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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

The Science and Theology of Catastrophe ticket sales has ended!

Details

Dates & Times

06 Feb 2023

Expired!

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Other Notes

This is a free online course offered as part of the Science for Seminaries programme to enhance teaching on ethics by exploring the interface of science and theology.

What our students say

PhD Research Programmes

Visual Artist Claire Reed

The complex and sometimes fractious relationship between contemporary art and religion has intrigued me throughout my art career, informing my direction as an artist. It has led me to work in sacred spaces with their immediate and wider communities, to study an MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture at Sarum College, and recently to become artist–researcher at Leo Baeck College of Jewish scholarship and learning.

My aim is to examine the extent to which this creative approach might generate fruitful inter-religious theological insights within a Jewish and Christian ministry training context.

Sarum College combines an open-minded embrace of the imagination and the arts with a supportive, questioning and diverse community. Crucially for me, the Sarum-Winchester PhD programme is one of the very few UK university programmes to offer a hybrid thesis in art and theology in which the creative process and resulting art output along with a written critical component are presented for examination.

This PhD research is a key part of my development as an artist engaged with theology and inter-religious dialogue.

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Stimulating and Challenging

What is Successful Ageing? led by James Woodward

I enjoyed the course immensely from beginning to end – the seamless interweaving of knowledge, ideas and research and the linking with belief and faith.

The content was stimulating, challenging, thought provoking and I was greatly appreciative of the contributions and questions from other participants, your considered and sensitive responses and integration with your presentations.

Thank you!

Netflix, Theology and Pastoral Practice

Peter Butchers on his MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture student experience

How do cultural tropes, like those found in Black Mirror, help bridge the gap between what academic theology espouses and what the everyday Christian believes? In his research as a student on the MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture, Peter Butchers explored platonic philosophy, digital theology and eschatology, and pastoral practice around death and dying.

Rewarding Sabbatical Stay

The Revd Greg Syler, is Rector of Ascension & St. George’s, Resurrection Parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC USA, spent part of his ministry sabbatical at Sarum College in spring 2022.

His account of the experience begins: ‘I loved spending nearly three weeks of my ministry sabbatical at Sarum College earlier this year.

Not only did I rest, and rest well in the comfortable care of the Sarum College staff, I experienced very significant renewal and fresh insights.’

The Road Not Taken

Sarum Graduate Mike Truman

January 2022

Five years ago, I told my Warden of Readers that I would not be renewing my licence when it expired in 2019, as I thought my faith was becoming too unorthodox for a Church of England licensed lay minister. As someone who knew me well, she challenged me to actively explore what I did still believe. Thus started the journey that ended last August with the dissertation completing my MA in Theology Imagination and Culture (MATIC) at Sarum College.

Clergy Study Breaks

The opportunity for clergy to get away occasionally from their own context, to have an overnight stay in the beautiful setting of Sarum College and all that the Salisbury Cathedral Close offers is hugely valuable. All the clergy I have suggested who have spent 24hrs at Sarum College have benefit greatly from the experienced mentoring where they can talk, reflect, think, plan and pray.

The support and encouragement they receive is excellent and has a positive on their on going ministry. This is something the Diocese of Rochester encourages and supports financially in preparation for their clergy preparing for Extended Ministerial Development Leave (Sabbatical).

— Canon Christopher Dench, Diocese of Rochester Director of Formation and Ministry

Retreats and Private Stays

When I arrived, exhausted and sensitive, I was grateful not to be asked by Reception were I came from, whether I had had a good journey etc. That was the kind of hospitality I needed: a non-intrusive welcome that was found in ancient cultures and still survives in some societies today, where the host asks questions about a stranger and his journey only when the visitor has rested and been given food and drink.

— guest on a private stay

Biblical Study Breaks

I just found it very refreshing – as a leader of a church I don’t get as many opportunities to step out and do courses (my fault, not the church!) and so I loved it. I think it was run really well online – which is a difficult medium to work with.

Pádraig Ó Tuama (pictured) was outstanding in his balance of getting us to engage and sharing his learning. Also the quick availability of resources provided by Sarum College Librarian Jayne Downey was excellent.

— course participant, Story Theology: Narrative Approaches to Scripture

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Science and the Theology of Catastrophe

About the Science and the Theology of Catastrophe course