Constructive and Gracious Conversation

“Constructive and gracious conversations about science and faith among Christians can be difficult to achieve. Scientific perspectives on human origins, in particular, are seen by many Christians today as a threat to the integrity of the Bible and certain core Christian beliefs. In contexts, such as university campus Christian groups where a range of views on these issues are held, discussions of questions related to science and the Bible tend to be avoided as unhelpfully controversial. As a result, young Christians with an interest in science and who wish to think through these issues in conversation with others are often poorly served.

David and Kate Vosburg, a husband and wife team, have set out to address this need through a ‘conversation guide’ designed to help Christians engage thoughtfully and constructively with each other over these questions.”

“There is much to be praised about this book. The authors have displayed admirable constraint in keeping the chapters short and punchy. The resource lists for further reading are extensive and provide an excellent way in to Christian thinking on the various topics. The studies appeal to both heads and hearts, and participants are guided not only to think through the issues more clearly but are led towards praise and action.”

—From a book review by Naomi Dawson and Jonathan Dawson of Jesus, Beginnings, and Science: A Guide for Group Conversation , by David A. Vosburg and Kate Vosburg, which appeared in Science & Christian Belief (2019) Vol 31, No. 1. p. 81-82.

God's Word in Translation

The Bible was not originally written in English. Furthermore, only a very small portion of it was even written in Aramaic, which was the language Jesus spoke.

Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

From its beginning, the Christian record of God’s Word has been available only in translation. The text of the Jewish scriptures, which Christians recognize as the Old Testament, was written in an ancient form of Hebrew. The New Testament documents were first penned by their authors in Greek (or at least the earliest known copies are in Greek).

Contemporary English speakers can choose from among many modern Bible translations. The information in Which Good Book? An Impartial Guide to Choosing a Bible Translation, by Karen A. Bellenir, is presented through a series of questions designed to help you focus on finding the one that may best meet your needs. The questions attempt to avoid advocating for any particular Bible version, and your answers will lead you to suggestions drawn from a list of many of the most popular translations.

Honest and Open Dialog

by David A. Vosburg

Ellen, a sophomore taking my chemistry course, was standing at my office door. “Professor Vosburg,” she said, “I saw your blog posts on science and Christianity. Can we talk about them?” That began a series of conversations with Ellen about faith, and then one of Ellen’s friends started meeting with her to guide her in looking more closely at the Bible. Seven months later, Ellen accepted Jesus.

Sam was also a college sophomore, and he attended a lecture I gave on science and Christianity. He was shocked to learn that scientists could be Christians and that some of them were actually people he knew! He was already committed to becoming a scientist, but once he realized that scientists could embrace faith and follow Jesus, he reconsidered his atheism. After several talks with me, Sam joined a dorm Bible study for seekers. A year later, he became a Christian and was baptized on Easter Sunday.

Both Ellen and Sam thought that a person couldn’t believe in Jesus and science at the same time. When they heard otherwise, they wanted to see what the Bible really said, to explore ideas with peers, and to see what options were open to them.

Exploring and understanding the relationship between faith and science is very important—and not just for prospective scientists. Ellen and Sam thought Christianity and science were incompatible because that was the impression they got from Christians around them. Equally at fault were non-Christians who insisted that God and science don’t mix.

How can Christians and non-Christians engage with faith and science productively? We must have honest and open dialogue, take both the Bible and science seriously, and convey respect for others—even when we disagree with their views. I hope Jesus, Beginnings, and Science will catalyze good and healthy conversations for believers and for seekers.

[Excerpted from Jesus, Beginnings, and Science: A Guide for Group Conversation, by David A. Vosburg and Kate Vosburg.]