The Intersection of Faith & Science

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2 The Intersection of Faith & Science Faith and Science are often cast as antagonists in the battle for minds and hearts. Our starting point will be the awesome wonders of God s creation as we consider how faith and science both are part of the fabric of God s creation. The boundary between faith and science is at times challenging and difficult. How do we reconcile our faith with the world of science often portrayed as an adversary of faith? Join us as we explore this intersection through the experience and insights of scientists who are committed followers of Christ. Conference presentations and interaction with the speakers will help participants be better prepared to speak to the hope that is within and engage more effectively in the faith-science discussion that impacts us all. About the Great Room Lecture Series Fairfax Community s Great Room Lecture Series focuses on equipping followers of Christ for greater Kingdom impact in the marketplace through presentations that combine Biblical scholarship with best practice examples of living out a thoughtful and relevant witness in places where faith, culture, and vocation intersect.

3 About the Speakers Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D. Keynote Speaker Francis S. Collins, a physician-geneticist noted for his landmark discoveries of disease genes, and his visionary leadership of the Human Genome Project (HGP), is director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). Collins oversaw the HGP, the international effort to map and sequence the 3 billion letters in the human DNA instruction book. Many consider this project to have been the most significant scientific undertaking of our time. Dr. Collins is author of The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief, winner of the Christianity Today 2007 Book Award for Apologetics/Evangelism. Christianity Today says, He faces head-on the most tactically challenging issues that keep people from Christian faith in our time with both clarity and charity. And by showing a Christian who loves creation, science, his neighbors, and his Lord, it presents a rare and welcome picture of mature Christian character. Kevin Heaney, Ph.D. Session Speaker Kevin Heaney received his Ph.D. in Applied Ocean Sciences from Scripps Institution of Oceanography in For the past 17 years he has worked in industry and academia conducting research in ocean acoustics. His research interests include underwater sound propagation, including across ocean transmissions, monitoring climate change, ocean modeling and passively tracking marine mammals. He is currently working as a consultant for the Office of Naval Research. Michael E. Summers, Ph.D. Session Speaker Michael E. Summers is a professor at George Mason University and planetary scientist who studies the structure, origin, and evolution of planetary atmospheres. Summers received his Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology in Summers is currently a member of the science team of the New Horizons mission to Pluto, launched in January His research on Earth s atmosphere has focused on atmospheric ozone and the formation of noctilucent clouds, which are the highest clouds on Earth. He is a member of the science team of the AIM satellite mission that was launched in 2007 to study the role of these clouds as possibly the most sensitive indicator of global climate change.

4 Register for this important conference Just $25 *Students attend for free with a valid Student ID Register Online Register by Mail Complete the attached registration form and return it to: Fairfax Community Church Braddock Road Fairfax, VA Attn: Valerie Dickson Register In Person Drop off your registration and payment at Fairfax Community Church For more information valeriedickson@fairfax.cc Or call

5 Conference Schedule FRIDAY, MARCH 28 The Language of God: A Scientist-Believer Looks at the Human Genome 7:00 8:45 pm Dr. Francis S. Collins Faith in God and faith in science can be harmonious combined into one worldview. Dr. Collins will share about his own journey from atheism to faith, and take us through his experience of helping oversee the Human Genome Project s stunning sequencing of the code of life. He will help us understand how modern science can all fit together with belief in God and the Bible. Dessert Reception & Book Signing 8:45 9:45 pm Dr. Francis S. Collins in The Great Room SATURDAY, MARCH 29 Breakfast 8:30 9:00 am In The Great Room The Oceans Declare: Exploring the Wonder and Majesty of our Blue Planet 9:00 10:30 am Dr. Kevin Heaney Oceanography involves the application of a wide variety of scientific disciplines to the ocean. In this presentation Dr. Heaney will recount how God led him to his career as an oceanographer. He will share his experience of the clash between faith and science in addition to looking at the questions of how science should influence our faith; how faith should influence our response to science; and how one can, in the midst of mystery and wonder, worship the living God. Psalm 19: The Heavens Declare the Glory of God 11:00 12:30 am Dr. Michael E. Summers The science of astronomy brings us face-to-face with God s creation, his handiwork, on the grandest of scales in space and time. We see a universe that is vast beyond comprehension, but that is governed by laws that are amazingly simple. The consequences of these simple, yet carefully crafted laws are truly breathtaking. We have a universe that is perfectly suited for us to be here and to wonder at its creation. The story of God s creation is written in the stars, just as the Psalmist tells us. The science of astronomy is helping us piece together that story and in this talk Dr. Summers will show some glimpses of its grandeur. Check-in on Friday, March 28 begins at 6:30pm.

6 To register by mail or in person - Please complete the form below and mail with payment to: Fairfax Community Church, Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA Registration Information Name(s) Organization Address City State Zip Phone Special Assistance - Fairfax Community is fully accessible. Assistance is available upon advanced request for the hearing impaired. Payment Information ($25/per person) Please charge my: r Visa r MC r Amex Acct # Exp. Date / 3-digit Security Code Cardholder s Name (print) Cardholder s Signature r Enclosed is a check payable to Fairfax Community r I am a student and will bring a valid student ID (no payment due) Cancellation Policy - If you are already registered and cannot attend, substitutions can be made by or phone by March 26. Refunds for cancelled registrations can not be given.