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ISCAST is a network of people, from students to distinguished academics,
exploring the interface of science, technology, and Christian faith.
The patron of ISCAST is Professor Graeme Clark AC FAA FRS, bionic ear pioneer.

  • The ISCAST 2020 Conversations

    ISCAST 2020 Conversations: Now online!

    All the fascinating series of conversations are now on YouTube

    Read more
  • Free book for new ISCAST members

    Join ISCAST now as a new member and receive this book in the mail as a welcome gift.

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  • Sign up for over 50 COSAC 2020 talks

    It's not too late to hear all the COSAC talks. Check the website for details.

    Read more
  • The ISCAST book library in East Melbourne

    The ISCAST public library

    The ISCAST public book library is in East Melbourne. ISCAST members have borrowing rights.
    Read more
  • Review of Adam and the Genome: Reading...

    Looking for a good book? Check out our reviews!
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  • Putting a reckless God under the microscope...

    New ISCAST book featured in 'Eternity'
    Read more

In an increasingly global and secular scientific culture, the science-faith conversation is at the cutting edge of Christian engagement.

Before analysing the relationship between these two notions, faith and science did not really align in my mind. They seemed too distant, almost like polar opposites, however my understanding of this has definitely changed. Even though there are distinct differences—science asking how things are created whereas religion asking why—the correlation is complementary.
A year-10 student after an ISCAST school seminar

I used to think that science and faith could not exist in the same world. Now I think that it is all a matter of perspective, because faith and science can co-exist.
Year-9 student at an ISCAST school seminar

Questions of faith and science are of great importance for people of all ages, and they are being extremely well addressed by ISCAST.
ISCAST patron, Professor Graeme Clark AC FAA FRS, bionic ear pioneer

Science and faith is a key issue ... ISCAST addresses the complexity of this important question in ways young people can handle. Thank you.
Rev. Philippa Lohmeyer-Collins, Chaplain and Religion and Values Teacher, Mentone Girls’ Grammar

Thinking seriously about science is important for all of life but especially important for those thinking about the bigger questions of our existence. No organisation in Australia does it better than ISCAST.
Dr John Dickson, founding director, Centre for Public Christianity

It was fantastic to have ISCAST present to our Year 10s. The talk encouraged students and staff to think deeply across a variety of themes and topics. I highly recommend ISCAST for presenting on faith and science in any school setting.
Rev. Nick Curtis, Director of Christian Ministries, PLC, Melbourne

Creation's wonders draw me to worship of the Creator and curiosity about the created order. ISCAST stimulates and nurtures my curiosity and hence my worship: ‘faith seeks understanding’. I commend the strategic mission of ISCAST and urge support for its resourcing of science and Christian faith.
Bishop John Harrower OAM

 

Featured News

ISCAST Fellow Mike Clarke on "Why preserve anything?"

ISCAST fellow Mike Clarke recently featured on an episode of City Bible Forum's Big Questions show. The big question was: Why preserve anything? And, in particular, why should we be concerned with the impact of fire on fauna? Mike is a biologist and bushfire expert. The discussion considered the impact of the bushfires and why we should be concerned about preserving anything at all. The conversation revealed that the standard answers to this big question are surprisingly difficult.

Christmas and Science: Reflections by John Long on Christmas, science, and Stanley Jaki
A reflection by ISCAST Associate John Long on Christmas, science, and the work of Stanley Jaki

(Photo: The author and Stanley Jaki in 1992.)

 

Review of "The Lost World of the Flood: Mythology, Theology and the Deluge Debate" by Longman and Walton

Review of The Lost World of the Flood: Mythology, Theology and the Deluge Debate by Tremper Longman III and John H Walton (with a contribution by Stephen O. Moshier).

Reveiwed by Loraine Holley

View all featured articles

Latest News

ISCAST Fellow Mike Clarke on "Why preserve anything?"
Tuesday, January 12, 2021 - 08:58

ISCAST fellow Mike Clarke recently featured on an episode of City Bible Forum's Big Questions show. The big question was: Why preserve anything? And, in particular, why should we be concerned with the impact of fire on fauna? Mike is a biologist...

Read more
Christmas and Science: Reflections by John Long on Christmas, science, and Stanley Jaki
Friday, December 18, 2020 - 13:27
A reflection by ISCAST Associate John Long on Christmas, science, and the work of Stanley Jaki

(Photo: The author and Stanley Jaki in 1992.)

 

Review of "The Lost World of the Flood: Mythology, Theology and the Deluge Debate" by Longman and Walton
Thursday, December 17, 2020 - 11:06

Review of The Lost World of the Flood: Mythology, Theology and the Deluge Debate by Tremper Longman III and John H Walton (with a contribution by Stephen O. Moshier).

Reveiwed by Loraine Holley

Science and Orthodoxy Around the World
Monday, December 14, 2020 - 19:59

News from ISCAST fellow Doru Costache about the "science and Orthodoxy" project and documentary.

Are We Slaves to our Genes? New book from ISCAST Distinguished Fellow Denis Alexander
Monday, December 14, 2020 - 11:46

There is a common misconception that our genomes—all unique, except for those in identical twins—have the upper hand in controlling our destiny. The latest genetic discoveries, however, do not support that view. Although genetic variation does...

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Are scientists biased against Christians? Exploring real and perceived bias against Christians in academic biology
Monday, November 23, 2020 - 09:04

In the US, 75% of people would identify themselves as Christians whereas only 30% of scientists would do the same. Why are Christians so poorly represented in science? Is there a bias against Christians in the American college system? The authors...

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Review of "The Genealogical Adam and Eve: The Surprising Science of Universal Ancestry" by S. Joshua Swamidass
Thursday, October 22, 2020 - 13:38

The Genealogical Adam and Eve: The Surprising Science of Universal Ancestry

S. Joshua Swamidass

IVP Academic, 2019

 

Reviewed by Stephen Collins, who is a fellow of ISCAST and a retired physics lecturer.

The ISCAST 2020 Conversations – now available online
Wednesday, September 23, 2020 - 18:53

We didn't let COVID crush us! We didn't let lockdown get us down! Over 250 people registered for the ISCAST 2020 Conversations from September through December. You can now find all the conversations online.

This year has been...

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Reflections on quantum physics, mathematics and atheism
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 - 14:35

Past ISCAST fellow Nick Hawkes reflects in these three articles on the significance of quantum physics for mathematics, atheism and God.

An environmentalist challenges alarmist environmentalism: A review of Michael Shellenberger's "Apocalypse Never" by Ian Harper
Thursday, August 27, 2020 - 12:41

Review of Apocalypse Never: Why Environmental Alarmism Hurts Us All, by Michael Shellenberger (New York, NY: Harper, pp. xiii + 413, including index)

By Ian Harper

Andrew Sloane on "Exploring Consciousness" on ABC Radio National
Saturday, August 22, 2020 - 11:59

ISCAST fellow Andrew Sloane discusses consciousness on the ABC's God Forbid program. Find it here: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/...

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ISCAST director's book shortlisted for Australian Christian Book of the Year
Thursday, July 30, 2020 - 16:40

Science and Christianity: Understanding the Conflict Myth, by ISCAST Executive Director Chris Mulherin is an easy-to-read introduction to science and Christianity for students, teachers, clergy, parish groups and interested lay people. ...

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The Academic Martyrdom of Peter Ridd: A Warning to Those Who Love the Truth
Thursday, July 30, 2020 - 16:30

An opinion article by ISCAST fellow Ian Hore-Lacy.

In May 2018 Peter Ridd was sacked from his position as Professor of Physics by James Cook University (JCU) after criticising the scientific work of academic colleagues. ...

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The ISCAST Kingdom Project
Wednesday, July 8, 2020 - 08:43

The following document is a draft of various contributions to the ISCAST Kingdom Project. This document consists of the following contributions:

...

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Enlightened Racism? asks Peter Harrison
Thursday, June 18, 2020 - 13:17

ISCAST fellow Peter Harrison comments on the danger of assuming that a return to Enlightenment values is the solution to some of the global turmoil. An excerpt: "We should be wary of calls to revisit an imagined Enlightenment in which the values...

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Topics

  • Science & Christianity
  • Physical Sciences
  • Biological Sciences
  • Environment & Resources
  • Technology & Computing
  • The Human Being
  • Creation & Evolution

Events

Sep 24
The ISCAST 2020 Conversations – now available online

We didn't let COVID crush us! We didn't let lockdown get us down! Over 250 people registered for the ISCAST 2020...

View all

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PAST EVENTS
http://iscast.org/past_events

Special offers: "SCIENCE AND CHRISTIANITY" BY CHRIS MULHERIN

Cover of "Science and Christianity"

ISCAST Executive Director Chris Mulherin has written an easy-to-read introduction to science and Christianity. Sign up as an ISCAST member to get a free copy. Or Garratt Publishing have a "buy 5 and get 1 free" deal here. You can find out more about the book here.

"Unlikely Allies" now available to order!

Cover of  "Unlikely Allies"

In Unlikely Allies: Monotheism and the Rise of Science, Mark Worthing investigates the claims of religious traditions that they played a unique role in the rise of the natural sciences. Click here to buy the book.

"A Reckless God?" Out Now!

Cover of "A Reckless God"

A Reckless God? Currents and Challenges in the Christian Conversation with Science, edited by ISCAST Executive Director Chris Mulherin, Roland Ashby, John Pilbrow and Stephen Ames, is the first in the "ISCAST Nexus" series. Click here to buy the book.

ISCAST public library

More books! ... available at the ISCAST book library in East Melbourne. See here.

  • ISCAST Distinguished Fellows
  • ISCAST Board and Executive
Alexander, Denis
Wiseman, Jennifer
Harrison, Peter
Clark, Graeme
Freeman, Ken
McLeish, Tom
View All ISCAST Fellows
Sonia Han
Mark Worthing
Seak-King Huang
Karen Hale
Peggy Kern
Roger Lewis
Stephen Collins
Lewis Jones
Jonathan Clarke
Chris Mulherin
View All ISCAST Board and Executive
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ISCAST is committed to engaging Australians in constructive conversation between Christian faith and the sciences. Many of its members are professional scientists, theologians, and philosophers, who have a commitment to the Christian faith.
 
We welcome receiving your feedback about this site at admin@ISCAST.org
 

About ISCAST

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WORTH PONDERING ...

Science can never be more than an affirmation of certain things we believe in. These beliefs must be adopted responsibly, with due consideration of the evidence and with a view to universal validity. But eventually they are ultimate commitments, issued under the seal of our personal judgment. At some point we shall find ourselves with no other answer to queries than to say “because I believe so.” That is what no set of rules, or any model of science based on a system of rules, can do; it cannot say “because I believe so.” Only a person can believe something, and only I myself can hold my own beliefs. For the holding of these I must bear the ultimate responsibility; it is futile, and I think also ignoble, to hunt for systems and machines which will take that burden from 35 me. And we, as a community, must also face the fact that there is no system of necessary rules which will relieve us from the responsibility of holding the constitutive beliefs of our group or of teaching them to the next generation and defending their continued profession against those who would suppress them.

Michael Polanyi, "Scientific Beliefs", Ethics, 61 (1) Oct. 1950, 27–37.
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