NEWSLETTER
of the
American Scientific Affiliation & Canadian Scientific & Christian
Affiliation
Volume 52, Number 6 NOV/DEC 2010
The ASA inducted four new Fellows at the Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. Ten percent of ASA membership are Fellows. We are pleased to introduce these remarkable scholars with brief overviews of their busy lives.
- Steven Hall: Steve
earned his BS in mechanical engineering from SUNY Buffalo in 1987 and his
MS in agricultural engineering from UC Davis in 1992. In 1998 he received
his PhD in bio/agricultural engineering from Cornell. Since 2006 he
has been
Assoc. Prof/Grad Coordinator at Louisiana State U. in Baton Rouge. He also
taught in Mexico as a visiting scientist, at Au Sable Institute, at
the University of Natal, South Africa, and at
McGill U.
Steve joined the ASA in 1995 based on advice from a scientist with links to Princeton and InterVarsity. He has served as a young scientist on Council and has organized activities with other young scientists at Annual Meetings. He has reviewed books for Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, has given talks at several Annual Meetings and has promoted the ASA among colleagues and students. Steve has had discussions among ASA members on technology, environment, ethics and creation care and feels that finding ways to share our faith with the secular world is critically important to both faith and science. He has given many presentations at a variety of institutions around the world and shares his vision for creation care.
- Heather Looy: Heather obtained
a PhD in psychology from McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario) in 1992
and joined the faculty of The King’s University College in Edmonton,
Alberta, where she is a professor of psychology. Her core research and
teaching
interest
is in human embodiment, which she explores mainly through the lens of
biological psychology, integrated with cognitive and evolutionary
psychology, philosophy, anthropology and theology. She learned of the ASA
and its sister organization, the CSCA, during her graduate studies through
her spouse, a high school science teacher. This spurred a broader interest
in science-and-faith questions, which she explored through participation
in the CCCU/Templeton sponsored Oxford Seminars in Science and
Christianity (2003–2005), and through conference presentations,
workshops, and articles in various venues, including ASA meetings, the Journal
of Psychology and Christianity, and Zygon.
She and a colleague co-designed and teach a Templeton Science and Religion Course on Neuroscience, the Person, and Christian Theology. Heather co-edited the book A Science and Religion Primer published by Baker Academic in 2009. She continues to be active in the CSCA to promote science and religion dialogue with her students, and to research and write in a range of integrative areas from human gender and sexuality, reproductive technology, emotions and morality, eating behavior, and evolutionary psychology.
- Raymond Lewis: Ray
received his BS in biology in 1979 from UC Berkeley and his MS in botany
in 1982 from the U. of British Columbia. In 1991 he earned his PhD in
biological sciences from UC Santa Barbara, his dissertation being on the
genetics and reproduction of brown algae. He
joined the
ASA that year. He was hired by Wheaton College in 1996 where he is
Associate Prof. of Biology. Prior to that, for three years he was a
Research Associate at the U. of Nebraska, Lincoln and a Postdoctoral
Fellow at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution.
Ray concentrates on marine biology, and has found the ASA to be very helpful in joining his faith with his science. He has presented papers at three Annual Meetings and has been involved with the Affiliation of Christian Biologists and the Global Resources and Environment Commission. He brought undergraduate students to an Annual Meeting. In 2001 he organized a Science Symposium at Wheaton for majors and nonmajors and integrates science and faith into all his courses.
Ray has taught Environmental Ethics and Environmental Science, exploring our God-given responsibility in caring for creation. Ray has written 14 papers in refereed journals and three chapters in books on the biology of algae. He has given 26 presentations at scientific conferences, primarily at the Phycological Society of America, and also gave a lecture on his algae research at the 3rd Congress of the Chinese Society of Phycology’s meeting in Nanjing, China. Ray and his wife, Ia, have two children: David, 22; and Joy, 18.
- Johnny Lin: Johnny
received his BS in mechanical engineering in 1990 and his MS in civil
engineering-water resources in 1992, both from Stanford. In 2000 he earned
his PhD in atmospheric sciences from UCLA. He taught at the U. of
Colorado/Boulder as a Visiting Fellow from 2000–2003 and at the U.
of Chicago as a Postdoctoral Researcher from 2003–2005 and has been
at North Park U. since 2005 as an Associate Professor of Physics. While at
an InterVarsity retreat in college, he
recognized that God did not want just part of his life, but all of it. He
has been a counselor with his church’s high school youth
group.
Johnny attended his first ASA Annual meeting at Westmont in 1997 and has been to nine since and has given presentations at two of them. He has reviewed papers for PSCF and has been involved with recruiting, coordinating, and networking early career members. At North Park U. he has promoted the ASA, helping to make an ASA student membership the department’s graduation gift for physics majors. He was a board member of the Rocky Mountain Section from 2002–2003. He has co-authored or authored articles or book chapters on climate dynamics or modeling and has been active at many professional conferences in atmospheric science or physical education and was an invited participant at a conference in the UK in 2005.
2010 Annual Meeting Field Trips
There are a variety of field trips prior to every Annual Meeting. This year they included the following:
Hall of Human Origins Exhibit
On Thursday night, a group took the Metro to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History to see the new David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins exhibit. Rick Potts, curator of this new and outstanding exhibit, led the tour. He is currently doing fieldwork in Olorgesailie, Kenya, and returned to the USA specifically to host this tour and to speak Sunday night. Dick Fischer, a docent at this exhibit, also answered questions.
Rick was educated at Yale and came to the Smithsonian in the 1980s. It took 25 years for this exhibit to open, which occurred on March 17, 2010, the 100th anniversary of the Smithsonian.
The museum’s goal is to help visitors explore the features that distinguish Homo sapiens with the overall theme of “What Does It Mean to Be Human?” Qualities include walking upright, having small canine teeth and a very large brain, originating innovation and technology (stone tools, using animal hides for carrying and covering), possessing symbolic ability (including speech, sound, colored pictures, carving, gestures, facial expressions), domesticating plants and animals, and being omnivores. Humans traveled to new regions and eventually covered the planet. Their large noses warmed and humidified cold, dry air, enabling them to live in cold climates. They have a longer childhood and adolescence than other mammals. That area in the museum is packed during the day. But by going after hours, ASA members had the museum and the expert leader all to themselves. It is a most significant subject: US! At the end of the tour someone asked, “Did God love the Neanderthals?”
Potts organized the Broader Social Impacts Committee to facilitate productive dialog with people of faith. ASA members Randy Isaac and Jim Miller are members. For more information on this exhibit go to http://humanorigins.si.edu
Smithsonian
Friday afternoon Ken VanDellen led the ASA Affiliation of Christian Geologists (ACG) tour to the Smithsonian. They visited the human origins, paleontology, ice age, and geology, gems and minerals sections of the museum. Ken leads an ACG field trip at every Annual Meeting.
Basilica
A tour guide took a group on Friday afternoon to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, adjacent to the Catholic U. of America (CUA) campus. It is the largest Catholic church in the Western hemisphere and is visited by thousands of people annually. It has 65 ethnically diverse chapels, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Catholic Church around the world. It is renowned for its sacred art, including mosaics, marble statues, bas reliefs, and wood carvings as well as Roman Byzantium architecture.
In 1913, the Rector of the CUA presented to Pope Pius X a plan to build a shrine to Mary next to the campus. In 1920 the cornerstone was laid. The lower Crypt Church was completed in 1926 and the Upper Church in 1959. Pope John Paul II gave it the title “Basilica” on Oct. 12, 1990. There are six Masses and five hours of confessions daily.
After touring the Basilica, most of the group took a walk to a nearby Franciscan monastery which is famous for its re-creations of sacred sites in the Holy Land. (The Franciscans are the official Christian caretakers for sacred sites in the Holy Land.) Seeing these realistic representations gave a good sense of the Church of the Nativity, the Church of the Sepulcher, the catacombs of Rome, and other places and was very special for those who will probably never visit the Holy Land. Walking through the chapels and grounds with stunning gardens in their hillside setting made it hard to believe one was in Washington, DC.
Many meeting attendees were able to visit this remarkable church during free time, and they were awed by its sacredness, beauty, and size. * Lynn Billman
Goddard Space Flight Center
Jennifer Wiseman, who works at this NASA center in Greenbelt, MD, led an amazing trip on Friday afternoon. This 1,270-acre center houses more than 30 buildings, including offices and research laboratories involved in developing spacecraft software, scientific instruments, and the spacecraft itself. This is the home of innovative Earth science, astrophysics, heliophysics, and planetary science. Their mission is to better understand Earth from space, to identify hazards and opportunities for space exploration, and to study the solar system and universe by managing astronomical and space physics missions. It is a laboratory for developing and operating unmanned scientific spacecraft. They make observations of Earth, including weather, oceans, and forests, documenting changes on Earth such as sea level rise, and then others figure out what to do about them.
The group began at the Visitors’ Center, seeing many exhibits describing some of the space exploration programs. Then they went to some of the enormous laboratory settings and learned about NASA’s accomplishments in the past and present, and those planned for the future. One exhibit used computers and video projectors to display animated data via a six-foot diameter sphere. In 2014–2015, another space telescope will be going up to see obscure areas of star formation. It was very special to have our leader be one of the scholars at this remarkable center!
Great Falls Gorge and C&O Canal Boat Ride
Those on this tour, led by Kathy Arveson, saw the rugged canyon and waterfalls on the Potomac River, just a few miles outside DC. Then they rode on the historic canal boat and heard about the history of early American commerce on the canal.
National Arboretum
Ann Marie Thro, National Program Leader, Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources at the National Institute for Food and Agriculture in Washington, DC, took a group to this 446-acre park. Established by Congress in 1927, it encloses a vast collection of trees such as boxwood, dogwood, holly, magnolia, maple, native plants and dwarf conifers, as well as flowering plants, Bonsai and other gardens. She invited an Arboretum “insider” to take the group behind the scenes.
They saw the research on many varieties of crape myrtles (Lagerstromia) being developed, including many colors: white, pink, maroon, purple, and true red. These plants are very popular in the suburbs around DC, and are being hybridized to increase resistance to mildew and to grow rapidly. The breeding collection was in full bloom, making it the ideal time to see flower colors. The group took a driving tour around the groves of rare dwarf conifers and the Asian section as well as the Bonsai from Japan, China, and elsewhere, some dating back to the 17th century. * Paul Arveson and Ann Marie Thro
The August 26 WesleyNexus news mentioned that two of their board members, Tony Gattis and Maynard Moore, attended our Annual Meeting. Tony said this meeting was a great delight, and the breadth of information was startling. He attended sessions on emergence, energy, the environment, the Hubble Telescope, and Exoplanets, and visited the Human Origins Exhibit at the Smithsonian, making him better equipped to think about many topics. Tony said, “As a pastor interested in dialogue, I was moved by the call to radical dialogue.” He added, “In the presence of such intelligent scientists, it is difficult to imagine how I could have been more impressed.” Maynard agreed with Tony’s comments, and they encouraged their members to seriously consider becoming involved with the ASA.
WesleyNexus was formed by five people in the DC area in 2009. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to science and religion within the Wesleyan tradition. Visitors to their website can obtain resources on the science/faith dialogue. Maynard and Tony have formed an adult education program at their church, Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church, which meets each Sunday for in-depth study of theological, scientific, and cultural topics. They also have organized evening lectures in this field, led by a variety of visiting scholars.
The Executive Director’s Corner
Randall D. Isaac
In the January/February 2010 issue, I discussed the importance of “integrity in the practice of science” as articulated in ASA’s official statements on our website. We must never waver in our focus on integrity—whether it be in the content of the technical area under discussion, in fidelity to the Word of God, or in the manner with which we interact with one another. Integrity is not defined by whether we agree with each other’s position but in the honesty with which we treat the data and in the civility with which we treat each other.
The specific situation under
discussion at that time was climate change and the publicized emails that
raised questions about the propriety of the way climate data had been handled.
I wrote, “Whether and to what extent any of these activities were
carried out in this case is the subject of an independent investigation and
pending those reports, it is not appropriate for us to speculate on what
happened.”
What is the status of climate change research at this time, and what are the remaining open questions? The data seem unambiguous that the global temperature is much warmer now, by more than a degree centigrade, than it was a century ago. It is also clear from direct measurements that atmospheric carbon dioxide from the consumption of fossil fuels has risen by about 40%. The effect of increased carbon dioxide on temperature is well understood. One remaining question is whether any natural climate cycles also contribute to the thermal trend or if the CO2 effect is dominant. So far, all known natural cycles in the time frame of the recent warming would either tend to cool or keep the temperature constant, though some effects like cloud-cover are still not adequately understood.
Another uncertainty is the extent of the impact of future warming of the earth. The range of projections from models is wide but all project a major impact on the biosphere. In light of the uncertainty, to what extent should we take steps to address what might be unknown but potentially dire circumstances for our children and grandchildren?
The primary concern is that in the last ten years, the entire range of projections has shifted sharply to a higher impact as our understanding grows. Scenarios that were considered unlikely ten years ago tend to be in the optimistic part of the range now. This shift is a warning which we cannot ignore, no matter what the uncertainty of the models may be. We should neither exaggerate nor deny the data and be willing to consider policies that may require sacrifice.
The biggest question of all is what we should do about the situation. Our integrity as Christians in science compels us to address this question, no matter what our personal preference might be. If we feel the data are in error, we have an obligation to show the source of the error without resorting to ad hominem attacks of any kind. If we accept the data, we have an obligation to consider what actions we as a community should take. This is not an easy discussion. The trade-offs are complex and long-term consequences aren’t easily determined. Yet we cannot shirk the open discussion of what it means to carry out God’s command to be stewards of this earth.
In ASA we have a healthy diversity of views on climate change. That diversity should not be suppressed but should instigate fruitful dialog leading to real action. Unfortunately, this diversity of opinion can often devolve into cheerleading and derision. It’s important that the debate go forward with civility, decorum, and loving respect for our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need the best minds and the best ideas to solve the difficult problems ahead of us.
A second aspect of integrity in the process of science is to follow the data. The self-correcting nature of science ensures that data win. Continued focus on collecting and understanding data will lead to the correction of any errors or misinterpretation that may have occurred in the past. If any errors have been made by the climate change community, the only way to correct it with integrity is to provide better data. Defaming the character of other scientists, whether it be by the inappropriate release of emails taken out of context or by accusing them of ulterior motives, is not within the bounds of integrity.
As Christians in science, we are not immune to the temptation to interpret science according to our preferences. Our background beliefs do influence our perception of reality. But our beliefs do not alter reality and, in the end, the data will be properly understood independent from our personal beliefs. Again, what this issue needs are people of integrity who value the truth over an agenda. With God’s help, we can and, indeed, we must.
Congratulations, Long-time ASA Members!
Celebrating 25 years of membership
Philip E. Anderson
Georgia A. Arbuckle-Keil
William L. Bell
Russell C. Bjork
Barton L. Comstock
John F. Davis
Charles D. Dondale
Alan E. Hill
Edward R. Huff
Ronald C. Johnson
Harold B. Jones
Charles B. Koons
Ronald G. Larson
Richard L. Lindroth
Tim V. Lubben
John H. Marshall Jr.
Roman J. Miller
Richard C. Molcar
Frederick M. Phelps IV
Quinton R. Rogers
Martin M. Root
William L. Ryder
David W. Snoke
Loren C. Steinhauer
Thaddeus J. Trenn
David A. Van Dyke
William R. Wharton
James Wing
Mark T. Witwer
Robert L. Worthington
Kirsch
Dominic Halsmer, Bill Collier, and John Korstad organized the new Oral Roberts U. ASA local chapter in July. We look forward to hearing details of their future activities.
Do think about beginning such a chapter in your area. Information on such an activity can be obtained from our executive director, Randy Isaac, at randy@asa3.org. The ASA website, www.asa3.org, lists the current active chapters.
Early Career Scientist
David Buller grew up in Maryland and is a senior at Bob Jones U.
majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology. Throughout college, he has felt
led by the Lord into theology, specializing in the science/ theology dialogue,
and is presently applying to graduate school. He wants eventually to get his 
PhD and pursue an academic career. David has been in the
ASA for several years, and this was his first opportunity to attend an Annual
Meeting. He says it exceeded his expectations, and the various sessions as well
as Ted Davis’s workshop were very insightful and of high quality.
David was so impressed with how friendly everyone was and says that he has
never been in an environment that so thoroughly mixed intellectual rigor and
open-minded inquiry with warm friendliness and committed faith in God.
When the Annual Meeting was over, he found himself wishing it could go on for another week! He said, “I can’t imagine any other way to spend four days that would be more encouraging and informative for me as I pursue a career in theology and science.” David would enjoy a future Annual Meeting that dealt with all of the significant thinkers in science and religion, and is grateful to be a part of the ASA.
“A defense of Christ that will stand in a court of law” is the way one review describes a recently published tribute to John Warwick Montgomery. As a festschrift, Tough-Minded Christianity is a “volume of scholarly articles contributed by many authors to honor a senior colleague or teacher.” Edited by William Dembski and Thomas Schirrmacher, Dean of Bucer Theological Seminary in Bonn, Germany, the book reflects John’s international activities and labors in a wide variety of academic and professional fields: Christian apologetics, theology, history of ideas, philosophy of science, philosophy of law, etc.
John holds three earned doctorates: PhD (U. Chicago), D.Theol. (U. Strasbourg, France), LL.D. (Cardiff U., Wales). He also holds an honorary doctorate from the Institute for Religion and Law, Moscow, Russia. He is Professor Emeritus of Law and Humanities, University of Bedfordshire (UK), Distinguished Research Professor of Philosophy and Christian Thought, Patrick Henry College (VA), and Director, International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism and Human Rights. He is a member of the CA, VA, WA, and District of Columbia bars and the bar of the US Supreme Court. He serves as Honorary Chairman of the Academic Board, International Institute for Religious Freedom, World Evangelical Fellowship.
John has debated with secularists, including Madalyn Murray O’Hair. His many debates and books are available through the Canadian Institute for Law, Theology and Public Policy: www.ciltpp.com/tap_deba.htm.
In mid July, an International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism and Human Rights was held in Strasbourg, France. John says ASAers are welcome to attend such conferences.
- Ted Davis,
professor of the history of science at Messiah College, won the
Dr. Robert and Marilyn Smith Award for Outstanding Teacher for full
professors. One student said, “He is the most well-versed
professor I have had at Messiah College. He is respected as an academic
both on campus and among his peers worldwide.” Another said,
“His passion for learning and teaching do not end in the classroom.
He is friendly outside of class and is willing to go out of his way to
engage with students and help foster their growth.”
- Gerald Hess retired
this past July after teaching at Messiah College for 40 years. He stated,
“I believe this is where God called me to serve him by teaching and
advising students.” Jerry was prof. of
biology and interim dean of what is presently the School of Science,
Engineering, and Health.
- Ken Touryan retired
from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in 2007 where he was Senior
Technology Analyst. At present, he is Vice President of R & D at the
American University of Armenia (AUA) in Yerevan, Armenia’s capital.
He has been in charge of seven research centers there, including the
Engineering Research Center. He spends four to five weeks at AUA every
spring and fall, overseeing projects and teaching a course in alternate
energy technologies. He advises grad students as they prepare their MS
theses. The rest of the year he stays in touch with AUA from his home in
Colorado.
AUA is an affiliate of the U. of CA and was established in 1992 to train students from Armenia and outlying regions in the traditions of Western higher education. They received accreditation in 2007. While there, Ken also gives lectures and seminars on issues of science and faith to college students and the public at large.
Because of the lack of printed material in Christian apologetics, Ken published a booklet in Russian and Armenian on Science and Rational Faith that has been widely distributed in all twelve former Soviet republics.
- Jeffrey Schloss, T. J.
Walker Professor of Biology and director of the Center for Faith, Ethics,
and Life Sciences at Westmont College, gave a two-day elective course
titled “Evolution in Cosmology, Biology, and Theology” at
Princeton Seminary’s Science for Ministry Institute in September.
The course explored the general history of evolution with specific focus
on Darwin’s theories and their subsequent reception and revision. He
examined the various theological challenges presented by
an evolutionary perspective and explored contemporary attempts to
rearticulate the Christian vision in light of evolution.
He also gave a one-day elective entitled “Beyond Intelligent Design and the New Atheists.” This course sketched the contextual shape of the debate as it has played out in school boards, courts, and the popular media, and explored productive alternatives from the broader theology and science dialogue.
Jeff received his training in ecology and evolutionary biology at the U. of Michigan and Washington U. In the spring, he was a Plumer Fellow at St. Anne’s College, Oxford, and in the fall, a Crosson Fellow at the U. of Notre Dame.
The Science for Ministry Institute at Princeton Seminary is designed to promote an informed and productive dialogue around issues of theology and science. It is a one-of-a-kind educational program designed for busy working professionals and is supported by the John Templeton Foundation.
- David Siemens, Prof. of
Philosophy Emeritus, Los Angeles Pierce College, graduated from Defiance
College in Defiance, OH, with majors in Bible and Greek and received his
master’s degree in philosophy from Indiana State. His PhD was in
philosophy from Claremont Graduate School. He received an Academic
Citation of Excellence Award this year from Defiance College, which will
be presented at an alumni event in Arizona.
David has been a high school teacher, college professor, pastor, and writer-producer for Moody Institute of Science. He has published four books and 26 articles, many dealing with creation and evolution. Defiance College’s magazine says, “As a person of faith and science he has worked tirelessly to find ways for the disciplines to realize that they are not mutually exclusive of one another.”
David
Campbell of the U. of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, accepted an offer to
sort collections at the Paleontological Research Institution in Ithaca,
NY, for two years. He says that most of the work will be sorting fossil
mollusk collections. David has degrees in geology and biology with
emphasis on paleontology, evolution, zoology, and systematics.
He has done a lot of research on freshwater mollusks and gave a
presentation on that at our latest Annual Meeting. He says he is working
on how to stay warm in the winter north of the Mason-Dixon line! - Francis Collins has been spending time with and praying
for his atheist friend, author Christopher Hitchens,
who is suffering from esophageal cancer. When asked why he prays for
Christopher, Collins said,
My prayer is not so much for a supernatural intervention—as a physician I have not seen evidence for such medical miracles in my own experience. Instead I pray for myself and for Christopher along the lines of James 1:5—“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” And I then give thanks for the chance to share in a deepening friendship. (Big Questions Online, Sept. 21, 2010)
Jerry Coyne, Prof. of Ecology and Evolutionary Development at the U. of Chicago, in a blog post, said, “I’m not going to pull my punches if Collins continues his public harmonizing of science and faith, but any Christian who would try to cure the world’s most vocal atheist is a Christian I can appreciate—and live with.” Big Questions Online, Sept. 1, 2010.
to report what you’re doing. Please send the information to either editor, using the contact information under Contact Us.
Thomas Jay Oord, theologian, philosopher, scholar of multidisciplinary studies, and a professor at Northwest Nazarene U. in Nampa, ID, has edited The Polkinghorne Reader. Many consider John Polkinghorne to be Britain’s leading scientist-theologian. Tom relied heavily on Polkinghorne’s preferences for what material from his 31 wide-ranging books would be included, and divided the book into three segments: the world, God, and Christianity. Tom says,
When I think about the research occurring at the science and Christian theology interface and John Polkinghorne’s particular work in this regard, I am reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul: “What may be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made.” (Rom. 1:19–20, NRSV)
The book has two publishers: the Templeton Press aimed at US readers; and the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge aimed at UK readers. Tom hopes this book becomes a key text in teaching central issues in the science and religion dialogue. See http://thomasjayoord.com/index.php/blog/archives/polkinghorne_reader_published/
Kit Flowers, executive director of Christian Veterinary Mission (CVM) in Seattle, describes his organization’s work.
Each year CVM
mobilizes, equips, sends, and debriefs approximately 300 short-term veterinary
volunteers. This is an exciting part of the work of the Lord through CVM, as
veterinarians, veterinary students, veterinary technicians, and resource
volunteers join our long-term workers and other ministry partners in programs
of training and outreach. We are blessed to have people join us from outside of
the US in the outreach as well. These are life-changing trips and the Lord
always ministers to the hearts of those who serve. Rich times of fellowship
develop on the team and with our in-country partners, and together they serve
through veterinary medicine to touch lives for his glory. Pray with us for the
seeds of hope that are planted in lives and for practical training and
empowerment of those we serve.
CVM has many short-term mission trips around the world. Anyone interested in a short-term mission can contact Kit at (206) 546-7226. See www.cvmusa.org/ShortTerm/CurrentTrips Write shortterm@cvmusa.org with any questions. You can join the CVM Social Network by connecting through the following link: http://cvmusa.ning.com/
The National Institutes of Health has 13 additional lines of human embryonic stem cells which are eligible for federal funding. Francis Collins, NIH director, said, “Many people who had been working on these lines, and concerned about whether they would be able to continue … will now be reassured that their research can go forward.” Last summer the NIH issued detailed guidelines addressing ethical issues pertaining to stem cells. Washington Post, April 28, 2010, p. A19.
On July 18, hundreds of churches across America and around the world participated in the National Day of Prayer for the Gulf, sponsored by the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN) and the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). NAE president Leith Anderson said, “We rejoice in the reports of the capped oil well. We pray that the containment will be permanent, lessons will be learned and that God will heal the people, waters and shores of the Gulf of Mexico.” Some churches had a prayer during worship and others devoted the entire service to this theme.
Prior to the containment, EEN said, “As the oil spill spews at 60,000 barrels per day, the one anchor that exemplifies the life of so many is faith. They put their trust, hope, and existence in the only One they can, Jesus Christ.”
Presently, EEN is working with the Christian Coalition of Alabama and churches and groups throughout the region on the 100,000 Prayer Initiative. It will partner 100,000 churches with 100,000 local Gulf Region families for prayer, support, hope and encouragement.
Bible and Archaeology Fest XIII
Can a true history of Israel really be written? How do biblical traditions align with archaeological reality? How did the ancient Israelites make the transition from paganism to monotheism? The answers to these questions and many more will be presented at the Biblical Archaeology Society’s 13th annual Bible and Archaeology Fest in Atlanta, GA, Nov. 19–21. This is open to the public and everyone is welcome. Distinguished scholars from around the world will speak on topics related to the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, as well as the latest archaeological discoveries in the field. For more information, call (800) 937-8461; e-mail, travelstudy@bib-arch.org; or register at www.biblicalarchaeology.org/fest
Feb. 11–13, 2011, marks the sixth annual Evolution Weekend. This time the emphasis is on encouraging congregations to focus on environmental issues as they dialogue between science and faith. The leader of this project, Michael Zimmerman of Butler University, says,
As an evolutionary biologist, I know that knowledge of evolutionary theory is absolutely essential for a robust understanding of how the natural environment functions and how it might be affected by human activities. My contacts within the religious community tell me that addressing ecological issues from within their faith perspective can also be empowering and hopeful, especially for those who are grieving about the ways humankind has harmed the natural world.
If your congregation would like to be involved, you can send Michael (mz@butler.edu) a note with your name and congregation and he will be in touch. This special weekend is an opportunity for congregations to discuss the compatibility of religion and science in any manner that they wish—such as a lecture, sermon, class, discussion over lunch, etc. The goal is to encourage discussion and reflection on the relationship between religion and science and to show that they are not adversaries. At this point, 134 congregations from 36 states and nine countries are scheduled for Evolution Weekend 2011. Many more will be added in the months ahead.
- Christian Scholars’ Conference,
Pepperdine U., Malibu, CA, June 16–18, 2011. Dec. 21 deadline for
85–100-word abstract and 1,500–3,000-word précis in MS
Word. Details at http://csc.lipscomb.edu/default.asp?SID=194.
Contact Daniel Brannan, brannan@biology.acu.edu.
- If you teach in the natural sciences,
mathematics, or computer sciences and have a pedagogical practice that
allows you to integrate faith successfully into your teaching, the
“Faith in the Science Classroom” workshop wants to hear about
it. It’s scheduled at Indiana Wesleyan for June 27–29, 2011;
the paper deadline is Dec. 31. More information from dennis.brinkman@indwes.edu or
at www.indwes.edu/Faith-and-Science/Call-for-Papers
Welcome, New Members! August–September 2010
Bailey, Jon A. –Daehakdong Kwanakgu, Seoul,
SK
Bartel,
Donald L. –Ithaca, NY
Buchman, Randall L.
–Broken Arrow, OK
Crocker, Caroline
–Newport Beach, CA
Davis, Mark P. –Arcadia,
FL
Fisher, Jonathan H.
–Huntsville, AL
Freeland, Stephen J.
–Kaneohe, HA
Gentry, Dale J. –Saint
Paul, MN
Greenhoe,
Michael R. –Kandern, Germany
Hansen, Kyle G. –Tulsa,
OK
Hickman, Peter J.
–Dumfries & Galloway, UK
Johnson, Sandra S.
–Charlottesville, VA
Kessenich,
Colton R. –Prairie Du Sac, WI
Luo, Dali
–Cedarville, OH
Monteleone, Susan
E. –Redding, CA
Neal, Robert D. –San
Antonio, TX
Orr, Benjamin –Wheaton,
IL
Pellerito,
Vincent –Willow Grove, PA
Pho, Gerald N.
–Cambridge, MA
Poelarends, Arend J. –Saint Louis, MO
Shen, Anding –Grand Rapids, MI
Stewart, Shaun
–Baltimore, MD
Stippa, Nigel
A. –Rhinebeck, NY
Voigt, David W. –Lincoln,
NE
Waller, Stephen G.
–Washington, DC
Welton,
Patrick K. –Johnson City, TX
Wheaton Dedicates New Science Center
In an October 1 ceremony, Wheaton College officially dedicated its state-of-the-art science center to the Lord for training scientists and general education students. The $62 million facility provides 134,000 square feet of new space for science instruction and was awarded the LEED Gold Certification on Oct. 6, 2010.
For Dean of Natural and Social Sciences Dorothy F.
Chappell, it was the culmination of a decade of aspiration and planning.
Making it a priority agenda item in her role as dean at Wheaton since 2000, she
spearheaded the efforts, along with the Board of Trustees, administration,
architects, engineers and faculty to make it a reality. The space design is
customized to accommodate new paradigms of learning including faculty-student
collaboration, and with technology that enhances the interactive pedagological style of active learning.
The formal and informal learning spaces include classrooms, laboratories, offices, student lounge space and exhibit areas. The core axis of the building has exhibit areas with representative natural science, mathematics, and computer science emphases, and it features exhibits from the rocks to the stars, with samples representing the rock cycle, stewardship of Earth resources, the Perry Mastodon, a Foucault pendulum which trips a LED light system, an observatory and five murals that capture the essence of several programs featured in the building. The design of the space encourages interdisciplinary scientific investigations with technological centers that serve several departments. Student space is abundant and attractive.
Each faculty member has his or her own research lab, custom designed to facilitate discoveries in science in ten majors: Applied Health Science, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, L/A Engineering, Environmental Studies, Geology, Mathematics, L/A Nursing, and Physics. Customized accommodations have been made for specific researchers in their respective space, such as that of Kristen Page, where her parasite lab benches are made of stainless steel so that the lab can be easily sterilized.
The two building themes, transparency and flexibility, are apparent in all spaces and lend to the effectiveness of instruction and learning throughout the building. Student study rooms and lounges provide for further student and faculty interaction. The greenhouse provides automated environmental control for light, temperature and humidity. A “green roof” with appropriate plants is planned for later to reduce energy costs and to serve as an instructional model of stewardship. The LEED Gold Certification represents Wheaton’s deep commitment to stewardship and conservation of energy and other resources and serves as a testimony to those who study and visit there.
As one theology prof toured the facility, he confessed to Provost Stanton Jones that he had just taught a lesson on the Ten Commandments, but that seeing this outstanding new building had made it difficult not to covet!
ASA
Annual Meeting
July 29–August 1, 2011
North Central College
Naperville, IL
Submission
deadline: Jan. 15, 2011.
www.asa3.org/ASA/meetingASA.html
Remember that
are now listed on our website, www.asa3.org.
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Editors: David Fisher, Margaret Towne
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