Neverending ideas to ponder – Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology

Susan BarretoSusan is an author with a long-time interest in religion and science. She currently edits Covalence, the Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology’s online magazine. She has written articles in The Lutheran and the Zygon Center for Religion and Science newsletter. Susan is a board member for the Center for Advanced Study of Religion and Science, the supporting organization for the Zygon Center and the Zygon Journal. She also co-wrote Our Bodies Are Selves with Dr. Philip Hefner and Dr. Ann Pederson.

Whether it’s a question of artificial intelligence and robotics or how our religious experiences are reflected in brain scans, and even the psychological impact of religion are just some of the unfolding topics that abound in faith, science and ethics circles. 

The exploration moves quickly from month to month it as scholars seek to keep up with the latest discoveries and the potential each has to reshape our world and view of it. This month, Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology (LAFST) Steering Committee member Thomas Johnston takes his own deep dive into Psalm 8’s amazing imagery and cosmological message. It is a thorough look at the relationships between the Bible and science. 

In reflecting on Psalm 8, Johnston writes, “God’s glory and honor extended to humanity, and humanity then participates or cooperates with God’s creative agency. The psalmist then transitions to the role or responsibility of humanity, and the role of responsibility that is given to humanity is stewarding God’s very good creation.” This very concept as driven much of the work of theologian Dr. Phil Hefner, whose ideas are advanced in a new book titled “Human Becoming in an Age of Science, Technology, and Faith.” Hefner and other preeminent scholars seek to explore so many of the challenges being posed by intersection of humanity, technology and faith. 

Lastly in our news section, we look to the human mind for both insights on spiritual experience as well as how that experience influences our psychological health.  

Susan Barreto, Editor
Covalence
@luthcovalence
relandsci@gmail.com