The essence of keeping faith with science

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Welcome to NZCIS

We are scientists of faith who want to integrate Christian faith into our understanding of the world.
We are theologians and church leaders wanting to integrate science into our papers and sermons.
We are students of all types, people in churches and the public who find these integrating dialogues meaningful and life-giving.

At NZCIS we integrate the two great articulate systems of our time, science and religion, those based on empirical research and those founded in Scripture, and these discussions have an impact on our understanding of climate change, AI, evolution, the status of human beings, the nature of the cosmos and so on. We have broad multi-disciplinary lectures and more focused seminars.

We welcome all who want to be inspired by the most interesting topics in the world today.

Integration

The world needs exploration across disciplines and world views. The Sciences and theology are the two great articulate systems of human thought. They need to be brought into dialogue with each other, and both must be brought into dialogue with Mātauranga Māori.

Faith Needs Science

Sciences shows us the depth and wonder of what is there. Science is helping us solve the deepest quandaries of our times, including climate change, and AI.

Science Needs Faith

Faith helps us to see the larger context, it provides meaning and motivation for life, and faith reflects deeply on the moral conundrums science delivers. Science with faith gives us awe. Science without faith can lead to nihilism.

Upcoming Events

In God We Trust? Coming to terms with the shift to the so-called “anthropocene”.

In God We Trust? Coming to terms with the shift to the so-called “anthropocene”.

How does one even begin to make sense of this given the shift from the Holocene to the “Anthropocene”?
October 2023 Conference: Speaker Names and Topics

October 2023 Conference: Speaker Names and Topics

Can we imagine a doctrine of the fall that is true of evolutionary science and leaves room for hope?
Uncharted Waters: Christian Ethics in a Rapidly Changing World

Uncharted Waters: Christian Ethics in a Rapidly Changing World

Come and be a part of our weekly online discussions as we examine some of the most challenging ethical issues of our time.

Leading Scientists and Theologians

Evolution may simply be a fact…yet it is in need of continuous interpretation. …In my opinion the sure sign of the right road is a limitless prospect of deeper knowledge: what was once baffling is now clear, what seemed absurdly important is now simply childish, yet still the journey is unfinished

Simon Conway Morris, Life's Solution, Cambridge, 2003

I am one of a handful of ecotheologians who believe that in order to do ecotheology in a responsible way, we are beholden to try and take at least some account of what is the most common consensus in the scientific community on relevant topics, even if that is going to change over time.

Celia Deane-Drummond, A Primer in Ecotheology

A mature faith is willing to make adjustments, and theology must change and grow as new discoveries reshape our understanding of nature. History shows that theologies have often, if not always, undergone wholesome transformation in the wake of new scientific understanding.

John Haught, Science and Faith: A New Introduction
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Evolution and Theology

Evolution and Theology

Sometimes as adults we forget that all our reflections on science and faith have a history and that we all came to this space by a long route, sometimes deep into childhood. In this blog we get a rare insight into the thinking of a child, one who thinks very hard and very deeply about the questions that really matter. 
Reading Tom McLeish in a time of Lent

Reading Tom McLeish in a time of Lent

This blog is a summary and application of McLeish’s lecture and a tribute to his brilliant contributions and a noting of his untimely passing.
Why Am I So Stressed? Understand your stress response system

Why Am I So Stressed? Understand your stress response system

Humans share with other animals a set of instant responses which protect us from threats. Our brains trigger our bodies to flight, fight or freeze before we have time to think. But when we get stuck in stressful situations these reactions can get unpleasant and unhelpful. In this blog, Silvia Purdie maps out the stress response system, and asks ‘What is anxiety?’

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