The 2009 Religion in Life Week at Hastings College will explore the key intersection of the two fields of Science and Religion through a series of talks, films, worship and conversations on the theme “Darwin and Religion: 150 years after the publication of ‘The Origin of Species.’” Events will begin Monday, Nov. 2 and run through Wednesday, Nov. 4 and all are free and open to the public.

“It seemed a natural choice for us this year,” said Dr. David McCarthy, associate professor of religion and chaplain to the college at Hastings College, regarding this year’s theme. “November marks the 150th anniversary of Darwin’s publication of his landmark study, ‘The Origin of Species,’ and it seemed appropriate to emphasize the close relation of science and religion here at Hastings College, a church-related college that has just built and dedicated an outstanding science building.” 
 
The Religion in Life program is sponsored by the Chaplain’s Office at Hastings College, with funding from the Hastings College Vocation and Values program.

Monday, Nov. 2 – Dr. Karl Giberson
Dr. Karl Giberson will be the keynote speaker on Monday, Nov. 2. He will present “Saving Darwin: How to Be a Christian and Believe in Evolution,” at 7:30 p.m. in French Memorial Chapel. He will be available for open conversation at noon on Monday in Hazelrigg Student Union Room C.

Dr. Giberson is an internationally known scholar of science and religion, and one of America’s leading participants in the creation-evolution controversy. His fourth and most recent book is “Saving Darwin: How to Be a Christian and Believe in Evolution.” In addition to books, Giberson has written for various publications, including “Salon,” “Discover,” “Christianity Today” and other journals. Giberson recently became president of the new BioLogos Foundation, a major new initiative aimed at helping evangelicals integrate their faith with contemporary science. In addition, Giberson is also the director of the Forum on Faith and Science at Gordon College, codirector of the Venice Summer School on Science & Religion, and a member of faculty of Eastern Nazarene College, where he teaches interdisciplinary honors seminars and the history of science.

Tuesday, Nov. 3 – Two award-winning films
Tuesday, Nov. 3, will feature two award-winning films. The first film, “Paradise Lost: The Religious Life of Charles Darwin,” will be shown at noon in Hazelrigg Student Union Room C.

Tuesday evening features “Monkey Trial,” at 7:30 p.m. in French Memorial Chapel. The award-winning film by Christine Lesiak, an executive producer at NET Television, tells the story of John Scopes, a Tennessee school teacher who was arrested for teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution in the public schools. The famous trial pitted defense attorney Clarence Darrow against prosecutor William Jennings Bryan, the “great populist” of Nebraska.
Lesiak won a Writer’s Guild Award for her script, and the film won the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award.

Wednesday, Nov. 4 – Sermon and Discussion with Rev. Dr. Kenneth “Kip” Murphy
Wednesday’s events feature a Chapel sermon with the Rev. Dr. Kenneth (“Kip”) Murphy at 10 a.m. in French Memorial Chapel followed by a lunch conversation with Dr. Murphy at noon in Hazelrigg Student Union Room C.
A biochemist and pastor, Dr. Murphy earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1990 at the University of Colorado, Boulder and was a postdoctoral fellow in the Biology Department at Johns Hopkins University from 1990 to 1993 when he accepted a faculty position at the University of Iowa, where he served from 1993 to 2005.

As an associate professor of biochemistry, Dr. Murphy taught both graduate and undergraduate classes, oversaw the training of master’s and doctoral students in his laboratory and performed scientific research. His area of study was energetics of protein interactions with other molecules and the relationship of the energetics to structure, which is helpful in the design of new pharmaceuticals. After graduating with a Master of Divinity from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, Dr. Murphy became the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg, Iowa where he has served since June of 2008.

Hastings College was founded by those who envisioned a college that would encompass the highest academic standards within the broad perspective of the liberal arts and dedication to the Christian faith. Throughout its history, Hastings College has remained faithful to the vision of its founders by preparing students to excel in their personal, professional and spiritual lives.
Founded in 1882, Hastings College is a private, four-year liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). A total of 64 majors in 32 areas of study and 12 pre-professional programs are offered to more than 1,150 students. Hastings College was named 75th Best Value College in the nation and #1 in Nebraska by Forbes.com and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. It was named a 2010 “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review and rated a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s.