APPLETON, WIS. — Ted Peters, an ordained minister, and Martinez Hewlett, a biochemist-turned-philosopher, examine the scientific and theological aspects of the question “Can You Believe in God and Evolution?” Thursday, Jan. 25 in an address at Lawrence University. The presentation, at 11:10 a.m. in Stansbury Theatre in Lawrence’s Music-Drama Center, is free and open to the public.
Peters and Hewlett are the co-authors of two books on the subject: “Evolution from Creation to New Creation” in 2003 and “Can You Believe in God and Evolution? A Guide for the Perplexed,” which was published in July, 2006.
The power-point presentation will examine the basic science of biological evolution, the social and philosophical “shrink wrapping” that was placed over the science more than 100 years ago as well as the societal responses to both the science and the overlay.
Peters and Hewlett contend that the science is not a challenge to belief. They support theistic evolution in which they take the science of evolution seriously but with an understanding their religious faith is enriched, not challenged, by the advances of science.
A pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Peters has taught systematic theology at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary since 1978 and served as PLTS’ interim president from mid-2003 until early 2005. He is also a faculty member at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif., and is affiliated with the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences as a research scholar.
In addition to his collaborations with Hewlett, Peters also has addressed issues related to science and religion in several other books, including “Science, Theology and Ethics” and “Playing God? Genetic Determinism and Human Freedom.”
Hewlett, a Roman Catholic, spent 27 years on the faculty at the University of Arizona as a molecular biologist. After retiring in 2003, he closed his research laboratory and turned his attention to teaching and creative writing, focusing on the philosophical aspects of science. He is the author of “Sangre de Cristo: A Novel of Science and Faith,” which has been republished as “Divine Blood.”
His interest in the spiritual aspects of existence led Hewlett to become a lay member of the Dominicans and he currently serves as an adjunct professor at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology at Berkeley’s Graduate Theological Union.
Peters’ and Hewlett’s appearance is sponsored by the student organization Lawrence Christian Fellowship.
