Karl E. Peters, Professor Emeritus of Religion, passed away last night. A respected scholar and teacher, Karl dedicated his life to exploring the intersection of science and religion, leaving a lasting impact on the field.
He served as Professor of Religion at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, and also held professorships in philosophy at the University of Hartford and in religion and science at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago. His intellectual curiosity led him to explore complex topics such as religious naturalism, epistemology in science and religion, world religions and the environment, and religious and philosophical issues in medicine.
A leading voice in the dialogue between science and religion, Karl served as editor and then co-editor of Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science, a publication he deeply valued and helped shape. His involvement with Zygon stemmed from his close association with the Center for Advanced Study in Religion and Science (CASIRAS) and its sister organization, the Institute on Religion in an Age of Science (IRAS). He understood the distinct yet intertwined roles of these organizations, recognizing CASIRAS as an educational and research center dedicated to advancing studies and teaching in the field of religion and science, akin to the development of medical understanding through scientific advancements.
Karl’s contributions to CASIRAS were formational and significant. He was deeply involved in its evolution, from its early days as the Center for Advanced Study in Theology and Science (CASTS) at Meadville/Lombard Theological School, to its reorganization as an independent non-profit center. He played a key role in maintaining the vital partnership between CASIRAS and IRAS, ensuring the continued publication of Zygon and fostering collaboration with the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and the Zygon Center for Religion and Science (ZCRS). He recognized the importance of the relationships between these organizations and the crucial role they played in supporting research, education, and dialogue in the field of science and religion.
Karl also served six times as co-chair of the IRAS annual conference, tackling thought-provoking themes such as “The Evolution of Morality,” “Global Ecology and Human Destiny,” and “Varieties of Spiritual Transformation.” His current research focused on developing a Christian Religious Naturalism.
Karl’s contributions to the field are reflected in his many published works, including Dancing With the Sacred: Evolution, Ecology, and God and Spiritual Transformations: Science, Religion, and Human Becoming, as well as numerous articles in Zygon and other academic journals.
Karl will be deeply missed by the worldwide religion-and-science community.