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Psalms 19:1鈥�2 paints a glorious picture of how the cosmos testify to God鈥檚 handiwork. Both in awe of the Creator and the created world, King David wrote: 鈥淭he heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.鈥� 

In recognition of these verses, Deborah Haarsma, astrophysicist, author, and the former president of BioLogos, an advocacy organization devoted to sharing the interplay between science and Christianity, has devoted her career to the study of the world beyond our own. On March 11, the Pepperdine community was given the special privilege of hearing Haarsma鈥檚 insights on Christian faith and science at the 21st annual hosted by .

To open her lecture, 鈥淎ncient Faith meets Modern Science: Following Christ in Today鈥檚 Debates," Haarsma noted that wonder is a shared human response to the beauty of the universe. While displaying one of her favorite photos of the galaxy cluster taken by NASA鈥檚 Hubble Space Telescope, she mused, 鈥淭hese are some of the most massive objects in the universe, and when studying them I am always filled with a sense of wonder.鈥� 

Haarsma speaking about her interest in galaxy clusters

For the renowned astrophysicist, pondering the intricacies of the universe always pointed to greater questions about its creator. Each telescope that discovers an unfound star, each mathematical equation modeling inner workings of the universe, and each satellite reaching a distant galaxy 鈥渁re working in harmony,鈥� she posited, 鈥渨ith the Christian perspective by revealing the glory of God.鈥�

鈥淐hristian theology gives an amazing foundation for how and why we do science,鈥� Haarsma continued. 鈥淚t鈥檚 remarkable to realize that this intelligent and powerful Creator is also the lover of my soul. However, often people who share my positive view of science don鈥檛 know the creator who is behind it.鈥� 

Haarsma then touched on a perceived divide between scientific communities and those of Christian faith鈥攖hough the two are certainly not mutually exclusive. In response, she offered tools of peace building. She outlined several approaches for how Christians can engage with science-minded skeptics of faith, and conversely, how to engage with those who are skeptical of science.

This division, Haarsma noted, exists primarily due to a communication gap between scientists and the general public. Topics of contention often revolve around 鈥渁ge of Earth鈥� theories and evolution. While referencing a number of surveys taken across the United States, she also mentioned a lowering of Americans鈥� trust in the scientific community from 2018鈥�22, during the global pandemic. To remedy a declined public attitude toward science, she called for better scientific communications鈥攎essages that are not laden with heavy jargon and are intentional about communicating to their audiences. 

Attendees listened with intent as Haarsma delivered her lecture

She explained that building a sense of commonality is a key way to diffuse tense conversations. For a Christian audience, scientists of the same faith can play a key role in showing that Christianity is not at odds with science, but rather compatible with a shared aim of seeking truth. 

鈥淗ere鈥檚 the opportunity for Christians who are working at [scientific] institutions to be that bridge of trust to communities that are skeptical,鈥� said Haarsma. 鈥淪how that Christianity doesn鈥檛 reject what they value most.鈥� 

Turning to breaking technologies, Haarsma addressed the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. Many are looking to the Christian worldview for guidance, she has observed, due to its deep values of the significance of the human person. For instance, she noted that Christian engineers for decades have been saying that technology should have design goals beside just profit and efficiency or the satisfaction of human hubris. They should promote justice and creativity.

鈥淭echnology should help us to become more human, not less,鈥� she added. 鈥淭he Christian worldview gives us ways of knowing what our purpose is as we decide how to use these technologies.鈥� 

To close Haarsma expressed appreciation for the opportunity to speak at the Frank Pack Distinguished Christian Scholar Lecture. Named after Frank Pack, former Distinguished Professor of Biblical Studies at Pepperdine and Churches of Christ preacher, the lecture holds an annual tradition of inviting an accomplished Christian scholar to speak on their area of expertise. Lucy Perrin, who serves as the Rushford Center director and lead archivist, additionally offered opening remarks along with Provost Jay Brewster. 

From L to R: Dean Roosa of Libraries, Perrin, Haarsma, Provost Brewster

The lecture, held in Payson Library鈥檚 Surfboard Room, resonated deeply with the Pepperdine community in attendance. Each attendee received a complimentary print copy of Haarsma鈥檚 book, Origins: Christian Perspectives on Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design, which she coauthored with her husband, Loren Haarsma, a professor of physics at Calvin University, who accompanied his wife to Malibu. 

Many faculty members from found their own professional convictions apparent in Haarsma鈥檚 words. Physics professor John Mann noted that his Christian faith provides centrality during the process of scientific inquiry. 

鈥淢y Christian faith shapes how I approach science by grounding my confidence that the universe is ordered and consistent,鈥� Mann explained following the event. 鈥淏ecause God is faithful, I expect the laws of nature to hold across time and space, and studying them becomes a way of exploring and appreciating God's creation.鈥�

Todd Creekmore, an organizational psychologist who serves as assistant director of employee engagement at Pepperdine鈥檚 Human Resources department, agreed that the lecture served as a relevant reminder that Christian faith and science go hand in hand. He appreciated that the University convenes such discussions. 

鈥淒r. Haarsma鈥檚 lecture gave me a deeper appreciation for how scientific discovery and Christian faith can complement and even strengthen one another in meaningful ways,鈥� Creekmore said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 encouraging to see Pepperdine creating space for these conversations, where the pursuit of truth is both intellectual and spiritual.鈥�

 To view Haarsma鈥檚 complete lecture, please visit Pepperdine Libraries鈥� .