IRAS monthly webinar series, Science, Religion, and Society, featuring
Dr. Karl E. Peters, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religion, Rollins College, and past editor of Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science.
Respondent: Dr. Russell Re Manning, Reader in Religions, Philosophies & Ethics, School of Humanities, Bath Spa University, Bath. U.K.
Presentation Overview:
A Christian Naturalist Theology:
Living Faithfully in This World Only
Dr. Karl E. Peters
July 28, 2021 at 5:00 pm EDT, 4:00 CDT
This webinar will afford everyone the opportunity to hear Dr. Karl E. Peters, a past president of IRAS and well-known theologian, reflect on some of the world’s great theological questions from a Christian naturalist perspective. His book, being submitted for publication, in many ways is the culmination of Karl’s deep thought over a long life in creative theology. Karl traces major changes in Western worldviews over twenty centuries, ending with the cosmology that frames the modern age and the dialog between science and religion. This framework is crucial for intellectual honesty in the current epoch. Karl addresses how we might understand “God,” the evolution of humans, and human evil—systemic sexism, racial injustice, and moral challenges in an era of climate change. Once this framework has been established, Karl then returns to theologizing about Jesus and following Jesus in the practice of Christianity. This is where Karl shines the brightest. Reflecting on what Jesus did and who Jesus was from a naturalistic perspective, Karl uses the New Testament testimony to show how “practicing Christianity” leads of a fulfilled life without intellectual commitment to the mythologies and anachronisms that come to us from ages past. As we go forth into the world, the lessons we learn from Karl become our foundation for living: honesty with self, commitment to family, loving the neighbor, and building community. This is a compelling message for all of us facing the challenges ahead in the 21st century.
Presenter’s Background:
Karl E. Peters (Ph.D.) is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religion, Rollins College, Winter Park, FL, where he taught world religions, environmental ethics, and religion and science. He has been editor and co-editor of Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science and is past Co-chair of the journal’s Joint Publication Board. He also is a Past President and Vice-President for Conferences of IRAS. Peters is the author of Dancing with the Sacred: Evolution, Ecology, and God and Spiritual Transformations: Science, Religion, and Human Becoming, as well as many essays in science and religion. This seminar is the result of recent creative thought on developing a Christian Naturalist Theology. He lives on Granby, CT, USA. His website is www.karlpeters.net.
The IRAS webinar is FREE but registration is required.
Please register using the link below.
For questions, contact CJ Love: carolynjlove3@gmail.com