November 2021

We are delighted to let you know that we have a face-to-face event coming up soon! We are looking forward to welcoming you back to Lindisfarne House, with our guest speaker,  Rev. Dr. Stephen May, who many of you will remember from previous talks.

 

THE GALILEO CONTROVERSY

Rev. Dr. Stephen May

Tuesday  16th November
Lindisfarne House, 4 Barbourne Terrace,
Worcester WR1 3JS

 

Rev Dr Stephen May

Galileo: the Man and the Myth

For more than a century – and today as much as ever – the story of Galileo’s 17th Century clash with the Catholic Church has been gleefully seized upon by detractors of the church as evidence for “the war of science and religion”. Theologian and historian Stephen May will examine the truth (or otherwise) of this claim. In particular, does the Galileo Controversy still have lessons for the church today?

Stephen is a former lecturer in Systematic Theology at the University of Auckland, and a former member of the Bible and Science committee, with an early love of astronomy, a first degree in history, and continuing interests in it, as well as the relation of science and faith.

Doors open at 7.30pm for coffee and cake.
The event begins at 8pm.

ALL WELCOME

Entry and refreshments free – optional donation – free parking

HOW DOES GOD INTERACT WITH THE WORLD?

We are delighted to let you know that we have a date for you for our first online talk!

“HOW DOES GOD INTERACT WITH THE WORLD?”

Revd Dr John Polkinghorne KBE FRS

Tuesday 20th April

7.30-9pm on Zoom

We will be watching a video presentation together, given by the recently deceased Revd Dr John Polkinghorne, at Cambridge University. His talk is thought-provoking and insightful. In it, he discusses some of the modern implications of our understanding of the nature of the universe and the different Christian viewpoints there are about God’s ongoing interaction with his creation.

Following the presentation, we’ll be having some time for feedback and discussion. We watched the presentation together as a team recently, and with just a few of us, had a very interesting discussion, and some heated debate, and are looking forward to continuing this with you, on 20th April.

If you’d like to join us, the link to the Zoom Room is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87689085201?pwd=NitNbXVRZEVlYlQvMFRUK0RMaGZ5QT09.

The meeting ID is 876 8908 5201, and should you need it, the passcode is 733678.

If you need any further information, please email us on bibsciworcester@gmail.com and we’ll try to help.

To download our flyer, please click here.

 

 

FEBRUARY 2020

UNDERSTANDING MENTAL ILLNESS AND CHRISTIANITY

Dr. Gabriel Kego, Psychiatrist
Anthony Goodman, Psychiatric Social Worker
Tuesday  18th February
Lindisfarne House, 4 Barbourne Terrace,
Worcester WR1 3JS

We welcome Dr. Gabriel Kego and Anthony Goodman, with a presentation on the topic “Understanding Mental Illness and Christianity”, which will look at different types of mental illness, and how we may be able to help recovery.

The seminar will be particularly useful for those with a passion to help people with mental health issues, who’d like to know more.

Doors open at 7.30pm for coffee and cake.

The event begins at 8pm.

ALL WELCOME

Entry and refreshments free – optional  donation – free parking.  

NOVEMBER 2019

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND RELIGIOUS CONCERN

Rev. Mark Turner

Tuesday  19th November

7.30 for 8pm

Lindisfarne House, 4 Barbourne Terrace,

Worcester WR1 3JS

The Christian doctrine of creation, and its implications for our stewardship of the earth and its resources.

Mark Turner is Rural Dean of Stourport, and a former industrial chemist.  He has organised symposia on this topic for schools and churches.

Doors open at 7.30pm for coffee and cake.

The event begins at 8pm.

ALL WELCOME

Entry and refreshments free – optional  donation – free parking.  

 

 

OCTOBER 2019

SEEKING TO KNOW

A HUMANE PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE AND RELIGION

with Professor Andrew Steane, Oxford University

Tuesday 22nd October

7.30 for 8pm

Lindisfarne House, 4 Barbourne Terrace, Worcester WR1 3JS

 The current generation proponents of atheism, such as Richard Dawkins, are keen to promote a view of science and religious faith as being mutually exclusive. This is despite a significant number of leading scientific thinkers down the ages expressing how their deeply held faith in a creator God is compatible with and indeed enhances a scientific understanding of the universe.

One such leading scientist with a deeply held faith is Andrew Steane, Professor of Physics at Oxford University, specialising in Relativity Theory and Quantum Mechanics. He will discuss how science explains the world around us, and how its branches interplay to form a network of ideas that capture the essence of physical reality. Central to this is the recognition that biology is shaped, not random. Further, he will discuss how Christian thinking and commitment encourages this interplay of ideas, and helps us both understand and respond to reality.

Doors open at 7.30pm for coffee and cake.

The event begins at 8pm.

ALL WELCOME

Entry and refreshments free – optional donation – free parking.  

MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH

“THE BIO-ETHICS LANDSCAPE: MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH”

Tuesday 17th September, at Lindisfarne House, 4 Barbourne Terrace, Worcester WR1 3JS

A video presentation by Professor John Wyatt, giving an overview of the central ethical dilemmas raised by modern biotechnology and medicine, from a practising Christian’s perspective.  This is not just a matter for academic debate, as these dilemmas touch us at the most intimate, painful and vulnerable parts of our lives.  John Wyatt brings us a view from the coal face.   This will be followed by questions and discussion, facilitated by Dr. Robbyn Procter, who works in our local NHS trust. John Wyatt is Professor of Ethics and Perinatology at University College London, has wide experience in research and teaching on ethical issues raised by modern medical practice, and is the author of “Matters of Life and Death – human dilemmas in the light of the Christian faith”, and “Dying Well”. Doors open at 7.30pm, when refreshments will be served – coffee and cake – and the event begins at 8pm, as usual.

***************

Dates for the remainder of the next season are:

Tuesday 22nd October
Tuesday 19th November
Tuesday 21st January
Tuesday 18th February
Tuesday 17th March

 

Topics covered will include physics, the environment, virtual reality, mental health and data analytics.  More details to follow soon!

TRUTH IN SCIENCE AND CHRISTIAN LIFE

Tuesday 19th March

8pm

Lindisfarne House, 4 Barbourne Terrace, Worcester WR1 3JS

Drs. Kim Stansfield and Stephen May

Today the concept of truth is increasingly under attack. But what do we mean by truth? Dr. Stansfield and Dr. May will present a view as a scientist who follows Christ, and as a theologian who loves science.

Dr. Stansfield will critique the reductionist analytical approach to scientific method proposed by Rene Descartes and widely used as a scientific and physical engineering approach to truth. He will indicate that many limitations have emerged in using this approach in analysing complex situations.  A Christian view focuses on understanding the complexity of life its underlying truths in terms of our relationship to a loving, creator God.

Dr. May will argue that, contrary to many discussions which oppose science to faith, science and theology share a common methodology and a commitment to objective truth that requires taking into account the knowing subject. He will examine the Biblical understanding of truth as being not only about knowing but being and doing, its creative and dynamic nature, and source in God himself.

All welcome. Refreshments and the opportunity for further discussion will follow the talk.

EVEN THE SPARROW

Rev. Dr. Paul Beetham

8pm at Lindisfarne House, 4 Barbourne Terrace, Worcester WR1 3JS

 

Rev. Dr. Paul Beetham

According to Genesis, God gave Humankind dominion over all other living things. How do we regard other creatures with whom we share planet Earth and how is our fate entwined with theirs? We raise animals as pets and for food. Some we regard as only fit for extermination and other species are to be protected from extinction. How do our faith and beliefs influence all this and what status will  animals be given in God’s kingdom?

Rev Dr Paul Beetham is a Methodist minister and currently Superintendent Minister of the Birmingham (West) & Oldbury Circuit. He studied Botany and Zoology at London University, completed a Doctorate at the University of Wales in Microbiology, and in Systematic Theology at Durham University. He is a member of the Society for Biology and a Chartered Biologist.  He was formerly editor of Christ & The Cosmos publications and is currently a trustee of the Science & Religion Forum.

 

CHRISTIAN ETHICS IN A POST-MODERN SOCIETY – WHO NEEDS IT?

The sexual revolution as a case study

Rev. Dr. Mathew Clark

Tuesday 17th October

8pm at Lindisfarne House

4 Barbourne Terrace, Worcester WR1 3JS

Dr Mathew Clark

A popular book once argued that men and women come from different planets – Mars and Venus. This useful metaphor can be invoked in understanding differences in the basic understanding that each of us brings to any discussion of issues such as human sexuality, science and religion, and the value of human life. In 1945 both religious and public morality affirmed (yes, often hypocritically) that legitimate sexual intimacy should occur solely within the bounds of a permanent hetero-sexual marriage covenant. For a sixteen-year old in 2017 UK, 1945 sounds like an alien planet. This talk focuses on the philosophical and cultural transition underlying the change, and reflects on the dynamics of two opposing world-views in conflict: Judaeo-Christian and secular humanist.

Rev. Dr. Clark is the Dean of Doctoral Studies at Regent’s Theological College, Malvern.

All welcome – entry and refreshments free (coffee and cake) – optional  donation – free parking.  For more information, please call 01905 641987.  

 

Designer Babies

8 pm Tuesday 26 September 2017

Lindisfarne House, Barbourne Terrace, Worcester WR1 3JS

(Lindisfarne House is the first house in Barbourne Terrace when coming from the A38, and is almost opposite St George’s Square). All welcome; no pre-booking necessary. Parking. Coffee at about 9.30 pm

Will doctors one day determine our health and our abilities before we are born?

A discussion involving contributions from Mrs Poov Wood, Dr Carla Laverack, Revd Dr Stephen May, Prof. Geoff Pritchard, and a short video contribution by an American scientist.

Animal characteristics (such as colour and temperament) are usually inherited. A dog can be trained, but the character of an animal does not simply emerge in a newborn animal at random. Modern  evolutionary science indicates that the same applies to humans too. A nation could try therefore to gain an edge over its neighbours by “improving” its gene pool, and genetic medicine could one day eliminate some inherited diseases.Determining any human or animal’s DNA has become almost routine for police investigations. It will soon become even more important for medicine.

Most religious faiths have been extremely wary of experiments in this field. Using the information mentioned above soon becomes a moral minefield even for nonbelievers, as the patient (i.e the embryo) is not in a position to be consulted about its own extinction or modification. More important for some Christians may be the realisation that the gifts we traditionally regard as imparted by God could one day be enhanced or reduced by clinicians.

The discussion will consist of contributions by five people with different perspectives.