History

The Danish Science-Theology Forum was established in 1980 at the University of Aarhus by two theologians (Svend Andersen; Viggo Mortensen) and two scientists (Arn Gyldenholm; Poul V. Thomsen) in order to promote the dialogue between theology and the natural sciences. It includes three types of activity: public lectures followed by discussion, interdisciplinary study-groups, and an annual symposium.

Several persons in the Forum have been engaged in the international dialogue between theology and science for many years, both participating in and organizing international conferences. This applies particularly to the European Conferences on Science and Theology (ECST), which have been held biennially since 1986. In 1990 these conferences led to the establishment of the European Society for the Study of Science and Theology (ESSSAT). The Forum is a member of this organization and its faculty have served in a leadership capacity for it.

In 2002-2004 the Forum received financial support from the Local Societies Initiative of the Metanexus Institute in Philadelphia, Pa, USA, which is financed by the Templeton Foundation .

Forum celebrated its 25th anniversary in December 2005 with the publication of a jubilee book and the organization of an international conference entitled ‘Theology and Science. Issues for Future Dialogue’. The conference was held at the University of Aarhus.