NEWSLETTER

of the 

American Scientific Affiliation & Canadian Scientific & Christian Affiliation


VOLUME 34 NUMBER 6                                     DECEMBER 1992/JANUARY 1993


NEWSLETTER of the ASA/CSCA is published bi-monthly for its membership by the American Scientific Affiliation, P.O. Box 668, 55 Market St., Ipswich, MA 01938. Tel. 508-356-5656, FAX: 508-356-4375. Information for the Newsletter may be sent to the Editor: Dr. Walter R. Hearn, 762 Arlington Ave., Berkeley, CA 94707. Q 1992 American Scientific Affiliation (except previously published material). All rights reserved.

HELE KALIKIMAKA

We wish you a Merry - halfway between Hawaii and Christmas. As usual, we're writing our annual Greeting at an odd time (between the World Series and Halloween). Like trying to picture snowy Christmas symbols in this vista of a cruise ship and billfishing boats from our Kona lanai (GO Center guest room balcony)-or realizing that this is our 23rd year of editing the ASA/CSCA Newsletter-it takes some imagination.

Even a bizarre 1992 U.S. presidential election has been imaginable, though, after exercising our imagination at the ASA Annual Meeting. It always stretches the mind to try to honor Jesus Christ within the scientific community. Thinking of how to care for God's creation gets our own creative juices flowing. And in seeking to transmit the gospel faithfully we grasp the radical contingency of everything we do, and of who we are.

Scientific generalities should never squelch our wonderment at the individuality of every created thing. With just 26 letters one can write papers on physics and also proclaim the gospel; a native Hawaiian can convey the same information with a 12-letter alphabet. Yet each of us is specified biologically in a unique message written in 4-letter DNA.

"And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory . . . full of grace and truth." As you ponder the message of Christ at Kalikimaka, we also wish for you in 1993 Hauoli Makahiki Hou, in his name.

- Walt & Ginny Hearn

LOOKING TO SEATTLE

The forward-looking theme of our Hawaii meeting seems to be taking effect. Planning is underway for the 6-9 AUG 1993 ASA ANNUAL
MEETING at SEATTLE PACIFIC UNIVERSITY. Biologist Joseph Sheldon, who moved from Eastern to Messiah College this fall, will be
program chair. Official theme: CARING FOR CREATION: A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE ON THE ENVIRONMENT. In addition
to its scientific and theological aspects, Joe hopes to bring political and economic aspects of the environmental equation to ASA attention.

With churches waking up to the environmental challenge, we have a hot topic for our 1993 Annual Meeting, one that cries out for wisdom. The 20 July 1992 issue of Christianity Today, for example, contained 1) a report of religious aspects of the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit by Loren Wilkinson of Regent College, and 2) "Ecoguilt," an essay review of nine books (two of them Wilkinson's) by Doug Bandow of the politically conservative Cato Institute. The title of a new book by Eastern College sociologist Tony Campolo, How to Rescue the Earth without Worshiping Nature (Nelson), echoes the need for discernment stressed by both Wilkinson and Bandow, who might not agree on 'How.

At its 20-22 November meeting, the ASA Executive Council will be reviewing plans for Seattle, including two optional post-convention ASA cruises to Alaska. Maybe the Council will back the "Caring Research" awards initiated by the Committee for Integrity in Science Education. Even if the 1993 Awards remain a one-shot Committee experiment, think about undertaking some kind of empirical study with a heart for the needs of the earth, of people, or of science. Check the Oct/Nov 1992 Newsletter for "contest rules" and some ideas.

LOOKING AT HAWAII

Something was identifiable in about one tenth of the Weary Old Editor's B&W photos from the 1992 Annual Meeting. Newsworthy shots (of plenary speakers, say) were mostly losers. (WOE is me. Ed.) Wheaton chemist Neal Brace sent us some color prints, with too little contrast to publish. Maybe a fuzzy collage can be put together for Feb/Mar, when palm trees will look so good that snowbound readers won't mind not being able to recognize anybody in the foreground.

Our scribbled notes are a bit fuzzy, too, but contain at least a highlight of each plenary "Future lecture. Owen Gingerich of Harvard named some major problems ripe for solution in the physical sciences but warned that changing social conditions may put certain expensive solutions beyond our reach. In a review of earlier predictions by very distinguished scientists, though, Owen noted that none of them foresaw the discovery of computers or their impact on the way science is now done.

ASA's own Bob Herrmann considered the future of biology almost unimaginable, though he predicted that knowledge of brain function, genetics, and development may grow so fast that we'll have difficulty putting it all together. When we do, our models for evolutionary processes will be much more complex than they are now. Results of . the costly human genome project and other data will challenge the way we think about human personhood.

Jay Hollman of the Ochsner Clinic of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, gave us a glimpse of the future of medical science. He dealt with issues at the beginning and end of life, definitions of mental health and mental illness, increasing costs of health care delivery (with sometimes up to half going to legal and administrative expense), and the relation of public health policy to personal responsibility (as in preventing AIDS and other venereal diseases). With problems in each area now confronting practicing physicians, Jay's talk made a somber future seem already upon us.

Bob Kaita's plenary talk on "Obstacles and Opportunities for Christian Witness" began with slides and a description of the work at the Plasma Physics Laboratory at Princeton, where he is a principal research physicist. He then told how his fusion research has led to scientific visits both to the former Soviet Union and to the People's Republic of China, and of his personal opportunities to present a Christian testimony on such trips. But as reported in Physics Today

("Their Most Productive Years," Feb 1991), even in the U.S. many young physicists face a "dismal" professional situation. Younger scientists are being forced to re-examine their values and priorities. Bob hopes such re-examination will engender "increased receptiveness to the claims of Christ."

Mark Hartwig, executive director of Access Research Network, surveyed four healthy trends in science education (such as teaching science as a way of knowing rather than a static body of knowledge, making science relevant to students' lives, etc.). Then he pointed out how each trend can have an unhealthy effect if distorted by an education community aiming for "scientific literacy" but dominated by a naturalistic philosophy. He cited some examples of how good ideas can go wrong, from Invitation to Conflict: A Retrospective Look at the California Science Framework, which he and Paul Nelson compiled. Copies of that 44-page booklet, with a preface by Phillip Johnson and an introduction by John Wiester, were available at the convention book table. (Invitation to Conflict can be ordered at $5 each or at quantity discounts from Access Research Network, P.O. Box 38069, Colorado Springs, CO 809378069. - Ed.)

Thought-provoking contributed papers filled out the formal program. Of course a lot went on in Hawaii besides giving papers and listening to them. ASAers prayed and sang and argued and worshiped together. The Executive Council met for several days before the meeting and almost everybody stayed for two days of varied field trips afterward. Some stayed longer. We partied at a big luau and some even participated in the hula. Since our pictures didn't come out, those vivid scenes deserve some colorful writing. We'll try.

WHEREVER GOD WANTS US: 25.

0ne discussion group led by Stan Anderson and Paul Chien at the Annual Meeting covered "Cross-Cultural Opportunities for ASA Members." The group made four recommendations for quick action:

1. Encourage members to write up accounts of any type of personal experience overseas (teaching, lecturing, consulting) for the Newsletter or even for the Journal.

2. Establish a group of resource persons for each major area of the world, to alert members to opportunities for service. Several people volunteered to take on such responsibility: Chi-Hang Lee (Asia); Bob Kaita (Eastern Europe); Stan Anderson (Middle East). Africa, anyone? Latin America?

3. Urge members with personal contacts in certain countries to try to organize lecture/workshop tours of Christians with the desired technical expertise. Paul Chien hopes to organize a 2- or 3-week lecture tour of China, possibly for the summer of 1994.

4. Survey the entire membership to identify interests and expertise for cross-cultural service, plus potential availability for future long- or short-term opportunities; construct an electronic database from this information. Fred & Elaine Hickernell in Hong Kong are working with Stan to design a suitable questionnaire.

(Talk about action: ASA members are already taking this group's recommendation No. 1 so seriously that it's hard to squeeze in all your stories of cross-cultural service! But keep sending them to us and they'll eventually get it into print to encourage others.-Ed.)

KENYA/ASA UPDATE

A SA president Ken Dormer gave a full report on what is now named the African Institute for Scientific Research and Development (AISRED). The Kenya/ASA connection began at the 1990 Annual Meeting at Messiah College, when University of Nairobi zoologist George Kinoti told of his dreams for such an organization under Christian auspices. George now directs AISRED.

Progress has been slow but definite. Seven Africans plus Bob Herrmann, Martin Price, and Ken Dormer serve on the governing board. At a June 1991 planning conference in Nairobi, the three ASA members were impressed with the quality of the African members. This year Ken Dormer represented ASA at the board meeting in April. AISRED has produced several attractive flyers describing the
Institute' s aims and governance. Until it can become an autonomous entity recognized by the Kenyan government, AISRED will continue to operate under Daystar University College in Nairobi, a respected Christian institution.

By now Americans are familiar with the famine situation in Somalia, but Ken reported that conditions are almost as bad in several other sub-Saharan countries, such as Sudan and Ethiopia. Kenya itself is in a precarious situation, with refugees swelling its population. Over half the cattle in the northern half of the country died in the past year. AISRED is devoting itself to work on only the most immediate life-saving problems: increasing crop and cattle production and decreasing the incidence of human parasitic diseases. Among the hundreds of NGOs (non-govemmental organizations) trying to operate in East Africa, AISRED provides a unique model, a technical institute run by dedicated African Christians.

ASA's role is not as a source of funds, though we made a small contribution to help get AISRED off the ground and are providing help in applying for grant funds and in a number of other practical ways. Primarily ASA can be a source of networking and encouragemcnt. Politically, Kenya's former dictatorial rule seems to be abating, though corruption and red tape remain a problem when trying to import research equipment, scientific journals, etc. The time is ripe, Ken said, for emergence of the kind of Christian leadership AISRED seeks to develop. Besides its board, AISRED also has a group of elders of the caliber of England's John Stott to give it spiritual direction.


CSCA SCORES

The same Saturday the Toronto Blue Jays made history by taking baseball's World Series championship home to Canada, the Canadian Scientific & Christian Affiliation held its 1992 Annual Meeting in the Willowdale suburb of Toronto.

The theme of the one-day meeting on 24 October was "Hearing Their Cries: Confronting Abuse in Christian Families." The morning began with "Hearing Their Cries, a video from the Center for the Prevention of Sexual & Domestic Violence. Then Bob Vander Vennen of Toronto's Institute for Christian Studies outlined recent findings of two research groups on abuse in families in specific Christian communities.

After lunch, Mary Vander Vennen of Christian Counseling Services in Toronto gave a counselor's insights on certain causes of abuse: patriarchy, power relations, and the way males are socialized in society. A pastor's insights were contributed by Rev. John Groen of Community Christian Reformed Church of Richmond Hill, Ontario. After a general discussion, CSCA held its annual business meeting. (Or at least all this was scheduled to happen, before Toronto went baseballistic.Ed.)

CSCA president Norman Macleod had sent out a letter announcing the meeting and stressing the need to encourage "young energetic Christians with an interest in the sciences to pursue career paths which will inspire them to continue the work of organizations like CSCA." He called attention to the question asked by John A. McIntyre in "It's Time to Rejoin the Scientific Establishment" (Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, June 1992):

One hears Christians speak proudly of their sons and daughters who have married seminary students or missionaries. But where is the encouragement for our young people to enroll in the graduate schools of our great research universities to enter a life of scholarship?

Norm suggested a good way of laying some important building blocks in a young person's life: giving him/her a year's subscription to Perspectives. (No doubt about it: Canadians are world class, eh?-Ed.)

BULLETIN BOARD

- For an article he is completing on evangelist/apologete Harry Rimmer, historian Ted Davis seeks anecdotes from anyone who heard one of Rimmer's debates or other public presentations. Rimmer died in 1952, so Ted suspects that some ASA members are old enough (WOE is me.) to have attended such debates. If so, please write soon to Dr. Edward B. Davis, Messiah College, Grantham, PA 17027, with this -kind of detail: where and when the debate occurred; the topic; number of people in attendance; what was said; who opposed Rimmer-in short, anything you still remember. It is also important to state explicitly that Ted may quote your letter in print. (The Weary Old Editor apologizes for delay in posting this notice. He thinks he heard Harry Rimmer lecture in the First Baptist Church in Houston between 1942 and 1944, on the same occasion that Henry Morris heard Rimmer. But since we forgot, until a call reminded us, that Ted had handed us this request in Hawaii, we're not sure our memory can be trusted.-WOE.)

- A call for papers for Vol. 6 of Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion (JAI Press, Greenwich, CT) is being circulated. Series editors are Monty L. Lynn of Abilene Christian University and David 0. Moberg of Marquette University. RSSSR is a refereed annual publication of empirical reports, research -oriented theoretical studies, state-of-the-art surveys, and reviews of literature (but no strictly literary or historical studies). Sample themes in Vol. 5 (forthcoming, Spring 1993): measurement of faith maturity; mental health & religion; rates of religious conversion; religious groups & politics; studies of "Children of God" leader David Berg. Queries about potential papers can be addressed to either editor; manuscripts (in quadruplicate) should be sent to: Dr. Monty L. Lynn, Dept of Management Sciences, Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX 79699-8325.

- Ghillean T. Prance, director of Kew Gardens in England, is among those seeking to organize a symposium on "Ecology & Ethics" for the 6th International Congress of Ecology (INTECOL VI), to be held 20-26 Aug 1994. They anticipate being able to invite a limited number of speakers from the broadest possible range of perspectives and countries. Most will be practicing scientific ecologists but there will be room for scholars from other disciplines, including philosophy and religion. The group hopes to have speakers with various religious beliefs and secular philosophies. Ideas for potential speakers from an evangelical perspective (and any suggestions for sources of funding for such a symposium) may be sent to the group's secretary, Rev. Nigel S. Cooper, The Rectory, 40 Church Rd, Rivenhall, Witham, Essex, CM8 3PQ, U.K.

ASA GOES TO YALE

Two lectures on science and faith were given on the Yale campus on 12 Nov 1992, the seventh and eighth of the Templeton/ASA Lecture Series II. In the afternoon, Langdon Gilkey, Shailer Mathews Professor Emeritus of Theology at the U. of Chicago Divinity School, spoke on "God and the Mystery of Nature." In the evening Howard Van Till, professor of physics and astronomy at Calvin College, considered, "Is Special Creation A Heresy?" Known for his authorship of The Fourth Day, Science Held Hostage, and Portraits of Creation, Howard was president of ASA in 1990.

Cosponsoring the two lectures were the Yale Faith & Science Colloquium, Yale Religious Ministry, and University Lutheran Ministry. In an advance press release, Templeton lectureship publicist Joyce Farrell (669 Grove St, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043) quoted Gilkey: "There is a mystery to nature that is denied by scientism and religious fundamentalism alike." Van Till: Is skepticism toward credibility of the macroevolutionary paradigm driven by "belief that Judeo-Christian theism cannot apologetically tolerate the concept of genealogical continuity?" (It's been forty years since the WOE's stint at Yale. Do they still have "tables down at Maury's" where students can argue such questions? - Ed.)

ASA IN PRINT

Not long ago it was hard to find ASA's name anywhere except in our own publications. Now it shows up in many places. Some recent examples:

In Access Research Network's booklet, Invitation to Conflict: A Retrospective Look at the California Science Framework, John Wiester, author of the Introduction, was identified as chair of the "Committee for Integrity in Science Education, American Scientific Affiliation."

In a brief news story about Phillip Johnson in Christianity Today (14 Sept 1992, "Gould Attacks Critic," p. 63), Tom Woodward said Johnson had received evenhanded tretment in venues other than Scientific American: "Most recently the American Scientific Affiliation, meeting in August in Hawaii, hosted Johnson for a formal discussion." In the same issue, an obituary for theologian Bernard Ramm (p. 76) ended with this sentence: "Ramm was influential in the founding of the American Scientific Affiliation, and he taught frequently at Young Life seminars."

The 16 Oct 1992 issue of Science contained on pp. 487-488 a major review of science historian Ronald L. Numbers's The Creationists (A. Knopf, 1992). The book's scholarly treatment of ASA is worthy of comment; here we merely note a thoughtful review in the AAAS weekly by historian J. David Hoeveler, Jr. His review listed the American Scientific Affiliation among organizations in "the creation subculture" whose institutional histories Numbers detailed. A whole paragraph pointed to the book's account of how ASA, soon after its founding in 1941, was steered away from extreme positions such as that of the then functioning Deluge Geology Society.

A little piece by Walt Hearn, "On the Origins of Atomic Arithmetic," about a pseudoscientific book he once reviewed appeared in the Fall 1992 Skeptical Inquirer. The article and some responses to it will make a good yam later on. Noteworthy here is the fact that the author's self-description as "a former biochemistry professor who edits the Newsletter of the American Scientific Affiliation, published by a 'fellowship of Christians in the sciences"' actually made it into print-in an issue featuring tributes to the late Isaac Asimov by well-known secular humanists Stephen Jay Gould, Paul Kurtz, and Carl Sagan.

ASA IN SPANISH

A y, que' bueno! This year a Spanish translation of Teaching Science in a Climate of Controversy, with over 20 illustrations from the 1989 version, has appeared as two-thirds of a small book, En el Principio: Una per spectiva evanglica del debate sobre los orgenes. The first third is a Spanish translation of Charlie Hummel's fine little pamphlet, Creation or Evolution? (IVP, 1989). Translators were professors David Andreu (chemistry) of the U. of Barcelona and Enrique Mota (statistics) of the U. of Valencia, in Spain. Both are ASA members.

The 112-page booklet was published in Barcelona by Editorial CLIE (pronounced "Clee-ay") as part of the Coleccin Andamio series sponsored by GBU (Grupos Bblicos Universitarios), affiliated with IFES
(International Fellowship of Evangelical Students). CLIE is evidently an acronym for Comite' de Literatura para Iglesias Evanglicas. 

 

 
According to Frances Polischuk of the Ipswich office and her psychologist husband Pablo, both originally from Argentina, CLIE publications are familiar to Spanish-speaking Christians throughout the Americas. Our usually successful Berkeley reference librarian failed to locate an American office for CLIE, but a phone call to a bookstore specializing in European books put us on the right track. CLIE is represented in the U.S. by The Spanish Evangelical Literature Fellowship (P.O. Box 8337, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl, 33310). Its acronym is pronounced "T-self." It can be reached by dialing 1-800-3277933.

After coping with our faltering Spanish, the pleasant person at that 800-number gave us the scoop in flawless English. She seemed surprised that CLIE had been hard to find, and laughed when we told her not to worry, the ASA Newsletter was about to make TSELF famous. En el Principio sells for $4.50 a copy, she said, plus a $2.95 UPS shipping charge for any number of copies to the same address. To stock up for resale, ask for a colporteur's discount. TSELF ships only on a prepaid basis, so give them your credit card number over the phone or send a check with your order.

An easier way to get hold of En el Principio is to order it from ASA (P.O. Box 668, Ipswich, MA 01938; tel. 508-356-5656; fax 508356-4375). You get it for the same $4.50 a copy, plus $1.50/copy shipping & handling. You don't have to pay in advance, but no s&h is charged on prepaid orders. In any language, Enseando Ciencia en un Clima de Controversia is helpful to teachers and parents, no es verdad?

We have to take Chi-Hang
Lee's word for it that the title of his new book reads: The Challenge of Science to Christianity. (in Mandaren)
Challenge of Science to Christianity. (in Mandaren)
Challenge of Science to Christianity. (in Mandaren)

Chi-Hang, director of analytical services at the Del Monte Research Center in Walnut Creek, California, is a former ASA president. For years he has contributed articles on science and faith to a Christian periodical published in Chinese. Now, over 20 of those articles have been collected in a 1992 book from Christian Arts Press (No. 3, Alley 51, Lane 269, Roosevelt Rd, See 3, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.).

Showing us the Table of Contents didn't help a bit, but Chi assured us that his book mentions the American Scientific Affiliation many times. One long chapter makes extensive reference to ASA's Teaching Science in a Climate of Controversy. Since many Chinese Christians have been taught a narrowly literal interpretation of the Bible, Chi has dealt carefully with questions of creation and evolution. He may have set a radical new precedent, though, by asking a husband-and-wife team to contribute the preface. Dr. Yum-Tong Siu is a mathematics professor at Harvard; his wife, Dr. Sau-Fong Wong, is an associate professor of sociology at Wheelock College in Boston.

After having to hunt for the American distributor of the Spanish edition of Teaching Science, we won't try to find the U.S. representative of a publisher in Taiwan. We suspect, though, that one can order copies of Chi-Hang Lee's book through the author (120 Brandywine Way, Walnut Creek, CA 94598; tel. 510-939- 8155). We don't know how to translate the "NT$150" price into U.S. money, but Chi did sound out the book's title for us: Ke Xue dui Ji Du Jiao de Tiao Zhan. Evidently Ke Xue is "science," Ji Du Jiao "Christianity," and Tiao Zhan "challenge." (In Mandarin, we presume-WOE.)

DIRECTORY ASSISTANTS?

For the next Directory, all ASA/CSCA Members, Fellows, Associates, and "Friends" are asked to check the accuracy of your listing in the latest (1990-91) Directory, or on the mailing label of this Newsletter. Send corrected in-formation on a postcard to: ASA Directory, P.O. Box 668, Ipswich, MA 01938. Corrections received by 15 Jan 1993 should make it into the 1993 Directory.

Has your telephone area code changed since 1990? Many metropolitan areas added new area codes last year. If ASA has your correct name, address, telephone number, membership category, and specialty, you need not send a postcard.

WITH THE LORD

Robert C. Frost of Escondido, California, an internationally known lay minister and teacher, died on 15 Sept 1992 at age 66. While speaking at a charismatic conference in Brighton, England, last December, he developed a hoarseness which was soon traced to a thyroid malignancy. After chemotherapy the cancer subsided, then came back beyond medical control. Many around the world who loved Bob prayed for the Frosts through it all.

Bom in Vancouver, Washington, Bob graduated from Reed College in Oregon, earned an M.A. and Ph.D. (1952) in biology at Rice, stayed on in Houston to teach anatomy at Baylor College of Medicine. He later taught biology at Evangel College in Missouri, Westmont and Southern California colleges in California, and Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma, where he chaired ORU's Dept of Natural Sciences. In 1970 he resigned to take up full-time writing and speaking. For several years he also taught at Melodyland School of Theology in Anaheim, California.

Bob contributed articles to a number of periodicals and was a contributing editor to New Covenant, a Catholic charismatic magazine. He wrote about the "Spirit-filled life" in a series of books from Bridge Publishing, Inc. (formerly Logos), Plainfield, New Jersey. Aglow with the Spirit (1971) was followed by Overflowing Life and Set My Spirit Free (1973), The Mystery of Life (1975), and Our Heavenly Father (1978). Inspired by Jesus' words in John 4:34, Bob finished revising Our Heavenly Father the week before his death. As his breathing be
came more difficult, he and his wife Ruth, a nurse, were sustained by Psalm 116.

Besides Ruth, Bob is survived by four grown children and six grandchildren. He was a Fellow of ASA and active in Cathedral of the Valley Church, where gifts may be sent to the Robert C. Frost Memorial Fund, 927 Idaho Ave., Escondido, CA 92025. (As young profs at Baylor Med in the '50s, the two of us spent many lunch hours in his lab or in mine praying or studying the Bible together, sometimes with students. I've never had a more "whole-hearted" Christian colleague. -Ed.)

Bob Frost will be included in a memorial resolution to be read at the 1993 Annual Meeting.

THE EDITOR'S LAST WORDS: 24

After all that campaign talk about "It's time for a change," I'm beginning to believe it. Just think, in 1969, when I took over editing this Newsletter from Alton Everest, I was only 43 years old. I should quit while I'm waning.

We need a new editor who loves ASA, has some professional and spiritual maturity, but is young enough to stick around for awhile. Writing experience, a light heart, and a source of additional income would come in handy. Even better if the editor were big on modern computers and electronic communications-and could take usable photographs.

To make 1993 my last year of meeting bimonthly deadlines, I'm willing either to phase out gradually during the year or to sign off abruptly if someone can jump in all at once. If you could be the replacement the Council is praying for, contact executive director Bob Herrmann at the Ipswich office.

Mostly this job has been fun, except for writing the obituaries of cherished friends. And trying to be funny occasionally. That's real work.

LOCAL SECTIONS

TORONTO

This fall the section is sponsoring informal gatherings for the interchange of ideas, meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Hart House, U. of Toronto. On 29 September, U.T. biochemist/physiologist Dan Osmond led a discussion of Sir John M. Templeton's concept of a Centre for Humility Theology. On 24 November a Christian perspective on "Time" was introduced by organic chemist Eric Moore. (Some Toronto fans were probably still savoring the timing of Dave Winfield's Series-winning, two-out, two-run double in game six.-Ed.)

NEW ENGLAND

For Jan 1993, Gordon College chemistry prof Jack Haas is organizing a science/religion forum to be held on the Gordon campus, with the New England section as cosponsor. For details contact Jack at Gordon College at 508/927-2300 ext. 4387.

METROPOLITAN NEW YORK

The fall meeting, held 21 November at The King's College in Nyack, New York, followed the section's usual pattern of keynote lectures at 3 and 7 p.m., with business meeting and cafeteria meal in between. This year the speaker was Roy A. Clouser, professor of philosophy & religion at Trenton State U. and author of The Myth of Religious Neutrality: An Essay on the Hidden Role of Theories (Notre Dame, 1991). The titles of his two addresses were "What Is Religious Belicf'" and "A New Model for the Relation Between Religious Belief and Theories." Clouser has degrees from Gordon College, Reformed Episcopal Seminary, and the U. of Pennsylvania (Ph.D. in philosophy). He also studied with Paul Tillich at Harvard and with Herman Dooyeweerd at the Free University of Amsterdam.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN

0n 6 Feb 1993 the section will hold its sixth meeting, in the University Center (Columbine, Suite A) of the U. of Northern Colorado in Greeley, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Featured speaker Arthur F. Holmes, chair of the Philosophy Dept at Wheaton College in Illinois, will discuss "Revelation, Discovery, and the Unity of Truth." Holmes' books include Christianity and Philosophy (IVP, 1960), All Truth Is God's Truth (Eerdmans, 1977), and Shaping Character (Eerdmans, 1990). There will also be room on the program for contributed papers.

(Along with the meeting announcement from section secretary-treasurer Ken Olson of Greeley came the sad news that Ken's 34year-old son Edwin died suddenly of a heart condition on I I Sept 1992. Ken had already experienced the death of his other son, Randall, and his wife, Esther. Ed lived with his dad in the family home and they were very close. We express our sorrow over so much loss, along with our appreciation for Ken's loyal service to ASA over the years. -Ed.)

SAN FRANCISCO BAY

0n 7 November the section cosponsored a meeting at Stanford U. with Stanford InterVarsity Graduate Fellowship, featuring R. David Cole, emeritus professor of molecular & cell biology at U.C. Berkeley. While winding down his own research program, Dave is serving as consultant to an N.I.H.-funded interdisciplinary study of "The Theological and Ethical Implications of the Genome Project" at the Center for Theology & the Natural Sciences in Berkeley. The topic for his talk at Stanford was "The Molecular Biology of Predestination." (Yes, Dave is a Presbyterian. -Ed.)

PERSONALS

Bradley C. Bennett has accepted a joint appointment in the Dept of Biological Sciences and the Environmental Studies Program at Florida International University in Miami. He will continue ethno-botanical studies in Latin America and his collaboration with the New York Botanical Garden's institute of Economic Botany, his former employer. A report of some of his work appeared in "Plants and Peo ple of the Amazonian Rainforests: The Role of Ethnobotany in Sustainable Development," BioScience 42:599-697, 1992. The Bermetts' welcome to Florida was somewhat traumatic: they moved into a house just five days before it was severely damaged by hurricane Andrew.

Joel Cannon has become professor of physics and engineering at Centenary College (2911 Centenary Blvd., Shreveport, LA 71104). Centenary has an extensive 3-2 engineering program that allows students to obtain a bachelor's in physics from Centenary and an engineering degree from certain universities (e.g., Washington, Columbia, Texas A. & M.) in five years. Joel moved south "after spending three enjoyable years at Calvin College" in Michigan. He wonders if there is interest in forming a network of Christians teaching in secular schools, particularly in liberal arts colleges (such as Centenary). Joel has thought about organizing a workshop around that topic at some ASA meeting so people could hear other people's stories.

Owen Gingerich, Harvard University professor of astronomy, was mentioned in a 28 Sept Wall Street Journal story, "These Astronomers Bet Their Careers on Pie-in-the-Sky." WSJ reporter Ron Suskind described a desperate attempt this fall to promote enrollment in an undergrad course called "The Astronomical Perspective." On the first day of class, only 110 of the 6,600 Harvard students showed up (a drop of about a third from last year). To keep any of the five teaching assistants from losing their jobs, lecturer David Latham hired a sky-writing company to send a biplane over Harvard yard pulling a banner reading "SCI A- 17 NOON MWF SCIENCE CENTER HALL D - TRY IT!" The stunt didn't work very well, though only one T.A. was let go. Owen Gingerich suspected that fellow professors considered it "a low-class thing to do," adding that the experiment at least taught astronomers that most students "are not accustomed to looking up."

Raymond E. Grizzle was on the faculty of Livingston University in Livingston, Alabama, when he submitted "Some Comments on the 'Godless' Nature of Darwinian Evolution, and a Plea to the Philosophers Among Us," published in Perspectives on Science & Christian Faith (Sep 1992). Now Ray is assistant professor of biology at Campbell University, Buies Creek, North Carolina.

Mark Kalthoff keeps working away at his Indiana University dissertation on ASA's history while teaching a full load as assistant professor of history at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan. On Nov 8 he gave the lead-off lecture of a five-day symposium on "Man and Creation: Perspectives on Science and Religion" at Hillsdale College, cosponsored by the Center for Constructive Alternatives and the Dept of Christian Studies. The symposium program featured two major films ("Tbe Creation of the Universe"; "Quantum Universe") and eight other speakers, of whom four were ASA members: Calvin physicist Howard Van Till, Harvard astronomer Owen Gingerich, Stanford materials scientist Richard Bube, and biologist Donald Heckenlively, who is also v.p. for academic affairs at Hillsdale College. The other speakers were Biola philosopher J. P. Moreland, U. of Michigan zoologist Richard Alexander, and, according to Mark, "two of the hottest recent authors on the creation-evolution scene": Phillip Johnson (Darwin on Trial) and Ronald Numbers (The Creationists).

Andrew Levin is on leave from U.C. San Diego, working as an economist at the Federal Reserve Board. He works in the International Development Section. (An interesting time to be in the nation's capital! Once the election is over, maybe the Washington-Baltimore ASA section will launch a bold new program. Anyway, Andrew can be reached at 522 21st St NW, #405, Washington, DC 2006; tel. 202-223-2851.-Ed.)

Stephen V. Monsma, professor of political science at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, was one of four speakers at a day-long Round Table on "The Christian Scholar & the Contemporary University" on 31 Oct. The Round-Table, held at the Kellogg West Conference Center at Cal Poly, Pomona, was sponsored by the C.S. Lewis Foundation (P.O. Box 8008, Redlands, CA 92375). Although it is unrelated to Tom Woodward's C.S. Lewis Fellowship (P.O. Box 9000, Holiday, FL 34690), a flyer from the Redlands outfit indicates a similar concern over a decline in "direct interaction between secular and religious modes of thinking in the late 20th century." The Foundation works toward "an informed, constructive, and 'mere Christian' response" to produce "a more open academic environment for thousands of scholars of faith."

Allene Scott has moved to Valencia, Pennsylvania, from Norfolk, Virginia. Allene, an M.D. with an M.P.H. degree, has become assistant professor at the U. of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and associate medical director of the Occupational & Environmental Health Program there.

T. Gordon Scott has moved from Kentucky to Hawkins, Texas. Gordon, a chemist, now chairs the Division of Science & Mathematics at Jarvis Christian College, near Tyler and Longview in East Texas.

Charles Thaxton has settled in with his family in a house in Prague Czechoslovakia; FAX/Tel 42-2-3123-319). The communists replaced most traditional houses with high rises, but many Czechs who still own houses crowd into apartments with relatives and rent out their homes to Westerners at extremely high prices (often falsifying the rental contract to avoid paying high taxes). The Thaxtons finally found an honest deal but have to pay twice the rent they budgeted for. When we heard from him, Charlie was booking lectures on science & Christian faith in several Eastern European countries. Finding everything a hassle that takes far too long has taught the Thaxtons compassion for people who've lived under such constraints for two generations with no hope for change. Carole "forages for food" and home-schools their sons C.J. and Todd, who amaze their parents with their ability to adjust and to learn Czech, "a seemingly impossible language." (Support for the Thaxtons' ministry should go to: Konos Connection, P.O. Box 991, Julian, CA 92036.)

Robert T. Voss recently moved from New Jersey to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, when Bell Atlantic Mobile Systems regionalized their staff. Bob is general manager of Network Engineering for cellular and wireless communications systems. After being a mainstay of the Metropolitan New York ASA local section for 20 years, Bob wonders if there are enough ASAers around Pittsburgh to stir up some ASA action. (The 1990-91 ASA Directory lists five members in Pittsburgh itself, not counting Allene Scott, above, who's just moved there.-Ed.) Bob Voss can be contacted at 624 Karrastyn Court, Gibsonia, PA 15044-6018; tel. 412-444-0018.

PEOPLE LOOKING FOR POSITIONS. Chemistry: Richard W. Schaeffer (Penwick Drive #51C, Lititz, PA 17543) seeks tenure-track post in inorganic or solid state. Has Ph.D. in inorganic (Temple, 1991), with publications in J. Superconductit4ty, J. Materials Res., Chem. of Materials, J. Chem. Ed.. Currently visiting prof of chemistry at Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster. Biblical studies/physics: John A. Bloom (60 West Broad St., Hatfield, PA 19440; tel. 215-362-6007 or 215-362-8062) seeks appropriate teaching position, possibly in O.T. history & languages; apologetics; plus physics, chemistry, biochem, or computer science courses as needed. Available for Jan or fall 1993, John has a B.A. in physics & chemistry (Grinnell, 1974); M.S. & Ph.D. in physics (Cornell, 1977 & 1980; biochem minor); M.A. in biblical studies & M.Div. (Biblical Theological Seminary, 1983); M.A. & Ph.D. in Near Eastern studies (Dropsie College, now Annenberg Research Inst., Philadelphia, 1986 & 1992). Besides the biblical languages, he handles Akkadian, Sumerian, Ugaritic, and literary Arabic. He has lectured in physics at Ursinus College; served as computer consultant; publ. in such journals as Biophys. J. Fellow and board member of Interdisciplinary Biblical Research Inst., Hatfield, PA; author of three IBRI Reports; Baptist background, elder of Bethany Bible Fellowship Church in Hatfield.

POSITIONS LOOKING FOR PEOPLE. Science/math: Fall 1993, dean of School of Natural & Mathematical Sciences, with Ph.D. (or equivalent) plus teaching & research experience in one of the school's disciplines: biology, chemistry, computer science, elec. engineering, human environmental sciences, math, physics. Should have passion for both science and Christian faith; understanding of special needs and contributions of each discipline; leadership in promoting integrated teaching program, personally teaching at least one course each year while guiding & advising some 500 students and 36 full-time, 12 part-time faculty, planning, supporting University Advancement programs. TIAA, medical insurance. Human environmental science majors include food & nutrition, textiles, clothing, interiors, family life education. Women & minorities encouraged to apply. Send cover letter, c.v., names of three references by 1 Dec 1992 to: Dr. Samuel Dunn, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Seattle Pacific University, 3307 Third Avenue West, Seattle, WA 98119-1997; tel. 206-281-2125. Physics: Ph.D. to teach calculus-based genl. physics sequence; advise pre-engineering, physical science majors; participate in integrating science & Christian faith; for Aug 1993. Contact by 1 Feb 1993: (ASA member) Dr. James Rynd, Chair, Physical Science Dept (tel. 310-903-4862), or Dr. Dwight Jessup, Dean of Arts & Sciences, Biola University, La Mirada, CA 90639 (tel. 310-903-4713).