Symposium 2015 to focus on link between science, Christianity
January 23, 2015
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Symposium 2015, an annual event exploring faith, reason and life, will welcome astrophysicist Hugh Ross and biochemist Fazale Rana to discuss this year's theme: "Origins: Follow the Evidence Where it Leads."
Led by multiple campus ministries and churches, the symposium's purpose is to examine some of the most probing faith-based questions via panel discussions, lectures and debates. The event will focus specifically on scientific evidence from the origins of the universe and life itself that support the argument for God's existence.
The two-day event, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. on Jan. 30 in Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse with back-to-back presentations. The keynote panel discussion with Ross and Rana, titled "Putting Creation to the Test: A Biblical Creation Model Approach," will be followed by a question-and-answer session.
The symposium will continue on Jan. 31 with plenary talks by Ross and Rana, as well as nearly a dozen breakout sessions on the origin of human sexuality, racism, morality and evil, said event organizer Corey Miller, director of the Christian Faculty, Grad, and Staff Network at Purdue and adjunct professor of philosophy and comparative religions at Indiana University-Kokomo.
Go to www.symposiachristi.com for a complete schedule of the event and session locations on campus.
Ross earned his doctorate in astronomy from the University of Toronto and is president and founder of Reasons to Believe, an organization dedicated to spreading the Christian gospel by demonstrating that sound reason and scientific research supports the existence of God.
Rana received his doctorate in chemistry with an emphasis in biochemistry from Ohio University. He is vice president of research and apologetics at RTB and writes and speaks extensively about evidence for creation emerging from biochemistry, genetics, human origins and synthetic biology.
The symposium is an annual event held at Purdue drawing thousands from the campus, community and surrounding region. Led by multiple campus ministries and churches, its purpose is to explore and debate questions about faith, reason and life.
This year's sponsors include Covenant Church, Faculty Commons, First Assembly Community Ministries, Campus House, Sunrise, Evangelical Covenant Church, Bundy McNear Insurance Agency Inc., Calvary Chapel, Calvary Baptist Church, Upper Room, NAVS, Faith West, Reformed University Fellowship, Dayton United Methodist Church, Purdue Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship, Purdue College Ministry, International Campus Ministry, Graduate and Faculty Ministries, Thayer's Painting and Exteriors, Cru, Lafayette Community Church, Riverside Community Church, Northview Community Church, NeoVision, Great Harvest Bread, Worldwide Discipleship Association, Lafayette Christian School, Lafayette Limo, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and Chick-fil-A.
Writers: Emily Sigg, 765-494-4719, esigg@purdue.edu
Phillip Fiorini, 765-496-3133, pfiorini@purdue.edu
Source: Corey Miller, 765-414-0993, corey.miller@cru.org
