Gilbert Meilaender, a philosopher and teacher at Valparaiso (Ind.) University, will lead a science and on “The Moral Problem of Stem Cell Research” 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 in the Suter Science Center Auditorium (S-106) at EMU.

Dr. Meilaender, who holds the Phyllis and Richard Duesenberg Chair in Christian Ethics at Valparaiso University, will also speak and field audience questions at a special lecture on “vocation” at 8 p.m. Nov. 17 in Martin Chapel of the seminary building at EMU.

“While embryo research is not a new topic in public debate within the U.S., interest in stem cell research and regenerative medicine brought new attention to the subject in the late 1990s,” noted , professor of at EMU.

Moral Problems

“Meilaender’s talk will develop the two major moral problems raised by such research – the use and destruction of human embryos and the role of human cloning,” Dr. Miller said. “Even more central to the argument, however, is the way in which possible relief of suffering is used to justify embryo destruction and human cloning. Seen in that context, the issue of embryo research forces us to examine some of our most deeply held beliefs about human life.”

The speaker has published ll books and numerous articles, including “Friendship: A Study in Theological Ethics,” “Faith and Faithfulness: Basic Themes in Christian Ethics,” “Bioethics: A Primer for Christians,” “Body, Soul and Bioethics; The Way that Leads There,” “Augustinian Reflections on the Christian Life” and “Working: Its Meaning and Its Limits.”

Meilaender is co-editor of the “Oxford Handbook of Theological Ethics” and has served on the board of directors of the Society of Christian Ethics, as associate editor of “Religious Studies Review” and as associate editor of the “Journal of Religious Ethics.” He is also a Fellow of the Hastings Center and has been a member of the President

The at 草莓社区 will sponsor a by Dr. Nancey Murphey, "From Neurons to Politics – Without a Soul," 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, in Martin Chapel of the seminary building at EMU.

Dr. Murphy, a professor of Christian philosophy at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, Calif, will draw her remarks from her book, "Whatever Happened to the Soul: Scientific and Theological Portraits of Human Nature."

Murphy received a BA degree in philosophy and psychology from Creighton University, a PhD from the University of California at Berkeley and a ThD from from the Graduate Theological Union.

Her first book, "Theology in the Age of Scientific Reasoning" (Cornell, 1990), won the American Academy of Religion award for excellence and a Templeton Prize for outstanding books in science and theology. She is author of seven other books and co-editor of seven volumes.

Her research interests focus on the role of modern and postmodern philosophy in shaping Christian theology and on relations between theology and science.

She is on the board of directors of the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences and former chair of the board.

Dr. William Hawk, professor of philosophy at James Madison University, and Dr. Myron Augsburger, EMU professor emeritus, will respond to Murphy’s presentation.

Refreshments will be served 15 minutes prior to the program. Admission is free.

A group of EMU faculty from a cross-section of departments are seeking to improve growing conditions in this arena by forming the Shenandoah Anabaptist Science Society (SASS) for constructive engagement of science and religion.

The group has received a three-year, $15,000 matching grant administered by the the , a Philadelphia, Pa.-based organization, with funding from the John Templeton Foundation.

One of the SASS organizers is Kenton T. Derstine, director of (CPE) at . He said that the Metanexus funds “will be used to support ongoing study and discussion groups, bring outside speakers on the subject to campus, support publications that emerge from the group’s work, organize conferences and provide other forms of outreach in the larger Shenandoah Valley area.”

Events and special presentations “will be open to all interested people from the broader community,” Derstine said.

Another steering commmittee member, Roman J. Miller, professor of at EMU, said the Society “will provide resources and a formal context to encourage the integration of Christian faith – particularly in its Anabaptist expression and convictions concerning peacemaking and service.”

“The Society will help deepen our faculty’s collaborative work across departments and disciplines as well as provide opportunities for students to benefit both from ongoing discussions and outside resource persons brought to campus,” Dr. Miller said. “We expect that students will gain important practical experience in helping with the organizational work and in learning more about major real-world issues at the intersection of science and Christian faith,” he added.

Society activities have started over the Thursday noon hour in the east dining room with a weekly discussion of the book, “Whatever Happened to the Soul: Scientific and Theological Portraits of Human Nature,” by Nancey Murphy and others. Discussion leaders are Theodore (Ted) Grimsrud and Christian Early of EMU’s department. The book’s author will be on campus Oct. 27 to interact with faculty, students and community persons.

SASS membership is open to EMU students, faculty and staff and community persons, including faculty and students from neighboring academic institutions. Membership dues are $5 for students and $10 for others. For more information, contact Ann G. Hershberger of the EMU department, (432-4190 or hershbea@emu.edu) or Kenton T. Derstine of the seminary (432-4565 or derstine@emu.edu).