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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.

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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

Today's Episode Hosted By

Kathryn Schifferdecker

Kathryn Schifferdecker

Katie Langston

Katie Langston

Joined by

Alan-Padgett

Alan Padgett

Featuring:

Picture of Alan G. Padgett

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:

Picture of Kathryn Schifferdecker

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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Picture of Katie Langston

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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