![]()
APPENDIX 1
Humility Theology Information Center A Limited Explanation
The John Templeton Foundation has established as one of its primary goals the promotion of a greater awareness among thinking peopleāespecially scientists and theologiansāof the vast magnitude of the Creator God and the enormity of our own ignorance. The attitude of humility which such an awareness demands might have profound impact upon the goals of both scientists and theologians. There could be fresh openness to spiritual dimensionsāwith scientists focusing more of their energies on research into the spiritual dimension, and with theologians contributing fresh interpretations and new directions of theological explanation.
The increasing appreciation of the vastness and intricacy of the universe and the subtlety of its interrelationships which science reveals carries with it profound theological implications. This new theological outlook is part of the theology of humility. For this purpose the Foundation has instituted a Humility Theology Information Center. The Centerās current focus includes the following areas of concentration
ā¢Utilization of Scientific Methods in Understanding the Work and Purpose of the Creator
ā¢Research in Studying or Stimulating Progress in Religion
ā¢Research in Benefits of Religion
The possibilities from addressing these and many other questions can be illuminating. And in all of this, the spirit of humility seems essential. This unlimited investigation and promotion is the major emphasis of the Humility Theology Information Center.
![]()
APPENDIX 2
Excerpt from Riches for the Mind and Spirit Edited by John Marks Templeton
We are perched on the frontiers of future knowledge. Even though we stand upon the enormous mountain of information collected over the last five centuries of scientific progress, we have only fleeting glimpses of the future. To a large extent, the future lies before us like a vast wilderness of unexplored reality. The God who created and sustains His evolving universe through eons of progress and development has not placed our generation at the tag end of the creative process. He has placed us at a new beginning. We are here for the future.
Our role is crucial. As human beings we are endowed with mind and spirit. We can think, imagine, and dream. We can search for future trends through the rich diversity of human thought. God permits us in some ways to be co-creators with Him in His continuing act of creation.
Scientists have steadily been changing their concepts of the universe and laws of nature, but the progression is always away from smaller self-centered or human-centered concepts. Evidence is always accumulating that things seen are only one aspect of the vastly greater unseen realities. Human observational abilities are very limited and so are our mental abilities. Should we not focus ourselves on the unseen realities and not on the fleeting appearances? Should we not kneel down in humility and worship the awesome, infinite, omniscient, eternal Creator?
By learning humility, we find that the purpose of life on earth is vastly deeper than any human mind can grasp. Diligently, each child of God should seek to find and obey Godās purpose, but none be so egotistical as to think that he or she comprehends the infinite mind of God.
Every personās concept of God is too small. Through humility we can begin to get into true perspective the infinity of God. This is the humble approach. Are we ready to begin the formulation of a humble theology which can never become obsolete? This would be a theology really centered on God and not our own little selves.
John Marks Templeton
![]()
APPENDIX 3
Board of Advisors of the John Templeton Foundation Humility Theology Information Center
Fall 1997
North America
Mrs. Elizabeth Peale Allen, Vice Chairman of the Peale Center for Christian Living in Pawling, NY. She is Chairman of the Board of the Positive Thinking Foundation.
Professor Francisco J. Ayala, Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences and Professor of Philosophy at the University of California, Irvine. He is a member of the Presidentās Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology and has been President and Chairman of the Board of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Society for the Study of Evolution. His research focuses on population and evolutionary genetics, including the origin of species, genetic diversity of populations, and the molecular clock of evolution.
Dr. Ian Barbour is Professor Emeritus in Physics and Religion at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. In addition to serving as a Gifford Lecturer in 1989ā91, he has written several books addressing the interface of religion and science including Religion in an Age of Science and Ethics in an Age of Technology.
Dr. Herbert Benson, President of the Mind/Body Medical Institute and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He has studied the efficacy of religion and spirituality upon physical health and healing. He has written numerous books including The Relaxation Response, and Beyond the Relaxation Response.
Dr. Keith Briscoe, past President of Buena Vista College in Iowa in 1974ā1994. In the years since he has worked tirelessly to lead Buena Vista College into the twenty-first century as one of the truly outstanding small colleges in America.
Dr. Freeman Dyson is Professor of Physics at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, NJ. He has received numerous honors and been widely published for his work in physics and ethics in science with regard to arms control. Dr. Dyson is a fellow of the Royal Society of London and a 1985 Gifford Lecturer. He received the Phi Beta Kappa Award in Science in 1988 for his book, Infinite in All Directions.
Dr. Lindon Eaves, Distinguished Professor of Human Genetics and Professor of Psychiatry at the Medical College of Virginia. Dr. Eaves is also an ordained priest of the Episcopal Church. He has published extensive research involving genetic studies of twins and has also published on the interface between religion and science.
Dr. Diana L. Eck is Professor of Comparative Religion and Indian Studies at Harvard University. She is also Chair of the Committee on the Study of Religion in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and a member of the Faculty of Divinity. Her extensive work on India includes the book Banaras, City of Light. In 1995, Dr. Eck was awarded the Henry Luce III Fellowship in Theology for her work on a book entitled Multireligious America: New Challenges for American Pluralism.
Mr. Foster Friess is Chairman of Friess Associates, managers of over $12 billion of equities. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Friess currently serves on the Advisory Council of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences of Stockholm, which awards the Nobel Prize for chemistry and physics, and the Executive Committee of the Council for National Policy, which networks leaders in the U.S. who are committed to a strong national defense, traditional values and the free enterprise system.
Professor Owen Gingerich is Professor of Astronomy and of the History of Science at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is a member of the American Philosophical Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the International Academy of the History of the Sciences. Professor Gingerich has published 500 technical or educational articles and reviews.
Mr. Kenneth Giniger, President of the K.S. Giniger Company, Inc., has co-published several books with Mr. Templeton that address science and religion. He is chairman of the Laymanās National Bible Association.
Rev. Philip Hefner, Professor of Systematic Theology, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He earned his Ph.D. with distinction from the University of Chicago and has taught at Lutheran seminaries his entire career. He currently serves as Co-Director of the Chicago Center for Religion and Science and is Editor-in-Chief of Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science. His most recent book is The Human Factor: Evolution, Culture and Religion.
Dr. Robert Herrmann is Adjunct Professor of Chemistry and Chair of the Premedical Program of Gordon College and past Executive Director of The American Scientific Affiliation. His work, both independent and through collaborative writing efforts with John M. Templeton, has sought to encourage greater spirituality among professionals in the natural and physical sciences. He is Editorial Coordinator for the Progress in Theology newsletter and Director of the Science-Religion Course Programs. He is a trustee of the John Templeton Foundation.
Dr. Harold G. Koenig is Director of the Program on Religion, Aging, and Health at the Center for Aging, Duke University Medical Center. He is also Assistant Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Duke University Medical Center. In 1995 he became a Diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Dr. David Larson, a psychiatrist, is a former Senior Fellow at the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH). He is currently President of the National Institute for Healthcare Research. He has published journal articles and a Psychiatric Training Manual which demonstrate that spirituality and religious practice can benefit physical and mental health and healing.
Mr. Robert F. Lehman is President and CEO of the Fetzer Institute and Chairman of the Board of the Fetzer Memorial Trust. He has been Vice President and Director of International Programs at the Kettering Foundation and Director of the Exploratory Fund that sponsored research on the relationship of consciousness to health and education.
Dr. Martin Marty is a Senior Scholar at The Park Ridge Center for the Study of Health, Faith and Ethics in Chicago, IL. He is the editor of Second Opinion, a journal providing a forum for the interface of health, faith, and ethics.
Mr. Gary D. Moore is a counselor to ethical and religious investors with twenty years of Wall Street experience, including service as Senior Vice President of Investments for Paine-Webber. Mr. Moore founded Gary Moore & Co., a company dedicated to providing counsel to ethical and religious investors. He currently counsels some of Americaās best-known churches and banks. He is also a commentator on the political economy for UPI National Radio. Mr. Moore authored The Christian Guide to Wise Investing.
Rev. Dr. Glenn Mosley is President and CEO of the Association of Unity Churches. His ministry began in 1957 and he has traveled extensively speaking in Unity and Non-Unity Churches. In 1964, he began a television ministry and has appeared on radio and/or television daily for 21 years. He ...
