Welcome to Faith, Science and Technology

Welcome to “Faith, Science and Technology,” the official blog of the United Church of Christ Science and Technology Network (UCCSTN). The purpose of the blog is to carry on a conversation across the UCC about how our church can engage the extraordinary developments of today’s science and technology.

From cosmology to neuroscience and from evolution to genetics, the sciences are accelerating in their pace of discover. Technology—not just information technology but biotechnology, nanotechnology, and beyond—are growing in their powers to change the natural world, including human nature. More than ever, the church is needed to help people reflect on what is going on and what it might mean. How can we put the pieces together into a coherent vision of human flourishing in a sustainable relationship with nature?

In January 2008, the United Church of Christ issued a ground breaking statement, “A New Voice Arising: A Pastoral Letter on Faith Engaging Science and Technology.” In that statement, John Thomas, the General Minister and President of the UCC, was joined by members of the UCCSTN to offer one of the clearest statements ever made by any church on why science contributes new insight to our theological perspective.

This blog is intended to take up some of the specific themes and issues that are raised in “A New Voice Arising.” Members of the UCCSTN, together with others from across our church, will post on various themes. Sometimes the topic will be very specific, such as a recent development in scientific research or in the relationship between science and religion.

Everyone is invited to respond to blog postings. The UCCSTN sees this as a new way, not just to carry on a conversation, but to enrich and expand the partners joining the conversation. After all, the UCCSTN is a network, expanding and open, not a committee with limited membership. If you share our concerns and are excited by our vision, we hope you will join us, not just by reading but by commenting, challenging, correcting, and adding to what we have to say.

The task—being a faithful church in dynamically changing times—is very great indeed. Everyone’s help is needed.