Blueprint 1543 seeks to equip and inspire integrated sciency people and integrated churches to come together to make positive use of integrated understandings in local communities. How do we arrive at rigorous, trustworthy understandings that bring theological insights together with scientific findings? We call this pursuit integrated inquiry. In short, integrated inquiry is the search for new ideas and understandings that are motivated and framed by Christian theological commitments. It judiciously draws upon relevant sciences to arrive at conclusions that non-scientific theology and theology-bare sciences could not attain on their own. We help scholars from the sciences better understand Christian philosophy and theology as resources for their work. We help theologians, philosophers, and faith-leaders better understand scientific areas that are useful to their inquiry. We convene interdisciplinary groups of scholars around problem spaces that will benefit from integrated inquiry, and help them build enduring collegial communities who have shared visions and mutual respect. This creative, integrated inquiry will make progress on problems that matter to the life of the Church and the flourishing of the world.
Project Spotlight
Ian Church, a philosopher and leader of the Launching the Experimental Philosophy of Religion program, has been at the forefront of integrating theological/philosophical insights with scientific findings through Blueprint 1543’s initiative of integrated inquiry. This program, which tackled profound philosophical questions such as the existence of the universe, the nature of suffering, and the compatibility of free will with divine omniscience, blends traditional philosophical methods with the empirical tools of psychology. By doing so, Ian Church is leading a groundbreaking effort to explore how ordinary people around the world think about these complex issues, an approach that aligns with the core principles of integrated inquiry.
Blueprint 1543 has played a pivotal role in helping Ian pursue this work by providing the resources and framework necessary to merge diverse academic disciplines. Integrated inquiry—the search for new ideas and understandings motivated by Christian theological commitments, while drawing on relevant scientific disciplines—has been a central focus of the initiative. Blueprint 1543’s support enabled Ian to bring together scholars from various institutions, fostering an environment where philosophy, theology, and psychology could work in tandem to address questions that go beyond what any single discipline could answer.
In practical terms, Blueprint 1543 helped Ian conceptualize the project, write the original grant proposal, and establish a rigorous system for evaluating sub-projects. The organization also facilitated the creation of a collegial community among the scholars involved, ensuring effective collaboration and mutual respect across disciplines. This integrated approach to inquiry has not only advanced Ian’s program but also demonstrated how theological and scientific insights can work together to address issues of great importance to both the Church and society.
To learn more about Blueprint’s professional relationship with Dr. Church watch this engaging interview!
