Mar 16, 2017 Print This Article

Concordia Seminary to host Harvard’s Gingerich March 21

Lecture to discuss significant work of Lutheran astronomer Johannes Kepler

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis will host Dr. Owen Gingerich as part of the Theological History of Science series at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, in the Presidents Room on campus.

The topic will be “An Introduction to the Rev. Dr. Kepler,” referring to German astronomer Johannes Kepler, who discovered the three laws of planetary motion. The presentation is the latest in the Seminary’s Theological History of Science lecture series. Gingerich is a leading authority on Kepler, one of the most influential astronomers of all time.

Gingerich is professor emeritus of astronomy and history of science at Harvard University and senior astronomer emeritus at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. A prolific author, he also is the recipient of numerous honors and awards. Reflecting on astronomers of the past, Gingerich’s work focuses on exploring the nature of truth in science and how man’s understanding of the universe — its creation and design — is formed through observation, interpretation and persuasion.

Gingerich is a Christian who is active in the network of Christians in the sciences known as the American Scientific Affiliation (ASA).

”We are excited to have Dr. Gingerich speak about the Lutheran mathematician and astronomer, Johannes Kepler,” said Dr. Charles P. Arand, the Eugene E. and Nell S. Fincke Graduate Professor of Theology, dean of theological research and publication, and director of the Center for the Care of Creation at the Seminary. “Kepler’s Astronomia Nova (1609) is known for setting forth his revolutionary view that planets have planets have elliptical rather than circular orbits. Less well known is how he introduces that work with a beautiful reflection on Psalm 104. This is a special opportunity to learn more about the man who shaped certain aspects of how the universe works!”

The lecture is free and open to the public. It will be available via live stream at www.csl.edu/live.

Download a poster here.

About Concordia Seminary
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit www.csl.edu.