Physicists To Speak On Science And Faith Topics March 24-26

by Judy Long

Dr. Deborah Haarsma and Dr. Loren Haarsma will present the Templeton Foundation Lectures on issues in science and theology March 24 through 26 on the Baylor University campus. The series is sponsored by the office of the vice provost for research, the department of physics and the Institute for Faith and Learning.
Deborah Haarsma, a radio astronomer in the department of physics and astronomy at Calvin College, will open the series with the topic "A Universe of Wonder" at 2 p.m. Wednesday, followed by Loren Haarsma speaking on "Where is God in Science?" at 3:30 p.m., both in Kayser Auditorium of the Hankamer School of Business.
On Thursday, March 25, Deborah will speak on "Speaking to Your Church about Science" at 2 p.m., and Loren will focus on "Evolutionary Psychology and Divine Revelation" at 3:30 p.m. in Kayser Auditorium.
The series will conclude Friday, March 26, with Deborah discussing "Current Research in Gravitational Lensing" at 2 p.m., followed by Loren on "Why Should a Scientist Believe in God?" at 3:30 p.m. in room 202 of the Marrs-McLean Science Building.
Deborah Haarsma finished her bachelor's degree in piano performance and physics and completed doctoral work in physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She taught at Haverford College in Philadelphia before joining the faculty of Calvin College in 1999. Her writings include articles and book chapters co-authored with her husband, Loren, on topics in faith and science.
Loren Haarsma, whose specialty is biophysics, received his bachelor's degree from Calvin College, his master's degree from University of Washington and his doctorate from Harvard, all in physics. He has published extensively in scientific journals on neuroscience and physics topics and written numerous book chapters and journal articles on science and faith topics.
The John Templeton Foundation was established in 1987 by renowned international investor Sir John Templeton to encourage a fresh appreciation of the critical importance -- for all peoples and cultures -- of the moral and spiritual dimensions of life. The foundation seeks to promote a standard of excellence in scholarly insight to encourage further worldwide explorations of moral and spiritual dimensions and human potential.
The primary goal of the Templeton Research Lectures is to promote the constructive engagement and original research between the physical, biological, and human sciences and those modes of inquiry and understanding generally found within theology, religious studies and philosophy.
For more information, call the office of the vice provost for research at 710-3763.