At ECLAS we talk a lot about science-engaged theology. But how do we engage with science in our worship?
We see science as a gift from God, one that can illuminate truths about Creation. Good science – meaning that which seeks to benefit the world – enriches Christian faith and helps us fulfil our God-given potential. For good and ill science shapes our culture, through language and concepts and rapidly-changing technology. By engaging with science, we engage with all the people whose lives are shaped by it, from scientists and engineers to the general public.
Our new blog series provides practical advice for preachers, worship leaders and churchgoers seeking to engage with science in their ministry. It builds on a basic insight – that science can be a gift from God – providing both examples and advice for sharing that gift. Sometimes it seems as though both theology and science are confined to academia and dense books and journal articles. By engaging with them in sermons, songs, and liturgies, we make them more accessible, relevant, and easy to discuss.
In the posts below experienced preachers, liturgists, and musicians share their thoughts on science-engaged worship. We hope this will provide a handy reference guide on how to introduce science into services.
We’re kicking off with two posts on nature and science in hymns and worship music. Music affects us in a special way, and well-chosen music can bring all the other elements of a service together.
Our third post, from Dr Jennifer Brown, is all about how best to prepare sermons linking to a scientific theme.
Our fourth post showcases contributions from three scientists of faith – Professor Paul Ewart, Grace Wolf-Chase, and Tom McLeish – on how to make fruitful links between science and theology, and their favourite Biblical passages to link to science.
Our fifth post, from God and the Big Bang, looks at how churches can incorporate science into all-age services.
Our sixth post focuses on specific moments in the church calendar where we can explore scientific questions through the Bible, history, and church festivals.
Then Grace Wolf-Chase, shares her perspective on prayer, asking God what we can do to help creation as co-creators.
Finally, our Stories of Science and Faith offer several ways in to thinking about how science and the Church have interacted through history, with an accompanying Bible study.