My name is Ian Binns and I am an elementary science educator. My primary research interest focuses on the interaction of science and religion. This is an area that I’m really passionate about. This blog will just focus on my thoughts and reflections while reading the Bible. I plan to let my writing go in whatever direction I desire. If you are interested in my other work, see the blog I do with my friend and research partner, Mark Bloom.
The discussion between science and religion has interested me on a professional level since at least 2005. That was the year of the Dover trial in Pennsylvania. I do not intend to discuss that trial here as it has been addressed in numerous places already by people who are more knowledgeable than I am (see here or here). I think that what piqued my interest more than anything was that I couldn’t understand how people could be so bothered by the teaching of evolution. It made no sense to me. I have always been the type of person who could easily separate science and religion in my mind.
Over the past 10 or so years, my research interests have shifted to focus on science and religion. My PhD training focused on nature of science. My expertise is in that field as well as what is science and how scientists conduct their work. To me the people who are most troubled by evolution don’t seem to understand science in general. Now that is a generalization that doesn’t apply to everyone. But it does seem to be the case when you really look at the arguments used by those who oppose evolution or those who feel threatened by evolution.
For the past several years I’ve gotten better at defending science. I continue to improve as I read more, write more, and advocate more. It is something that matters to me very much. But one thing I’ve noticed is that I don’t have much knowledge when it comes to the Bible. My goal is to change that with this project.