PréCiS number 15
June 2001

Conference

Please look at the programme for this year's conference, on 'Can we be sure about anything?' Questions of Truth in Science and Christianity. Don Carson from Trinity Theological College, Illinois, USA, author of many books and commentaries and a frequent contributor to Word Alive, is a lead speaker. The day should make us better able to respond when challenged by those who see Christianity as just an option for those who feel its need. It is also good to meet up with friends and enjoy the meal provided. Return your form NOW !

Death of David Ingram

We are sorry to report that Prof. David Ingram, one of our Vice-Presidents died in January of this year aged 73. His obituary in The Times reported that he was known, during his Oxford student years, for his open air preaching on the steps of the Martyr's Memorial. He became one of the foundation Professors of Physics at Keele, where he was a close colleague of the late Donald MacKay with whom he contributed to the important 1960s lecture symposium Christians in a Mechanistic Universe. He was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent 1980-94.

Books to read

Enclosed is the CiS publications order form. Note in particular Ernest Lucas' commentary Can we believe Genesis today? and the special offer available for Cross-currents, a science/religion classic by Colin Russell. This 'examines the strange and manifold ways in which science has developed over the last four centuries,and, in particular, its interaction with the Christian faith'.

New books of interest are Can a Darwinian be a Christian? The relationship between Science and Religion by Michael Ruse and Paths from Science towards God; the End of All Our Exploring by Templeton prize-winner Arthur Peacock. Both were sympathetically reviewed in Nature for May 17 and full reviews will appear in Science and Christian Belief in due course.

Bridging the gap between student and working life

The committee continues to be concerned that because today's Christian science graduates are tomorrow's senior scientists they need at all stages to be thinking through the Christian implications of the advances in their field and publishing their insights. In the past small groups met, often in University cities, to thrash out the concerns of the day. These brought together people at various stages of professional life, and in particular encouraged those younger to contribute from both a Christian and a professional perspective - let alone keeping the older members in touch with topical issues. Currently time pressures make such face to face meetings ever more difficult but would an internet discussion group have something to offer?

What are your views?

Taking active steps to bridge the gap is the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity www.licc.org.uk who jointly with UCCF employs Tim Vickers to do just this. The publication workwise and website www.workwise.org.uk provide helpful material and a transition pack for recent graduates is being prepared. There are links too with Christians@Work. www.christiansatwork.org.uk Their focus is more on business life than science and technology but the Christian Engineers Association have opted to affiliate with Christians @work. However none of these can substitute for personal links between those in employment and new graduates joining the firm, laboratory or department. An invitation to the Day Conference could be a first step.

Let your voice be heard

Christians in Science is a democratic organisation so your suggestions for members of the Committee, ideas for future conferences and articles for the website are always welcome. Email secretary@cis.org.uk

Green developments

Peter Carruthers who was previously involved with the Agricultural Christian Fellowship has recently become part time executive director of the John Ray Institute which is now based at Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education. This group produces briefing papers giving Christian views on issues of environmental concern. These are a useful source of well informed comment which members might find useful as Churches are starting to become more aware that Christians have a responsibility to care for the Planet. It can be viewed at www.jri.org.uk

Eco-congregation is a programme of the Government's Going for Green initiative to encourage individual churches to work out Scriptural and practical ways of environmental partnership with their local councils and community organisations.

Another encouraging development is the launch of A Rocha UK on a site squeezed between the Grand Union Canal and a major dual carriageway in Southall West London, thus providing a novel style of urban conservation. www.arocha.org.uk

CiS committee (2001)

Dr Denis Alexander, 77 Beaumont Road, Cambridge, CB1 4PX Journal editor 01223 246696 denis.alexander@bbsrc.ac.uk

Mr John Bausor, 5 Longcrofte Road, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 6RR CISE secretary 0181 952 5349

Dr Caroline Berry, 4 Sackville Close, Sevenoaks, Kent. TN13 3QD General secretary 01732 451907 secretary@cis.org.uk

Dr Diana Briggs, 5 Northmoor Road, Oxford, OX2 6UW 01865 420007 briggs@herald.ox.ac.uk

Prof. John Bryant, Dept. Cell & Molecular Biology. University of Exeter Chairman (from 1.7.01) 01392 264672 j.a.Bryant@exeter.ac.uk

Professor Colin Humphreys, Materials Science Department, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ 01223 334457 colin.humphreys@msm.cam.ac.uk

Rev Dr Ernest Lucas, Bristol Baptist College, Clifton Down, Bristol, BS8 3NJ Journal reviews 0117 946 7050 ernest.lucas@bristol-baptist.ac.uk editor

Mrs Angela Lynas (née Brice), 176 Beechfield, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 9QN 01992 441612 ajb1149@ggr.co.uk

Mr Justin Marston, 143 Longmeanygate, Preston PR5 3TD CSIS chairman justin@mhmc.ltd.uk

Mr Bennet McInnes, 5 Knockard Place, Pitlochry, Perthshire, PH16 5JF Publications secretary 01796 472615 bennet.mcinnes@lineone.net

Mr Mike Poole, 7 Forest Road, Effingham Junction, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT24 5HE CISE 01483 282033 michael.poole@kcl.ac.uk chairman

Miss Marion Syms, 28 Maisemore Gardens, Emsworth, Hants, PO10 7JU 01243 373409 marion.syms@port.ac.uk

Dr Stephen Walley, 11 Acrefield Drive, Cambridge, CB4 1JW International secretary 01223 363197 smw14@phy.cam.ac.uk

Professor Bob White, 15 Mingle Lane, Great Shelford, Cambridge, CB2 5BG 01223 840582 rwhite@esc.cam.ac.uk

Mrs Pauline Williams, The Coach House, Eagle Hall, Swinderby, LINCOLN LN6 9HZ, Tel: 01522 869584, email PaulineAWilliams@aol.com

Dr Ross Williams, 15 Wyton , Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 2PE Treasurer 01707 390448 ross.williams@cis.org.uk

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