Ronald S. Cole-Turner

The Rev. Dr. Ronald S. Cole-Turner (born 1948) is a distinguished American theologian, ethicist, and author who operates at the cutting edge of the dialogue between science and the Christian faith. An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC), he has spent decades exploring how rapid advancements in biotechnology, genetic engineering, and transhumanism intersect with traditional Christian doctrines of creation, dignity, and hope.

Pioneering the Theology of Science

Cole-Turner serves as the H. Parker Sharp Professor of Theology and Ethics at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Rather than viewing scientific progress and religious faith as naturally hostile to one another, his academic work argues that technological developments offer a unique canvas for understanding God's ongoing creative work.

His extensive scholarship covers some of the most complex ethical frontiers of the modern era:

• The Genetic Revolution: In books like The New Genesis: Theology and the Genetic Revolution and Pastoral Genetics, he analyzes how gene editing, stem cell research, and reproductive technologies impact pastoral care and Christian ethics.

• Cloning and Stem Cells: He has edited several foundational cross-disciplinary volumes, including Human Cloning: Religious Responses and God and the Embryo, bringing diverse religious perspectives to bear on public policy.

• Transhumanism: In Transhumanism and Transcendence, he tackles the philosophical and spiritual implications of using technology to enhance human physical and cognitive capabilities beyond natural limits, framing these developments within the context of Christian resurrection hope.

His expertise has made him a globally recognized leader in the field, earning him a founding membership and vice presidency in the International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR), alongside advisory roles for the John Templeton Foundation.

A Gift to the Liturgical Church

While Cole-Turner is widely respected in university lecture halls, he is perhaps most universally beloved in local parishes for a contribution of a completely different medium: his exceptional 1981 baptismal hymn, "Child of Blessing, Child of Promise."

Written to provide a modern, poetically rich text for infant baptisms, the hymn beautifully balances God's unconditional grace with the community's collective vow to nurture the child in faith. It is typically sung to the classic, gentle tune STUTTGART.

"Child of blessing, child of promise,

God’s own gift of grace in time;

baptized in the Covenant river,

with the water and the sign."

The hymn has become an ecumenical classic, appearing in mainstream hymnals across dozens of Protestant denominations—including the United Methodist Hymnal, the Presbyterian hymnal Glory to God, and the Chalice Hymnal—securing his legacy as both a scholar of the future and a shepherd of the church's ancient sacraments.