New Baptist podcast series on science and faith 

Baptists & Science explores a 'rich and often overlooked intersection', writes Tim Middleton, asking what role have Baptists played in the sciences, and how might Baptist theology shape engagement with science today?

 
It can sometimes be tempting to think that Baptists have not been terribly prominent in conversations about science and religion, or have even been actively opposed to science. But history tells a more nuanced story—one in which Baptists have not only responded to scientific developments but have also contributed to them.

A new podcast series, Baptists & Science, which we produced here at the Centre for Baptist Studies at Regent’s Park College, explores this rich and often overlooked intersection. Drawing on historical case studies and contemporary reflections, the series asks: what role have Baptists played in the sciences, and how might Baptist theology shape engagement with science today?

Hosted by Andy Goodliff and me, the series brings together thinkers and experts to examine how Baptist individuals and communities have interacted with scientific knowledge in various times and places. The podcasts highlight a diverse range of encounters—from climate science and botany to medicine and missionary practice—revealing a tradition that has often been much more open to scientific inquiry than stereotypes might suggest.

The opening episode sets the tone by focusing on the lived experience of combining scientific and religious identities. We are joined by John Weaver, a geologist and former principal of South Wales Baptist College, who reflects on his own journey from scientist to minister and educator, offering a personal perspective on what it means to inhabit both worlds. The conversation tackles the perception that Baptists have had an uneasy relationship with science, probing where this idea comes from and whether it holds true.

Episodes two, three, and four turn to historical case studies, each centred on a Baptist figure whose scientific interests were closely tied to missionary work.

In episode two, Saptarshi Mallick discusses William Carey. While Carey is typically remembered for his missionary efforts in India, the episode highlights his significant interest in botany. Mallick explains how Carey’s theological convictions motivated his scientific curiosity and how his botanical work was intertwined with his broader mission.

Episode three shifts the focus to Ellen Farrer, a less well-known but equally fascinating figure, who we explore in discussion with the historian Karen Smith. Farrer’s work in medicine provides a compelling example of how scientific expertise could be mobilised in service of missionary goals, and Smith speaks about how her theological commitments informed her medical practice.

In episode four, Andrew Kaiser introduces listeners to Timothy Richard, a Baptist missionary in China. Richard saw science as a means of cultural engagement and dialogue, and his approach reflects a broader vision of mission that includes education and intellectual exchange. Kaiser explores how Richard’s theology shaped his openness to scientific ideas and how his work contributed to cross-cultural understanding.

The final episode steps back from individual biographies to consider the broader historical patterns at play. Sarah Qidwai, an expert on colonialism and science, examines the relationship between scientific activity and missionary work. Building on the examples of Carey, Farrer, and Richard, Qidwai discusses how science was often used to support missionary goals, sometimes in ways that reinforced colonial structures.

By combining historical insight with contemporary reflection, Baptists & Science aims to challenge simplistic narratives about science and religion. It shows that Baptists—like many other faith communities—have engaged with science in varied and sometimes surprising ways, shaped by theological convictions, cultural contexts, and individual vocations. Our hope is that listeners will enjoy finding out a little more about the scientific lives of some key Baptist figures from the past, and be prompted to think a little further about how these examples might shape the science and religion conversation in the present. I have certainly come away from these discussions with a renewed sense of the importance of history as a way into thinking about science and faith.

The podcasts form part of a wider project at the Centre for Baptist Studies which has been integrating science into the theological curriculum for vocational and ministerial students here at Regent’s Park College. The initiative is supported by the Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS) Science for Seminaries programme, which is based at St John’s College, University of Durham.

Further resources, including recordings from a recent conference and digitised material from the Angus Library and Archive can be found on the project website.

The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and Amazon Music. 
 

Dr Tim Middleton is a Tutorial Fellow in Theology, Director of the Centre for Baptist Studies, Director of the Visiting Student Programme