NEWS
The American
Scientific Affiliation
VOLUME
7 NUMBER 4 15 October 1965
CONVENTION FEEDBACK
If you didn't attend, you really missed something! it's the old story of rediscovering an event that others have been extolling for years. The 20th National
A. S. A. Convention had everything: fellowship, inspiration, stimulation, recreation, solitude, rest, new friends, good food, science, and the presence of the Holy
Spirit.
It was an unusual experience for an industrial physical chemist with no formal
background in philosophy or theology to spend three solid days from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
listening to such erudite papers as "Necessity and Purposiveness in the Cosmic Setting of Life"
(Lawrence Starkey), "Problems in the Meaning and Testing of Religious
Language" (Robert Knudsen), and "Some Major Challenges of Contemporary Philosophy
to the Christian Faith" (Arthur Holmes). It seems I shall have to adopt John Montgomery's
suggestion to at least "skim" some books on theology--(I can just hear George Schweitzer's
comment on that!)
Kurt Weiss in his paper on "The Scientist's Confrontation with Reason and
Faith" emphasized that in a University atmosphere there is worship of a "power",
but not Jesus Christ. He also ventured the proposal that the man who excels in
logical reasoning, excels in science--take note philosophers! Kurt is worried about
the "Christlessness" of Science, even in denominational schools because "Jesus
Christ Himself is essential in the salvation experience." Should the student get
the best science education at the expense of the soul?
Father Robert J. O'Connell of Fordham University presented an excellent review
of Teilhard de Chardin and his scientific attitude. Father O'Connell emphasized
the historical background which led to the development of Teilhard's philosophy,
especially the problems which an overly conscientious Jesuit presented to his
superiors. Teilhard was not a pantheist, but on the other hand did not ignore "God
leaking out of nature." In the battle of the "Rock of Ages vs. the age of rocks"
(i.e., evolution), he was unable to ignore the "fact" of evolution, the most
precious distillation of which has been man, and the ultimate of which is to be
Christ's Kingdon, the omega state. Does the world make sense? Teilhard says 11yesil
and the problem with science is that it can only study man from the "Outside"
whereas poetry, philosophy and theology attempt to study him from within. A very
interesting man, indeed. The North Central Section devoted an entire regional meeting to Teilhard; it became quite an ecumenical affair because the principal speaker,
Father McMullen of Notre Dame, attracted a number of priests and nuns.
The problem of precise word meanings was illustrated by John Montgomery in his
story of two beatniks reminiscing in the hospital over the cause of an intersection
collision. The driver asked his passenger why he had said the "coast was clear for
a turn, except for a dog", whereupon they had crashed into another vehicle. "Man,
that 'dog' was a Greyhound!" Perhaps similar experiences prompted Kurt Weiss to
ask John after his evening address on "The Theologian's Craft: A Discussion of
Theory Formation and Theory Testing in Theology" why theologians persist in always
using a "tough" word like "Gestalt" if a simple one like "pattern" will do? After
a pause for spontaneous applause from the audience, John Administered the coup
de grace by pointing out that it was for the same reasons of precision that made
the biology papers from previous meeting completely unintelligible to the theologian! Interesting dilemma: if you make your talk understandable to the public in
general (me), your fellow experts can't understand you because you were sloppy in
word choice,
Lawrence Starkey substituted for Robert Jewell, who was unable to present his
paper on "The Validation of Scientific Theories" because of illness. Lawrence was
looking for some natural process which would have the very high "gain" necessary to
retain life-producing nucleotides, etc. from a universe full of random noise. Using
Hocking's three criteria for purposiveness, he concluded (after a 90 minute lecture!)
that the DNA code fulfills such requirements, especially the necessity that purpose
is illustrated by selection from among many possibilities (e.g., probability of a
given sequential order in a 1000A protein is about 109000). Incidentally, Convair
not only paid Lawrence's expenses to the A. S. A. convention, but also provided
him with 40 hours of preparation on company time, the use of company stenographers
and typists, and he did not have to use vacation time. That's a first!
Robert Knudsen, who, incidentally, is a very accomplished pianist, pointed out
that "if religious language is not to be declared to be meaningless, it must then
be verified in terms of something outside of it, or it must carry its validation
within itself," Bob's position is "that the language of faith is related to revelation. Either it will live from the true revelation of God, as recorded in the
Scriptures, or it will live from a false source of insights which are substitutes
for the truths of the Scriptures. To (the) thesis that the verification of religious language is not a purely lingual matter but is dependent upon a world view,
we must add an additional thesis, that the verification of religious language, more
exactly the language of faith, is dependent upon the revelation of God, which is
its norm." A lively discussion involving Buswell, Harris, Starkey and Holmes followed this paper.
Paul Schrotenboer, Executive Director of the Association for Reformed Scientific Studies (ARSS), reported on their work and purposes. The ARSS arose from a
meeting in Toronto, Canada in 1956 in which a group of Reformed Christians asked
themselves how they might reverse the trends of secularism prevalent in the universities of today.
"It was the considered opinion of the organizers of the Association that high on the list of God-given tasks was the promotion and undertaking of
scripturally directed learning on the university level." The Association is presently working toward this goal through summer study conferences, which have increased from one in 1959 to six in 1965. They "look toward a consolidation of our
work in the establishment of a centre in which a community of scholars may advance
toward a reformation in every discipline a community of scholars engaged in
Christian scholarship .... Integral Christian learning is our goal." For further in
formation, write the Association at 729 Upper Gage Ave., Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Gary Collins is looking for a Christian Theory of Personality. Be careful!
Such a theory must (1) be clear and explicit in language (2) describe and explain
human behavior (e.g., why do some Christians become psychotic or teenage rebels)
(3) prove a guide to researchers in developing better tools and methods and (4) make
predictions--and that's the tough one. As in meteorology, errors in psychology are
readily detected by anyone (even a physical chemist). A further strike against the
psychologist is that he affects his patient whereas the meteorologist is spared this
variable. Gary's final warning: Don't think there is only one Christian theory of
Personality. Is yours acceptable?
Edwin Yamauchi of Rutgers University presented a paper which was of special
interest to this reviewer on "Composition and Corroboration in Classical and Biblical Studies." Ed pointed out the areas of overlap between the Greek classics, such
as the Iliad, and the Hebrew scriptures, such as Judges, in describing events of
the 13th - llth centuries B. C. He illustrated the parallel and the divergent
trends of classical and biblical studies by a study of the writings of Homer and the
history of Herodotus in comparison with the books of Genesis and Daniel. "Summation:
(1) Artificial criteria of consistency, logic, and style have been imposed without
an empirical study of contemporary literatures. (2) Time and again a negative
construction was placed on an element in a tradition, because there was no external
corroboration for it. This underestimates the fragmentary nature of survivals and
the partial degree of excavations undertaken. (3) There are still critics who,
given corroborative archaeological evidence, say that the evidence is not totally
convincing. This is to overestimate the demands that can be properly placed on
such evidence, which is circumstantial by nature, haphazard in discovery, and always
but, partial in degree." This scholarly paper bristles with 71 references! Ed must
have been involved in some prolonged discussions preceding his presentation since
he was forced to request a glass of water from the chairman on only page 5.
Russell Heddendorf discussed "The Sequence of Causual Analysis in Social Science"
and pointed out "that since man seeks goals, one must often understand the effects
of social action before the causes can be known. The fact that man has choice prevents the assumption of a strong deterministic position in social science. Similarly, the objectivity of the social scientist is weakened and his statements of social
causation are tempered by his own evaluations. The problem of definite social reality remains. Moving from the organicism of Durkheim to the interpretive approach
of Weber, one arrives at a position which recognizes the importance of the individual. It is on this level that the convergence between Christianity and social
science begins."
Arthur F. Holmes presented "Some Major Challenges of Contemporary Philosophy
to the Christian Faith" at the Tuesday evening public lecture. Art expanded the
word "challenges" to include positive opportunities afforded by contemporary philosophy for Christian thought to develop its own distinctive contributions. "The
relationship between faith and learning should after all be a positive and creative
thing." The problem of precise word-meaning and accurate communication was emphasized again in Art's statement that "many, if not all, philosophical problems are
due to the misuse of language." Art suggests that "without metaphysics neither existential nor analytic nor Christian thought make much progress, and that it is in
metaphysical concepts that some of the most fruitful encounters between these approaches are possible." He also emphasized that "first, we would do well to explore
the problem of historical knowledge before we sell out to an existentialism built
on shaky premises
....
and, second, is man as free as many existentialists imply?
....
the greatest challenge of existentialism to the Christian faith (is) to reestablish
liaison between historical knowledge, metaphysical and theological concepts, and
existential self-knowledge. Biblical Christianity embraces all three." As far as
philosophers are concerned, logical positivism is now effectively dead; the principle mortician was Ludwig Wittgenstein himself. Art warns that "philosophy can never
again be the same; the Christian thinker must reckon with this fact. We cannot go
on resurrecting old answers to defunct problems, nor will old answers necessarily
fit new problems. Christian truth must become incarnate anew in every succeeding
milieu, if it is to identify with men in their perplexed gropings and to point toward the Logos of God in whom, ultimately, are hid all treasures of wisdom and knowledge. As you see, Christian philosophers have their work cut out!"
Montgomery
The Monday evening public lecture was a spirited paper by John Montgomery on "The Theologian's Craft: A Discussion of Theory Formation and Theory Testing in
Theology." Let me quote his introduction: "Scientists are generally at a loss to
know precisely what theologians do. Mailmen deliver letters; bartenders serve numerous varieties of firewater; otorhinolaryngologists concern themselves with ears,
noses, and throats; but what exactly do theologians endeavor to accomplish?
....
A
theologian of course theologizes, i.e., he does theology... (but) what is it to 'do
theology'?
....
We can say very simply that the theologian is one who engages in forming and testing theories concerning the Divine." So now you know! John attempted
to clarify what it means to form and test theological theories, especially in the
fundamental realm of theological prolegomena. Using Wittgenstein's analogy of the
Net: "Theories are nets cast to catch what we call 'the world': to rationalize,
to explain, and to master it. We endeavor to make the mesh ever finer and finer."
"The DNA molecular model is a 'net' thrown to catch the 'world' of 'chemical, biological and physical requirements' demanded by empirical facticity." "Christian
theology thus has no fear of scientific, empirical investigation; quite the contrary, the historical nature of the Christian faith--as distinguished from the subjective, existential character of the other world religions (including Islam)--de
mands objective, scientific theologizing." "The glory and the pathos of science
(is that) it can analyze everything, but it is prevented from experiencing the heart
of anything." "If theology must ultimately admit that there is but a single
'foot' which its doctrinal theories are to fit, the question becomes one of identifying that foot. The numerous identifications through Christian history contract...to four: Reason, the Church, Christian Experience, and Scriptural Revelation....(bringing us to) the Bible--the source by which Reason, Church, and Religious Ex
perience can and must be evaluated theologically
....
What Nature is to the scientific
theorizer, the Bible is to the theologian." John presented a cone-shaped model of
theological explanation in which the axis represented Christ, the apex the Triune
God, and the base plane Man's World (the scientific). One intersecting plane above
"the scientific" represented "the artistic", and the plane above that "the Holy."
"The cone represents God's revelation to man as expressed in Holy Scripture
...
The
task of systematic theology is to take the truths of revelation as discovered by
the exegate, work out their proper relation to the focal center and to each other,
and construct doctrinal formulations that 'fit' the revelational truths in their
mutual relations."
Oxford Conference
An all-too-brief report was made on the "Oxford Conference on Science and
Christian Faith" by James Busvell 111, Dave Moberg, V...Elving Anderson, Harry Leith,
J. Frank Cassel and David Booth. Walt Hearn and George Schweitzer were unable to
report personally. This conference was a closed session with invited participants
from several countries. It was impossible to review a conference of such depth in
just two hours, and this reviewer hopes the forthcoming printed summary will do it
justice. Watch for the "bag model"--with "meta-bags" yet! Apparently George
Schweitzer became enthusiastic over the possibilities of such a model in discussing
scientific enterprise. Jim Buswell pointed out the British theologians' abhorrence
of the word "supernatural" in relation to God; the term has become almost entirely
usurped in Britain by the Spiritualists. An important discussion was centered
around the definition of man: morphological, cultural, and spiritual. Dave Moberg
recalled the rediscovery by man of nature's feedback system and the necessity of
considering man as a whole unit rather than a fragmented being.
Benson
This same theme permeated the paper by Purnell Benson on "Theory Formulation
and Validation in the Social Sciences" in which he stated that the really important
contributions to social science came from a consideration of all of man, his value
orientation included. In the realm of validation of social science theories, there
is "a ring of reality" felt by the sensitive scientist. A knowledge of the psychic
world is necessary for a comprehensive study of social science.
Moberg
David Moberg stepped off the boat from Europe to present a controversial paper
on "Science and the Spiritual Dimension of Man: The Encounter of Christian and
Scientific Values." Dave asked the question "If God is, if He reveals Himself to
man, if man has a spiritual side to his personality, if there indeed are supernatural
forces in the universe, and if men (or at least some men) have a personal relationship with the Deity, does it not seem reasonable to believe that these spiritual
phenomena are accompanied by objective evidences which can be observed empirically?"
Dave adds a new dimension of the total man-God relationship, the "spiritual component", to Glock's five-fold classification of types of religious commitment. He
concludes that "It is entirely possible that the spiritual dimension of religion....
is so far above and beyond objective experience that it cannot be studied scientifically....But even if this is so, the Correlates and effects of the man-God relationship may be measurable and hence as proper a subject of scientific study as
numerous other phenomena that can be investigated only indirectly-" A number of
questions on this paper brought forth the comment that perhaps Dave is asking the
social scientist to describe more than the physical scientists, i.e.) the essence
of man vs. the essence of matter!
Harold Wiebe presented a most interesting resum-2' of the changing attitude of
some long-standing evolutionists, especially as regards gaps in the general theory
of evolution. In asking the question "What Can Be Learned from the Evolutionist
Who Takes a Hard Look at His Own Theory?" Harold pointed out the massive gaps that
exist (1) from inanimate to animate (2) from protosoa to metazoa (3) from invertabrate to vertabrate, and (4) introduction of 11newit characteristics (e.g., an eye).
He emphasized increasing recognition of these gaps by current writers, some in retrospect. It was suggested that A.S.A.'rs recognize these gaps and don't strain to
build bridges where they do not exist. He sees no reason to dump the idea of divine
creation according to "kind" with simultaneous development giving parallel lines
with no common ancestor. Harold reiterated that the facts of science are not to be
feared by the Christian.
Thomas Manetsch, of U. C. L. A., is a brave soul in trying to cram social
phenomena into the hopper of a computer. In his paper, "A New Approach to Studying
Some Social Processes", he discussed simulation techniques as applied to social
processes and presented a process he has programmed which is of interest to all
ASA members --- the communication of the Christian message to unbelievers.
Harry Leith presented the banquet address on Wednesday night to an audience
aglow with enthusiasm for the culinary prowess of the chef. What a smorgasbord!!
Baked Alaska, ham, beef, shrimp, fresh fruit, cheeses of every description,....and
beautifully displayed at a series of five tables in the center of the dining room.
No one could have had a better introduction to his paper, believe me! Harry's paper
on "The Philosophy of Science and the Christian Faith" outlined the tasks of such a
philosophy, both descriptive and prescriptive. He stated that there was no such
thing as "Christian physics or biology" (cf. Schrotenboer and ARSS!) and that philosophy and Christian faith interact both in a negative sense (showing inconsistencies
in our own and others ideas) and a conventional positive sense. The scientist, on
the other hand, "studies the customs of God. Nature does not show you that you are
a creature of God--the Bible does!" Harry called our attention to the fact that
today's philosophers are interested in concepts of God, not such items as organic
evolution. A few quotes: "For the Christian, 'scientism' is impossible." "Theology is a science, and must
follow a philosophy." "We cannot know everything regarding nature, but we shoul7d set no
a priori limits; tragically, the church has
done this on occasion." "Conservative theologians are way ahead of Christian
scientists on interpretation of specific controversial verses, e.g. Gen. 1-2."
Field Trip: Social Science, led by John Carter (King's College), to camps Joy and
Hope for the multiple handicapped and retarded children. A moving experience!
Counselors on call 24 hours a day. Many children must be turned in bed, diapered,
spoon fed, lifted bodily into the pool, tub or bed. A dedicated, non-denominational
staff under the direction of Win F. Ruelke operate the camp and are interested in
helping others start a similar work. Write to "Uncle Win" at 87-81 193rd St.,
Hollis, New York 11423.
Quiet walks through the King's college campus, with beautiful trees, lawns, sky-and then, suddenly, an ugly trash pile! How man can ruin God's creation with his
refuse.
The beautiful swimming pool on the Tarry Town campus--previously a country club.
The strains of Chopin before breakfast as Bob Knudsen gave pointers to the Norvell
Peterson kids.
The devotional by J. 0. Buswell, Jr. on Wednesday morning. I envy the man who can
read his Romans from the Greek.
The discovery that there are some industrial and non-academic A.S.A.'rs! Francis
Chapman (Johnson's Wax), Irving Cowperthwaite (Thompson Wire), Frank Lipps (U. S.
Weather Bureau), Lawrence Starkey (Convair), Wayne Ault (Isotopes, Inc.), Paul Stam
(Stevens Textile) and Bob Bohon (3M Company). We're in the minority--but growing?
Reading papers verbatim: A very dull practice, particularly when they are an hour
and fifteen minutes long, and already in the hands of the audience. Would there be
some merit to the European practice of distributing the preprinted papers to the
registrants prior to the meeting for their perusal, and limiting the verbal presentation to a summary and discussion? This was the procedure at the Oxford Conference.
A plea for coffee breaks! If the mind doesn't dull after an hour or two, the
posterior does! Gary Collins had arranged for a "punch break" Wednesday afternoon,
but the unexpected length of the general business meeting wiped it out. Too bad!
Nice try Gary.
Tour of the King's College Science Labs. by Wayne Frair. Wayne was a most gracious
host throughout the meeting, which we all appreciated (never did learn the name of
the beleaguered registrar). Wayne and his students are doing some original research on mechanical fragmentation and recombination of DNA.
MORE CONVENTION IMPRESSIONS
(Reported by Glenn Kirkland)
King's College is housed in a grand old resort hotel standing atop a high hill in
the center of a beautiful park-like estate. When congratulated on his facilities,
Dr. Cook remarked that when anything breaks, it is a big thing!
The composition of this convention was quite different from the one I attended at
Houghton! I did not see many of the friends we met there. At first I was disappointed about this until I realized that this was a grand chance to meet new
people. The Houghton convention was less formal and more relaxed. The participants
at King's were serious.
Dr. Moberg got off the boat from Europe just in time to participate in the program.
Dr. John Montgomery took off his coat as he prepared to deliver his 51 page paper
and thereby exposed a bright tan jacket. He promised no dangerous chemical demonstrations, as he had used at the last convention, but reminded us that his talk contained ideas. Some ideas have been known to be dangerous! His talk, by the way,
was one of the best of the convention.
Dr. Holmes, the next evening, apologized for the lack of a golden vest as he took
off his coat.
In the middle of the annotated film "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" when the preacher
mounted the pulpit to preach fire and brimstone, the film caught fire!
Breakfast talk. The ASA needs an activity for the development of pat answers to pat
questions. For Example: Do you believe in Evolution? Yes, do you believe in
Chemistry? (Can't you just hear Frank Cassel saying that?)
Dr. Booth read Walter Hearn's paper; it was strange to hear American expressions
sounded forth with a British accent.
Frank Cassel called for a stretch period after each paper to alleviate the deleterious effects of prolonged sitting.
Field trips have an unheralded side benefit. Groups of 5 or 6 per car have an
added opportunity for discussion of papers (providing the navigation problems are
not excessive). We learned that it is not easy for 8 cars to stay in a group on
the Freeways (they call them Thruways since you have to pay as you go in New York)
even when one of the cars has such distinguishing features as a luggage carrier on
the roof.
I played an interesting game by attempting to guess where a speaker might be from
by his action3 and his accent. But some of the men move so much from place to place
their speech is a mixture which defies detection.
Evolution came
keenly to the fore in the Convention as you might guess from the
titles of the papers. Extra Sensory Preception however was not mentioned at all.
The trip to the ASA Convention would not be complete without a visit to the World's
Fair and anyone who does not go to the Sermons from Science exhibit is downright
disloyal! It's
a
fine exhibit, well staffed. We were impressed that the monetary
and prayer investment of many like ourselves was being put to most effective use.
The facility was good without being lavish. Generally the Fair has the air of an
amusement park; it is like a commercial Disneyland with lots of noise, LOTS OF NOISE.
The inimate auditorium behind the stage in the Sermons from Science building had an
especially fine contrast with the rest of the Fair. The noise of the place and the
rush of the crowd were forgotten for a moment as the staff member presented the plan
of salvation in a peaceful, unhurried, quiet, direct manner. I am sure this will
leave a lasting impression in the lives of many Fair goers.
But back to the Convention. Most of the speakers had their papers in printed form
and handed them out before they talked. This was a big help. There were not always enough to go around though. I understand that more than 250 registered. There
were a number of people who came who did not register.
The spirit of the Convention is worthy of note. There was a frequent reminder during the ASA section of the Convention (as well as the IVCF section) that a personal
commitment to Jesus Christ is essential.
Wayne Frair and the others at King's College should be congratulated and thanked for
the smoothness with which the mechanical details and arrangements were made.
STILL MORE CONVENTION IMPRESSIONS
(Reported by Robert B. Griffiths)
The IVCF conference took a very practical turn in discussing opportunities for witness by Christian faculty to students and fellow faculty members at secular colleges or universities. This provided a welcome contrast to the highly theoretical
tone of the ASA papers. (Next year I suspect it will be the turn of the ASA to
keep the joint ASA-ETS convention from getting lost in the clouds!) John Alexander's
lecture Wednesday evening, well-illustrated on the blackboard with circles and circles inside circles, presented the challenge to Christian faculty in a way hard to
forget. A number of people attended both the ASA and the IVCF portions of the conference and I think one can say that the practical emphasis in one tended to balance
the theoretical emphasis in the other.
The business meeting caught everyone by surprise - it was ' interesting for a change,
despite the best efforts of our officers to put everyone to sleep, as in former
years. Half of the credit must go to Frank Cassel who suggested from the floor
that if ASA expenses are around $10 per member per year, the membership dues should
be raised to $10 (for members) in contrast to the $8 proposed by the Executive
Council. I, for one, hope that the membership-at-large will approve this sensible
suggestion when it is voted on by the entire ASA. The other half of the credit for
making the meeting interesting goes to Duane Gish, who proposed that the ASA make a
public statement in favor of President Johnson's VietNam policy and that a committee
be appointed to look into standards for speakers at ASA conventions and authors of
articles in JASA. Both raised quite a discussion before being defeated by a vote.
Of course, the business meeting resembled those of preceding years in many respects.
I think in particular of the tangles of parliamentary procedure and confusion over
whether we are discussing the amendment or the amendment to the amendment. And
Bob Knudsen's (occasionally successful) attempts to untangle the mess with a plaintive, "Mister Chairman, I believe there's a point of order....
Some of us younger members of the organization found the conference schedule a bit
rough, with an almost continual program from breakfast till 11 P. M. The IVCF conference had some free time in the afternoons, very useful for a siesta. (You can
see I still retain some of the bad habits I picked up in California!)
25TH ANNIVERSARY
The Executive Council have designated the 1966 annual convention of the ASA as a
celebration of the Twenty Fifth Anniversary of the establishment of this organization. The dates are 22-26 August, 1966, and the host will be North Park College,
Chicago. This will be a joint meeting with the Evangelical Theological Society;
Monday through Wednesday ASA, Thursday and Friday joint ASA/ETS. The chairmen of
the commissions will form a Committee to plan the program.
ENCOUNTER
The manuscript, "The Encounter Between Christianity and Science", apparently has
encountered opposition on the Publications Board and the Executive Council as the
latter has voted not to sponsor the book under the aegis of the ASA. The editor
has had the privilege of reading this manuscript and, whether one agrees with it or
not, or whether the ASA publishes it or some other organization, the fact remains
that it will be an extremely valuable book which effectively sets forth its controversial premise. What is that premise? Well, now that it has been disowned, the
least we can do is to stimulate a few sales for the hapless authors!
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
The power behind the throne in the ASA is the nominating committee who select the
candidates and submit them to the Council. The Council really selected a blueribbon group in
Brian Sutherland, Chairman; Wilbur Bullock; James 0. Buswell, III;
Irvin Wills, alternate. We could do worse than select -our new officers from the
nominating committee!
AAAS BERKELEY, ANYONE?
Mansell Pattison wonders if any ASA members plan to attend the AAAS meetings in
Berkeley the week after Christmas. There are a number of ASA members in the San
Francisco Bay area and surely SOMEONE will come to this gargantuan affair if assured
that the natives are not so restless now. Mansell is providing a good example by
being scheduled to present a paper to the Anthropology Section, "The Effects of a
Religious Culture's Values on the Psychodynamics of Personality." He also has a
paper, "Contemporary Views of Man in Psychology", in the Journal of Religion and
Health, Vol. 4, No. 4, July 1965. He reports that he is getting settled in Seattle
in his new job as Instructor in Psychiatry in the School of Medicine, University of
Washington.
PENNSYLVANIA
FThis is not an official section yet, but they are working on it. Donald W. Munro,
Pennsylvania State University, reports that an ASA banquet will be held at the
Autoport Motel in State College, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, October 16. Mr. Clem
Schifreen will speak on the topic, "The Triune God, His Triune Universe and His
Triune Salvation." At this meeting it is intended that enough signatures will
obtained to validate the request for official status of this new local section
More power to you, Pennsy,
NORTH CENTRAL
On October 2 the North Central Section of the ASA intended to hold their meeting
on the University of Minnesota campus. Then someone remembered the football game
that would be going on concurrently and visions of one beautiful traffic snarl began to float around, so the meeting place was hurriedly changed to the nice, safe,
quiet precincts of Northwestern College.
Bob Bohon, President of the Section, welcomed the guests and introduced the topic,
BODY, MIND AND SOUL. Dr. Karel M. van Vliet, Professor of Electrical Engineering,
University of Minnesota, spoke on, "What is the Meaning of Soul and its Connection
With the Body?" and after that Herbert Feigl, Professor of Philosophy of the same
institution, presented, "Philosophical Attempts Towards The Solution of the
Mind-Body Problem." A coffee break then allowed circulation to be brought up to minimum
standards and then at it again with a paper by Dr. Paul J. Christian,. Chairman,
Department of Biology, Bethel College, "Biological observations" and one by Geor e
Jennings, Department of Anthropology, Wheaton College, entitled, "A Theologian s
Point of View." The recent monistic and dualistic "solutions" of this difficult
problem were discussed during the course of the football game, as well as a biologist's perspective on initiation and termination of life and the traditional conservative theological interpretation of the meaning of the soul. Still the excited yelling of the students at the football game cross-town could be heard so, as
an offering to strict discipline, Dr. Marie H. Berg, Chairman of the Division of
Natural Science and Mathematics, Northwestern College, led out with a panel discussion involving all of the above speakers and a good share of the edgy audience.
NEW YORK
When we wonder at the excellent attendance at the ASA/IVCF national convention, we
must pause and give a good share of the credit to the New York local section. Jim
Neidhardt, Secretary of the group, reported sending announcements to 69 people on
their ling list who are not national ASA members, to 135 churches, IVCF Chapter
presidents, in N. New Jersey, as well as staff in New Jersey and New York, and then
abstracts were sent to most of these.
A Joint meeting with the Christian Medical Society is scheduled for November 13 at
Biblical Seminary, New York City. Dr. Walter Thorson will speak in the afternoon
and again in the evening, the latter being slanted to the student world. The CMS
will also be prominently represented on the program.
OXFORD CONFERENCE
The relationship of current scientific research to Christian faith was the subject of an eight day conference of research scientists which ended at Regent's Park
College, Oxford on Monday July 26. The 38 university professors and lecturers taking part included representatives of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Columbia, Germany,
Holland, Japan, Sweden and U. S. A. as well as Britain. The conference was planned
by the British Research Scientist's Christian Fellowship of the Inter-Varsity Fellowship and a generous gift from a Canadian Christian had made possible the attendance of a number of important scientists from other countries. Professor D. M.
MacKay of Keele University acted as Chairman.
Much of the value of the meeting lay in the exchange of ideas between representatives of different traditions of Christian apologetics. This was of value to
everyone and several have returned home taking fresh enthusiasm and fresh ideas to
groups of Christian Re-search Scientists in their own countries. Although no formal
resolutions were agreed the following conclusions represent some of the thinking of
the conference:
1. The freedom necessary for creative scientific endeavour is an essential ingredient of a truly Christian outlook. Biblical influences have accordingly been
an Important positive factor in the rise of science as history testifies. This
freedom needs to be held to tenaciously in each generation and any religious or
secular encroachments resisted.
2. Attempts to derive religious or moral conclusions from science are however
misguided, whether this is done in an attempt to support or to oppose Christian
faith. Christians should not seek support in the detailed findings of modern science
and non-Christians should likewise be shown the logical errors involved in these
attempts to derive philosophy or ethics from them.
3. Conversely to try to derive scientific conclusions from the Bible is equally mistaken and has been fruitful of much needless misunderstanding in the past.
4. This does not mean that science and Christian belief must be held in separate and watertight compartments. Much of the Conference was concerned with a
Christian view of the natural world and a Christian estimate of science. Our faith
and our work can and must be integrated. Faith in God as the Creator and Sustainer
of the universe gives both a unique confidence in the worthwhileness of the scientific enterprise and also a ground for expecting the regularity of nature, which
makes science possible and at the same time makes miracles both meaningful and consistent phenomena.
5. Detailed points of contact between scientific opinion on the one hand and
biblical statements and theological conviction on the other were examined. Although these problems are by no means all conclusively resolved today, satisfactory
discussion of many of the main issues resulted in conclusions which it is hoped will
be published later.
(A press release from the Inter-Varsity Fellowship of Evangelical Unions,
London)
ASA COSTS
Harold Hartzler, ASA Executive Secretary, has supplied some interesting information
on what it costs to run the ASA as it is related to the size of the membership.
Here are his figures:
Year Membership Cost per Member
The defense rests: here is the case for casting your ballot for the revision of
Section 5 of the By Laws to increase dues as follows: Fellows, $12; Members, $10;
Associates, $7. The ASA has been run on an extremely frugal basis and the above
expenses can be considered rock bottom.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Dr. John T. Chappell, the head of a missionary school in Taiwan, has reached out his
long arm of influence and caused to have deposited in the editor's mailbox printed
material on the Society For Social Responsibility in Science. The SSRS is a body
of scientific workers organized to foster throughout the world a tradition of personal moral responsibility for the consequences to humanity of professional activity,
with emphasis on constructive alternatives to militarism. Embodied in this tradition is the principle that science and technology should contribute fully to the
benefit of mankind and never to its harm or destruction. Members of the SSRS live
in 20 countries and include in their ranks such names as Max Born, Einstein,
Pauli, Pauling, Yukawa.
Speaking of membership dues, it is interesting to see what the SSRS does. They
first define net income as gross income less $600 per dependent (man, April 15 is
almost here!). They then have a sliding dues scale based on net income starting
at $10 if net income is greater than $3500 down to $2 for less than $1800. Information about the SSRS may be obtained from Franklin Miller) Jr., Gambier, Ohio
YOUNGBERG BACK IN GOD'S COUNTRY
You can take a professor out of the Pacific-Northwest, but you will probably have
difficulty making it stick. Dr. Chester T. Youngberg, Professor of Soils, Oregon
State University, lends strength to the old adage by returning to Corvallis after
a very pleasant sabbatical year at Harvard Forest. One major project, among a
varied program, was a study of forest floor development in Eastern forests. He did
field work from Lake City, Florida, to New Brunswick, concerning himself principally
with organic matter decomposition and nitrogen mineralization. Besides library and
writing stints, Chet gave seminars at Harvard, Yale, University of Massachusetts,
Cornell and Syracuse. In his spare time he finished editing "Forest Soil Relationships in North America" which contained the papers presented at the Second North
American Forest Soils Conference held at OSU. Returning to the old much-loved
grind at OSU was made even easier by another NSF grant for work on symbiotic nitrogen fixation involving non-leguminous plants. The fact that it was generous enough
to provide a researcher at the Assistant Professor level made Chet's joy complete.
ASA members on the OSU campus are exploring a new way to beat the time dragon. A
group of 15 to 20 meet together on the campus during the noon-hour at frequent intervals and discuss everything from Avolution to ZNA while they munch sandwiches
from bags which momma packed for the occasion.
LOEWEN BRAVES HEADQUARTERS
Dr. Melvin J. Loewen has been facing dangers in the Congo for years and was among
those taken captive by the rebels but whose life was spared. Even so, it was with
some hesitation that he determined to seek out the lair of Homo Hartzleribilis.
This was no easy job, but once he found out where Minnesota was (this job has been
made much easier recently by the Los Angeles Dodgers), finding Mankato was relatively easy. Then to the Brett Building, and up above the high-water line in room
325, sure enough, there was The Executive Secretary brooded over by Miss Fetherhuff,
another kind of secretary.
Dr. Loewen was recently elected President of the Universite"Libre du Congo and he
and his family are here in the States awaiting time when they will be able to return. There are three universities in the Congo: a Catholic university, a state
university and the one of which Dr. Loewen is President. All three are in the
national budget and are members of what is called the Inter-University Commission.
Universite Libre du Congo is looking for faculty members for September, 1966. This
year they have only a Freshman and Sophomore class and are looking toward a four
year college in two more years. The present faculty come from Congo, Germany,
Belgium, United States, Canada, Great Britain, Scandinavia and France. The political and economic situation are very encouraging, states Dr. Loewen. "French
language ability is required." Contact Dr. Loewen at B. P. 649, Leopoldville,
Congo. (Note; The National Office has just received word from Dr. Loewen that he
is now back in the Congo.)
HELP WANTED
Biola College, La Mirada, California is seeking fundamentalists with the Ph.D. degree in Mathematics, Psychology, English, History, French, Spanish and German.
Those interested in applying should write to Dr. James Christian, Dean, Biola College, La Mirada, California.
CEDARVILLE COLLEGE is looking for a capable teacher in Chemistry. Cedarville College is a Conservative Baptist college with an enrollment of 760 students. All
faculty must hold membership in an area Baptist church and consequently prospective
faculty must hold to a Baptist doctrinal position. Write to Dr. Clifford W.
Johnson, Academic Dean, Cedarville College, Cedarville, Ohio 45314.
BEAVER COLLEGE is a women's liberal arts college in suburban Philadelphia. This
school is seeking a mathematician with a Ph.D degree for the Chairmanship of the
Mathematics Department beginning in the fall of 1966. The Chemistry Department has
an opening for a Ph.D. in the area of inorganic chemistry and instrumental analysis
at the assistant or associate professor level beginning in the fall of 1966. Please
write to Dr. Arthur C. Breyer, Chairman, Chemistry and Physics Department, Beaver
College, Glenside, Pennsylvania 19038. There will probably also be an opening for
a biologist in September of 1966.
THIS WEEK'S CITIZEN
The Willow Grove (Pa.) Guide has honored one of their top inmates, Dr. Arthur C.
Breyer,, by dubbing him THIS WEEK'S CITIZEN. This carries with it a coverage of a
couple of columns and a nice large picture. It covers everything from ten-year-old
Arthur playing with a child's chemistry set down to a very successful teacher of
chemistry and spiritual guide to students. Captured in the Battle of The Bulge during World War II, Dr. Breyer's pocket Testament did yeoman service among his fellow
prisoners. He feels that the Christian faith should apply to the whole life today
as well.
Dr. Breyer has an article, "Ion-exchange Chromatography", in the 1965 McGraw Hill
Yearbook of Science and Technology. His Chemistry Department conducted a most successful NSF Summer Institute for high school teachers, some of them from Australia,
Philippines, and Venezuela. Beaver College has also received a $12,000 NSF Undergraduate Instructional Equipment Grant to be matched by College funds. His eyes
are as big as saucers as he scans catalogs for that Infra-Red Spectrophotometer,
gas chromatograph and UV spectrophotometer he is going to get.
ADDENDUM, ADDENDA, ADDENDUM
Nobody, but nobody, tells this editor what goes into this rag but the main
office keeps trying
1. "Will you make a plea to all ASA members to give us their travel plans for the
next few months. This is in case any of them will be available as speakers for
ASA meetings and IV meetings."
2. 'Vill you please put an item in the news letter asking those that move to please
notify this office? Also when they fill out a change of address card that they
sign their name."
Stanley M. Block, Director of the Department of Industrial Engineering, Illinois
Institute of Technology, really gets around and how do you suppose your editor hears
about it? By reading South African Digest from Pretoria! In June Stan led a series
of seminars for the National Development and Management Foundation. The seminars
were held in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. The emphasis of the seminars are
on integrated planning in relation to purchasing, production, economic and operational factors and inventory management. Why don't we appreciate our own people
like others do?
Wilbur L. Bullock, Department of Zoology, University of New Hampshire, has been appointed by the Executive Council to serve as Chairman of the Planning Commission
for the 1966 convention.
Howard H. Claassen, Professor of Physics, Wheaton College, received the Senior rrofessor award of Wheaton College at June commencement.
Donald W. DeJong received his Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Georgia August
20, 1965. His dissertation was entitled, "Enzyme localization and function in plant
roots with particular reference to the peroxidase reaction and metabolism of phenolic
compounds." Dr. DeJong has been awarded a National Research Council postdoc at the
Plant Enzyme Pioneering Research Laboratory at the Western Regional Laboratories,
Albany, California. On August 18 he presented a paper at the AIBS at Urbana, "The
use of histochemical methods in the study of enzyme distributions adapted for laboratory exercises in elementary botany." Congratulations, Don.
-15-
Delbert N. Eggenberger sneaked in the back door while F. Alton Everest was presenting a paper at the Instrument Society of America Conference in Los Angeles, October
73,
and almost made Everest swallow his bubblegum. There is never a reunion quite
like two ASA-ers meeting unexpectedly, unless it is two ASA-ers meeting while one
of them is talking to an excellent ASA prospect! Del was mothering an exhibit by
Argonne National Laboratories. What a convention! Seventeen concurrent sessions
in two hotels and a mammoth equipment exhibit in the Sports Arena all going at once
and 4J.000 registered.
P. Kenneth Geiser, head of the Wheaton Eye Clinic, was recently appointed to the
board of directors of the Evangelical Alliance Mission.
John D. Geisler has just returned from duty with the U. S. Army in Germany. John is
starting a residency in internal medicine at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
H. Harold Hartzler ' Executive Secretary of the ASA, has been requested by the Council to serve as the General Chairman of the 1966 convention.
Stuart Harverson is a missionary in Viet-Nam and is finding it hard to become accustomed to warfare all around him. However, his work is more needed than ever as
he builds orphanages, parachutes Hrey books into the places they are needed and
distributes wheat to the hungry.
Daniel L. Herrick, for pecuniary and other reasons, has taken a job teaching physics
and mathematics at the Flint Community Junior College.
Eldon T. Hitchcock is spending the current academic year on sabbatical leave from
Colorado College, Colorado Springs, where he is Associate Professor of Chemistry.
He has a years' appointment as a visiting staff member in Radio- and Nuclear
Chemistry at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory.
Roland N. Icke forsook his research in chemistry (with a Ph.D. in that field) for
the field of medicine because of the greater opportunities offered for Christian
witnessing. After years as Chief Surgeon at Gorgas Memorial Hospital in Panama,
Roland settled in Coalinga, California, where he is practicing medicine. As part
of his ministering to his patients who would never be caught dead in a church., he
has been showing a carefully planned sequence of Moody science films in his hospital
office waiting room.
Micah W. M. Leo received his bachelor of science degree in 1950 from National Taiwan
University and his Ph.D. in 1960 from Rutgers. He has been teaching chemistry and
related fields in Florida Memorial College, St. Augustine, but has recently accepted
appointment as Associate Professor of Chemistry at Biola College, La Mirada, Calif.
J. Edwin Orr, in his mission to the academic community, does a lot of globe-trotting.
At present he is preparing for a trip to the Orient. His popular apologetics
"Faith That Makes Sense" has run into several editions (Judson Press in America and
Marshall Morgan in Britain).
Floyd F. Rawlings, Jr., has authored with G. W. Thiessen and Dean Peterson, "Removal
of Inhibition to Formation of Kolbe Products by Electrolysis of Mixtures, II Acetic
and Cyclohexanoic Acids", Electrochemical Technology, Vol. 3, P. 154 (1965). Floyd
is Professor of Chemistry at Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California.
NEW MEMBERS
William Kurtz Ghrist, 510 Cavanagh Rd., Glendale 7, California. AA Glendale College, MD Univ. of So. Calif. School of Medicine. Major: Medical Doctor.
Stanley Edward Hall, 163 Price Way, Folsom, California. BS Univ. of California
in Education & Chemistry. MEd Pa. State Univ. in Phy. Science.
James Raymond Schmook, 995 Lovell Ave., Campbell, California 95008. BA Westmont
College. Major: Psychology
John Cruzan, 2010 Athens St., Apt. K, Boulder Colorado. Graduate student. BA The
Kings College. Major: Biology
John Thomas Roscoe, 2414 26th Ave., Greeley, Colorado. BE Colo. State Univ., MA
& PhD Colo State College. Major: Ed. Adm., Physics & Ed. Research.
David Hood, 6214 Mimosa Drive, Orlando, Florida. Pastor, Grace Baptist Church in
Orlando. Hon. Degree Litt.D. Six years in British Schools in Bible and Lit.
Burton L. Lamberts, 747 Wilcox St., Mundelein, Illinois. U. S. Navy Dental Res.
Facility, Great Lakes, III.-Biochemistry. BS Calvin College in Pre-Dental Dentistry,
.PhD Michigan State Univ. - Biochemistry.
Gustav Alfred Marquardt, 12000 W. Roosevelt Rd., Elmhurst, Ill. 60126. AA at Chicago City Jr. College, BS Roosevelt University - Biology Chemistry.
Linford A._Marquart, 165 W. Ray, Bourbonnais, Illinois. AB Olivet Nazarene College,
MA Boston Univ. - History & Sociology
David E. Dunkerton, 1050 Michigan Road, Madison, Indiana, AS, BS Ed Taylor Univ.
Major: Chem., Phys., Math.
Chesley B. Litttlefield, Hudson, Maine. BA Barrington College. Major: Biology
Carol Ann Vieweg, 6403 Ager Rd., Hyattsville, Maryland. Student at Univ. of Md.
BS,Gordon College. Major: Biology
Marcellus C. Porter, ScD., 234 Carlisle Rd., Bedford, Mass. 01730. BS, MS, ScD
Mass. Inst. of Tech. Major: Physics & Math.
Gerald A. Foote, 13 Broadway, Quincy, Mass. 02169. Pastor First Baptist Church of
Norwell, Mass. Diploma from Detroit Bible College
E. Robert Petersen, 2360 Royal, Berkley, Michigan. Pastor at Faith Baptist Church,
Royal Oak, Michigan. BA Bob Jones Univ. BD Bethel Seminary, St. Paul. Major:
Theology
Leonard Gustave Johnson, 31811 Bretz Drive, Warren, Michigan. AB Northern Michigan
Univ., AM Univ. of Michigan. Major: Math & Physics
William Adam, 4111 Olson Hiway, Minneapolis, Minn. BS at Macalester. Major:
Social Studies, German, Nat. Sc., and Phy. Ed.
Harold William Schmitke, 325 South 10th, Virginia, Minnesota 55792. BA Huntington
College. Major: Biology
Cyril D. Anderson, Rt. 5, Kirksville, Missouri. BS Glenville State Teachers College,
MS & PhD at West Virginia Univ. Major: Pl. Path, Biochemistry.
Eugene A. Coates, 1115 Port Diane Drive, St. Louis 41, Missouri. BS Univ. of Colo.
in Aero E.
Paul D. Buck, 2100 7th Ave. S., Great Falls, Montana. BS Montana State College,
MA Montana State College. Major: Biology & Zoology
George B. Gnade, 26 Mulder Lane, Midland Park, New Jersey. BS Newark College of
Engineering. Major: Elec. Engr.
Joan Meade, 302 Stanford Drive S. E., Apt. 3, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106. Student at I iv. of New Mexico. No degrees.
Rudolph P. Blaum, 8833 75 Ave., Glendale, New York 11227. Captain for New York City
Police Dept. BBA College of City of New York.
Donald Bruce Lockerbie, Hollow Road, Stony Brook, New York 11790. AB, AM New York
University. Major: Eng. Religion, American Civilization.
Rev. Reed Dalton Rhodes, 19 Berry Lane, North Chili, New York. Assoc. Pastor at
Albion Free Methodist Church. One year at Roberts Wesleyan College.
North Dakota
Robert N. McDougal, 1625 11th St. N., Fargo, North Dakota 58103. ASPE N. Dak. State
School of Science in Engr., BSME & MEME at N. Dak. State Univ. Major: Mech. Engr.
and Math.
Ohio
Perry John Fylkerson, 7854 Kirkland Drive, Cincinnati 24, Ohio. BA Univ. of Texas,
MEd Xavier and Univ. of Cincinnati. Major: Education and Geology
James E. Fredrickson, 423 West Center St., Fostoria, Ohio. BS at Iowa State Univ.
Major: Chem. Engr.
Oregon
Norman Arthur Broadhurst, Ag. Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
MSc Univ. of Sydney. Major: Ag. Chemistry
Roger K. Dejmal, 624 N. Ilth St., Corvallis, Oregon 97330. Grad. Student at OSU.
BA Westmont College. Major: Chemistry.
Kenneth Charles Olson, 14 A Campus Ct., Corvallis, Oregon. BA Westmont College.
Major: Chemistry.
Malcolm Yukio Tanigawa, 360 14th St. N. W
Major: Math. & Econ.
., Salem, Oregon.
Pennsylvania
BS Michigan State Univ.,
Rev. Harlan D. Davison, 3884 Hearthstone Court, York, Pa. , Pastor Emmanuel Baptist
Church. BA Northwestern College, Mpls - History & Bible, BS Bethel Theol. Sem.,
St. Paul - Preaching & N. T.
Gilbert James Hunter, Geography Dept., State College, Kutztown, Pa. AB Wayne Univ.,
in Geog., MA Clark Univ. - Geog.
David W. Kurtz, 400 Pine St., Bellwood, Pa.
BS Houghton College in Chemistry, Math.
Texas
Student at State Univ. of New York.
Mary Lou Anne Farris, 1224 South High, Longview, Texas. AFA Colo. Woman's
College Art Edu., BFA Univ. of Okla., Art Edu., MA Columbia Univ. Art Edu. Fine Arts, PhD
Penn State Univ., Art Ed., Fine Arts.
Virginia
David D. Dudley, 7111 Lanier St., Annandale, Va. 22003. BA, MS University Of
Rochester in Physics and Math.
Washington
Marilyn R. Graves, 11844 120th Ave. N. E., Kirkland, Washington. Two years at
Wheaton and one year at Univ. of Washington in Botany.
Dean C. Hauser, 1534 Sunset Lane, Mt. Vernon, Washington. Pastor at Emmanuel Baptist
Church. No degrees but four years of pastoral and Theological training.
ASA Executive Secretary
ASA News Editor
H. Harold Hartzler
325 Brett Building
Mankato, Minnesota
F. Alton Everest
947 Stanford Street
Santa Monica, California