INTRODUCTION

In the twenty-first century, science is always part of the vernacular. From banner issues – such as evolution, neuroscience, and reproductive technologies – to daily questions about medicine and public policy, ministers need a grounding in science to preach persuasively, pastor responsively, and spread the gospel.

In the 2024-25 academic year, ECLAS will provide funds and resources for the integration of cutting-edge science in the core curriculum of U.K. seminaries. Inspired by a similar programme in North America and supported by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation, we are offering £60,000 each to 4 courses or colleges developing or refining at least one core class and hosting a wider-reaching science religion activity.

For details of how to apply, please scroll down.

To listen to a recent interview about the programme with the Revd Dr Lucas Mix and Dr Katy Hinman, hosted by our podcast partner Dr Barnaby Aspray of Faith at the Frontiers Podcast, please click here, or to read an article about the programme by ECLAS Programme Associate Dr Alex Jordan, please click here.

hidden text

CURRENT PROJECTS

MEET THE AWARDEES

hidden text

RESOURCES & LESSON PLANS

LOOKING FOR TEACHING RESOURCES?

image description

HOW TO APPLY

Our two-stage application process begins with a 1-2 page Letter of Interest (LOI). If it looks as if you would be a good fit for the programme, we will ask for a more detailed full proposal (8-10 pages). Proposals will be evaluated by external reviewers with experience in science and theology.

Calendar:

Letters of Interest (LOI) Accepted                           7 Aug – 29 Sep 2023

LOI decisions and proposal requests                        early Nov 2023

Proposals Accepted until                                            12 Jan 2024

Awards Announced                                                       Feb 2024

 

Letters of Interest

Please send LOIs by email to science.forseminaries@durham.ac.uk before 5:00pm Friday 29 September 2023. Letters should be no more than 2 pages in length (500 words).

Successful letters will address each of the selection criteria below in a concise and compelling way. They will include preliminary ideas on integrating science into at least one required course and hosting a campus-wide event. They will highlight potential impact of the project on students, faculty, and the larger community. Please attach contact information and brief biographies for proposed project leaders. Budget information is not needed at this stage.

Selection Criteria:

  • One or more staff members teaching core courses who are committed to achieving the project’s goals in cooperation with other schools
  • Ability to integrate science into one or more existing courses in the core curriculum, such as systematics, ethics, missiology, apologetics, or pastoral ministry
  • The creation of one science theology activity within the life of the College or course; this could be a scientist-in-residence, a podcast series or an art, drama or music production (creative activities will be viewed favorably; lecture series are discouraged unless they bring a novel approach)
  • Institutional capacity to implement the grant including a willingness to use ECLAS materials and create new resources
  • Commitment to sustainability beyond the length of the project
  • Demonstrated institutional commitment to cultural engagement

Exceptional proposals will also do one or more of the following:

  • Contribute to public understanding of the issue
  • Engage with previously under-represented groups
  • Explore a novel yet academically rigorous approach to the material
  • Fill a concrete need for a specific community (i.e., produce theological resources or activities for hospital chaplains dealing with theodicy and COVID-19)

We are also dedicated to engaging cultural, geographic, and theological breadth.

 

Full Proposals

Proposals by invitation only. We will send out detailed instructions after stage one. In brief, the proposal will be 8-10 pages long (4000-5000 words) submitted in a MS Word or PDF file to science.forseminaries@durham.ac.uk before 5:00pm Friday 12 January 2024.

Proposals include description of the planned class and activity as well as details about the organization, personnel, cultural engagement, and possibilities for the future. They should be accompanied by faculty CVs, administration letter(s) of support, and a comprehensive budget with accompanying narrative.

 

Questions

For more information, do not hesitate to email SfS programme associate Alex Jordan at science.forseminaries@durham.ac.uk, or SfS programme lead Lucas Mix at lucas.mix@durham.ac.uk. We look forward to working with applicants at every stage to ensure the best possible proposals and projects.

image description

WHAT ARE OUR PROJECTS UP TO?

Events organised as part of the previous round of Science for Seminaries include a podcast series on science and theology, study days on theology and ecology, workshops on preaching for people with specific learning difficulties and a CPD course for clergy on mental health, theology and science.

 

2021-22 Projects

2022
hidden text Anscombe Bioethics Centre with St Mary’s College, Oscott

Science-Engaged Bioethics in Pastoral Ministry

LEARN MORE
hidden text St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth

Divine Action and the Sacraments

LEARN MORE
hidden text Union Theological College

Bioethics and Emerging Technologies: Engaging Science, Education and the Church

LEARN MORE
load more
2021
hidden text Nazarene Theological College

Science and Theological Ethics

LEARN MORE
hidden text Wycliffe Hall

Libri duo: Scientific Insight for Theological Formation

LEARN MORE
hidden text The University of Aberdeen School of Divinity

Theology, Health and Healing: An integrative model of healing for church and society

LEARN MORE
hidden text Sarum College

Equipping Ministers to Interpret Science for the Practice of Ministry in Contemporary Society

LEARN MORE
hidden text St Augustine’s College of Theology

Faith in Science: A Curriculum-Wide Initiative

LEARN MORE
hidden text Regents Theological College

The Full(er) Gospel: Pentecostalism and Science

LEARN MORE
hidden text London School of Theology

Creation Matters: Bringing Theology and Science into Dialogue

LEARN MORE
hidden text Ripon College Cuddesdon

Saints, Sinners and Scientists: Teaching a Science-Engaged Soteriology

LEARN MORE
hidden text Cranmer Hall

From Conflict to Confidence: Science and Faith – Changing the Narrative

LEARN MORE
load more
image description

RESOURCES

These pages contain a range of suggestions for how theology can take science seriously within the context of the Common Awards, for those who are interested in theology, mission and ministry.

They come from a variety of leading voices in the science-theology academic world but are earthed in local church ministry.

They can be used as self-contained sessions within themselves or parts of them can be used – not only in specific science theology teaching but across the range of modules in various theological disciplines across the Common Awards.

The lesson plans can also be used in conjunction with our ‘Short Answers to Big Questions’ series.

hidden text
Pentecostal Theology study guide

An overview of a module developed for level 5 (2nd year UG) students. This module on Pentecostal Theology was redesigned to incorporate dialogue with science into various aspects of the module, as part of Regents Theological...

by Helen Billam
hidden text
Lecture on AI and the Image of God – Dr Max Baker-Hytch

As artificial intelligence technology develops, how might it influence the way we think about ourselves as humans made in the image of God? A recorded lecture by Dr Max Baker-Hytch, tutorial fellow in Philosophy at...

by Helen Billam
hidden text
Theological and Scientific Perspectives on Signs, Wonders and Miracles – Amos Yong

A recorded lecture from the Institute of Pentecostal Theology, as part of a Science for Seminaries project.

hidden text
The Rise of the Moral Machines – Prof Nigel Crook

A recorded lecture from Wycliffe Hall as part of the ECLAS Science for Seminaries programme.

by Helen Billam
hidden text
Testing prayer: Pentecostals, science, and healing – Candy Gunther Brown

A recorded talk for the Institute of Pentecostal Theology’s ‘Signs, Wonder and Miracles’ Conference. The conference took place as part of a Science for Seminaries grant from ECLAS.

by Helen Billam
hidden text
Teaching Christian Spirituality and Science

Revd Dr Alan Gregory and Revd Prof Charlotte Sleigh from St Augustine’s College of Theology talk about their course on spirituality and how it engaged with diverse scientific disciplines.

by Helen Billam
hidden text
Science and Theology at Nazarene Theological College

Visiting Lecturer Dr Gavin Merrifield gives a taster of what ordinands at Nazarene Theological College have covered in their Science for Seminaries-funded course.

by Helen Billam
hidden text
Cranmer Hall – Life on Earth lecture

Cranmer Hall received an ECLAS Science for Seminaries grant in 2021. Here, course director Revd Dr Paul Regan talks through one of the lectures he gave as part of the course, focusing on life on...

by Helen Billam
hidden text
Three Minute Theology: Why do Christians need eco-theology?

Dr Jeremy Kidwell explores the value and importance of eco-theology. This video from Nazarene Theological College was supported by an ECLAS Science for Seminaries grant.

by Helen Billam
hidden text
Exploring Religion and Moral Psychology

A conversation between Dr Tobias Tanton and Revd Jennifer Brown from Ripon College Cuddesdon. Cuddesdon received an ECLAS Science for Seminaries award in 2021 to redevelop a core module on soteriology, currently taught to all...

by Helen Billam
hidden text
Preaching for Specific Learning Difficulties

    A three-part workshop on preaching for and with specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia, dyscalculia and ADHD. Part of a Science for Seminaries-funded project at Ripon College Cuddesdon.

by Helen Billam
hidden text
What role does science play in theological formation?

For our Science for Seminaries retreat in April 2021, we asked some of the UK’s leading theologians about the role that science plays in theological formation.

by Helen Billam
hidden text
Cranmer Hall – Introduction to ‘A History of Science and Faith’ module

Cranmer Hall was a recipient of a 2021 Science for Seminaries grant from ECLAS. Here, Revd Dr Paul Regan gives a short overview of the module and why science and faith have a historical precedent...

by Helen Billam
hidden text
Teaching Notes

Outline teaching notes for three 30-minute snippets on introducing science into preaching. Aim: To show how scientific subjects can be introduced into preaching.

hidden text
Biblical Creation Texts

Outline notes for two sessions on the biblical creation texts. Aim: to give students an understanding of the range and significance of OT creation texts.

hidden text
Teaching On Theology Of Science

Outline Notes for a Teaching Block on a Theology of science. Aim: to introduce the idea of a theology of science, a framing of the human relationship with nature, of science as God’s gift, and...

hidden text
Engaging With Creationist Worldviews In The Classroom And Congregation

Outline Notes for a Teaching Block on Engaging with creationist worldviews in the classroom and congregation. Aim: To help students engage with creationist worldviews, whether expressed in the classroom or congregation

hidden text
Teaching Block On Natural Evil In The Light Of Science

Outline Notes for a Teaching Block on natural evil in the light of science. Aim: to introduce and evaluate the concept of natural evil, and to suggest how such ‘evil’ might be thought compatible with...

hidden text
Teaching On The Conflict Thesis

Outline Notes for a Teaching Block on The Conflict Thesis in Science and Religion as an illustration of the range of understanding of science-religion interactions. Aim: to introduce the ‘Conflict thesis’ and assess its use...

hidden text
Deserts beyond deserts: Beyond the wilderness with the Perseverance rover, with the Revd. Dr...

Revd Dr Pamela Conrad joined our Science for Seminaries retreat to talk about her work exploring hostile environments and designing the Mars rover, Perseverance.

by Helen Billam
hidden text
Study Guide – The Torah

Study guide for level 5 (2nd year UG) module on the Torah. The module engages with science mainly regarding Genesis 1-11. This module was developed as part of the Science for Seminaries project at Regents Theological...

by Helen Billam
VIEW RELATED RESOURCES

Contact Us

For more information, do not hesitate to email programme associate Dr Alex Jordan or programme lead Revd Dr Lucas Mix at science.forseminaries@durham.ac.uk.

Submit an email