Latest Research: Science & Scripture w/Ben Spackman | Church History Matters I Science Religion EP09
Church History Matters | Episode 9 | 87 min
0:00 Title Sequence
1:06 Bio of guest Ben Spackman
6:45 What led Bro Spackman to study science/ religion
11:20 Fundamentalism & modernism defined
17:15 Assumptions influencing different church leaders
22:40 The 1909 Statement - Origin of Man
30:38 Key voices about evolution in the Church
38:10 President McKay’s non-confrontational approach
42:10 Dealing with complexity, disagreement & imperfection
50:20 How did we arrive at our current position?
56:00 President Hinckley’s position
1:05:47 Is the Church’s official position neutral?
1:10:28 Reading scripture in the correct context
1:16:57 Tips for reading the OT
1:20:20 Bro Spackman’s testimony
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 episode invites listeners to approach both scripture and science with faith, patience, and a deeper understanding of how past conversations can inform present discipleship.
1:06 Bio of guest Ben Spackman
6:45 What led Bro Spackman to study science/ religion
11:20 Fundamentalism & modernism defined
17:15 Assumptions influencing different church leaders
22:40 The 1909 Statement - Origin of Man
30:38 Key voices about evolution in the Church
38:10 President McKay’s non-confrontational approach
42:10 Dealing with complexity, disagreement & imperfection
50:20 How did we arrive at our current position?
56:00 President Hinckley’s position
1:05:47 Is the Church’s official position neutral?
1:10:28 Reading scripture in the correct context
1:16:57 Tips for reading the OT
1:20:20 Bro Spackman’s testimony
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 episode invites listeners to approach both scripture and science with faith, patience, and a deeper understanding of how past conversations can inform present discipleship.