The Science and Religion in the Baptist World project at the Centre for Baptist Studies aims to integrate cutting-edge science into the theological curriculum for vocational and ministerial students at Regent’s Park College.
The initiative is part of the Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS)’s Science for Seminaries programme, which is based at St John’s College, Durham. The project is incorporating scientific ideas into the college’s teaching and research in the following by:
- Embedding science into the core curriculum for vocational and ministerial students at four principal junctures: in modules on ethics, doctrine, and history, as well as a science-informed retreat day.
- Addressing some of the scientific issues faced by Baptist ministers today by drawing on the history of Baptist engagement with the sciences that is uniquely available in the Angus Library at Regent’s. This part of the project focuses on the scientific lives of some key figures from Baptist history, including William Carey, Ellen Farrer, and George Grenfell.
- Running a campus-wide symposium on Science and Religion in the Baptist World in summer 2025. As one of the first Baptist colleges to be awarded Science for Seminaries funding, this event aims to serve as a focal point for the wider Baptist denomination in the UK to engage with the sciences.
The project is led by Dr Tim Middleton, with help and support from several other members of staff. Revd Dr Dave Gregory is the official Science-Engaged-Theology Advisor for the project.
Science for Seminaries and the ECLAS project are funded by a £3.4 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation, running 2023-27. ECLAS is led from St John’s College, Durham University in partnership with the University of York and the Church of England.
Baptists and Science Resources
Dr Tim Middleton and The Revd Dr Andy Goodliff present five episodes of a new podcast exploring Baptists and Science, first released in January 2026.
Also available on YouTube, Podbean, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
These case studies have been produced by Andy Goodliff. Click the image to view the PDF.
These are some examples of material held in the Angus Library and Archive, which has been digitised thanks to the grant given by the Science for Seminaries project.
The documents highlight the importance of the scientific work of Dr Ellen Farrer (1865-1959), Baptist missionary, celebrated doctor in India and founder of the Farrer Hospital in Bhiwani; George Grenfell (1849-1906), Baptist missionary, explorer and recipient of the 1887 Royal Geographical Founder’s Medal; and William Carey (1761-1834), Baptist missionary, translator and botanist.
Please note, all material is within copyright and any requests to reuse it must be made to the Angus Librarian. The material is presented here thanks to the kind permission of BMS World Mission and the Angus Library and Archive.
Video recordings of some of the presentations from the two-day conference ‘Baptist Perspectives on Science and Religion’ (held in September 2025) are available on the CBS YouTube channel.