PréCiS number 14
April 2001

New Chairman for Christians in Science

Colin Humphreys has been a stalwart Chairman for more than 7 years. His professional commitments continue to increase and we congratulate him on his appointment as President of the Institute of Materials. This additional responsibility does however mean that he is having to step down as chairman of CiS.

We are pleased to announce that John Bryant, Professor of Cell & Molecular Biology at Exeter University, has agreed to take his place and will pick up the reins in July.

Templeton Prize comes to Britain

This year's Templeton Prize (the £7000,000 'Nobel Prize' for religion) has been awarded to Professor Arthur Peacocke for his promotion of understanding between science and theology. He is a physical biochemist and founder of the Society of Ordained Scientists.

CiS website

This now has much more in the way of articles and news items. However keeping it updated with fresh items is demanding so please send in any news and views that might be suitable for inclusion. As it is very much our public face the committee has agreed that all articles submitted should be reviewed by two committee members prior to their appearing. Feed back on this is welcome but new articles even more so.

Science day at St. Aldgates Church Oxford on 17th February

This University city church had a Saturday on Science & God's World considering

"What can Science say about God?"
"What do the rocks tell us about the past"
"global warming" and
"where we are going?"

It was for both scientists & non-scientists, Christians & non-Christians and the discussion was good. This church has a regular forum on Science & Christianity and CiS members might consider following their example as there is a real need for dialogue, particularly in the areas of rapid scientific advance.

Subscription renewal

If your subscription is overdue, you will have received a reminder with this issue of PréCiS; please deal with it soon so that you may receive your copy of the April 2001 issue of S&CB as soon as possible"..

Subscriptions paid by the CAP method

CiS is no longer able to collect subscriptions annually from credit cards via Continuous Authority Payment instructions. The Merchant Services company has changed its regulations and it would be too expensive for us to continue. All members who use this facility will hear from the membership secretary in due course. We will continue to accept payments by cheque, credit and debit cards and standing orders.

Membership Directory

CiS would like to make the Membership Directory available before the end of 2001. Members have the opportunity to review their details each time they receive a subscription request.

Please contact Pauline Williams, The Coach House, Eagle Hall, Swinderby, LINCOLN LN6 9HZ, Tel: 01522 869584, email PaulineAWilliams@aol.com if you wish to change your personal details (address, telephone numbers, email address, qualifications, main discipline, current position, etc.). You can choose to omit some or all your details from the Directory.

If you would like to have a list of CiS members in a particular area please contact Pauline.

Speakers' List

Thank you to everyone who responded to the request for updated speaker information. If you have not yet responded please do so soon so that the list can be made available to those members and other bodies requesting speakers for various events.

Perspectives on science

John Bausor of Christians in Science Education draws attention to a new AS level on the History and Philosophy of Science called Perspectives in Science. It's Units include: Seminal Figures, Great Debates, Inspired Mistakes, Modern Thinking and Science through the Ages. It should provide a welcome broad approach and is Supported by The Royal Society. CiS members will be interested to know that it is being co-ordinated by John Taylor of Rugby aSchool who is speaking at our September conference (see over)

The next day conference

Put the date in your diary now.

Questions of Truth in Science and Christianity - Can we be sure about anything?

Saturday 29 September 2001 9.30 am -5 pm St Paul's Church, Robert Adam Street, London W.1

SPEAKERS AND TOPICS

Roger Trigg A Christian basis for scientific reasoning

John Taylor Science, Christianity and the post-modern agenda

Don Carson Maintaining scientific and Christian truths in a climate of relativism

Colin Russell Has science anything to do with human values?

Denis Alexander A view from the lab bench

Derek Burke BSE, MMR and GM: who is telling the truth?

Roger Trigg is Professor of Philosophy, Warwick University and author of Rationality and Religion and Rationality and Science

John Taylor teaches at Rugby School (see overleaf) and won a Templeton Award for his essay in Science and Christian Belief.(vol.10 (2) pp 163-178 1998)

Don Carson is Professor of New Testament Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield Illinois and a prolific writer and speaker.

Colin Russell is Visiting Research Professor of History of Science and Technology at the Open University and a previous President of Christians in Science

Denis Alexander is Chairman of the Molecular Immunology Programme at the Babraham Institute Cambridge and the Editor of Science and Christian Belief

Derek Burke was previously Vice chancellor of the University of East Anglia and chaired the UK Government Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes

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PréCiS number 14 April 2001