2.61: Can We Believe in the Bible and Science?

A discussion with Alan Padgett on the nature of truth (scientific and spiritual) in which the podcasters talk about the 6000-year-old earth, the veracity of the resurrection, and the end of time.

In this episode, Prof. Kathryn Schifferdecker and Katie Langston talk with Alan Padgett, Professor of Systematic Theology at Luther Seminary, about the question, Can we believe in the Bible and science?

Shownotes

Biblical books and passages mentioned

Genesis 1-3
Exodus 33
1 Corinthians 15
Revelation/Apocalypse of John

Theologians and figures mentioned

Origen of Alexandria, early Christian scholar
Augustine of Hippo, North African bishop
Thomas Aquinas, medieval Catholic theologian
Martin Luther, German reformer
John Calvin, French reformer
Jacques Ellul, French philosopher
Don Carson, evangelical New Testament scholar

Topics and themes mentioned

Age of earth
Literal reading and interpretation of the Bible
Symbolism in the Bible
Propositional truth claims and the Bible
Creation narrative in Genesis 1-3
Eschatology: doctrine of the Christian hope

Historical events mentioned

Enlightenment
Fundamentalist–Modernist Controversy

Books and works mentioned

Featuring

Alan G. Padgett

Alan Padgett has been on the faculty at Luther Seminary since 2001. Following a call to the ministry, he graduated from Drew University (M. Div., 1981). After serving full time in pastoral ministry he studied at the University of Oxford (D.Phil, 1990). A United Methodist minister, he coordinates Methodist studies at the seminary as well as teaching classes in systematic theology and ethics. Padgett works at the intersection of theology, biblical studies, philosophy and the sciences. His most recent books include the Blackwell Companion to Science & Christianity (co-edited with Jim Stump, 2012); Introduction to Philosophy: Christianity and the Big Questions (with Steve Wilkens, 2018); and Ecotheology: A Christian Conversation (co-edited by Kiara Jorgensen, 2020).

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Hosted By

Kathryn Schifferdecker

Kathryn M Schifferdecker is Professor and Elva B. Lovell Chair of Old Testament at Luther Seminary. Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 2001, Schifferdecker was associate pastor for five years at Trinity Lutheran Church, Arkdale, Wisconsin, before coming to Luther in 2006. Schifferdecker is a frequent contributor to Working Preacher, Word & World, and the author of "Out of the Whirlwind: Creation Theology in the Book of Job" (Harvard University Press, 2008). She is currently writing a commentary on the book of Esther.

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Katie Langston

Katie Langston is a doubter by nature and a believer by grace. She grew up Mormon in a small Utah town and still isn't sure she fits in anywhere sophisticated enough to have a Target. She's the author of Sealed: An Unexpected Journey into the Heart of Grace, an acclaimed spiritual memoir about her conversion to orthodox Christianity. Katie is Pastor of Mission and Outreach at New Promise Lutheran Church in St. George, Utah. From 2020-2025, she was the director of digital strategy for Luther Seminary's innovation team, where she oversaw digital projects aimed at cultivating vibrant Christian spirituality in a post-modern, post-Christian cultural context.

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About Enter the Bible Podcast

The Enter the Bible podcast is where you can get answers (or at least reflections) on everything you wanted to know about the Bible but were afraid to ask. Each season, the podcast hosts address questions submitted by listeners. If you have a question you’d like us to discuss in the upcoming season of the Enter the Bible podcast, submit it here.

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