Theologist Wesley Wildman Speaking at Drew University

Rev. Dr. Wesley Wildman is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at Drew University’s Clergy Health Day on Thursday, April 9.

Wildman, a professor and theologian, will explore the difference between conservative and liberal thinking through research in neuroscience. The event titled “Conflict and the Brain”, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Drew’s Ehinger Center, located on the university’s campus, at 36 Madison Ave.

Wildman’s goal will be to help others have meaningful conversation, “by understanding the relationship between strongly-held views and how the brain works,” according to a release from Drew University.

Wildman, who is a professor of philosophy, theology and ethics at Boston University School of Theology, is a co-founder of the Institute for Bio-Cultural Study of Religion, the university said. Additionally, he is the convener of the Boston University Graduate School doctoral program in religion and science and has authored several books and articles.

“I saw an immediate connection between his presentation and the difficult conversations clergy are commonly called upon to facilitate in conflict situations of different kinds in their congregations,” Dr. Virginia A. Samuel, associate dean for contextual education at the Drew Theological School, said in the release. “I saw Dr. Wildman’s work as a way to help clergy and others better understand the biological basis for thinking as a way to minimize the stress of differences of opinions that sometimes lead to conflict.”

Tickets to see Wildman at Drew University on Clergy Health Day are $10 each and free for Drew University students with a valid ID.

(Photo courtesy of Drew University)