Pop science and pop theology: new ways of exploring an old dialogue

Wilkinson, David

doi:10.1177/0040571x19883534

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…One does not have to look too far to find examples of the “conflict thesis” (Wilkinson 2020; Lightman 2019) playing out in popular culture with examples being found in new atheist literature, comments made by comedians (Ricky Gervais and Stephen Fry) and TV programs/documentaries (Big Bang Theory and The Root of all Evil). The conflict thesis (the idea that science and religion are fundamentally opposed to each other) can easily be replicated in the media by constructing debates between scientists who are antireligious and preachers who are antievolution (Gundlach 2018, 163).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Building Enthusiasm and Overcoming Fear: Engaging With Christian Leaders in an Age of Science

Reid¹,

Wilkinson²

2021

Zygon

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In popular culture the relationship between science and religion has often been portrayed as one of conflict. The impact of the conflict thesis can be observed in church leaders' hesitancy in talking about science and religion in the public domain. It was this finding that led Revd Professor David Wilkinson (cosmologist and theologian) and Professor Tom McLeish (physicist and Anglican lay reader) to form the project 'Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science' funded by The Templeton World Charity Foundation. The data presented in this article (collected during 2015-2018) is derived from two discreet pieces of research. The first consisting of a survey of over 1,000 church leaders and interviews with 20 senior church leaders and, the second, with a strategic focus on ministerial training comprised of 12 interviews with church educators. This paper reflects on the findings from both pieces of researchcovering topics such as church leaders' enthusiasm towards science, how church leaders view the relationship between science and religion and the role of compartmentalisation in ministerial training. The article is unique in providing sociological analysis on the relevant data and including a personal reflection by David Wilkinsonthe project's directoron the implications of the research for ministerial training and science.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%