nature of our faith.

This episode originally aired on July 2, 2020.

Original music in this episode is from Carp.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

97. John Inazu | Sharing Transcendence Nov 18, 2021

We live in a world of many different ideas and beliefs and that can make it hard to be in relationships when we disagree about the things we hold most dear. John Inazu thinks there’s a way to live in this world of difference while still being confident and committed to our own beliefs, especially our religious beliefs. He calls this confident pluralism and wrote a book with the same title. In the episode we talk about what that means and how to apply it in the messiness of real life.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

96. Kyle Van Houtan | Knowledge of the Universe Nov 11, 2021

Our guest today, Kyle Van Houtan, has always had a curious mind. From growing up in a military family hopping around coastlines to splitting time between his biology PhD and theology classes while at Duke, Kyle has always been driven to see his faith in light of science and his science in light of faith. As a Christian who is also a scientist, his understanding of the immensity and urgency of climate change demands he understand his call to be a steward of the earth as one to fight against climate disaster; as a scientist who is also a Christian, he feels compelled to foster the Christian virtue of hope in spite of these grim realities.

Learn about the Loggerhead Marinelife Center

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

95. Bethany Sollereder | Choose Your Own Adventure Nov 04, 2021

Many have tried to understand why there is suffering in the world. Bethany Sollereder has been working on this topic for many years, and though she hasn’t come up with a perfect answer, her new book, Why is There Suffering?: Pick Your Own Theological Expedition, does provide a new way of contemplating this perennial question. The book allows readers to make their own choices, to see how theological decisions might bring a person to a certain set of beliefs about why there is suffering and how to deal with it. In the second half of the episode, Bethany has a chance to choose her own adventure through the conversation.

Lost in a World of Maps (article)

Why is there Suffering? (book)

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

94. Milmer Martinez Vergara | Our Invisible Community Oct 28, 2021

Milmer Martinez Vergara grew up in Colombia and never saw a distinction between science, care for the environment and the faith that was instilled from a young age. His love for science and the ocean brought him on a wild journey from mangrove swamps, to the National Aquarium in Cuba to the oceanside cliffs of California, eventually leading him to a job at Plant with Purpose. In the episode, he talks about his journey and his work with communities in Latin America and the Caribbean, where science can come alongside the needs of the people and together they can find solutions that allow both people and the environment to flourish.

We recorded this interview in person during the BioLogos Creation Care Summit. Several of the speakers from the summit have been on the podcast before and we’ve had many other great podcast guests talking about creation care. You can find all creation care themed episodes here.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

12. Rick Potts | A Long Becoming Oct 21, 2021

Rick Potts has always had an interest in origins. As a kid, exploring the origins of musical instruments and the solar system fascinated him. In high school he stumbled upon the study of human origins; he has not stopped investigating since. Dr. Potts tells Jim stories of excavations in China and southern Kenya and of people encountering the exhibit on Human Origins around the US. Reverberating throughout their conversation is the question, ‘What does it mean to be human?’

Find out more about the Hall of Human Origins on theSmithsonian website.

This episode originally aired on May 30, 2019

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

93. Christy Hemphill | A Cockatoo Among Kittens Oct 14, 2021

For those of us who have worked at BioLogos or spent any time on our forum, the name Christy Hemphill is quite familiar. As a collaborator on the BioLogos school curriculum project, INTEGRATE, and a long-time moderator on the forum, her work has been a blessing in our community. We realized, however, that still far too few of us have heard the poignant insight and testimony she brings to her work with us. On today’s episode, Christy shares with us her experience as a Bible translator working in a remote community in Mexico, the important work she has done with us on INTEGRATE and the Forum, and how her experience homeschooling her kids has helped her navigate faith with her children.

Watch the viral video of a cockatoo meowing to kittens.

Read Christy's recommendations for how to approach the difficult subject of origins from a gracious perspective.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

92. Sy Garte | Beginning to Wonder Oct 07, 2021

Sy Garte didn’t have the kind of upbringing that would typically lead one to preaching sermons. His parents were members of the communist party, materialists, and atheists. But as he started studying science he found some things that started him wondering about this idea that science can answer every question. His wondering opened the doorway, and he walked through, eventually encountering Jesus Christ and finding that his study and practice of science could go hand in hand with being a follower of Christ.

Sy Garte's Youtube Channel

Sy Garte's Website

Sy Garte's Book

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

91. Jason Fileta | Faith, Justice, Climate Sep 30, 2021

Jason Fileta didn’t start out as an environmental activist. His first passion was to alleviate the suffering of the poor and hungry. As he met and heard the stories from those struggling with poverty and hunger he often asked them the question: if we could get a million Christians in North America to raise their voices on an issue that impacts your community, what would it be? He was surprised when a farmer in Uganda said climate change. But then he started to hear story after story of how climate change has made the lives of people harder, and this has led Jason to understand the deep connection between our caring for the planet and the lives of the poor and hungry around the world.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

90. Katharine Hayhoe | Every Reason to Care Sep 23, 2021

A new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that the climate emergency has reached a “code red”. New research also shows that over 50% of Americans agree that climate change is happening and demands urgent action. So why does it seem like so little is being done? Internationally renowned climate scientist, professor and author Katharine Hayhoe returns to the show and tells us what keeps her hopeful despite the dire situation we find ourselves in. She also tells us about her forthcoming book, Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World, which expands on why she’s hopeful. Katharine is also an ardent Christian and she shares with Jim the biblical foundation for climate action.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

89. Richard Middleton | Interpreting Biblical Genealogies Sep 16, 2021

At first glance, biblical genealogies appear to straightforward family trees, the kinds we see on ancestry.com that map out the precise relationships between parents and offspring, tracing back as far as we can go. But is that how the genealogies in the Bible are supposed to be read? It turns out there’s a lot more going on in the genealogies than just that straightforward accounting. Bible scholar, Richard Middleton, shares with us some of the historical context that helps us to see the genealogies as another part of the story of God’s creation.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

88. Nicanor Austriaco | See Beyond the Molecules Sep 09, 2021

Throughout the pandemic, COVID-19 related news and public thought has often centered around the countries we reside in. Our guest today, Father Nicanor Austriaco, invites us to peer beyond our own situations to see how the rest of the world is dealing with the disease. Father Nicanor shares with Jim how his home country, the Philippines, is handling the tumultuous time as well as what it’s like to be both a Catholic priest and a molecular biologist during a pandemic.

Learn more about Father Nicanor's project on St. Thomas Aquinas and evolution here.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

87. Uniquely Unique | Image of God Aug 26, 2021

As the series comes to a close, Jim and Colin take stock of one more distinguishing feature of humans—the image of God. While the previous episodes in the series question if humans are uniquely unique from other species from the ground up, this episode changes perspectives to approach an answer from the Heavens down. As usual, they bring in a range of experts from a variety of fields to weigh in on what it means to be made in the image of God. They come to some significant conclusions, including a warning against idolizing human rationality, but also point out where this quest may continue.

In this new Language of God mini series—Uniquely Unique—Jim is joined by our producer Colin for a deep dive into these questions and more. The quest? To try to come to a better understanding of what it means to be human, to bear the image of God. Along the way, you’ll hear from a variety of experts from a wide range of disciplines, drawing on biology, history, anthropology, philosophy, theology and more to try to make sense of our human identity.

Check our new animated video series including a video exploring what it means to be human.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

86. Uniquely Unique | Our Sad History Aug 19, 2021

In the long history of searching for what makes humans special we have repeatedly caused great harm to our neighbors, both human and non-human. In fact, it seems that one of the things that makes our species unique is our ability to cause such destruction. The search for human uniqueness can lead to a kind of thinking that devalues everything non-human. When ‘human’ is defined too narrowly, that can leave some humans out. In the first part of this episode we look at how ideas of race have caused us to treat a large portion of our population as less than human. Then we look at how human-centric thinking has had a detrimental effect on our planet.

In this new Language of God mini series—Uniquely Unique—Jim is joined by our producer Colin for a deep dive into these questions and more. The quest? To try to come to a better understanding of what it means to be human, to bear the image of God. Along the way, you’ll hear from a variety of experts from a wide range of disciplines, drawing on biology, history, anthropology, philosophy, theology and more to try to make sense of our human identity.

Check our new animated video series including a video exploring what it means to be human.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

85. Uniquely Unique | Technology Aug 12, 2021

Maybe you’ve noticed that we humans are the only creatures making podcasts. That’s at least partially because we’re the only creatures that have developed the tools to make it happen—microphones and compressors, computers and word processors. But technology encompasses a lot more than just machines with microchips. In this episode we explore our use of technology starting with the simplest tools up to the recent advances in artificial intelligence to see what role it has had in our development and in our identity as a member of the human species.

In this new Language of God mini series—Uniquely Unique—Jim is joined by our producer Colin for a deep dive into these questions and more. The quest? To try to come to a better understanding of what it means to be human, to bear the image of God. Along the way, you’ll hear from a variety of experts from a wide range of disciplines, drawing on biology, history, anthropology, philosophy, theology and more to try to make sense of our human identity.

The quote from Rosalind Picard was from episode 65: Rosalind Picard | Flourishing in the Age of Computers
The quote from Amy Crouch was from episode 70: Amy & Andy Crouch | Finding the Off Switch

Check our new animated video series including a video exploring what it means to be human.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

84. Uniquely Unique | Morality, Language, Culture Aug 05, 2021

Humans and animals have a lot in common, especially when you look only to biology. When you start looking at things like morality, language, and culture, you start to see that our species is quite an outlier. But to what extent do we see the building blocks of morality in other animals? And what is different about the way we communicate from the way so many other creatures communicate? And what is so special about the culture we have developed? Those are the questions we explore with our guests.

In this new Language of God mini series—Uniquely Unique—Jim is joined by our producer Colin for a deep dive into these questions and more. The quest? To try to come to a better understanding of what it means to be human, to bear the image of God. Along the way, you’ll hear from a variety of experts from a wide range of disciplines, drawing on biology, history, anthropology, philosophy, theology and more to try to make sense of our human identity.

Check our new animated video series including a video exploring what it means to be human.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

83. Uniquely Unique | Biology Jul 29, 2021

When looking for the thing that makes humans unique on this planet, looking at our biology is an obvious first step. In this episode four experts—an anatomist, a geneticist, a paleo-anthropologist and a neuroscientist—help us look for something about us, in our bodies, cells, or brains, that make us what we are. In the search we end up finding as much continuity with the animal world as we find uniqueness.

In this new Language of God mini series — Uniquely Unique — Jim is joined by our producer Colin for a deep dive into these questions and more. The quest? To try to come to a better understanding of what it means to be human, to bear the image of God. Along the way, you’ll hear from a variety of experts from a wide range of disciplines, drawing on biology, history, anthropology, philosophy, theology and more to try to make sense of our human identity.

Check our new animated video series including a video exploring what it means to be human.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

82. Uniquely Unique | What Does It Mean To Be Human? Jul 22, 2021

Humans share 98.6 of their DNA with chimpanzees. Other animals also have the capacity for language, technology, and possibly even morality. And our own bodies consist of more non-human cells than human cells. These similarities invite us to wonder, are humans really all that different from other species? Are we just one species among many or are the things which distinguish us from other species differences of another order? In other words, are we uniquely unique?

In this new Language of God mini series—Uniquely Unique—Jim Stump is joined by our producer Colin for a deep dive into these questions and more. The quest? To try to come to a better understanding of what it means to be human, to bear the image of God. Along the way, you’ll hear from a variety of experts from a wide range of disciplines, drawing on biology, history, anthropology, philosophy, theology and more to try to make sense of our human identity.

Check our new animated video series including a video exploring what it means to be human.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

81. Jane Goodall and Francis Collins | Being Human Jul 15, 2021

Jane Goodall’s name has become almost synonymous with the study of and care for chimpanzees over the course of her work which now spans 6 decades. Jane is also this year’s winner of the Templeton Prize, an honor she shares with people like Mother Teresa, Desmond Tutu, Billy Graham, the Dalai Lama, and Francis Collins. She is also the founder of several initiatives, TACARE and Roots & Shoots, aimed at helping developing communities and young people build sustainable communities in 68 countries. Jane joins Francis and our host Jim to talk about her life’s work, the importance of hope in conservation, and the spiritual side of human existence. Jane and Francis may use different language to speak about their spirituality, but throughout their friendship they have found they share a lot of views about the greater significance of all life on earth and their roles in protecting and promoting the flourishing of that life.

Learn more about the Jane Goodall Institute at their website.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

80. Dennis Venema & Michael Peterson | Intellect in the Service of Christ Jul 08, 2021

Before we can understand the interactions of science, religion, philosophy we must first know what each is. In their new book, Biology, Religion and Philosophy: An Introduction, our guests Dennis Venema—an evolutionary biologist—and Michael Peterson—a philosopher—work to define these disciplines before diving into the ways in which they inform each other, support each other, and ultimately help us to understand the world we live in and to better know God, the creator and sustainer of all things.

You can buy Michael and Dennis's new book here.

Read Evolution Basics articles by Dennis Venema on our website.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

79. Justin Barrett | A Psychology of Human Thriving Jul 01, 2021

Throughout his journey as a Christian and a psychologist, Justin Barrett has often lamented the widespread separation between his faith and his work. As a result, much of his recent work is aimed at bringing the two together so that each can enrich the other. He is now founder and president of Blueprint 1543, a new organization aimed at integrating faith with the human sciences. Justin joins Jim to discuss Blueprint 1543 and what it means to be human in light of the truths of Christian faith and evolutionary psychology.

Check out Justin’s new book, Thriving With Stone Age Minds: Evolutionary Psychology, Christian Faith, and the Quest for Human Flourishing, here.

Find out more about Justin’s new organization, Blueprint 1543, on their website.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

56. Elaine Howard Ecklund | Shared Values in Science and Faith Jun 24, 2021

Elaine Howard Ecklund is a sociologist who has devoted her career to understanding the attitudes and perceptions that scientists and religious people have toward each other. What she has found does not always match what would be expected. We talk about some of what she has learned over her years of research on this topic and talk about her new book, Why Science and Faith Need Each Other: Eight Shared Values The Move Us Beyond Fear.

This episode originally aired September 24, 2020.

Check out Elaine Howard Ecklund's website.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

16. Fossils | A Window to God’s Creation Jun 17, 2021

Fossils open a window deep into the history of the earth. Through that window we learn about how whales evolved from four-legged creatures to the aquatic animals we know today, we learn about our own species and where we came from, and we learn more about God who made it all. Language of God producer Colin Hoogerwerf journeys into the world of fossils alongside paleontologist Ryan Bebej to explore some of these stories. Guest geologist and paleontologist Ralph Stearley introduces us to some of the early Christians who helped figure out what fossils really are, and biological anthropologist Cara Wall-Scheffer joins to talk about what fossils can teach us about what it means to be human.

This episode originally aired September 12, 2019.

Find Ryan Bebej’s personal story here.

See photos from our visit to Calvin’s fossil collection at our website.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

78. Stephen Freeland | Life on Earth and Elsewhere Jun 10, 2021

Humans have long been captivated by life outside of our planet. While mainstream speculation about aliens is usually confined to the fictitious worlds of Hollywood films, respected scientists have also made sophisticated arguments for their existence. To sort through these claims, as well as recent news of unidentified aerial phenomena, we turned to an expert in the field.

Our guest today, Stephen Freeland, has been exposed to a wide range of academic science—he went from studying zoology to computer science to genetics before settling into a career as an astrobiologist. He talks with Jim about what astrobiology is, the rich benefits of a multidisciplinary approach to the subject, and his take on the possibility of life, intelligent or otherwise, beyond our planet.

Read more about recent speculations and an upcoming government report here.

Find Avi Loeb and Amir Siraj’s now famous claims about an interstellar object here.

Check out the article on phosphine in Venus published in Nature.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

77. Bill Newsome | Neuroscience, Faith & Free Will May 27, 2021

In this conversation with acclaimed Stanford neuroscientist Dr. Bill Newsome, we hear about his journey to becoming a neuroscientist, how hundreds of millions of neurons enable the fantastic emergence of a unified visual world, and how free will might operate in relation to the seemingly infinite causal chains which bring us all to this moment. Along the way, Dr. Newsome shares his own experiences with science and faith and why biological explanations should not be seen as weapons beating back the claims of Christianity.

Read Bill’s article, “Life of science, life of faith”, here

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

15. Krista Tippett | Life Together May 13, 2021

The roaring current of stubborn partisan standoffs challenges us to cement ourselves in our views; dialogue erodes as we ditch the public conversation to wrap ourselves in the self-affirming comfort of our isolated belief nooks. Among the most well-acquainted with this phenomenon is On Being host Krista Tippett, who worked as a journalist and diplomat in Cold War Berlin. But she sees something else as well: a hunger for honest conversation. In this episode, Jim talks with Krista about how her work attempts to feed that desire—and where science and faith live in that discussion.

Explore the Better Conversations Guide.

This episode originally aired on August 29, 2019

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

76. Stephen C. Meyer | Is God a Hypothesis? May 06, 2021

Proponents of intelligent design and evolutionary creation have some different ideas about the relationship of science and faith, and relations between BioLogos and the Discovery Institute have not always been easy. But there is some common ground. We explore some of that common ground in this episode while also discussing the philosophical differences between the positions. Stephen Meyer is a leading advocate for intelligent design and is the Director for the Center for Science and Culture at the Discovery Institute, and his new book, Return of the God Hypothesis, frames this conversation.

This was meant to be a conversation and not a debate and so the intention was not to stop every time a claim was made that we disagree with. Instead, we made a companion piece to this episode where we point to many resources that do respond to these claims and help to further explain some of the philosophical concepts covered in this conversation.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

75. Sandra Richter | We Are Only Renters Here Apr 22, 2021

Earth Day has not always been a holiday widely celebrated by the Christian Church. It might have something to do with the fact that many Christians have been told that they can’t be both a Christian and an environmentalist. Sandra Richter was told the same thing, but as she studied to become a professor of Old Testament, she found a rich biblical basis for caring for the earth, and she found that in doing so we are also caring for the widow, the orphan and the oppressed. Drawing from her recent book, Stewards of Eden, she helps to break down the biblical call for stewardship and leaves us with a message of hope and encouragement.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

74. Francis Collins & David Anderson | How Christians Can End the Pandemic Apr 15, 2021

Polling data tells us Christians are the most hesitant group in the United States about receiving the COVID-19 vaccines. Yet research on the vaccines show that they are incredibly safe and effective. It’s clear that if we want to get past this pandemic, our Christian community needs a radical reorientation based on sound evidence and an abundance of grace. Offering perspectives rooted in Biblical faith, Dr. Francis Collins and Dr. David Anderson join in conversation about how Christians can bring about the end of the pandemic. Dr. Collins brings a depth of scientific knowledge alongside Dr Anderson’s pastoral wisdom to talk about the vaccine and the hesitancy many people harbor about the vaccines. In doing so, these renowned spiritual leaders lay the groundwork for Christians to build bridges toward healing and change.

This conversation was originally aired as a livestream video event on April 11, 2021.

Original music in this episode is by Carp.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

73. Joel Chopp & Geoffrey Fulkerson | Creation Theology Apr 08, 2021

Joel Chopp and Geoff Fulkerson are the editors of a new book called Science and the Doctrine of Creation: The Approaches of Ten Modern Theologians (InterVarsity Press, 2021). In the episode Geoff, Joel and Jim talk about the doctrine of creation itself before taking a look at four of the ten theologians in the book to see how they have influenced the conversations around faith and science.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

72. Dan Kuebler | Fact & Mystery Apr 01, 2021

Dan Kuebler got his undergraduate degree in English—it was not until his senior year that he joined his first lab and fell in love with biology. He joins Jim on this episode to discuss what fascinated him about science, and how his subsequent career as a biology professor has impacted his faith as a Catholic believer. The conversation covers his experience as a graduate student at University of California Berkeley, later work on science and faith (exemplified by The Evolution Controversy, which Dan co-authored with Thomas Fowler), and the impact all this has on his approach to science and faith education as Dean of the School of Natural and Applied Sciences at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio.

Read the article Dan coauthored with Dennis Venema here.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

71. Curtis Chang and David French | Christians and the Vaccine Mar 18, 2021

With the rollout of several different COVID-19 vaccines and the prominence of anti-vaxx groups, gracious conversations between opposing sides are increasingly difficult to initiate. Yet when our family members and friends voice doubts about a vaccine’s safety or effectiveness, these are the exact conversations needed to bridge that divide. Our two guests on today’s episode, Curtis Chang and David French, offer eminently approachable places to start. Two well-known voices in the conservative Christian arena, Curtis and David are passionate about having informed and empathetic discussions around vaccination. Whether you have doubts about the vaccine or are trying to find common ground where you and your family members or friends can broach these difficult topics, this conversation is a great place to start.

Curtis Chang is not only a consulting professor in innovation and organization at Duke Divinity School but also founder and head of Consulting Within Reach, a firm which aims to help nonprofits implement best practices to more effectively achieve their goals. David French is a former lawyer and current writer. He was a fellow at the National Review Institute and staff writer for National Review from 2015 to 2019. Currently, he serves as senior editor of The Dispatch. Curtis and David collaborated on a series of videos addressing common concerns Christians have around the vaccine called Christians and the Vaccine. For more on this resource, check the link below.

Check out the videos mentioned in the episode at Christians and the Vaccine homepage.

Read David French's newsletter.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

70. Amy & Andy Crouch | Finding the Off Switch Mar 11, 2021

In 2017 Andy Crouch wrote My Tech Wise family, a practical book about how to have a healthy relationship to technology. In that book was a foreword by his daughter Amy, who called herself Test Subject Number 2. Well Amy has gotten a bit older since that book and has written one of her own, an expansion of sorts to My Tech-Wise Family called My Tech-Wise Life.

My Tech-Wise Life is a book filled with wisdom along with practical tips on how to flourish in a world in which technology often pulls us away from reality. In the episode we talk about the book and dig into the differences between science and technology and the balance between when technology is adding to or taking away from our role as image bearers of God.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

69. Fatima Cody Stanford | Care & Disparity Mar 04, 2021

Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford has seen the effects of how healthcare is provided differently across the population, both in her work and in her own experiences as a patient in the healthcare system. One outcome of the disparities in healthcare—the mistrust of the healthcare system—is now hindering the ability to get vaccinations to many of those who are at risk. We talk about the causes and some possible solutions and look at how some of the same issues play out in the treatment of obesity—the most prevalent chronic disease in the United States.

Learn more about the Black Women's Health Study

Read the article Beyond Tuskegee—Vaccine Distrust and Everyday Racism (in the New England Journal of Medicine)

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

68. Lori Banks | The Gift of Science Feb 25, 2021

The way she sees it, when Lori Banks was in line for spiritual gifts, she was given the aptitude for understanding amino acid structures and figuring out how to manipulate microbial systems. The gift has led her to her work in microbiology and virology and teaching others with the goal of easing the pain and suffering of those who are sick. In the episode she tells the story of her journey and then helps us to understand some of the science behind disease, including the COVID vaccines and why they are safe and effective.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

49. Joseph Graves | The Genetics of Race (Part 2) Feb 18, 2021

There is probably no one who has done more scientific work on the genetics of race than Dr. Joseph L Graves. Dr. Graves has been writing, thinking, and doing research on this topic for almost 30 years. In the midst of a national uprising of anger and frustration at the continued systemic racism in this country and around the world, this conversation probes the scientific reality that there is no genetic basis for race and addresses some common misconceptions as well.

We split our conversation up into two parts. In this second part of the conversation we dig into the genetic sciences and we talk about some common misconceptions, such as whether race affects athletic abilities and what you can actually find out from genetic ancestry testing.

Need a refresher on Evolution? Check out Evolution Basics, an introductory series on the BioLogos website.

This episode originally aired on June 25, 2020.

Join a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

48. Joseph Graves | The Genetics of Race (Part 1) Feb 11, 2021

There is probably no one who has done more scientific work on the genetics of race than Dr. Joseph L Graves. Dr. Graves has been writing, thinking, and doing research on this topic for almost 30 years. After a year which included a national uprising of anger and frustration at the continued systemic racism in this country and around the world, this conversation probes the scientific reality that there is no genetic basis for race and addresses some common misconceptions as well.

We split our conversation up into two parts. In this first part Dr. Graves tells the story of his journey through higher education, which was not without hardships. Then, as a precursor to talking about the genetics, we discuss some basics of evolution and what it even means to be a species or a subspecies.

Need a refresher on Evolution? Check out Evolution Basics, an introductory series on the BioLogos website.

This episode originally aired on June 25, 2020.

Join a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

67. Esau McCaulley | Justice & the Bible Feb 04, 2021

A common refrain at BioLogos is “you don’t have to choose,” and usually it is in the context of the Bible and science. Esau McCaulley, assistant professor of New Testament at Wheaton College, was presented with a different choice, one between the Bible and racial justice. But this too is a false dichotomy.

The Bible is a good place to turn in times of confusion or questioning, but whether it is science or issues of injustice, it is important that a reading of the Bible be informed by the perspectives of other people and other cultures. McCaulley’s new book, Reading While Black lays out the case for a Black Ecclesial interpretive tradition. He shows how asking questions of the text that grow out of the reality of being Black in America, helps to give us a fuller perspective on what the Bible has to say about things like race, governing authorities, and justice.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

32. Charlotte vanOyen-Witvliet | Forward in Forgiveness Jan 28, 2021

In a small laboratory, a participant sits with electrodes attached to her brow and a heart rate monitor humming in the background as she considers a time in her life when someone did wrong to her. This is a glimpse into a study of forgiveness. The results of a study like this teach us a lot about what forgiveness is and how it works. And although it is a scientific endeavor, it has direct effects on our spiritual lives.

Jim Stump sat down with Charlotte vanOyen-Witvliet, a psychologist from Hope College who has run studies like this, to learn about what forgiveness is, the increased health benefits of forgiveness and how this psychological pursuit can be fruitful toward a theological and spiritual journey.

This episode originally aired on February 14th, 2020

Music in this episode is by Joseph McDade

Charlotte mentions the suicide hotline in this episode. If you're thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support you can go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org or call 1-800-273-8255.

Join a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

27. Garrett & Amanda | Finding Harmony Jan 14, 2021

In this episode we tell two stories of finding harmony in faith and science. The stories come from Garrett and Amanda, two young people who were deeply connected to young-earth creation—that is, until they started to see some cracks developing in their reasoning which sent them on a journey to discover how to reframe their scientific view of the world while holding closely to their Christian faith. Both found their way through the next phase of their spiritual journey in different ways but their stories help us all to appreciate the humility that is required to change one’s beliefs, and the wisdom that comes from realizing that we can’t know the answers to all of life’s questions.

This episode originally aired on December 12, 2019.

Join a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

66. Agustín Fuentes | To Believe is Human Dec 17, 2020

The question, what does it mean to be human, demands answers from many fields of study. Agustín Fuentes has looked to anthropology for answers to this question but the answers he has found speak to something that is bigger than science. He proposes that one of the things that make us human is our ability to believe.

Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Northern Points courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

65. Rosalind Picard | Flourishing in an Age of Computers Dec 10, 2020

Sometimes it seems that the gap between humans and computers is growing increasingly small. But as scientists have worked to develop intelligent computers, they have usually ignored emotions. Rosalind Picard has spent a career developing technology that can read and human emotion and has had a hand in technology that has led to a great deal of human flourishing and even saved lives. But her work has also highlighted the huge gap that still exists between humans and computers, how little we actually know about ourselves, and what amazing creatures we are.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

64. Thomas Jay Oord | Uncontrolling Love Dec 03, 2020

There is a dilemma that has plagued philosophers and theologians for centuries. It goes like this: how could it be true that God is all powerful and all loving, and yet there is still evil in the world? If God is powerful and loving, wouldn’t the evil be stopped? Thomas Jay Oord has written about one solution to this problem in his book God Can’t. While the title is surprising and might make some people nervous, his view may not be so shocking once you hear him explain some of the finer points. In doing so, this conversation intersects with science, miracles, and ultimately with God’s place in our world and our lives.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

63. Julia Wattacheril | Caring for the Caretakers Nov 19, 2020

Julia Wattacheril is a hepatologist—a liver doctor—but in April she found herself walking into her first shift working with COVID patients during the peak of the pandemic in New York City. She describes what she and many other health care workers experienced during the peak of the pandemic and what they continue to experience as they care for those hit the hardest by COVID 19.

In this episode, Julia tells the story of a fellow doctor who died by suicide. If you're thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support you can go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org or call 1-800-273-8255.

Music in this episode is by Joseph McDade

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

62. Denis Lamoureux | God Meets Us Where We Are Nov 12, 2020

Denis Lamoureux didn’t just stumble unto evolutionary creation, though, as he will tell you, there was a great deal of stumbling on his path to get there. In the first part of the conversation he tells the story of faith to atheism, back to young earth creationism, and finally to evolutionary creationism, and how it was the bible, not science, which led him to where he is today.

His new book, The Bible and Ancient Science: Principles of Interpretation, gives 22 different principles for reading the bible. We focus on a few of those in our conversation, including accommodation, inerrancy, and what he calls, the message incident principle, which is that the most important thing about scripture is the spiritual truths held within. These principles have helped Denis, and now his students, to dig deep into scripture, remain committed to Christ, and also to see to see the beauty of biology.

The Bible and Ancient Science: Principles of Interpretation.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

61. Alister McGrath | Doorway to Wonder Oct 29, 2020

Alister McGrath joins Jim Stump to talk about his book Born to Wonder. McGrath describes his early conversion to Christianity as feeling like he walked through a doorway—his new found faith gave him a fresh perspective when looking at the world. But instead of being content with standing just inside the doorway, he found that there was a whole world worth exploring. After many decades of deep exploration he has come away with a higher tolerance for uncertainty, even in the midst of all the knowledge and wisdom he has found.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

60. David Lahti | Nature, Culture & Evolution Oct 22, 2020

David grew up exploring the natural places where there were few people but his love for nature led him back to people and to a deep desire to understand why we have the ideas that we have about the world. His training in both philosophy and biology has given him an ability to explore these questions from many different angles. In the episode, David tells of his circuitous journey, from childhood to his current career, and how his scientific view of the world and his spiritual view of the world were developed in a way that made them inseparable. Then Jim and David talk about cultural evolution and how the ideas interplay with the current landscape of faith and science in the United States.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

59. Deb Haarsma | Break Forth into Praise Oct 15, 2020

Deb Haarsma, president of BioLogos, takes a turn in the interviewee’s seat as she tells her own story of an interest in science from a young age and how she was able to hold closely to her faith through her study of physics and a PhD in astronomy. But that doesn’t mean she has everything figured out—she also talks about some of the questions that remain unresolved. Even in the face of uncertainty, it is God’s glory, which she finds in abundance, including in the study of our vast universe, which turns her always back to praise.

Original music in this episode is from Carp.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

58. Humility | How to Hold Knowledge Oct 08, 2020

Both science and the Christian faith share a commitment to humility. Each also provides us with a perspective of the world which we believe to be true. How then do we hold onto these things we believe to be true and be open to the fact that we can’t know everything? In this episode we explore that tension, looking into the deeper meaning of humility in the realms of both science and faith.

Thanks to our guests in exploring these ideas: psychologist, Charlotte vanOyen-Witvliet; theologian and poet, Padraig Ó Tuama; biologist, Steve Roels; and evolutionary biologist, Sarah Bodbyl Roels.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

57. Justin Brierley | Transformed Yet Steadfast Oct 01, 2020

Justin Brierley has been the host of the Unbelievable? Radio Show and Podcast for almost 15 years and in doing so has been a part of conversations with Christians and non-Christians wrestling with questions of faith, and yet he has found his faith not only intact but sharpened. We talk to him about his experience on the show and about how his own beliefs have grown, changed, and continue to be formed.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

56. Elaine Howard Ecklund | Shared Values in Science and Faith Sep 24, 2020

Elaine Howard Ecklund is a sociologist who has devoted her career to understanding the attitudes and perceptions that scientists and religious people have toward each other. What she has found does not always match what would be expected. We talk about some of what she has learned over her years of research on this topic and talk about her new book, Why Science and Faith Need Each Other: Eight Shared Values The Move Us Beyond Fear.

Elaine Howard Ecklund is a Professor of Sociology at Rice University and Director of the Religion and Public Life Program at Rice University.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

55. Tim Mackie | What is the Bible? Sep 17, 2020

In this episode, Jim Stump is joined by Tim Mackie, one of the founders of BibleProject. Tim’s transformation from West-coast skateboarder, to Bible student, to video producer may seem surprising, but his unorthodox journey to faith has given him a unique perspective and passion for the Bible. Tim discusses the history of the Bible, explores the context in which it was written, and demonstrates what it looks like to bring the Bible into relevance for the people of today.

Tim Mackie is a writer and creative director for BibleProject, an animation studio that produces videos to help make the Bible accessible to everyone. He has his Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

BibleProject YouTube Channel

BibleProject Website

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

54. Prayer in the time of COVID Sep 03, 2020

Prayer is a central tenet to the Christian faith. In this episode we explore the intersection of science and faith when it comes to prayer. Can the effectiveness be prayer be tested with scientific studies? How does prayer affect us physically and what happens in our brain when we pray? And what is the role of prayer during a worldwide pandemic?

The first part of this episode is from episode 8 which aired on May 2nd, 2019

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

53. Katharine Hayhoe | Climate in the time of COVID Aug 20, 2020

Our last conversation with Katharine Hayhoe aired in early March, the same week as the United States declared a state of emergency because of COVID-19. We’re bringing part of that conversation back in this episode, along with an update on how we might think about climate change in a post-COVID world, without falling into despair.

Katharine Hayhoe is the Political Science Endowed Professor in Public Policy and Public Law in the Department of Political Science, a director of the Climate Center, and an associate in the Public Health program of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Texas Tech University. She and her husband wrote A Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions, a book that untangles the complex science and tackles many long-held misconceptions about global warming. Her TED talk titled “the most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about it” has been viewed over 2.5 million times.

You can find the extended version of our first conversation with Katharine Hayhoe in Episode 35, which aired on March 12th, 2020.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

2. Praveen Sethupathy | Goodness, Civility & Transformation Aug 06, 2020

Today we revisit one of our favorite early episodes. From Praveen’s childhood, growing up in a Hindu family, to his later conversion to Christianity and his entry into science, he has gained great insight into the science and faith conversation. With grace and humility, Praveen shares some of that insight as he considers what it means to be made in the image of God in light of our understanding of evolution and DNA. He has long felt the importance of fostering healthy dialogue among Christians and the scientific community and discusses how such a dialogue might actually bring us closer together.

Praveen Sethupathy is a Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cornell University, where he directs a research laboratory focused on human genomics and complex diseases.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

52. Philip Yancey | Pain and Healing Jul 23, 2020

Philip Yancey returns to the podcast to dig deeper into his many years spent traveling and writing with Dr. Paul Brand and learning about the marvel of the human body. What we can learn from the human body—about the importance of pain, about healing and unity—can also be applied to the body of Christ. In doing so, we find relevance with many of today’s issues including the coronavirus and the need for the church to find unity among racial tensions.

Philip Yancey, author of books like Disappointment with God, The Jesus I Never Knew, and What’s So Amazing About Grace, is one of the best selling Christian authors alive today. His most recent book is an updated collaboration with Dr Brand called Fearfully and Wonderfully: The Marvel of Bearing God’s Image. Yancey lives in Colorado as a freelance writer and avid hiker.

Fearfully and Wonderfully: The Marvel of Bearing God’s Image

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos forum.

51. N.T. Wright & Francis Collins | A Christian Response to Coronavirus Jul 16, 2020

Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases across the country, what should be the Christian response? Bible scholar N.T. Wright and BioLogos founder Francis Collins, two influential Christian figures and long-time friends, ponder this question and more.

N.T. Wright is a globally renowned New Testament scholar, Pauline theologian, and Anglican bishop. He is considered to be one of the most respected theologians and Christian apologists in the world.

Francis Collins is the Director of the National Institutes of Health, and works closely with Dr. Anthony Fauci, a key White House advisor on the national health crisis. He also wrote the bestselling book The Language of God, which led to the creation of BioLogos.

This conversation was originally broadcast live on video on July 12, 2020.

Watch the “Genesis” music video.
Watch the video of this conversation.
God and the Pandemic book
More BioLogos resources on Coronavirus

Find a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos forum.

50. Shauna Niequist | Let’s Sit Here A Little Longer Jul 02, 2020

Shauna Niequist brings her passion for food and her Christian experience to a conversation about how food connects us to the created world and to each other and how our spiritual lives might be nourished around the table. Shauna is a popular author, speaker, podcaster. Her most recent book is Present Over Perfect, which came out in 2016.

The interview was originally streamed live on June 29th.

Original music in this episode is from Carp.

You can find a link to a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos forum.

49. Joseph Graves | The Genetics of Race (Part 2) Jun 25, 2020

There is probably no one who has done more scientific work on the genetics of race than Dr. Joseph L Graves. Dr. Graves has been writing, thinking, and doing research on this topic for almost 30 years. In the midst of a national uprising of anger and frustration at the continued systemic racism in this country and around the world, this conversation probes the scientific reality that there is no genetic basis for race and addresses some common misconceptions as well.

We split our conversation up into two parts. In this second part of the conversation we dig into the genetic sciences and we talk about some common misconceptions, such as whether race affects athletic abilities and what you can actually find out from genetic ancestry testing.

Dr. Graves is the author of The Emperor’s New Clothes and The Race Myth.

Need a refresher on Evolution? Check out Evolution Basics, an introductory series on the BioLogos website.

Hear Dr. Graves on the Science Vs podcast episode on race.

Find a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos forum.

48. Joseph Graves | The Genetics of Race (Part 1) Jun 25, 2020

There is probably no one who has done more scientific work on the genetics of race than Dr. Joseph L Graves. Dr. Graves has been writing, thinking, and doing research on this topic for almost 30 years. In the midst of a national uprising of anger and frustration at the continued systemic racism in this country and around the world, this conversation probes the scientific reality that there is no genetic basis for race and addresses some common misconceptions as well.

We split our conversation up into two parts. In this first part Dr. Graves tells the story of his journey through higher education, which was not without hardships. Then, as a precursor to talking about the genetics, we discuss some basics of evolution and what it even means to be a species or a subspecies.

Dr. Graves is the author of The Emperor’s New Clothes and The Race Myth.

Need a refresher on Evolution? Check out Evolution Basics, an introductory series on the BioLogos website.

Hear Dr. Graves on the Science Vs podcast episode on race.

Find a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos forum.

47. Lynette Strickland | God‘s World is a Diverse World Jun 18, 2020

Last time we talked to Lynette Strickland, she told us all about the work that she was doing to show that tortoise beetles, which vary greatly in their appearances, are actually one species. We play some of that conversation but then we catch up with Lynette to press further into the beauty and importance of diversity within a species. And it’s a short step from talking about beetles to talking about humans. Lynette tells some of her own stories that highlight the ways that science as a discipline can benefit from increased diversity and inclusion.

Lynette Strickland received her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her B.S. in Marine Biology from Texas A&M. Her research focuses on how ecological factors and genomic factors shape a naturally-occurring color polymorphism in a species of Neotropical tortoise beetle and her work has been published in journals including Science and Hereditary.

Without Inclusion, diversity initiatives may not be enough, Science Magazine

Why Black Lives Matter for Science and Faith, video recording (with Lynette Strickland)

The first part of this interview is from episode 19, broadcast on October 3, 2019.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

46. Deb Haarsma | Caring for our Community in Crisis Jun 04, 2020

We find ourselves three months into a global pandemic, and one week into a movement of nationwide protests in response to the death of George Floyd. For this episode Jim Stump, vice president of BioLogos and host of the podcast, and Deb Haarsma, president of BioLogos, take a moment to talk about where we are, where the church and science can fit in, and how the work of BioLogos might have a role in moving forward.

The Prayer episode mentioned in this episode is Episode 8 and can be found in the Language of God podcast feed.

Deb’s story about the doctor who prayed with his patient and family can be found here.

Check out reopeningthechurch.com for resources and information on how to resume in person worship.

Join a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

45. Tim Keller & Francis Collins | Where is God in a Pandemic? May 21, 2020

Leading evangelical thinker Tim Keller joins Francis Collins, who heads our country’s biomedical research, in a conversation that includes updates on the latest COVID-19 research, a discussion on the value of human life and what it means to care for the most vulnerable among us, where God is during a pandemic, and much more.

Check out the livestream video!
NIH Director’s Blog Article
Francis Collins Templeton Prize Announcement
Tim Keller articles at BioLogos
Francis Collins articles at BioLogos

Join a conversation on the BioLogos Forum.

44. Bishop Claude Alexander | A Common Vulnerability May 14, 2020

In the episode, Jim talks with Bishop Claude Alexander about his growing up in the south with parents esteemed in the medical field--his mother was the first black psychiatrist in Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas and his father was family practitioner who was assigned to Martin Luther King, Jr. whenever he was in Mississippi--and about the role of science in racial reconciliation in America today. Claude provides some pastoral and poignant notes of hope at the end of the episode.

Bishop Claude Alexander is the senior pastor for The Park Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Join a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

43. Richard Middleton | Image of God May 07, 2020

We were made in the image of God, but what does that really mean? Whom does that apply to? What does that call us to? The Bible is very central to understanding the answers to these questions, as is cultural context. In this episode, biblical worldview professor, Richard Middleton joins Jim Stump in an attempt to answer some of the questions about human identity through both of those lenses.

Richard Middleton is Professor of Biblical Worldview and Exegesis at Northeastern Seminary (Rochester, NY). He is adjunct professor of Old Testament at the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology (Kingston, Jamaica). From 2011-2014, he served as president of the Canadian Evangelical Theological Association. Richard is the author of A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology and The Liberating Image: The Imago Dei in Genesis 1.

If you want to hear more from Richard, you can find the articles he’s written for our website here.

Find a conversation about this episode at the Biologos Forum.

42. John Walton | Coronavirus and the Book of Job Apr 30, 2020

Many of us find rest and comfort in having good health, secure jobs, and a vibrant community. Of course we do. But what happens when that is taken away, like it was for Job? Some of us, while stuck in our homes during the coronavirus pandemic, may have started to ask some questions about the way the world works and how God could let this kind of a thing happen. Well, we’re not the first to ask those questions and the book of Job is about someone doing just that.

John Walton is an Old Testament scholar and he leads us through the book of Job with an eye toward our current situation. Walton walks through three elements of the story of Job that might help us today: rest (our ability to rise above tumultuous circumstances), peace (freedom from our feelings of fear), and coherence (finding order among confusion). The episode was recorded digitally with a live audience and so we were also able to take questions from the audience, which you’ll hear throughout.

Walton’s Lecture Series on Job

A list of Walton’s many books

Walton’s Resources from Biologos

Join a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

41. Water | Exploring Spiritual & Scientific Depths Apr 23, 2020

Water is mysterious. It is cleansing, it is dangerous, and it is life-giving. In our everyday life we can tend to overlook just how fascinating and important water is. Water is interesting both scientifically and biblically, so it’s only fitting that we explore it. And in this episode we do just that.

Because this is a complex topic, we asked several experts to join us in this episode. You’ll hear from Kent Frens, Jenni Brandon, Sandra Postel, and Ben McFarland who each talk about water through their areas of expertise.

Check out Applied Ocean Sciences.

Here’s some fun Ocean Facts.

Join a conversation about this episode on the Biologos Forum.

40. Brian McLaren | A Galapagos Spirituality Apr 16, 2020

When Brian McLaren got a call from his editor asking if he’d like to travel to the Galapagos Islands and write about it it took all of a few seconds to agree. The book he wrote is called the Galapagos Islands: A Spiritual Journey. In this episode Jim Stump talks to him about the book and about a theology that is informed by wild places and the scientific knowledge that helps us understand those places.

Brian McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. He is a former English professor and pastor, he is an advocate for “a new kind of Christianity”. His most recent projects include an illustrated children’s book called Cory and the Seventh Story and The Galapagos Islands: A Spiritual Journey.

Want to hear more from Brian? Find more resources here.

Join a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

39. Francis Collins | Coronavirus Updates with NIH Director Apr 09, 2020

With an overwhelming amount of news about the coronavirus coming out daily, we thought it would be best to go all the way to the top, with updates on the coronavirus from the Director of the National Institutes of Health, Francis Collins. Francis Collins is also the founder of BioLogos and a committed Christian. In this conversation with Jim Stump, he answers questions from listeners about the current scientific knowledge of the virus and talks about how he views the pandemic through the lens of his own faith.

This conversation originally aired as a live video conversation. You can watch that version here.

Find the NIH Director’s blog here.

Join a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

38. Resurrection in the Time of Coronavirus Apr 02, 2020

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to our identities as Christians. We believe that Christ died for our sins and that he will come again one day. But we live in the times of social distancing, with Easter services that will happen remotely, with Easter hymns sung in our living rooms instead of in chapels. In this special episode, Jim reflects on what the resurrection—along with the suffering and death that precede it—means in this time of uncertainty and fear, in this time of coronavirus.

Find more coronavirus related content from BioLogos here.

Join a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

37. Sean McDowell | Finding Common Ground Mar 26, 2020

In this episode, Jim Stump is joined by author, speaker, and professor Sean McDowell. They talk about how apologetics has changed from his father’s original work a generation ago and how to reach those leaving the church today. But their conversation centers around the science of evolution and whether Christians should accept it. They don’t necessarily see eye to eye on this topic, so what follows is a hearty discussion about where those disagreements come from.

Sean McDowell is an Associate Professor in the Christian Apologetics program at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He speaks at churches, universities and conferences throughout the United States and abroad. He is the co-host for his own podcast, Think Biblically, and has authored numerous books.

Original music in this episode is from Carp.

Join a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

36. Coronavirus | Science & Faith in Pandemic Times Mar 19, 2020

It’s not every day that we come face to face with science in such a drastic way as we have with the coronavirus, sweeping through our communities and upending our routines. Many of us feel a great deal of anxiety and worry and we want to respond to some of that by reaching into the science with three interviews from scientists in the fields of microbiology, biochemistry, and infectious disease, all of them speaking from the Christian perspective.

Ben McFarland teaches biochemistry and chemistry at Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, Washington.

Stephen Schaffner is a senior staff scientist and computational biologist at the broad Institute of Harvard and MIT and a visiting scientist at the Harvard Chan school of public health.

Praveen Sethupathy is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences and Director of the Center for Genomics at Cornell University

Find Ben McFarland's moving article on the coronavirus here.

Check out Ben McFarland's Youtube Channel here.

Find conversations about this episode or other topics on science and faith including the coronavirus on the BioLogos Forum.

35. Katharine Hayhoe | Global Weirding Mar 12, 2020

Katharine Hayhoe is a climate scientist. And she’s a Christian. You may have noticed that climate change is not a topic that is often brought into the church because it often seems to divide people more than bring them together. But Katharine wants to change that. Her science doesn’t come in spite of her faith but because of it. She sits down with Jim Stump to talk specifically about some of the common misconceptions about climate change, the science of how we know about past climate changes, and the effects we see in the world today. She ends with some practical solutions and a call for rational hope.

Katharine Hayhoe is the Political Science Endowed Professor in Public Policy and Public Law in the Department of Political Science, a director of the Climate Center, and an associate in the Public Health program of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Texas Tech University. She and her husband wrote A Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions, a book that untangles the complex science and tackles many long-held misconceptions about global warming. Her TED talk titled “the most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about it” has been viewed over 2.5 million times.

Find Katharine on Twitter for any follow-up

Recommended Resources:

Climate Caretakers
Climate Stewards
The Evangelical Environmental Network
Global Weirding with Katharine Hayhoe
LIT Consulting for energy audits
Project Drawdown
World Evangelical Alliance Clean Energy Initiative
Young Evangelicals for Climate Action

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

34. Darrel Falk | The Bridge from Biology to Faith Mar 05, 2020

In this episode, Jim Stump is joined by Professor Emeritus of Biology at Point Loma Nazarene University, Darrel Falk. Darrel reminisces about some of his experiences with the early genetic sciences as well as his role in the beginnings of BioLogos as an organization. They then dive into human identity, and how cooperation has had a role in shaping our genetic makeup.

Darrel Falk served as BioLogos’ president from 2010-2012. He recently wrote The Fool and the Heretic with Todd Wood. He is also the author of Coming to Peace with Science: Bridging the Worlds Between Faith and Biology and speaks frequently on the relationship between science and faith at universities and seminaries. He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Genetics Society of America, and the American Scientific Affiliation.

Music in this episode is by Joseph McDade

Want to hear more from Darrel? You can find the articles he’s written for our website here.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

33. Kutter Callaway | Ministry in Theater Five Feb 27, 2020

Kutter Callaway started leading youth ministry in Theater 5 with the big screen as a backdrop. Film, music, and art have always been one of his main entries into spirituality and led him to his position as Associate Professor of Theology and Culture at Fuller Seminary.

In this episode, Jim Stump and Kutter Calloway discuss how art and pop-culture have become an underlying meta-narrative for our culture and lens through which we understand our spirituality. They ask the question, how should a Christian participate in this culture of media and technology and art? Kutter proposes that rather than cutting ourselves off from the world, we engage and participate, being aware of where God is present and active.

This episode was made possible in part by the TheoPsych Project, hosted by Fuller Seminary’s office of Science, Theology, and Religion.

Join a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

32. Charlotte vanOyen-Witvliet | Forward in Forgiveness Feb 13, 2020

In a small laboratory, a participant sits with electrodes attached to her brow and a heart rate monitor humming in the background as she considers a time in her life when someone did wrong to her. This is a glimpse into a study of forgiveness. The results of a study like this teach us a lot about what forgiveness is and how it works. And although it is a scientific endeavor, it has direct effects on our spiritual lives.

Jim Stump sat down with Charlotte vanOyen-Witvliet, a psychologist from Hope College who has run studies like this, to learn about what forgiveness is, the increased health benefits of forgiveness and how this psychological pursuit can be fruitful toward a theological and spiritual journey.

This episode is the third in a three part series we’re calling TheoPsych, an exploration of the intersection of psychology and theology. These episodes were made possible in part by the TheoPsych Project, hosted by Fuller Seminary’s office of Science, Theology, and Religion.

Find more information about the TheoPsych Project here.

Music in this episode is by Joseph McDade

Charlotte mentions the suicide hotline in this episode. If you're thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support you can go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org or call 1-800-273-8255.

Join a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

31. Mari Clements | Relationship as Revelation Feb 06, 2020

From marriage and parenting to managing life in a world of social media, relationships are very central to our lives, and in some cases to our happiness and wellbeing. So what happens when problems arise in these huge aspects of our lives? In this episode, Jim Stump is joined by clinical psychologist Mari Clements whose work focuses on helping real people in real relationships with real problems. The conversation focuses on how the tools of psychology can be useful for working through some of these problems, in order to ensure the health of ourselves and our relationships with those we’re closest to.

Mari Clements is currently the Provost of Fuller Seminary. She has conducted research on the impact of marital conflict on family members. Her recent research has examined marital conflict in intact families, models of satisfaction and stability in marriage, and the effects of marital conflict on parent-child relationships and children’s peer relationships. Her work has appeared in numerous scholarly journals, and she has also authored several book chapters and presented at various psychology association meetings around the country.

This episode is the second in a three part series we’re calling TheoPsych. These episodes were made possible in part by the TheoPsych Project, hosted by Fuller Seminary’s office of Science, Theology, and Religion.

Find more information about the TheoPsych Project here.

Join a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

30. Justin Barrett | Why Theology Needs Psychology Jan 30, 2020

Science helps us to explain many things in the natural world. When it comes to psychology, it may even be able to help us understand why we think, behave, and believe the way that we do. Sometimes people fear these explanations, and even psychology itself, because of the perceived potential to be used to explain away their belief in God. Experimental psychologist Justin Barrett joins Jim Stump in this episode to discuss why he believes in the opposite. He also tells all about the new project he’s directing, the TheoPsych Project which aims to bring theology into contact with the mind sciences by bringing theologians and psychologists together to learn and think and talk with each other.

Justin L. Barrett is the Thrive Professor of Developmental Science and Director of the Thrive Center for Human Development at Fuller Theological Seminary. He came to Fuller from the University of Oxford, where he taught and served as senior researcher for Oxford’s Centre for Anthropology and Mind.

This episode is the first in a three part series we’re calling TheoPsych. These episodes were made possible in part by the TheoPsych Project, hosted by Fuller Seminary’s office of Science, Theology, and Religion. Find more information about the TheoPsych Project here.

If you want to hear more from Justin, there’s another resource from him on our website.

Original music in this episode is by Carp.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

29. April Maskiewicz Cordero | Teaching in the Tension Jan 23, 2020

April Maskiewicz Cordero joins Jim Stump and BioLogos’ Resources Editor, Kathryn Applegate, to discuss what it’s like to teach college biology at a Christian college. She touches on her personal experience with the climate of conflict between science and religion, and how that helps her to meet her students where they are. She shares some stories of students that give her hope and touches on her research that looks at teaching controversial issues like climate change and evolution to Christian students. April and Kathryn also talk about BioLogos INTEGRATE, the high school biology curriculum supplement that they’ve been working on.

April Maskiewicz Cordero, PhD, is a professor of biology at Point Loma Nazarene University. She gave a TEDx talk on evolution and faith and she was featured in “From the Dust,” a BioLogos sponsored documentary. She is also active in several professional development projects with schoolteachers as well as university biology faculty, and was one of four professors coordinating the PLNU/BioLogos Biology by the Sea Christian school teacher program.

Find more information about BioLogos INTEGRATE here.

We have a few resources from April Cordero on our website. You can find them here & here.

Join a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum!

28. Alister McGrath | Journey of Science, Story of Faith Jan 16, 2020

Alister McGrath is one of the iconic voices in the dialogue between science and faith. After receiving his doctorate in biological sciences from Oxford University he decided to pursue theology with the same gusto that he approaches all of his intellectual work. Today, he brings his wisdom on these topics that is backed up by multiple doctoral degrees, many books on the subject, and several decades thinking, teaching, and writing about science and faith.

Jim Stump talks to him about two of his recent books: A Theory of Everything (that Matters) and Narrative Apologetics. The conversation ranges from talking about Einstein’s religious beliefs and how they open a door for exploring the relationship between science and theology to the importance of storytelling for Christian Apologetics.

Thanks to Tyndale Publishing for helping to set up our interview with Alister McGrath.

Find out more about his book A Theory of Everything (that Matters)

Find out more about his book Narrative Apologetics

Jim recommends this book: Enriching our Vision of Reality: Theology and the Natural Sciences in Dialogue.

Join a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

27. Garrett & Amanda | Finding Harmony Dec 12, 2019

In this episode we tell two stories of finding harmony in faith and science. The stories come from Garrett and Amanda, two young people who were deeply connected to young-earth creation—that is, until they started to see some cracks developing in their reasoning which sent them on a journey to discover how to reframe their scientific view of the world while holding closely to their Christian faith. Both found their way through the next phase of their spiritual journey in different ways but their stories help us all to appreciate the humility that is required to change one’s beliefs, and the wisdom that comes from realizing that we can’t know the answers to all of life’s questions.

Thanks to Rick, Ruth, Frederick, Jody, Brian, John and Barbara and to everyone else who shared their stories of harmony with us at our conference in Baltimore.

If you like this episode you might want to read the book How I Changed My Mind About Evolution.

Join a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

26. Dialogue with Reasons to Believe | Hugh & Deb Dec 05, 2019

This is Part 2 of our dialogue with Reasons to Believe

For many years BioLogos and Reasons to Believe have been having a dialogue about faith and science. The two organizations agree about the scientific conclusions on the ancient age of the Earth, but disagree on the science of evolution. But we have built a fruitful relationship together. In the second half of our live dialogue, Hugh Ross and Deb Haarsma talk about how a background in astrophysics led them to their current work as leaders of Christian organizations. They also talk about how their faith might hold up to new scientific discoveries.

Hugh Ross is the President and Founder of Reasons to Believe. Deb Haarsma is the President of BioLogos.

To learn more about the views of BioLogos and Reasons to Believe you can find an in depth conversation in the book Old Earth or Evolutionary Creation: Discussing Origins with Reasons to Believe and BioLogos

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos forum.

25. Dialogue with Reasons to Believe | Fuz & Darrel Dec 05, 2019

This is Part 1 of our dialogue with Reasons to Believe.

For many years BioLogos and Reasons to Believe have been having a dialogue about faith and science. The two organizations agree about the scientific conclusions on the ancient age of the Earth, but disagree on the science of evolution. But we have built a fruitful relationship together. In the first half of our live dialogue, Fuz Rana and Darrel Falk talk about how this relationship developed and then discuss how they have come to such different conclusions when working with the same data.

Fuz Rana is the Vice President of Research and Apologetics at Reasons to Believe. Darrel Falk is the previous president of BioLogos and is Emeritus Professor of Biology at Point Loma Nazarene University.

To learn more about the views of BioLogos and Reasons to Believe you can find an in depth conversation in the book Old Earth or Evolutionary Creation: Discussing Origins with Reasons to Believe and BioLogos

This article is referenced in the episode: Understanding Randomness by Kathryn Applegate

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos forum

24. Science Mike | Intimate Mysticality Nov 21, 2019

Mike McHargue, aka Science Mike, is the cofounder of The Liturgists podcast and host of the podcast Ask Science Mike. In this episode he shares the story of his own faith journey, which involves leaving the church and eventually finding his way back after a mystical experience. Since then, he has made an effort through his podcast and writing to help others going through faith transitions.

In this episode, Jim and Mike discuss the trends of faith transitions in the United States and how science can be both fallible and trustworthy at the same time. Near the end of the episode Mike shares a powerful personal story of how he has found a personal God in a world of scientific explanations.

Join a conversation about this episode on the BioLogos Forum.

23. Oliver Crisp | Truth Apt Truth Aimed Nov 14, 2019

Theology is a tool we use to better understand God. But how does it work? How do we know when a theological claim is true? Jim asks these questions to professional theologian Oliver Crisp. Oliver’s search for theological truths has led him think and write about topics like Adam and Eve, sin, and the fall and he talks to us about how other disciplines, including science, have informed this theological work.

Oliver Crisp is professor of analytic theology at University of St Andrews in Scotland.He was born and raised in West London, England, and educated at Wimbledon School of Art; the University of Aberdeen (BD, MTh); and King’s College, London (PhD). He is the author of nine books as well as over 80 articles and essays. His most recent publications are Deviant Calvinism: Broadening Reformed Theology (Fortress, 2014), and Jonathan Edwards Among the Theologians (Eerdmans, 2015).

This interview was made possible as part of the TheoPsych Project, hosted by Fuller Seminary’s office of Science, Theology, and Religion.

Join a discussion about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

22. Adam & Eve Nov 07, 2019

Jim Stump is joined by BioLogos president Deb Haarsma to talk about one of the perennial science and faith topics—Adam & Eve. They lay out some of the different perspectives on Adam & Eve and also some of the problems that come along with each perspective, bringing in science where it’s appropriate but also finding that science won’t lead us to definitive answers on many of the questions that arise.

Because this is a complex topic with many different perspectives, we asked several experts to join us in this episode and to respond to some of the different viewpoints on Adam and Eve. You’ll hear William Lane Craig, Ken Keathley, Anjeanette Roberts, Andrew Torrance and Dennis Venema who each provide their own take on some of these different Adam and Eve perspectives.

We have lots of resources on this topic at our website. Just search “Adam and Eve” in the search bar. Or here’s a couple places you could start:

The Common Question, “Were Adam and Eve Historical Figures?”

Or check out the series by Dennis Venema called “Adam and Eve and Human Population Genetics”

Custom music in this episode by Tony Correlli.

Finally, join in a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum

21. Marcelo Gleiser | Oceans of the Unknown Oct 24, 2019

Jim Stump and Templeton Award winning physicist, Marcelo Gleiser dive into the ocean of the unknown, discussing the nature of science and how we know what we know. Since he was a child, Gleiser has been fascinated by the biggest questions about life and existence. Those questions led him to physics and cosmology and he has spent a significant part of his career communicating science to the general public. While Gleiser considers himself a religious agnostic, he has consistently pushed back against the extreme scientism views that leave no place for religion. Jim and Marcelo find some disagreement about their understandings of faith, but find that a conversation across disagreement can be fruitful and productive.

Marcelo Gleiser a professor of natural philosophy physics and astronomy at Dartmouth College. He is a frequent contributor to the 13.8 blog at Orbiter Magazine and his most recent book is The Simple Beauty of the Unexpected: A Natural Philosopher's Quest for Trout and the Meaning of Everything. Gleiser was named the Templeton Prize winner for 2019, which is awarded annually to a person who has made exceptional contributions to affirming life’s spiritual dimension.

Find Marcelo Gleiser’s writing at Orbiter Magazine’s 13.8 Blog

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

20. Rick Lindroth | Hope in a World of Wounds Oct 17, 2019

The question of faith and science has often been posed in only one direction—how does faith affect science? As Christians, this question is more comfortable because it plants our religious beliefs in the center, keeping them untouched. But what about when the question is flipped—when science affects faith? Rick Lindroth joins producer Colin Hoogerwerf to describe how this latter question has played an important role in his life. They also discuss the dangerous reality of insect collapse and the lonely grief of the ecologist.

Read more about the insect collapse here.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

BONUS | Identifying Hope Oct 10, 2019

In this bonus episode, Language of God Producer Colin Hoogerwerf brings a short reflection on finding hope in the outdoors.

Find more articles and resources about caring for creation at biologos.org or join a discussion about this episode at the BioLogos Forum, A good place to start is Why Should Christians Care for Creation?

19. Lynette Strickland | Finding Beetles with God Oct 03, 2019

On today’s episode, Lynette Strickland joins Jim and producer Colin Hoogerwerf to ruminate on her love for creation. Lynette shares how her childhood curiosity in the natural world grew into a passion for doing science, why variation in a species could help it adapt to changing environments, and how studying beetles has helped her understand God’s creation.

Lynette Strickland is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute PreDoctoral Fellow. She received her B.S. in Marine Biology from Texas A&M. Her research, focusing on how ecological factors and genomic factors shape a naturally-occurring color polymorphism in a species of Neotropical tortoise beetle, has been published in journals including Science and Hereditary.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

18. Aaron Niequist | Learning to Swim Sep 26, 2019

Growing up in the church, Aaron Niequist never imagined he would experience a faith crisis—until he did. On this episode, he recalls this time of doubt and what helped him through it. Aaron and Jim also discuss reviving liturgy and the seeing faith in light of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Aaron Niequist is a liturgist, writer, and pastor. After growing up in a Plymouth Brethren community, he led worship at Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids, MI and Willow Creek Church in Barrington, IL. Recently, he has shifted his focus to creating ‘A New Liturgy’—a series of modern liturgical recordings.

Check out the video of A New Liturgy: Creation.

Find out more about Aaron's book—The Eternal Current—on his website.

Music in this episode is from Joseph McDade.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

17. John Walton | More Than History Sep 19, 2019

Biblical interpretation is all about asking questions—How did Ancient Israel understand the book of Genesis? How much context do we, as modern readers, need to discover the intended meaning of the text? Does the text hold the answers to the questions we are asking? Jim and guest host Rebecca McLaughlin discuss these thorny questions with biblical scholar John Walton and explore the answers his work offers them.

John Walton is a professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College. He received an M.A. in Biblical Studies from Wheaton College and his Ph.D. from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He has published dozens of books, articles, and translations focusing on Ancient Near Eastern backgrounds of the Old Testament.

Explore John Walton’s Lost World series here.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

16. Fossils | A Window to God’s Creation Sep 12, 2019

Fossils open a window deep into the history of the earth. Through that window we learn about how whales evolved from four-legged creatures to the aquatic animals we know today, we learn about our own species and where we came from, and we learn more about God who made it all. Language of God producer, Colin Hoogerwerf, journeys into the world of fossils alongside paleontologist Ryan Bebej to explore some of these stories. Guest geologist and paleontologist Ralph Stearley introduces us to some of the early Christians who helped figure out what fossils really are and biological anthropologist Cara Wall-Scheffler joins to talk about what fossils can teach us about what it means to be human.

Find Ryan Bebej’s personal story here

See some photos from our visit to Calvin’s fossil collection at our website.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

15. Krista Tippett | Life Together Aug 29, 2019

The roaring current of stubborn partisan standoffs challenges us to cement ourselves in our views; dialogue erodes as we ditch the public conversation to wrap ourselves in the self-affirming comfort of our isolated belief nooks. Among the most well-acquainted with this phenomenon is On Being host Krista Tippett, who worked as a journalist and diplomat in Cold War Berlin. But she sees something else as well: a hunger for honest conversation. In this episode, Jim talks with Krista about how her work attempts to feed that desire—and where science and faith live in that discussion.

Krista Tippett is the creator and host of the On Being and Becoming Wise podcasts as well as curator of The Civil Conversations Project. An accomplished journalist, author, and entrepreneur, she was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2014. She studied History at Brown University and later received a Master of Divinity from Yale University in 1994. Her books are Becoming Wise, Einstein’s God, and Speaking of Faith.

Explore the Better Conversations Guide.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

14. Jonathan Merritt | Reimagining Sacred Conversation Aug 22, 2019

It is all too easy to fall into the myopic assumption that our faith words are universal, that everyone has a shared understanding of what these words mean. But often this is not the case. Many times our sacred words—words like grace, mercy, wisdom—are painted with different hues on other peoples’ interpretive palates. Author Jonathan Merritt joins Jim on this episode of Language of God to discuss this decay of common meaning—and how to revive it.

Jonathan Merritt is a contributing writer for The Atlantic, contributing editor for The Week, and an author. His books include A Faith of Our Own, Green Like God, and Learning to Speak God From Scratch, which was released in 2018. He holds a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Master of Theology from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. He currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Watch Jonathan’s presentation at the 2019 BioLogos conference here.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

13. John Ortberg | Sacred Habits Aug 15, 2019

Our habits shape us in ways we often neglect, guiding the majority of our thoughts and actions. Pastor John Ortberg argues that when these save us from spending unnecessary energy on menial tasks, they are good. Trouble brews, however, when sin creeps in. In this episode, John talks about the forgotten practice of spiritual disciplines, how biological predispositions affect human character, and the formative role philosopher Dallas Willard has played on his own life.

John Ortberg is the Senior Pastor at Menlo Church in Menlo Park, California. He holds a Master of Divinity and doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Fuller Seminary. John is on the Board of Trustees at Fuller Seminary as well as on the board for the Dallas Willard Center for Spiritual Formation. He is the author of several books, including Soul Keeping, The Life You’ve Always Wanted, and Eternity is Now in Session.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

Season 2 Trailer Jul 30, 2019

In Season 2 of Language of God we’re going to hold faithfully to the truths of Christianity, while we explore the realities of this world, up to the limits of what we can know. Our guests include pastor John Ortberg, host of the On Being radio show Krista Tippett, writer and journalist Jonathan Merritt, biblical scholar John Walton, and many others. Episodes coming soon!

BONUS | Listeners Ask Jul 19, 2019

Language of God has hosted many great guests already in its first season but as hard as we try, we can’t always get to all your questions. So while we’re between seasons, we thought we’d open the phone lines. Jim Stump, host of Language of God, and a few BioLogos staff members sat down to try and wrestle with some of the questions we received. Here’s their conversation.

Read Joel Duff’s article mentioned in the conversation on our website.

Ask your own questions to a community committed to exploring topics of faith and science at the BioLogos Forum

BONUS | Science & Theology for Emerging Adult Ministries Jul 05, 2019

BioLogos is not the only organization tackling issues of science and faith today. Today’s episode features a panel from Science and Theology for Emerging Adult Ministries (STEAM), a project from Fuller Theological Seminary which offers resources to help teens and young adults to think through issues of science and faith. The panel discusses their project and lessons they have learned along the way.

Special thanks to Greg Cootsona, Kate Vosburg, and Len Tang.

Find more resources like STEAM in our Resource Center.

BONUS | Cool Creations Jun 20, 2019

This bonus episode highlights a few favorite ‘Cool Creations’ of people in the BioLogos community. From walking whales to the largest organism on earth, these astonishing snippets of God’s creation offer a reinvigorated view of the world around us.

Special thanks to: Ryan Bebej, Jeff Schloss, Rick Lindroth, Kate Vosburg, and Praveen Sethupathy.

Original music from Carp.

12. Rick Potts | A Long Becoming May 30, 2019

Rick Potts has always had an interest in origins. As a kid, exploring the origins of musical instruments and the solar system fascinated him. In high school he stumbled upon the study of human origins; he has not stopped investigating since. Dr. Potts tells Jim stories of excavations in China and southern Kenya and of people encountering the exhibit on Human Origins around the US. Reverberating throughout their conversation is the question, ‘What does it mean to be human?’

Dr. Rick Potts is a paleoanthropologist and curator of the Hall of Human Origins at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Before coming to the Smithsonian in 1985, he received his Ph.D. in biological anthropology from Harvard University and taught anthropology at Yale University. He has lead excavations throughout the East African Rift Valley as well as in southern and northern China. His research focuses on human adaptation to environmental change.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

11. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier | Dynamic Theology May 23, 2019

The Christian story is both universal and individual, all-encompassing and intensely personal. A robust theology holds the two in tension, weighing the church body against the single sanctuary. In this episode of Language of God, Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier joins BioLogos President Deb Haarsma to discuss the growth of a Latino/a theology which expresses the community’s experience in all its rich variety. Dr. Conde-Frazier speaks to life in the US with immigrant parents, the troubled history of race and science, and the importance of mentorship and role models for young people looking to careers in science.

Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier serves as Coordinator of Relations with Entities of Theological Education at Wesley Theological Seminary. She is the author of Hispanic Bible Institutes and A Many Colored Kingdom and has written extensively on multicultural education, Latin feminist theology, academic spirituality, and education for justice. She received her Master of Divinity from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary and holds a PhD in theology and religious education from Boston University.

10. Peter Enns | God is Not a Helicopter Parent May 16, 2019

How do we live when we don’t have all the answers? How do we find answers amidst Biblical contradictions? Theologian Peter Enns refuses to shy away from asking the larger questions about Christian faith. He brings these questions to his conversation with Jim, wrestling with how the Bible relates to our lives today. They explore the potential behind reading the Bible creatively, the dangers of our modernist sense of truth, and the growing desire for spiritual authenticity.

Theologian and Biblical studies scholar Dr. Peter Enns is Abram S. Clemes Professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University. His research has focused on a broad variety of topics such as Old Testament interpretation, hermeneutics, and the relationship between science and scripture. In addition to writing and teaching, he hosts a popular podcast called The Bible for Normal People. Peter received his B.A. from Messiah College and an M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary. He holds an M.A. and Ph.D. from Harvard University.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

9. Richard Mouw | An Eternal Gentleness May 09, 2019

In today’s episode, Jim talks to evangelical theologian Dr. Richard Mouw. Rich shares his experiences from working in interfaith dialogue and lays out a compelling vision for Christian civility. Reflecting on his career, he finds our polarized cultural environment is not new—we’ve been stalwart in battling over big questions for decades at minimum. Looking ahead, exciting avenues of progress and growth are entangled in the corrosive arms of static certainty. The first step to a greater humility is greater understanding. Mutual understanding helps us reckon with what we stand to gain by drawing closer to those we disagree with.

Richard Mouw is a theologian, philosopher, and former president of Fuller Theological Seminary, where he now acts as Professor of Faith and Public Life. Hoping to help resolve deep conflicts, his work often wrestles with interfaith issues and he has long been in dialogue with the Mormon and Catholic communities. He received his BA from Houghton College, an MA from the University of Alberta, and his PhD from the University of Chicago.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

8. Prayer May 02, 2019

One of the foundational practices of faith, prayer is an essential part of Christian life. But what is prayer? How does it work? Can we see its effects? Does science have anything to tell us about prayer? In this episode on prayer, Language of God producer Colin Hoogerwerf explores the relationship between science and prayer with Dr. David Myers, journalist Barbara Bradley Hagerty, author Philip Yancey, and Dr. Jimmy Lin. They discuss a 1997 Harvard experiment meant to measure the effects of prayer, the findings of neurotheology, and why we should pray at all. By melding their personal prayer lives with their research, our guests find a more robust understanding of the sacred practice.

Read David Myers’ response to the Harvard Prayer Experiment here.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

7. Bethany Sollereder | Lion Tennis in Heaven Apr 25, 2019

In this week’s episode, Language of God host Jim Stump is joined by Dr. Bethany Sollereder to wrestle with the problems of natural evil and the origin of death—topics Bethany addresses in her new book God, Evolution, and Animal Suffering: Theodicy without a Fall. They delve into the traditional answers to these questions, probing their strengths and deficiencies, and grapple with challenging Biblical passages on these issues. Bethany discusses the possibility of animals going to Heaven and what that would mean for how humans interact with them now. In all, she hopes to uncover how evolution is suffused with God’s love.

Dr. Bethany Sollereder is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Science and Religion at Oxford University. Her research focuses on theology regarding evolution and the problem of suffering. She received her PhD in Theology from the University of Exeter after earning an MCS in interdisciplinary studies from Regent College in Vancouver.

Original music from Carp.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

6. Francis Collins | Dig Deeper Apr 18, 2019

In the second half of our conversation with Francis Collins, he recalls writing Language of God over ten years ago and how the excited public response to the book sparked his idea for BioLogos. We reflect on the early days at the organization as well as Francis’ departure to become the head of the National Institutes of Health. Despite his departure from BioLogos, he still shares a firm commitment to gracious dialogue, to finding common ground with those with whom we disagree. Francis hopes we can learn to approach each other with respect and spend time with people who are different from us. We discuss the perception of religion in the scientific community and which questions science can answer and which ones it cannot. Finally Francis looks forward to the future of science—the exciting new horizons afforded by single-cell analysis, cryogenic electron microscopy, and treatments for genetic diseases.

Dr. Francis Collins is a physician and geneticist known for spearheading the Human Genome Project and for his landmark discoveries of disease genes. Collins founded BioLogos in November 2007 and served as its president until August 16, 2009, when he resigned to become director of the National Institutes of Health. You can find his landmark book on science and faith—Language of God—on Amazon.

More information on the concern about gene editing of human embryos can be found at the following links:
Call for a moratorium on heritable genome editing in the journal Nature
Francis Collins supports international moratorium on germline editing

Original music from Carp.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

5. Philip Yancey | What Good is Disappointment? Apr 11, 2019

Philip Yancey is one of the most compelling and popular Christian authors of our time. But the Church has not always been good him: growing up in Atlanta included absorbing the confidently racist doctrine his childhood pastor distributed from the pulpit. At one point, an inability to reconcile his experiences with the Christianity he was brought up to practice caused Yancey to abandon the faith. Yancey is not free from the pangs of doubt and disappointment today, but he gathers courage from the selfless love played out in people like Dr. Paul Brand, a medical doctor who dedicated his life to treating leprosy. In this episode’s conversation, Philip Yancey and Language of God host Jim Stump discuss rediscovering faith after messy first encounters, disappointment with the state of the world, and stepping into a life colored with hope.

Philip Yancey, author of books like Disappointment with God, The Jesus I Never Knew, and What’s So Amazing About Grace, is one the best selling Christian authors alive today. Early experiences in a toxic church environment as well as co-authoring several books with Dr. Paul Brand inform his writing on faith, the problem of pain, and unexpected grace. He holds graduate degrees in Communications and English from Wheaton College and the University of Chicago. Yancey lives in Colorado as a freelance writer and avid hiker.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

4. Faith & Soil Mar 27, 2019

Amidst a culture fostering skeptical apathy and fatalist visions of our planet’s future, how can we begin to strive toward a renewed creation? In this episode, our producer, Colin Hoogerwerf appeals to Dr. Steve Bouma-Prediger, Dr. Dan Richter, and Dr. Norman Wirzba in order to gain a richer view of these complicated issues. Colin invites these experts to reflect on how the role dirt has played in our lives has evolved since Biblical times, and how this may be connected to humility. They examine etymology, reflect on the Biblical call to be stewards of creation, and review findings in soil science to confront these questions with an eye for hope. The result—a fresh vision of our human relationship to the Earth.

Dr. Steve Bouma-Prediger is Professor of Reformed Theology at Hope College in Holland Michigan. He received his Ph.D. in religious studies from the University of Chicago in 1992 and has also earned a Master of Divinity from Fuller Seminary and a Master of Philosophy from the Institute for Christian Studies. He holds a B.A. in math and computer science from Hope College. Dr. Bouma-Prediger chairs the Campus Sustainability Advisory Committee in addition to overseeing the Environmental Studies minor at Hope.

Dr. Daniel D. Richter is Professor of Soils and Forest Ecology at the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. He co-authored Understanding Soil Change (Cambridge University Press) and his research has further revealed the extensive concomitance soil shares with ecosystems and the earth’s environment as a whole. He received his B.A. from Lehigh University in 1973 and his Ph.D. from Duke University in 1980.

Dr. Norman Wirzba is Professor of Theology, Ecology, and Rural Life at Duke University. He holds a Primary Appointment at Duke University’s School of Divinity and a Secondary Appointment at the Nicholas School of the Environment. His research explores the intersections of philosophy, sustainable agriculture, and ecology through a theological lens.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

3. Jennifer Wiseman | Light in Space Mar 27, 2019

As she recounts her life in science, astronomer Jennifer Wiseman discusses faith in her work, human significance in a vast universe, and the mysterious awe inspired by investigating the cosmos. Spanning her life from gazing at the night sky as a child in the Ozark mountains to searching for life outside our galaxy as an astronomer, Wiseman’s passionate work in science and Christian faith have been the warp and woof of her life story.

Jennifer J. Wiseman is an astrophysicist, author, and speaker. She studies the formation of stars and planets in our galaxy using radio, infrared, and optical telescopes. Dr. Wiseman studied physics for her bachelor’s degree at MIT, discovering comet Wiseman-Skiff in 1987. After earning her Ph.D. in astronomy from Harvard University in 1995, she continued her research as a Jansky Fellow at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Dr. Wiseman also has an interest in national science policy and has served as an American Physical Society Congressional Science Fellow on Capitol Hill. Dr. Wiseman enjoys giving talks on the excitement of science and astronomy to schools, youth and church groups, and civic organizations. She is a former Councilor of the American Astronomical Society and a former President of the American Scientific Affiliation.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

2. Praveen Sethupathy | Goodness, Civility & Transformation Mar 27, 2019

From Praveen’s childhood, growing up in a Hindu family, to his later conversion to Christianity and his entry into science, he has gained great insight into the science and faith conversation. With grace and humility, Praveen shares some of that insight as he considers what it means to be made in the image of God in light of our understanding of evolution and DNA. He has long felt the importance of fostering healthy dialogue among Christians and the scientific community and discusses how such a dialogue might actually bring us closer together.

Praveen Sethupathy is a Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cornell University, where he directs a research laboratory focused on human genomics and complex diseases. Praveen received his B.A. in Computer Science from Cornell University, his Ph.D. in Genomics and Computational Biology from the University of Pennsylvania, and he continued his training in genomics and gene regulation as a post-doctoral fellow with Dr. Francis S. Collins at the National Institutes of Health. Praveen was recently selected by Genome Technology as one of the nation’s top 25 rising young investigators in genomics. He has published nearly fifty articles in scientific journals, including Science, Nature Communications, PNAS, and Genome Biology and serves on the advisory board for AAAS Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion as well as the Board of Directors for BioLogos.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.

1. Francis Collins | Finding a New Story Mar 27, 2019

Dr. Francis Collins is a physician and geneticist known for spearheading the Human Genome Project and for his landmark discoveries of disease genes. Collins founded the BioLogos Foundation in November 2007 and served as its president until August 16, 2009, when he resigned to become director of the National Institutes of Health.

Collins sat down with us at his home to talk about his own journey in finding a harmony between faith and science. He talks about the early part of his career studying medicine and leading the Human Genome Project, shares stories of some of the people in his life who were influential in his conversion from atheism to Christianity, and discusses the role that music has played in his life.

Find a conversation about this episode at the BioLogos Forum.