In case you missed it, the video from our past event on Truth Claims in a Pluralistic Society is now available. Enjoy!
A Quartet of Books by Newbigin
If you’re wanting to engage more with the topic of pluralism and the gospel, you can’t go wrong with Leslie Newbigin. Newbigin was an internationally esteemed missionary, theologian and apologist. Here’s a few good starting places:
Foolishness to Greeks: the Gospel in Western Culture
The Gospel in a Pluralist Society
Proper Confidence: Faith, Doubt, and Certainty in Christian Discipleship
Panel Discussion: “Truth Claims in a Pluralistic Culture?”
Last Wednesday a panel consisting of Dr. John Beggs, Dr. Tim O’Connor and Dr. Bob Whitaker discussed the question of truth claims in our current, pluralistic culture. Each brought insights from their own field: Dr. Beggs from the sciences, Dr. O’Connor from philosophy, and Dr. Whitaker from theology (panel biographies). Each was tasked with answering two main questions: first, why are truth claims necessary, and second, how do we go about making truth claims in today’s world.
We have posted the audio from the discussion along with the Q&A (stream, download).
Resolving conflict between science and faith
“As a Christian I accept and live a life of faith, and as a scientist I embrace rationality. I don’t think there needs to be a huge conflict between science and religion. Much of this could probably be resolved if scientists were more willing to accept that the most cherished things in life cannot ultimately be reduced to equations, and if religious people were more willing to accept that faith is not an excuse to stop thinking.” – John Beggs
Meet Our Panel for November’s “Truth Claims in Pluralistic Culture?”
Dr. Tim O’Connor, Dr. John Beggs, and Dr. Bob Whitaker will participate in November’s discussion, “Truth Claims in a Pluralistic World?” During the discussion, each will bring the unique perspective of their field to issues related to truth claims in our contemporary, pluralistic world.
Dr. O’Connor is a philosopher whose chief interests lie in metaphysics, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of religion. He taught at Indiana University for more than twenty years in the Philosophy Department. Dr. O’Connor is currently teaching at Baylor University in 2017. Dr. O’Connor received his M.A. in Philosophy from University of Illinois at Chicago, and his Ph.D. in Philosophy from Cornell University.
Dr. Bob Whitaker is a pastor and a theologian. In addition to his teaching work at Evangelical Community Church, he has been a member of the adjunct faculty at Ivy Tech State College and Indiana University. He received his M.A. at Trinity Law School, an M.Div. and S.T.M from Yale University, as well as a D.Min. from Princeton Theological Seminary.
Dr. John Beggs, Professor of Physics at Indiana University, has taught at IU since 2005. He received his B.S. and Masters degree from Cornell University and his Ph.D. from Yale University. In addition, Dr. Beggs did postdoctoral work at the National Institute of Health.
A Theologian, a Scientist, and a Philosopher
A Theologian, a Scientist and a Philosopher walk into a bar.
Sounds like the beginnings of a good joke, but it’s actually our next Trinity Fellowship Lecture, except for the bar part. Three thinkers from different fields discuss the issue of truth claims in a pluralistic culture, providing a multidisciplinary perspective on a pressing issue in our culture and campus.
Dr. Tim O’Connor, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Baylor University, will be in conversation with Dr. John Beggs, Professor of Physics at Indiana University, and Dr. Bob Whitaker, pastor and theologian.
Join us on November 15th, 6pm in the Frangipani Room (IMU) for what is a stellar lineup and a provocative conversation.
October’s Trinity Fellowship with Dr. John Beggs
In the second Trinity Fellowship Lecture this fall (2017), Dr. John Beggs spoke on “How Can I Connect Science and My Faith?” Dr. Beggs shared some of his inspiration as a scientist and a as Christian before delving into three separate, but related topics: evolution, ethics, and the fine-tuning of the universe.
The audio from Dr. Beggs lecture is available to download or stream, as are his presentation slides so you can follow along. The Q&A is also available (download, stream)
John Beggs: “How Can I Connect Science with My Faith?”
Dr. John Beggs is a highly regarded scientist on the faculty at Indiana University. He is also a person deeply committed to his Christian faith. On October 18th at 6pm (Woodburn Hall 101), he will discuss the ways in which his Christian faith and science are compatible.
Sometimes faith and science are treated as entirely different, incompatible ways of knowing. They are to be kept in separate silos, never to meet or inform one another. John Beggs, a committed Christian and highly regarded scientist questions this paradigm, asking instead, “How Can I Connect Science with my Faith?”
Join us for the conversation, and invite others who’d be interested – student, faculty, religious or irreligious.
Associate Professor
Biophysics
B.S., Cornell University, 1985.
Ph.D., Yale, 1998.
Postdoctoral Position: National Institutes of Health, 1999-2003
Seeing by Faith
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else”
– C.S. Lewis
First Trinity Fellowship Lecture
On Wednesday, September 20th, Dr. Bob Whitaker lectured on the intersection of faith and doubt. Drawing from personal experience, Scripture and philosophy, Dr. Whitaker contends that believers need to make room for doubt in their life and not be overly disturbed by questions that are not resolved.
To request audio from the lecture, contact Josiah Leuenberger (leuenbergerjj1@gmail.com).
Trinity Fellowship 