In an ideal world, science and religion can be fused to teach evolution, an Anglican priest and a doctor of biochemistry from the Netherlands told members of the TCU community Tuesday night.”I think it’s very important for students to know about (Intelligent Design) because of the emotions involved on either side,” Bonting said.

Bonting also said it is important to have a deep understanding of evolution in order to be intelligent people.

Phil Hartman, a professor of biology who invited Bonting to speak on campus, said he thought Bonting’s discussion was stimulating and interesting.

“It’s fun to think about God’s hand in the mainstream evolution process,” Hartman said.

Bonting said he thinks God is responsible for the initial creation and then the evolutionary process takes over.

Hartman said a lot of people think they have to believe in only God or only science, but Bonting said he is a believer in both.

Although junior biochemistry major Suzanne Hutchinson said she leans more toward the scientific definition of evolution, she wanted to hear Bonting’s presentation.

“I heard he was a really good speaker, and I was interested in hearing his point of view,” Hutchinson said.

Bonting has written more than 360 scientific publications, founded four congregations and has been a consultant to NASA.