Introduction
The INSIGHT faith/science reading group is a group open to students, faculty, and staff who are interested in the interactions between science and faith. INSIGHT is an acronym that roughly comes from "INteractions between ScIence and Theology" (yes, it's a stretch and we're missing the "GH" :)).
Format
We meet every other week (2nd and 4th weeks of the month) for two hours. Currently we're reading articles, so that we can do the reading during the first part of the meeting and then discuss it. This allows those with busy schedules to participate, even if they don't have time outside the meetings to read. In the future, if people's schedules permit, we may read books in addition to articles.
Group Culture
Though the group welcomes everyone to join, we ask all members to support two cultural aspects of the group. First, particularly since many of the topics we'll be examining relate to passionately held positions, we want all members to give every viewpoint a fair hearing. This is not to say we believe every viewpoint is valid, but just that as part of our learning together we will strive to understand even viewpoints we disagree with. Second, our group values patience. Many of the topics we address will not yield to conclusions after one 2-hour discussion. Indeed, many of the topics require months or years of work to even begin to understand. Given that, we want to be patient with one another, ourselves, and most of all with God, and not insist on answers based on our own timelines.
While not an official affiliate, the INSIGHT group has close relations with the American Scientific Affiliation (ASA), a nationwide fellowship of Christians in science. The goals of the INSIGHT group are similar to those of the ASA, and the INSIGHT facilitator is a member of the ASA.
Finally, a note of encouragement. At times in this reading group we may discuss topics that may feel threatening. For many of us, our understandings of who God is and how we know truth is the result of unconscious assumptions that may come more from our culture rather than Scripture. Sometimes when we examine issues related to faith and science, we may find ourselves questioning those unconscious assumptions, which may feel uncomfortable. As we study together, I want to encourage each of us to hold on to that which is fundamental, Christ crucified and raised from the dead (1 Cor. 15). On that, and that alone, is the hope of a Christian.
