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Dr. Ross Hastings: God and Molecules - Chemical Evolution and Divine Providence

Regent College Podcast

Chapters
0:23
Intro Summary
2:47
Ross's Bio
3:27
Bringing Together Chemistry and Theology
8:06
Understanding God and Molecules
12:57
Meeting Paul Rimmer: Chemical Evolution Expert
17:32
Karl Barth and Divine Providence
23:22
Agency, Intervention and Process Theology
28:24
Your God is Too Small, and Not Small Enough
32:11
The Intersection of Science and Worship
34:42
Eco-Anxiety and Creation Care
36:53
Managing Differing Views on Evolution in Church Contexts
44:48
The Providence of God in Ross's Academic Journey
47:19
New or Lingering Questions: Exoplanets and the Persons of the Trinity
51:03
Outro
Regent College Podcast
Dr. Ross Hastings: God and Molecules - Chemical Evolution and Divine Providence
Jul 24, 2026 Season 7 Episode 30

As we wrap up Season 8 of the podcast, we take time to catch up with prolific chemist-theologian-pastor-writer and much-loved Regent professor, Dr. Ross Hastings. Ross's new book, God and Molecules: Chemical Evolution and Divine Providence, explores how God has been working purposefully in his creation all the way back to the first molecules. This is a conversation that stretches the limits of knowledge in the two disciplines Ross is integrating, inviting intellectual humility. Claire and Rachel sought to model this by asking many non-specialist clarifying questions! Even if you are not a scientist, we invite you to listen and learn from the insights chemistry can bring to our understanding of God, his divine agency in the world, and his relationship to creation. As Ross says, these insights inspire our awe and worship, reminding us that our God is too small and our God isn't small enough. 


See you in September!


Ross's Bio
Dr. Ross Hastings, a Zimbabwean Scot, holds PhDs in organometallic chemistry and theology. He currently serves as the Sangwoo Youtong Chee Professor of Theology at Regent College, where he teaches systematic and pastoral theology. Ross’s most recent books are Pastoral Ethics: Moral Formation as Life in the Trinity, 2nd ed. (Cascade, 2025) and The Glory of the Ascension (IVP Academic, 2026).


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