About the Science and the Theology of Catastrophe course
Geo-Science in a Partnership with a Practical Theology of Catastrophe for Saving Lives and Livelihoods
This online course is based on Roger Abbott’s research into the catastrophic impact of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
This work was a partnership of geo-science and a practical theology of divine sovereignty and human responsibility to demonstrate that a science-faith approach can defy the conflict thesis and save lives and livelihoods.
We explore, through a presentation and discussion, how a science-faith partnership offers life-saving potential for populations that are vulnerable to natural hazard-related human catastrophes.
I will make the case for practical theology being the most appropriate discipline for partnering with geo-science when studying catastrophe rather than the more conventional (I believe, damaging) approach of theo-philosophical theodicy. Geo-science provides empirical evidence for the beneficial role of natural hazards for sustaining life on our planet; practical theology provides a lens for understanding how the damaging effects of global and local human interactions with the creation can result in catastrophic results.
About the tutor
Roger Abbott is a Faraday Associate with an active research interest.
Roger was Senior Research Associate in Natural Disasters for The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, Cambridge, from 2012-2021.
He previously worked in church pastoral ministry for 30 years.
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This course is part of the Science for Seminaries programme to enhance teaching on ethics by exploring the interface of science and theology.
The Sarum College Science and Faith Lecture Series is funded by a grant to promote science-engaged theology from the ‘Science for Seminaries’ programme run by Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS).
The Sarum College Science and Faith Lectures
Free online Mondays 7-8.30pm from 30 January to 6 March 2023.
Future courses:
13 February
Science and the Theology of Wellbeing
with Gillian Straine
20 February
Science and the Theology of Evolution
with Bethany Sollereder
27 February
Science and the Theology of Dementia
with Joanna Collicutt
6 March
Science and the Theology of Wonder
with David Wilkinson
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