Paul’s briefest confession of faith is “Jesus Christ is Lord” (Phil 2:11, Romans 10:9, Colossians 1:15-20). As “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation……”, He is also the Lord of science. Sketch the nature and history of science, showing how it emerged from and remains consistent with a Christian worldview. Use Psalm 19 to illustrate how God speaks through His world and His Word.

A summary of the science of Big Bang cosmology, the age of the universe and the Earth according to science, and the idea of fundamental constants, and how all of these point to a universe designed by God.

The nature of the Earth and its uniqueness and the attributes that make it the ideal home for life. Discuss both the narrow and broad view of stewardship over creation and the virtues and drawbacks of the modern environmental movement.

We'll look at the origin and nature of life; its complexity and beauty, and how pre-biotic chemistry, DNA, the cell, and higher organ function all exhibit the presence of design. Discuss what evolutionary biology has contributed, and where it falls short as an explanation of life.

We'll wrestle with the idea of man as bearing the image of God and its implications. Consider the nature of human consciousness and its incompatibility with a materialist worldview. We'll discuss the definition and nature of evil, the problem of sin, and the created nature of man as essential to science, psychology, sociology, economics, and the basis for human and civil rights.

Several scientists who are also Christians have sought to explain the compatibility of Genesis 1 with modern science. Discuss the contributions/alternate views of key scientists who wrestle with Genesis 1 (Ross, Schroeder, Lennox, etc.)

Consider Genesis 1 from the view of those who attempt to read it from the standpoint of its first target audience. What would they have heard and understood it to mean, and how should that inform our reading today? Walton, Waltke, Hamilton and others are resources.

“And God said…”: Part 3 – Reading Genesis as 21 st century Christians
Facilitator: Mark Taylor

Discuss the veracity and ongoing relevance of Genesis 1 and its importance in opening the canon of Holy Scripture. Discuss how and why it remains essential as God’s Word to us today. Overview the reverberations of Genesis 1 through the New Testament, and make the connection between Creation and New Creation.

Conclusion: Participating in Christ the Lord of Creation
Facilitator: Dan Wodrich

Review the science and faith dialog with focus on what it means for Christian discipleship – What are the stakes in a Christian vs materialist worldview; what it means to find our identity in Christ, for how we follow Jesus, and indeed how we participate with Him in what He is doing to “unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth.” (Ephesians 1:10)