Nazarenes Exploring Evolution 2014

CALL FOR PAPERS

Proposals Due: September 15, 2013
Submit all proposals to:  Sherri Walker at sherri@6foot4.net

You can also download the Call for Papers

Since the publication Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species in 1859, the majority of scientists have come to affirm that creatures have evolved from less complex forms over a very long time. In fact, polls indicate that more than 95% of American scientists affirm some theory of evolution to account for this change over time. In addition, the majority of academically trained Christian theologians, Bible scholars, and others scholars of religion believe that evolution, generally speaking, is compatible with the Christian claim– God is Creator. And a growing number of pastors and Christian leaders believe the claim that God is Creator is fully harmonious with major theories in science, including the theory of evolution. 

Recent polls also indicate, however, that more than half of American Evangelicals do not believe God creates through evolution. Most, including many members of the Church of the Nazarene, are skeptical that evolutionary theory is compatible with biblical ideas about creation. 

The Nazarenes Exploring Evolution conference will explore the compatibility or incompatibility of evolution and Christian theology in the Wesleyan tradition. Hosted by Point Loma Nazarene University and co-sponsored by the Nazarenes Exploring Evolution project, the conference is open to pastors, scholars, and laity who seek to account for contemporary theories in science and Christian doctrines of creation.

The conference will feature keynote speakers, group discussions, a film, and more. Part of the conference involves paper presentations selected from pre-submitted proposals. Proposals exploring evolution and theology are preferred; proposals addressing the general relationship between science and theology are welcomed; papers exploring other scientific issues as they relate to theology will be considered. Papers may take pastoral, academic, educational, or sociological perspectives. 

Reviewers will select proposals whose content they deem most appropriate. Those whose proposals are accepted will present their ideas in 15 minutes or less and engage in a question and answer period of roughly the same length of time. 

Proposals should be submitted to Sherri Walker (sherri@6foot4.net) by Sept. 15, 2013. Proposals should be 300-500 words, sent by email, have a title, be a Word document, and have the name of the proposer and his/her institutional affiliation (if applicable). Proposals will be circulated to reviewers. 

CONTACT US

For more information, or if you have questions as the website is being developed, please contact the Wesleyan Center:

e: WesleyanCenter@pointloma.edu
p: (619) 849-2549