193 - Latest Research: Science & Scripture w/Ben Spackman | Church History Matters I Science & Religion Series

About this episode

This episode explores the historical relationship between science, the Bible, and Latter-day Saint thought through an interview with Ben Spackman.

In this final episode of the Church History Matters Science and Religion series, hosts Casey Griffiths and Scott Woodward sit down with BYU religion professor Ben Spackman, whose groundbreaking dissertation explores the historical relationship between science, the Bible, evolution, and Latter-day Saint thought. Together they trace how interpretations of Genesis, debates over Darwinian evolution, and shifting cultural pressures shaped conversations among members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From early 20th-century tensions to more nuanced modern approaches, this episode carefully unpacks how Saints have wrestled with questions at the intersection of revelation and reason. Casey, Scott, and Professor Spackman examine the divide between “fundamentalist” and “modernist” approaches to scripture—exploring how different assumptions about prophetic authority, biblical literalism, and scientific discovery have influenced Latter-day Saint perspectives. Rather than framing science and faith as enemies, the discussion highlights the importance of historical context, careful interpretation, and intellectual humility. As the capstone to the series, this…

People in this episode

Hosts: Casey Griffiths, Scott Woodward

Guest: Ben Spackman

Topics covered

• science and scripture
• Latter-day Saint thought
• interpretations of Genesis
• Darwinian evolution
• faith and reason
• historical context
• intellectual humility

Keywords

• science
• scripture
• Latter-day Saints
• evolution
• Genesis
• faith
• reason
• intellectual humility

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Books & works: Genesis

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