Abstract
As part of an initiative by the new Center for Faith and Learning at Oral Roberts University, an introductory college-level physics course for scientists and engineers was reconfigured to facilitate the integration of physics and Christian faith. Regular readings from a popular book, Einstein and Religion (Jammer, 1999), on the compatibility between physics and Christian doctrine were assigned. Questions based on the readings were then posed and a small fraction of class time (10%) was reserved for discussion of these issues. The students also submitted book reports summarizing their perspectives at the end of the course. A detailed rubric was developed to guide the process of faith and learning integration. Pre- and post-course assessment surveys were administered in an attempt to quantify the extent of faith and learning integration.
The objective of the course is to equip students to serve others spiritually, through wisdom and knowledge of the relationship between physics and Christianity, without compromising or diminishing their ability to serve others materially, through in-depth understanding and skill in science and engineering. It is believed that the time devoted to the integration of faith and physics is well-spent, in that it serves to motivate the students to achieve their God-given calling to be a well-informed Christian who is also an excellent scientist or engineer.
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Recommended Citation
Halsmer, D., Roso, C., & Odom, P. W. (2016). Relating Christian faith to physics for scientists and engineers. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning for Christians in Higher Education, 7(1), 26-37. https://doi.org/10.31380/sotlched.7.1.26
