The Midwest Religion and Science Society (MRSS) is an organization dedicated to the dialog between Religion and Science. A primary interest of the MRSS is Religion and Consciousness.
The MRSS has local chapters at Andrews University (MI), Bluffton University (OH), Goshen College (IN), Manchester College (IN), Ohio Northern University (OH), the University of Notre Dame (IN), and the University of St. Francis (IN).
There are two major meetings of the MRSS each year
- the Goshen Conference on Religion and Science (March),
- and the Andrews Autumn Conference on Religion and Science (October).
The MRSS was formed with a core planning group of the regular participants from four church-affiliated institutions in geographic proximity to one another: Goshen College, the University of St. Francis, and Bluffton University. These institutions are considered “charter members” of an ongoing effort in outreach and diversification throughout the Upper Midwest region (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana). Primarily, the MRSS is a research and discussion group, with meetings facilitated by members to review and discuss books and journal articles. Books considered for the group include titles from Willem Drees, George Ellis, Niels Henrik Gregersen, John Haught, Nancey Murphy, Arthur Peacocke, Ted Peters, John Polkinghorne, and Holmes Rolston. Regularly scheduled business meetings focus on subjects and speakers for Goshen Conference on Science and Religion as the key event and catalyst for providing an additional forum, member recruiting, and outreach to other area institutions and the surrounding community.
Individual membership is not limited to faculty and students, but open to all persons interested in engaging in the dialogue between science and faith. The MRSS also supports a College Program providing speakers and programs to chapel services or similar programs of member institutions, and a Youth Program for high school students and provides stipends for students to attend the yearly conference. Matching funds are provided by charter member institutions and the Miller-Jeschke Program for Christian Faith and the Natural Sciences at Goshen College.
The steering committee of MRSS consists of academics in physics, Old Testament, mathematics, philosophy, and biology from the charter institutions.
About the Conference
The annual Goshen Conference on Religion and Science, held at Goshen College, Goshen, IN, is designed to provide maximum interaction with one of the principal thinkers in the dialog between religion and science.
A single invited speaker presents three lectures, two of which are open to the public. Small moderated discussion sessions provide conference participants an opportunity to address topics from the lectures, and others, in conversation with the speaker.
Conference attendance is limited to fifty. Conference participants include pastors, and interested lay persons, as well as academic scientists, mathematicians, theologians, and students.
Past MRSS Conferences on Religion and Science
Information on the proceedings of the conferences is available here or from the “MRSS Publications” menu link.
2020 – Michael Spezio: In Whose Image? Perspectives from Intersections of Brain Science and Abrahamic Mindfulness
2019 – Katharine Hayhoe: Christians, Climate, and Culture: Relationships, Tensions and Resolutions
2018 – Muzaffar Iqbal: Islam’s Quantum Challenge: Living Islam in the Age of Science
2017 – Niels Henrik Gregersen: Deep Incarnation: From Cosmos to Commitment
2016 – Hava Tirosh-Samuelson: Religion and Environment: The Case of Judaism
2015 – Wentzel van Huyssteen: Interdisciplinary Theology and the Archeology of Personhood
2014 – Joshua M. Moritz: Human Uniqueness and the Image of God: Bridging Biology and Theology through the Hebrew Concept of Election
2013 – Gayle Woloschak: Becoming Human: Weaving Together Genetics and Personhood
2012 – Celia Deane-Drummond: Humanimal: Explor ing Theological Anthropology at the Human-Animal Boundary
2011 – Owen Gingerich: Worrying About Evolution
2010 – Phil Clayton: Evolution After the Religion Wars: Rethinking Humanity and Ethics in Light of the Science-Religion Partnership
2009 – Noreen Herzfeld: The Limits of Perfection
2008 – Holmes Rolston: Science and Origins: Probing the Deeper Questions
2007 – Ted Peters: The Evolution of Terrestrial and Extraterrestrial Life: Where in the World is God?
2006 – Philip J. Hefner: Religion and Science as a Spiritual Quest
2005 – Robert John Russell: Cosmology, Evolution, and Resurrection Hope
2004 – John H. Haught: Purpose, Evolution, and the Mystery of Life
2003 – Antje Jackelén: The Dialogue Between Religion and Science: Challenges and Future Directions
2002 – George Ellis: A Universe of Ethics, Morality and Hope
2001 – Nancey Murphy: Religion and Science: God, Evolution and the Soul
Membership and Dues
Full Membership – $85.00 per year
A full member is strongly committed to the MRSS and is indicating this by full membership. Full membership, in addition to supporting activities of the MRSS, provides books and materials used in local chapter discussions, and a $25 registration discount for the Goshen Conference on Religion and Science.
Associate Membership – $40.00 per year
Associate membership, in addition to supporting activities of the MRSS, provides books and materials used in local chapter discussions.
Student Member
Students at participating schools are eligible for student membership in the MRSS.
Dues may be paid in person, by mail, or online. If paying in person or by personal check, please contact:
Carl Helrich, Director
Phone: 574-533-6213
Email: carlsh@goshen.edu
If you would prefer to pay online by credit card, follow this link: Join MRSS or renew membership here.