FW: Help with science/religion resources for youth

[Candace Hill]

Friends, see request for help from Ann Knox. Let me start the discussion by saying that CMP will soon release a four week study in the Faith Questions series titled Faith and Science. It will take a look at these issues from a Reformed understanding. I know this is not a book that teens can just pick-up and read, but it may help the grandfather and others to have a resource with real questions from teens and how the church is responding. Candace

 

From: Knox, Ann
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 3:46 PM
To: 'parc-...@googlegroups.com'
Subject: Help with science/religion resources for youth

 

Friends, I could use some help!  I have a grandfather who is concerned about his 14 year old grandsons who he says have been bombarded in writing recently in an effort “to enlist the boys in a fundamentalist, Creation Science, Intelligent Design, biblical literalist, anti-evolution belief system”.  The father of the boys has asked for help in finding something his 14 year olds could read that would help them see a different perspective and so the grandfather turned to me.

 

They are not looking for curriculum material.  They are looking for an approachable book written for teenagers that would let them hear of ways that science and religion can coexist and enhance our understanding of God’s good creation.  I have some CRC curriculum and a Thoughtful Christian study….but I’m really looking for something in either visual format (a DVD?) or a book about this.  (Bear in mind, I don’t know whether the BOYS have asked for this – or only the father and grandfather!)

 

I know of one novel for young people – Ordinary Miracles – that has this dilemma between science and faith at the heart of the story and I will probably suggest that as it frames some of the opposite viewpoints…but other than that, I’m stuck!!

 

Does anyone have any ideas I could pass along?  Thanks so much!

 

Ann

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ann Thomas Knox, Director

Instructional Resource Center

William Smith Morton Library

Union Presbyterian Seminary

3401 Brook Road, Richmond, VA 23227

(804) 278-4324

 

[Irene Flynn]

Hi all,

                Irene Flynn from ELCA Resource Centers here.  I found that the DVD, re:form (from Sparkhouse) excellent in addressing questions of teens (and adults for that matter).  There is a section called “Tough Questions” and one of them is “Can you accept the theory of evolution and still be a Christian?” “What does it mean to be born again?” and other questions.  I found the answers to be well-presented and right on target theologically. Many folks have been using this DVD and leader guide and the Anti-Workbook in intergenerational groups.  http://reform.wearesparkhouse.org

 

Irene Flynn

Specialist in Resources

Florida-Bahamas Synod, ELCA

813-876-7660 ext 229

Ire...@FBSynod.org 

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[Pat_S]

Ann:

Are you familiar with the Charles and Emma: the Darwins' Leap of Faith, by Deborah Heiligman?  It was a highly praised young adult book (grades 8-12) when released in 2008. 

I have NOT read it, but I'm pretty sure that at least two of our adults read it before we started recording loans on the online catalog.  I can check on Sunday to see if one of them remembers enough about the book comment on its suitability in response to this question.

Meanwhile, here's a description of the book, along with a link to Google Books for more information:
       http://wpc.scoolaid.net/bin/search/recDetailPage?rid=3810

Pat Shufeldt
Foothills Presbytery Resource Center
Simpsonville, SC
and
Westminster Presbyterian Church Library
Greenville, SC

[Knox, Ann]

Pat, I was recommending one other young adult book. This one sounds like a great one to add to the mix! Thanks. Ann

-----Original Message-----
From: parc-...@googlegroups.com on behalf of Pat_S
Sent: Fri 2/17/2012 4:36 PM
To: parc-...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: FW: Help with science/religion resources for youth

Ann:

Are you familiar with the *Charles and Emma: the Darwins' Leap of Faith*,

by Deborah Heiligman? It was a highly praised young adult book (grades
8-12) when released in 2008.

I have NOT read it, but I'm pretty sure that at least two of our adults
read it before we started recording loans on the online catalog. I can
check on Sunday to see if one of them remembers enough about the book
comment on its suitability in response to this question.

Meanwhile, here's a description of the book, along with a link to Google
Books for more information:
http://wpc.scoolaid.net/bin/search/recDetailPage?rid=3810

Pat Shufeldt
Foothills Presbytery Resource Center
Simpsonville, SC
and
Westminster Presbyterian Church Library
Greenville, SC

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[Pat_S]

Ann:

I should have mentioned that after reading the description of the Tolan book you recommended, I ordered a copy for our library.  It's great being able to to share information about resources!

Pat

[Karen Robinson]

There are two resources that I would like to mention: Being Presbyterian in the Bible Belt: A Theological Survival Guide for Youth, Parents, and Other Confused Presbyterians by Ted V. Foote, Jr. & P. Alex Thornburg. It has been very popular here in WV – with teens who are bombarded by classmates with theologies that they don’t know how to respond to and with adults who just want to have words for what they believe.  And then there is a video (VHS format) from the denomination entitled Frontiers: Space, Science and Spirituality. This video is old, however I think it has some good info in it. Ten scientists from Clear Lake Presbyterian Church in Houston, TX (all employees of NASA) explore interrelationships of space, science, and spirituality. I watched it the other day to refresh my memory of it – it still has good stuff that is applicable today. We have a leader’s guide with it that has discussion questions that I think are helpful. If the grandfather or another adult were to view this video with the teens, the discussion questions would really be helpful. This resource was published by Denominational Resources/Presbyterian Publishing House. Candace, do you know if I could get permission to convert this to DVD forma?  Even though it is old, the topics of exploration, discovery, discipleship, and drawing strength from community are still of value.

 

Shalom,

Karen

 

Karen Robinson

Presbytery of West Virginia

Resource Center Director

From: parc-...@googlegroups.com [mailto:parc-...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Candace Hill

Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 4:07 PM
To: parc-...@googlegroups.com

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[Emrcvideos]

We have a video called 'Faith and Reason' put out by Films for the Humanities & Sciences.
Also for adults there is the DVD 'Religion and Science' Pathways to Truth  put out by Wesley Ministry Network (2008).

It has 9 sessions that are 30 min. in length.  I think this is very good and has many presenters.
Goes out a lot.

Rhonda Canale
No. CA Ecumenical
Media Resource Center
Campbell, CA 95008
www.emrclibrary.org  (catolog is here)