What Is Environmental Health?

by Mitch Hescox and Lyndsay Moseley

Many in our communities suffer from the rising air- and water-borne toxin levels in our local environments. From Asthma to Autism, one of the most hotly contested debates in the medical world today is, “How much does our polluted environment contribute to our diseases and sicknesses?” In this important Q panel, we’ll hear from two activists on the front lines of the conversations who help us understand our roles as creation stewards.

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Can Christian's Approach to Marriage Really Work Anymore?

by Mark Regnerus

While Christians often bemoan the state of marriage in America and groan about shifting sexual norms, there are structural reasons—some that have nothing inherently to do with sex or marriage—that have accelerated such changes. It’s actually become socially more difficult—not just personally more challenging—to withhold sex before marriage. Recognizing the economics and market dynamics of modern romantic relationships can make all the difference. Hear how you can save marriage before it starts.

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Do You Need a Technology Fast?

by Nancy Sleeth

Something is wrong, terribly wrong, about our time. We feel it, like a splinter in our hearts. There’s no room for margin: we Twitter while we drive, talk while we text, and surf until we fall asleep—but even while in bed, we stay plugged in, available 24/7. People tell me they could not live without their cell phones or the Internet or e-mail—and they mean it...

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Science and the Spirit

by James K.A. Smith and Amos Yong

Pentecostal spirituality is a powerful cultural phenomenon quickly becoming a unique form of “globalization.”  But given that it is such a “fantastic” form of Christianity—a kind of spirituality that hearkens back to what will seem a pre-modern view of the world—globalized pentecostalism runs up against another powerful cultural force: the expansion of modern science and technology, and a creeping “scientism” that is experiencing its own globalization.

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Where Angels Cannot Tread: Science in a Fallen World

by Jason E. Summers

Christians should  listen to what wise men say and proceed thoughtfully and with prudence where angels cannot tread. In our efforts to study and learn from the creation and in our critiques of others' efforts to do the same, we should seek to reflect and embody a right understanding of the theology of science, the nature of  scientific practice in a pluralistic society, and the role and authority of institutions of science within that society...

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Are We Poisoning our Children?

by Mitch Hescox

Approximately 1 in every 6  babies in the U.S. are born with harmful mercury levels in their blood. Many Christians are unaware of this important threat to the unborn child that must be addressed: mercury pollution and poisoning. Just as we successfully dealt with lead and other toxins in gasoline as a society, so must we now deal with mercury. Gabe Lyons sits down with Mitch Hescox, President/CEO of The Evangelical Environmental Network, to discuss this life-threatening yet unknown poison.

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The Subjects of Our Study and Our Witness

A Sermon by John Stott

by John Stott

I think it was Sir Francis Bacon, the seventeenth-century essayist, who was the first to say that “God has, in fact, written two books, not just one. Of course, we are all familiar with the first book he wrote, namely Scripture. But he has written a second book called creation.” That is to say, God has revealed himself both in the created order and in Christ and the biblical witness to Christ...

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The Future of Health Care

by Dr. Isaac Jones

Deadly, preventable diseases and disorders are at an all time high. As we debate who is responsible for providing and purchasing healthcare, Dr. Isaac Jones argues that we need a new understanding of what caring for our health entails.The future of healthcare, he says, is not in treating symptoms but in treating systems.

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Stewardship or Blight on God's Creation?

by Adele Konyndyk

Before my family and I pulled into our cottage in the Huron country town of Goderich, Ontario, we passed a large field of wind-powered electrical generators – a wind farm. I didn’t know the exact function of these massive, almost alien-like machines then, but I knew the words forming in my mind to describe their appearance: obtrusive, unnatural, abnormal ... ugly.

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Q Review | Science and Origins

The Soul of Science: Christian Faith and Natural Philosophy and The Language of Science and Faith: Straight Answers to Genuine Questions

by Byron Borger

For anyone following the conversations about faith and science, it is obvious that one of the major trends—and a matter of great contentiousness—is how some scientists are doing deep research to dismantle the Darwinian notion that changes evolving in God’s creation happen randomly, by utter chance. Networks of scientists and philosophers of science, such as those loosely affiliated with what has come to be called the Intelligent Design movement, are increasingly respected, known for rigorous research...

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What Technology Wants

by Kevin Kelly

We live in an age of innovation, and a debate is raging about whether technology is improving our lives or making them worse. But Kevin Kelly, co-founder of Wired Magazine, says we’re not asking the right questions. He believes we need to find out what technology is really after. Can technology be a force for the greater good, and if so, how do we thoughtfully engage new inventions? Kevin will attempt to construct a radically fresh answer to one of culture’s nagging questions.

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Science and Religion: Mixed Results

by Rusty Pritchard

Science and religion are at war. Or, at least that’s the impression you might get from bloggers who watch the spectacle of Republican primary candidate debates. Columnists at the New York Times and the Washington Post are up-in-arms at the hostility toward, and ignorance of, science on the part of the candidates, who seem to be vying to outdo each other in their anti-intellectualism...

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The Beginning of the End of AIDS

by Mark Brinkmoeller

Today is World AIDS Day. After 30 years and 30 million funerals, the end of the global AIDS epidemic is suddenly, unexpectedly, within sight. It would be a final victory for this clever killer if Americans were too preoccupied...

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Upending Einstein

by Caryn Rivadeneira

I don’t normally catch up on the world of physics before I start my day. And yet, the other morning this headline got my very first click: “Speed of light maybe not fastest after all." Perhaps it was because I had just been talking to my youngest son about why we see lightning before we hear thunder. Perhaps because I correctly sensed this was, actually, big news...

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The Rise of Exiles

by David Kinnaman

How do you train up a child in the way he should go when his cultural paths are constantly shifting? After spending 5 years researching the generation just coming of age, David Kinnaman has discovered three patterns of how young people are relating to faith as they make their own way in the world. One group in particular—the exiles—demands our special attention because they will define the faith for years to come.

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Founding Father

Benjamin Rush

by Jimmy Lin

Only a few of our Founding Fathers focused their lives exclusively on politics. Many contributed to the common good in a variety of other ways. On top of being known as a Founding Father of the US, Dr. Benjamin Rush is known as the Father of Public Schools, the Father of American Medicine, and the Father of American Psychiatry. Jimmy Lin explores Rush's diverse and lasting contributions.

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Narcissism

Integrating Faith and Psychiatry

by Allan Josephson, M.D.

Narcissists' inflated view of themselves frequently masks a hidden sense of emptiness and inferiority. Allan Josephson, M.D., says that those who are in relationship with a narcissist “by definition become depleted or depressed, because life always has to reflect the grandeur, the beauty, the intelligence of the narcissist.” Here, Josephson explores what spiritual health looks like in a culture that celebrates narcissism.

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Our Nomadic Existence: How Electronic Culture Shapes Community

by Shane Hipps

New technologies are transforming our world every day. In our search to find genuine community, we've become wandering nomads. How did we get here and what should we do about it? In this original Q Essay, Shane Hipps, pastor and author of Flickering Pixels: How Technology Shapes Your Faith, makes the case for understanding and using technology instead of avoiding it.

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Christianity and Science in Historical Perspective

by Ted Davis

The relationship between Science and Christianity is one marked with controversy, fear and misunderstanding; but, is that the whole story? Ted David recounts the colorful and intriguing relationship between Christianity and Science, and then explores the implications of this relationship for modern science and theology.

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The Soul of Apple

by Kevin Kelly

This week something unusual happened. At the very same time that thousands of ordinary citizens were camping out to protest corporate greed, a similar number of ordinary citizens were depositing flowers and spiritual offerings at the corporate stores of the wealthiest company in the world in memory of one of the richest people in the world, the late Steve Jobs. Why would a billionaire elicit such affection and love during this moment of fierce dissatisfaction with global capitalism?

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Spreading the Good News

Johannes Gutenberg

by Jimmy Lin

We are drowning in words; from news outlets, blog posts, and twitter feeds, to the signs that direct traffic and label our food. What would our world be like without the printed word? Jimmy Lin explores how Johannes Gutenberg used his ordinary profession to create the first printing press so he could spread the Gospel and how, in the process, Gutenberg fundamentally changed our world. 

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Blaise Pascal

Finding God in Revealing Fundamental Truths of Life

by Jimmy Lin

Blaise Pascal revolutionized mathematics by developing probability theory, wrote one of the first masterpieces of French prose, made important contributions to the science of hydrostatics, and authored one of the most influential theological works in Christian philosophy. All before age 40. Jimmy Lin explores the life and work of Blaise Pascal.

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The Bible In a Technological Age

by Bobby Gruenewald

This year marks the 400th birthday of the most widely distributed and most widely read translation of the Bible ever. Begun in 1604, the King James version was completed, approved and sent to the royal printer in 1611. Such a hallmark in history undoubtedly warrants attention. How has the Bible changed throughout history? How will it go forward in a technological age that’s moving beyond the printed word? Gruenewald, Innovation Leader for the YouVersion online Bible, explores the possible futures for our sacred text.

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George Washington Carver

God-glorifying Agricultural Innovator

by Jimmy Lin

George Washington Carver discovered 300 uses of the peanut. Few can name more than 2 or 3 of these discoveries, and fewer still know anything about this man beyond his discoveries. Jimmy Lin explores the humble and diligent faith of a man who pursued God's creative inspiration while reconciling the divide between faith and science.

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Pseudo Salvation: When Science Can't Save Us

by Matthew T. Dickerson

Our advances in science and technology have overcome many of the challenges that our forebears were unable to meet. Our lives are paved with unthinkable convenience, and we expect our engineers to continue providing solutions for the world's problems. Matthew T. Dickerson, however, says that we must be careful where we place our hopes of redemption.

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The Human Body and the Limits of Technology

by Matthew Lee Anderson

We've become adept at measuring every nook and cranny of life, from the number of steps we take while jogging to the pitching speed of a baseball player. But a new movement seeks to take this a step further, by mapped human emotions and behaviors. Is the human body merely a machine to be monitored? Author Matthew Lee Anderson says a Biblical understanding of the body suggests it's far more.

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Exploring the Galaxies

by Louie Giglio and Jennifer Wiseman

For centuries, the Psalmist David, and astronomers alike, have suggested that the natural world is a portal to the transcendent (Ps. 19:1). But it has always been difficult for the average earth dweller to grasp the breadth of such assertions—that is, until world-class telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope started showing us a universe we never dreamed of! Astronomer Jennifer Wiseman will share the latest astronomical images and discoveries and have a conversation with Louie Giglio about how galaxies, stars, and planets form, what they can teach us about God, and how good science strengthens our faith.

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The Veneer of Science

Scientific conspiracy theories, a veneer for irrational beliefs

by Rusty Pritchard

Science is an amazing and unfamiliar world for many of us. Because most of our scientific experiences don't reach far beyond sophomore biology class, it is also a field of study where we can be easily misled. Dr. Rusty Pritchard says veneer in science often comes in the form of skepticism or flat out denialism of well-proven scientific findings.

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Ten Most Beautiful Books I Read During the Last Decade

by Margaret Feinberg

As we enter the second decade of the second millennium AD, Q is pausing to look back on the last ten years. In the third of this multi-post series, author Margaret Feinberg considers the books that she couldn't put down during this decade.

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Can "Church" Happen Online?

by Jonathan Merritt

In recent years, "internet churches" have been growing in popularity. But can Christ followers gather via the internet in a way that would build the type of community intended for a New Testament church? Is it appropriate to call an internet community a "church?" Jonathan Merritt explores.

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The Moral Dimension of Technology

by Kevin Kelly

What role should technology play in our lives? Is technology just a distracting toy box that adds static to an already noisy life or can it be redemptive? Kevin Kelly, co-founder of Wired Magazine, says technology properly used can magnify our talents and the possibility for restoration.

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Science and Religion: Why Our Beliefs Matter

by Rusty Pritchard

Is American religion on the defensive due to science's advances? Should Christians fear the study of the natural world? One Christian thinker argues we should actually be more afraid that how we're framing the issue gives anti-religionists the ammunition they need to “debunk” our apologetics.

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Does the Earth Care If You Drive a Hybrid?

by Rusty Pritchard

A Nobel-prize-winning physicist claims that the earth is resilient and humans actions don't affect it in the long run. Is this true, and even if it is, should humans--and specifically, Christians--still live as stewards in the here-and-now? A leading natural resource economist and Christian environmentalist responds.

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Miracles: Are Science and Faith Irreconcilably Separated?

by Q Ideas

Eighty-four percent of Americans say they believe in so-called “miracles,” defined as “an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause. “ But many scientists reject the possibility of such things because, by their very definition, they require a violation of the known laws of nature. Is the wall of separation between scientists and the religious on this issue too high to climb?

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In Praise of Dissent

by Jonathan Merritt

Humans unfortunately have a tendency to accept the status quo and go along with prevailing opinion. But could it be that society needs dissent? What if thoughtful disagreement was actually a springboard to new ideas, fresh thinking, and better solutions?

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Born to Sin

What can science teach us about bad behavior?

by Jonathan Merritt

In 1984, Van Halen released their sixth album with eye-catching cover art featuring an angelic baby . . . casually smoking a cigarette. It raised a profound, theological question about the nature of human beings: Does even a seemingly innocent child possess an innate predisposition for bad behavior (aka "sin”)? It's a question that theologians and anthropologists struggled with long before the 1980's, and one that was recently revisited in the June 2010 issue of BBC Knowledge.

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The Humanity of the Robot

by Rosalind Picard

Why would one attempt to build robots with emotional abilities? Should humans feel threatened by technology that looks like us and functions in ways some claim only humans should? MIT robotics professor Rosalind PIcard shares some of the latest developments in robotics while considering what it means to be human.

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Overcoming the Faith and Science Divide

by Alister McGrath

When a faithful scientist carefully confronts the new atheists about their embarrassing ignorance of Christian theology, is the attitude of the church toward modern science a help or a hindrance? Alister McGrath, a former atheist and scientist, now a prominent theologian, shares his inside perspective on the benefits of Christians and science getting along.

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Rebranding Atheism

An MFA Project Turns Into a Thoughtful Rebranding of Historic Non-Belief

by Jonathan Merritt

Looks like Christians aren’t the only ones with an image problem. Atheists are now struggling with the way people perceive their movement. Find out what happens when an MFA student tries to rebrand atheism.

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A Sabbath from Technology?

by Q Ideas

Do you ever give your Blackberry a day off? Fast from Facebook? Take a time-out from Twitter? If not, you probably need to read this.

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Science & The Evangelical Mission In America

by Ken Wilson

Darwin. Evolution. Climate change. Imagine a scientifically-minded person who espouses these ideas visiting your church. Would they be accepted? Would their views be received as credible? Or would they feel out of place in a church setting where the culture wars are still raging? In this Q Short, Ken Wilson explores the cultural landscape of science in America and offers a new way forward for the mission of the church.Supported by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation. The opinions expressed in this report are by the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation.

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Innovation and the Brain

by Dr. Gregory Berns

What does science say about how constraints introduced into a system can breed innovation and new ideas? What role does fear have in the iconoclast’s life? What are poor habits or better disciplines that might improve iconoclastic thinking?Supported by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation. The opinions expressed in this report are by the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation.

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N.T. Wright On Managing Technology

by Gabe Lyons

Recently at our Austin Q gathering, I asked the participants to consider limiting their real-time tweets or live-blogging during sessions. Our hope was for each person to break away from the usual noise and take advantage of an opportunity to be fully present, engaged and reflective.N.T. Wright’s recent thoughts underscore the unintended consequences social media can produce.

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Would Mother Teresa Have Used Twitter?

by Chris Heuertz

As a young man I had no idea that my 12-15 personal meetings with Mother Teresa would mean so much to who I’ve become. Her time, attention and thoughtful words still echo in my memory, often guiding me as I seek to remain faithful to my vocation.

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More Vs. Better

by Bill McKibben

We are gradually undoing the stability that God built into our climate system. Molecule by molecule, we are adding harmful carbon dioxide to our atmosphere at rates that we cannot sustain. Twenty years ago Bill McKibben was among the first to inform the general public about climate change. Today, he believes that this is an issue where science and faith come together. Listen as he sounds the alarm and offers a path forward.

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Science and Faith at Odds?

by Alister McGrath

Do the natural sciences pose a challenge to the Christian faith? This is a hot question at the moment, given the high profile by works such as Richard Dawkins’ God Delusion. Real scientists do not believe in God! This sound byte will be very familiar to Dawkins’ readers.Supported by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation. The opinions expressed in this report are by the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation.

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Electronic Culture and Spirituality

by Shane Hipps

It can be said that the methods change but the message stays the same. However, this statement is not true. When the methods change the message is inevitably altered. The digital age has ushered countless ways to present a message. Become aware of how technology has impacted a variety of different mediums - especially the church.

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Signs Of Life: Finding The Good, True & Beautiful In Popular Culture

by Josh Jackson and Nick Purdy

We live in a fallen world -- ruled at times by commercialism, vulgarity, violence, cynicism, vapidity and celebrity-worship -- but goodness, truth and beauty always make their way to the surface. Become a connoisseur of the good and find, celebrate and cultivate this kind of expression in your community.

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The Next One Thousand Years Of Christianity

by Kevin Kelly

Given the accelerating rate of change at work in our culture today it seems reasonable and responsible to expect tremendous shift in the Christian church in the next 1000 years. Yet who in the church is preparing for this great shift? Where in the church is the needed long-term perspective? If Jesus doesn’t return tomorrow, then what is the scenario for the next 1,000 years of Christianity? Kevin Kelly’s plausible scenarios are guaranteed to expand, challenge, and even boggle your mind.

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Environmental Stewardship

by Richard Cizik

Richard Cizik openly discusses a holistic view of sanctity of life, the emerging green phenomenon, gaining influence nationally on the issue of environmentalism, and dealing with opposition from other leading evangelicals

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Influencing Culture

by Gabe Lyons

A unique opportunity for the church to once again shape future culture exists today. Explore a compelling vision for how the church can once again be a force for good in creating, sustaining and celebrating good culture.

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