2009 is a triple anniversary: not only is it 200 years since the birth of Darwin, but it is also 400 years since Galileo's first telescopic observations and the birth of modern science and the 150^th anniversary since the publication of 'The Origin of Species'

This lecture explores the relationship between science and religion and the impact of the ideas of Charles Darwin, Mary Baker Eddy, Thomas Kuhn, and others.

After briefly considering the religious implications of Darwin's ideas in their historical context, the lecture goes on to explore some of the big issues raised by his work by examining the nature of science and human identity.

Finally it will consider how God acts in the world, and include the question of Christian healing.

Why were Darwin's ideas seen as such a threat to religion? Can an evolutionary worldview be reconciled with a religious one? Is science evolving? What of scientific revolutions and paradigm shifts? What of memes, genes and Genesis? What is truth? Is it objective, subjective, material, spiritual, absolute? Does religion need to be revolutionised?

This thought-provoking lecture may raise as many questions as it answers but that's what will make it interesting. Don't miss it!

View quotations used in the lecture