Dr. Jacob Chengwei Feng

Offering two courses at Pepperdine University (Spring 2026)

  1. The Way of Jesus (REL 100)
    • “Who do you say that I am?” This simple question, asked by Jesus to his disciples, has become one of the most meaningful questions ever posed. The answers they gave have inspired Christians to make profound changes in their lives and shape history. From building monasteries and hospitals to going on mission trips, supporting the civil rights movement, and even engaging in crusades and other difficult conflicts, their responses highlight the deep influence Jesus has had. Whether or not you believe Jesus is God, understanding who he is and how Christians follow his teachings helps us better see our world and the lasting impact of Christianity.
  2. Christianity and Science/Technology (REL 300)
    • Science and technology are advancing at an exponential rate. Scientific developments such as the theory of evolution (biology), neuroscience, and the Big Bang (physics) have deeply challenged the rationality and credibility of faith communities. Technological advances in Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT, robotics, self-driving technologies, to name a few) in the United States and China, alongside post/transhumanism and gene editing, have enhanced the quality of human living, even as they cause ethical, social, and psychological issues in both religious and secular contexts. Together, we’ll consider the decline of Christianity in the Global North and its rise in the Global South, as well as other traditions such as Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, and Jainism, among others, that exemplify historical conflicts, dialogues, and ethical engagement between Christianity and science. Students will develop critical thinking skills through real-world examples of the interplay between Christianity and science across Western and non-Western contexts. Furthermore, we will cultivate scholarly research skills and practical abilities for engaging in constructive and respectful discussions about controversial topics with those holding fundamentally different viewpoints.

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