Science and Spirituality for the Curious copertina

Science and Spirituality for the Curious

Science and Spirituality for the Curious

Di: Richard Randolph
Ascolta gratuitamente

Offerte di stagione | 0,99 €/mese per i primi 3 mesi

A seguire 9,99 €/mese – si applicano condizioni. Puoi disdire mensilmente.

This the official podcast of the Science and Spirituality Institute. The focus is on relationships between the sciences and different spiritualities and faith traditions. We rely primarily upon the dialogue methodology for exploring these relationships.

© 2026 Science and Spirituality for the Curious Filosofia Scienza Scienze sociali Spiritualità
Episodi
  • Episode 2.9: Darwin’s Gift to Christianity and Other Faiths? A Conversation with Charissa Jaeger-Sanders

    Episode 2.9: Darwin’s Gift to Christianity and Other Faiths? A Conversation with Charissa Jaeger-Sanders
    Sep 14 2026
    Send us Fan MailCan Darwin's theory of evolution deepen our understanding of God rather than simply challenge it?Evolution has often been portrayed as a threat to Christian faith. Its long history of struggle, predation, suffering, death, and extinction seems to intensify one of theology's most difficult questions: How can such a world be reconciled with belief in a God who is all-loving, all-powerful, and all-knowing?In this episode, Richard Randolph speaks with United Methodist deacon and theologian Charissa Jaeger-Sanders about the first chapter of her dissertation, which approaches that question from a strikingly different direction. Rather than treating Darwin only as a challenge to Christianity and other faiths, Charissa explores how evolutionary biology may also become a theological gift.Their conversation considers nature's deep ambiguity. Competition and suffering are undeniably part of the evolutionary story, but so are cooperation, mutualism, adaptability, care, interdependence, novelty, and wonder. This fuller vision of nature opens the way toward understanding creation not as a finished and static product, but as a dynamic, relational process of ongoing becoming.In This Conversation· Evolutionary suffering creates such a profound challenges for Christian traditional ideas of Divine omnipotence, omniscience, and love· Why nature cannot be characterized as simply hostile or harmonious· Evolution reveals novelty, emergence, increasing complexity, interdependence, and ongoing becoming· How Charissa incorporates the Wesleyan Quadrilateral of Scripture, tradition, experience, and reason in her theological analysis and reflection on Darwinian evolution · How Charissa integrates the Wesleyan Quadrilateral into her comparative constructive theology and thealogy· Theological reflection should attend to the experience and agency of the more-than-human world· Creation's freedom to participate in its own becoming makes possible both suffering and flourishingWhy This Conversation MattersPublic debates often force an unnecessary choice between accepting evolutionary science and affirming religious faith. Charissa's work refuses that false choice. She takes the suffering disclosed by evolutionary biology seriously, without treating suffering as the whole story of nature or retreating from the difficult theological questions it raises.The result is a constructive account of creation in which divine love works through empowerment rather than coercion. Evolution does not provide a simple solution to the problem of suffering, but it can enlarge our understanding of God's relationship with a creation that possesses genuine freedom, creativity, and the capacity to become something new. This perspective also creates space for fruitful conversation between Christianity and other religious traditions.A Central InsightDarwin's gift is a vision of creation as unfinished, interconnected, and alive with possibility. God empowers creation to participate in its own becoming, bringing the risk of suffering and decay, but also the emergence of diversity, complexity, relationship, flourishing, freedom and wonder.About the GuestCharissa Jaeger-Sanders brings evolutionary biology into conversation with Christian theology and Hindu Sakta thealogy. Her work uses comparative constructive theology and the Wesleyan Quadrilateral to explore the relationship between the Divine, materiality, creaturely agency, and suffering.About the PodcastThe Science and Spirituality for the Curious podcast seeks to provide resources and opportunities that help individuals and faith communities develop their own informed understanding of how science and spirituality relate to one another. The podcast pursues this mission through different formats. Some episodes feature conversations with specialists in science, spirituality, theology, history, and related fields. Others feature reflections by Richard Randolph, the podcast’s host, on various aspects of science and spirituality.Links · To make a donation supporting the development of faith-based resources on AI technology, click here: https://scienceandspirituality.org/support · For the free subscription to Richard Randolph’s Substack block, click here: https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com/ For Further Reading· Abram, David. “On Being Human in a More-Than-Human World.” Center for Humans & Nature, July 22, 2012. · Ayala, Francisco J. Darwin’s Gift to Science and Religion. Washington, DC: Joseph Henry Press, 2007.· Haught, John F. God After Darwin: A Theology of Evolution. 2nd ed. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2008. · Jaeger-Sanders, Charissa. “Weaving Webs of Wisdom: How Our Interconnectedness with the Divine, Creation, and One Another Matters.” Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies 38 (2026): Article 3. · Johnson, Elizabeth A. Ask...
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    38 min
  • Ep 2.8 Can Artificial Intelligence Be Virtuous? A Conversation with Braden Molhoek

    Ep 2.8 Can Artificial Intelligence Be Virtuous? A Conversation with Braden Molhoek
    Jul 27 2026
    Send us Fan MailRichard Randolph speaks with Braden Molhoek, Director of the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences (CTNS), about artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, virtues, and the changing landscape of the science and religion dialogue. Braden begins by describing the path that led him to CTNS, including his studies in science and religion and his doctoral work in ethics and social theory at the Graduate Theological Union. He then introduces his research into “virtuous AI” and the important distinction between acquired and infused virtue. Braden believes that humans may be able to design technologies to support virtuous behavior, although that does not necessarily mean the technologies themselves possess virtue. The conversation also considers a less desirable possibility: AI systems can be designed—or trained—to reinforce vice. Braden points particularly to the sycophantic tendencies of large language models, which may flatter users, affirm their assumptions, and encourage them to place unwarranted confidence in AI-generated responses. Such systems may even tempt users to substitute interactions with AI for the complexities of human relationships. Richard and Braden broaden the discussion by considering how other technologies can assist moral behavior. GLP-1 medications, for example, may help some people exercise temperance by reducing cravings and impulsive behavior. But, if the effect disappears when the medication is discontinued, has the person acquired the virtue of temperance, or has technology temporarily supported temperate behavior? Their conversation then moves toward the future of humanity. If humans are genetically modified to survive in low-gravity environments or live on another planet, would they remain the same species as Earth-bound humans? What ethical problems might arise if modified and unmodified humans coexist? Could unequal access to human enhancement create new forms of power and injustice? Braden also describes a recent CTNS project funded by the Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER), a program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). In that project, CTNS offered several graduate level courses, as well as a public forum, exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on global climate change. Braden and Richard also reflect on growth in the creative mutual interaction of science and religion. For instance, earlier work primarily concentrated on cosmology and evolution. While cosmology and evolution continue to be important, contemporary scholarship has expanded to address consciousness, genetics, artificial intelligence, environmental responsibility, and emerging technologies. As Director of CTNS, Braden hopes to engage these emerging questions while preserving the Center’s longstanding commitment to a wide range of natural science and theological concerns. In this episode Information on the Graduate Theological Union and the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences Braden’s journey into the study of science, theology, and ethics The history and continuing mission of CTNS How the science and religion conversation is changing The difference between acquired and infused virtue Whether an AI system can genuinely possess moral virtue Sycophancy and flattery in large language models GLP-1 medications and technologically assisted temperance as examples of using emerging technologies to promote virtue Genetic modification, space settlement, and the future of the human species The ethical risks of unequal access to human enhancement Environmental responsibility in the Anthropocene About Braden Molhoek Braden Molhoek is Director of the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. His academic work brings Christian ethics and virtue theory into conversation with artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, as well as engaging environmental concerns, and theological anthropology. He has also contributed significantly to the CTNS Virtuous AI research project. About the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences (CTNS) The Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences is an international center dedicated to promoting the creative mutual interaction if science and religion through research, teaching, and public service. Located at the Graduate Theological Union, CTNS explores topics ranging from cosmology and evolution to artificial intelligence, genetics, consciousness, environmental ethics, and human flourishing. About the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) Formed in 1962, the Graduate Theological Union is a consortium of interconnected theological schools, research centers, and affiliates working in collaboration to offer the Masters of Art and Ph.D. graduate degrees. As a collaborative consortium, GTU’s Mission is to advance “ecumenical, interreligious, and ...
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    44 min
  • Ep 2.7: Can You Be a Christian Without Believing in Miracles?

    Ep 2.7: Can You Be a Christian Without Believing in Miracles?
    Jul 6 2026

    Send us Fan Mail

    Do Christians have to believe that the miracle stories in the Bible literally happened in order to be faithful followers of Jesus?

    In this thought-provoking episode, Richard Randolph explores one of the most challenging questions at the intersection of science and faith. Drawing on biblical scholarship, theology, and his own spiritual journey, Richard argues that Christians can remain deeply committed Christians, while understanding the miracle stories as profound expressions of spiritual truth rather than literal suspensions of the laws of nature.

    Along the way, he examines miracle traditions from several of the world's religions, considers the historical work of Elaine Pagels, reflects on the theology of physicist-priest John Polkinghorne, and explains why he believes the Resurrection belongs in a fundamentally different category than the other miracle stories found in Scripture.

    Whether you agree or disagree with Richard's conclusions, this episode invites listeners to think more deeply about what miracle stories were intended to communicate—and why they continue to matter today.

    In this episode you'll discover:

    • That miracle stories appear in virtually every major religious tradition.
    • Why Richard no longer interprets biblical miracles literally.
    • Why he believes science and authentic Christian faith need not be in conflict.
    • How trust in God shapes his understanding of Divine Action.
    • Elaine Pagels' historical insights into miracle stories in the ancient world.
    • Why the Resurrection is fundamentally different from other biblical miracle stories.
    • Insights into miracle stories from John Polkinghorne and John Dominic Crossan
    • How miracle stories may become even more spiritually powerful when we read metaphorically, rather than literally.
    • A moving reflection from physicist and theologian Robert (Bob) Russell on praying for a healing miracle during his battle with prostate cancer.
    • The Buddhist insight that the greatest miracle is the transformation of human consciousness—and how Christianity expresses a similar vision of transformed life.

    Books and Authors Mentioned

    • Elaine Pagels, Miracles and Wonder: The Historical Mystery of Jesus (2025)
    • John Polkinghorne, "The Credibility of the Miraculous" (Zygon)
    • John Dominic Crossan (quoted in Miracles and Wonder)

    Additional Reflections from Richard Randolph on the Resurrection

    • Podcast Episode 2.3: “Science and Resurrection”
    • Substack Reflection on “Science and Resurrection,” available at https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com

    Connect with Science and Spirituality

    Website:
    https://www.scienceandspirituality.org

    Support the Podcast:
    https://www.scienceandspirituality.org/support

    Email Richard:
    richard@scienceandspirituality.org

    To financially support this podcast series, go to www.scienceandspirituality.org/support

    To access Richard’s new Substack reflections, https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com


    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    35 min
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
Ancora nessuna recensione