CALGARY -- David Goa is waiting at the bar.His countenance, enormous beard and long white hair create a likeness to Gandalf that is modified, but not entirely dismissed, by the post-Lord of the Rings-era beret on his head and the glass of red wine in his hand.David Goa, 62, is director of the University of Alberta's Chester Ronning Centre for the Study of Religion and Public Life -- a title that makes one wonder at the fact such a role still exists. Were it not for men of his intellect, perhaps it wouldn't. A renowned scholar and author, Mr. Goa is former curator of Anno Domini: Jesus Through the Centuries -- a Royal Alberta Museum exhibit many believe was second to none in its celebration of the great figure of the past 2,000 years.Our discussion over lunch ranges from the ontological impact of the French Revolution to the current (sigh) state of the world and its future. What lingers is Mr. Goa's view of how we are about to be so far stretched by our scientific ability to manipulate genetic structure that we will be forced to revisit the very nature of that which we understand ourselves to be."The mapping of the human genome is widely considered to be the most important scientific discovery -- ever," he said in a follow-up interview. "The 21st century is going to be the age of biology."Born in Camrose, Alta., of Norwegian immigrant parents, Mr. Goa describes science as "an enormous gift." It can, however, only determine what we can do -- not whether we should do it."Science has never claimed to be anything other than a method," he said. "It doesn't give you tools of judgment -- it doesn't have a world view."In the 20th century, physicists exploring the subatomic world gave us the ability to destroy ourselves. Having opted for survival -- a relatively straightforward decision -- the 21st century's ability to manipulate our essence will demand a rather more complex group of arguments."Clearly, we will be faced with an enormous set of judgments based on our understanding of what it is to be human," said Mr. Goa. "What does it mean to live? What does it mean to die? What does it mean to suffer? These can only be answered by what it is you think it means to be a human being."That journey of wonder, which he described as "the course of science and the central language of religion," requires understanding of, if neither approval nor a shared belief in, Canada's cultural foundations."The Christian church has been the centre of culture and learning in Western society and we have an extraordinary amnesia about that. When we forget those dimensions -- for better or worse -- of our culture, we become less capable of thinking through the great issues that face us.""When we view secular society as some sort of neutral ideology, we really diminish our capacity to think with depth and texture. My point isn't the restoration of something that is no longer possible -- it's that religion is better at [handling] complex ideas as opposed to ideology which is a narrow set of ideas."In a world in which technology has enriched and yet robbed us of the time and space it once promised, it is difficult to imagine how postmodern Canada will obtain the intellectual capabilities required for the enormous decisions awaiting us. Should we, for instance, be selecting/designing our babies as is already occurring in China?Reproductive surprise is, after all, fairly passe. Certainly, increasing numbers of middle-class moms-to-be already know the gender of their offspring and sooner rather than later will be able to describe their unborn child's genetic makeup at the baby shower. ("She'll look just like me, but she's predisposed to her dad's temper -- we chose looks over personality." Ha ha.)Mr. Goa said there are hints of a renaissance that could lead to a century of not just scientific advancement but intense philosophical energy. Unlike the baby boom and echo generations who confused their mistrust and suspicion of religion with freedom, a third wave is emerging that has no consciousness of theological depth and texture.That, in turn, is allowing them room to wonder at and be romanced by the world of ideas. "There is no Christian capital any more -- it's gone," Mr. Goa said. "I see in my students that they no longer have prejudices against religion or against Christianity. They don't know who Moses is -- Jesus is just a swear word to [many of] them."So now they are open to trying to figure out 'what the hell is going on?' and we can give them the beginning of being able to think. In a sense, we've stepped into a kind of renaissance."It isn't vivid yet, but it is happening."Just in time, one hopes.Peter Menzies is a senior fellow with the Work Research Foundation.