Many organizations and individuals produce materials to support Christians in thinking about the sciences. I have a friend who disclosed that she has some concerns about many of these organizations, however, because they get “too political,” regardless of their political orientation. I get it. Not only does politics immediately divide and distract, it can be […]
Launching Experimental Philosophy of Religion
Does the existence of the universe demand an explanation? Do animals dying in forest fires represent challenging pointless suffering? Is our free will compatible with God’s infallible knowledge of the future? These are the kinds of philosophical questions that a recent program involving Blueprint 1543 tackled. The “ Launching the Experimental Philosophy of Religion ” […]
Navigating the Shifting World of Technology
In my last blog, I sketched out what my Riddell Memorial Lectures were about. “Curb Your Technological Enthusiasm: When should we be tech-prudent?” was my title. My basic point was that we need to draw upon relevant scientific study of cultural evolution in order to better anticipate which new technologies (broadly construed) are likely to […]
The Problem With Fast Spreading Technology
Recently I was on a bus in Dublin, Ireland in conversation with a European professor. We’ve known each other for many years but see each other infrequently. As part of catching up, I shared with him that earlier in the year I spoke at Newcastle University (England) for their annual Riddell Memorial Lectures. “Curb Your […]
Aging Dementia and the 2024 Presidential Race
On a recent trip I arrived at my destination airport and was greeted by a driver who was picking up several of us going to the same meeting. Quickly I was seated next to a medical school professor who has written multiple books on caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease. To my surprise, he mentioned […]
Recommended Reading in Theology for Scientists
When I arrived at Cornell University as a doctoral student in cognitive/experimental psychology, I was treated a bit like a unicorn, dragon, or some other mythical creature that people had heard about but doubted actually existed. I was a Christian AND a scientist! How could that be? Of course, there were others — even on […]
Letter from the President: Integrated People, Churches, and Inquiry
In November 2023, Blueprint 1543 hosted a reception in conjunction with the American Academy of Religion/Society of Biblical Literature annual meeting, in San Antonio, Texas. While there we got to catch up with a number of colleagues over beverages and meals. At one such informal gathering, folks who we were meeting for the first time […]
Letter From the President: Why Settle for Mediocre Events? (Part 2)
Not too long ago, Blueprint 1543 helped with the design and facilitation of a multi-day, interdisciplinary academic workshop. Based upon the reactions of the project leader and the participants, we regarded the event as a great success and were gratified that we could help. But every time we do an event, we take the time […]
Letter From the President: Why Settle for Mediocre Events? (Part 1)
Early this year, after a private workshop that Blueprint 1543 designed and facilitated, a colleague asked me whether Blueprint could also be contracted to do public events. He had hosted a lackluster event designed and administered by his university’s events department and wondered if there was a better way for his grant-supported work to have […]
Why is Theology Important, Even for the Science-Minded?
Blueprint 1543 is heavily invested in promoting science-integrated theology. But why do we care so much about theology? It is tempting to think that, in our contemporary age, theology doesn’t have much to contribute anymore. Those of us who are people of faith might think that, for the most part, theology was settled centuries ago, […]
