Fascinating reading. Reconciling the two apparently opposing viewpoints isn't that difficult.
I disagree.
Reconciling the viewpoints is what allows the 'great divide' to exist.
Although I applaud this scientist's efforts at including his faith with his scientific explorations, I think he got the concept backwards.
His remarks... "Schaefer said if the Big Bang Theory is true then there are two things that are concluded: God and the universe are not the same thing, and God is not contained in this universe. "
God and the universe ARE the same thing, and the universe is contained in GOD.
One of the problems for scientists and theologians is that some of the terminology is difficult to agree on.
For instance, UNIVERSE. Establish a complete definition of that word, and it will be easier to debate the issue.