An event to consider how we might respond pastorally to the scientific and theological features of a pandemic.
About this Event
Abstract
‘A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed heart who can bear?’ (Prov. 18:14)
Commenting on results from a recent YouGov poll, in the light of the coronavirus pandemic, the Theos think tank concluded that religious traditions and leaders may have missed “one of the biggest questions of the moment” if they did not encourage reflection on what happens when you die. In this session I attempt to do that by reflecting on both the science and theological aspects of the pandemic, using the case study of Judah’s King Hezekiah’s terminal prognosis from his disease and the psalm he composed following his recovery.
About the Speaker
The Rev. Dr. Roger Abbott is Senior Research Associate in ‘Natural’ Disasters at the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, Cambridge. He obtained his PhD from the University of Wales, Trinity & St. David. Roger is a member of the British and Irish Association for Practical Theologians, The Society for the Study of Theology, and The Society for the Study of Christian Ethics.
You can find out more about his work and research on his page on the Faraday Institute website – https://www.faraday.cam.ac.uk/about/people/revd-dr-roger-abbott/
About the Chair
Dr Gavin Merrifield is a committee member for both Christians in Science and the Science and Religion Forum.
