A Network of Christians in Science

Southern California Christians in Science is a local chapter of the American Scientific Affiliation (ASA), a national organization of Christians in Science.  This local chapter is envisioned as a venue for ASA members to meet regularly for the purposes of learning, networking, fellowship and discussion of topics that are of interest to the members and pertinent to the mission of the ASA.  We also want to support efforts of ASA members as they pursue the stated purpose of the ASA "to investigate any area relating Christian faith and science" and "to make known the results of such investigations for comment and criticism by the Christian community and by the scientific community." 

In light of these goals, we

• meet quarterly in February, early June, late August, and October
• support smaller meetings/events related to ASA’s mission throughout our area
• communicate developments related to all of the above via regular emails and this web site

If you would like more information about who we are or what we do, please contact one of the officers listed below:

President: Tom Ferko  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Secretary: Steve Contakes This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

On Saturday, October 15, 2011, we met at St. David’s Church in North Hollywood for a short time of worship and a presentation of the Faraday Institute’s Test of Faith, part 3.

Before the meeting we enjoyed a great time of conversation and a wonderful collection of gastronomic delights at an informal pot-luck dinner in the Church fellowship room from 5:30 – 6:30 PM.

The formal program began at 6:30 when Tom Ferko gave a short introduction to the ASA and its S. California Christians in Science local chapter and encouraged attendees to consider joining the ASA. After this introduction we engaged in a short time of worship led by Jason and Kathy Hine.

At 7 PM Tom introduced Ruth Bancewicz who briefly described the Faraday Institute and the Test of Faith study materials. Afterward, we watched part 3 of the Test of Faith video. This was followed by a panel Q&A session. Tom introduced the Q &A by sharing some biographical info on each panelist. The panelists were:

• Ruth Bancewicz, a geneticist on staff at the Faraday Institute;
• Stephen Contakes, a chemist at Westmont College;
• Maurice Lee, a theologian with a background in computational neuroscience at Westmont College.

Members of the audience brought up a number of thoughtful questions about the creation of life in the lab, origin of life chemistry, the theology of creation, neuroscience and the soul, emergence, evolution, the resurrection, Genesis 1 & 2, and the public image of science. This led to a fun and vigorous discussion among the panelists and with the audience. At the close Jim Buchholz highlighted the upcoming ASA national meeting at Point Loma Nazarene University with its special theme of Science and the Media. He encouraged local section members to both attend and consider giving presentations.

Afterwards, Ruth gave a brief presentation about the Test of Faith video, book, and study materials. The presentation, which began at 8:30 PM, included a description of the materials and suggestions for how they can be used.

After the formal program, Ruth and the panelists stuck around for further discussions with members of the audience.  Many thanks to Ruth and the Faraday Institute for their thought-provoking work, and to Ruth, Maurice and Stephen for serving as our panel during Q&A.