The Cultural Element in the Dialogue Between Science and Religion

For decades, theologians and scientists have worked hard to show how science and faith can go hand in hand.

They’ve explored everything from evolution and neuroscience to animal suffering and the nature of knowledge, offering thoughtful, often beautiful reflections on what it means to hold science and faith together.

But despite years of rich conversation and compelling arguments, the science–faith dialogue still struggles to break through to the mainline church, according to theologian and director of New Zealand Christians in Science (NZCIS), Nicola Hoggard Creegan.

“In this interdisciplinary space, we spend much energy on mapping the territory and making arguments,” she writes. “We have all waded in, confident that just a few more arguments will make all the difference. But at some stage, one must step back and say, why is it still so hard?”

In this Opinion & Response piece for ISCAST’s journal Christian Perspectives on Science and Technology, Nicola explores the cultural elements that may be hindering fruitful dialogue between science and religion, and issues a challenge to the mainline church to rethink its approach.

Read the full article in CPOSAT here.