ASA/CSCA NewsLetter

Volume 39, Number 3                                                                                                                    May/Jun 1997


ASA Press Offers First Book

ASA has just published a new, revised edition of Robert B. Fischer's classic book, God Did It, But How? Reading this book, Peter Vibert attests, "will clear the mind without damaging the faith that is essential for understanding the Bible and the natural world."

PSCF Editor Jack Haas challenges ASAers to use this book to reach teenagers, college students, and church members. ASA is offering three copies of this attractive, 114-page paperback for $25, postpaid. (You must pay in advance to get this price.) Jack advises: "One copy for you, one copy for your minister, and one for the church library."

Thinking bigger, get the book at a volume discount for use in Sunday School classes and Bible studies. Or put together a group purchase by members of your local church or ASA local section. And let colleagues know of the book.

To order, send a check to the ASA office: P.O. Box 668, Ipswich, MA 01938. The (postpaid) single-copy price is $12.

Evolution Debate Goes on Unabated

Last fall, Science (Vol. 273, 6 SEP 96) reported on the unusually large amount of mail it received on education and evolution (there's the E-word again!), and published some of the letters responding to a News & Comment article, "Creationists evolve new strategy," by Karen Schmidt (26 JUL 96, p. 240).

Judy Harvey of Cromwell, CT writes: "Öthere is not a Law of Evolution [as there are laws of gravity and thermodynamics] of which I am aware. Yet the schools teach evolution as if it is a lawÖ By teaching evolution in this manner, schools do not convey all the exciting aspects of the evolutionary theory." She concludes by saying that "the current methods for teaching the theory of evolution need to be reexamined and allowed to `evolve' into a more scientific approach to this very emotional topic."

Paul Craig, engineering prof. at U.C. Davis, said: "In terms of education, critical analysis is the critical issue. The educational process should explore what scientists mean by evidence and how observations of consistent patterns lead to powerful ways of thinking about the world."

On a similar note, ASA's Science Education Commission (ASASEC) has been promoting the teaching of evolution as science. This includes teaching evolution in a way that reveals the excitement and mystery of exploring unanswered questions, and the importance of exercising critical thinking skills in addressing them.

Scott urges middle ground

Another organization centrally involved in evolution education is the National Center for Science Education (NCSE, P.O. Box 9477, Berkeley, CA 94709-0477; tel. (510) 526-1674, (800) 290-6006). Executive Director Eugenie Scott wrote an article for The Sciences, published by the New York Academy of Sciences (Jan-Feb 1996, pp. 20-25) titled, "Monkey Business." The essay is a well-written overview of the historical events leading to the current controversy. Scott argues that what is presented in science classrooms should not be propaganda for a particular worldview. Given the extensive history of use by naturalists of Darwin's theory to debunk theism, some depth of understanding of the motivations of fundamentalist or conservative Christians in opposing "evolution" is shown by Scott in the article: "Öadvocating a nontheistic philosophy in the science classroom is just as wrong and just as unscientific as advocating creationism is."

The Editor wrote to Scott in response, suggesting the following:

"With your correct perception of what is driving the Controversy, NCSE's work in defending evolution against theistic reaction to it in the schools might make significant progress if the reason for these attacks is itself addressed. If Christians advancing alternatives to evolution are doing so because their root concern is the use of evolutionary theory to advance naturalism (atheism, accidentalism, materialism) or to cast doubt on Christianity, then NCSE could effectively serve the cause of science by directing its effort against the misuse of evolutionary theory to support naturalistic worldviews. If public perception of Darwin's idea were that it is not supportive of such naturalism and not a reason to abandon Christianity, then much of the anti-evolutionism NCSE is opposing would also lose its motivation."

Scott lists recent activity on the evolution-in-the-schools scene and includes "intelligent design" as attracting some popular attention. However, she considers an open intellectual climate in classrooms counterproductive; "using creation and evolution as topics for critical thinking exercises in primary and secondary schools is virtually guaranteed to confuse students about evolution and may lead them to reject one of the major themes of science." Scott notes that the action in this controversy has shifted to the local level, and advises pro-evolutionists to avoid debates ("you will probably get beaten") and either-or alternatives ("the true dichotomy is between biblical literalists and non-literalists, not between religion and science").

Where do science and religion meet?

Scott makes what for her is a key distinction between methodological and philosophical naturalism. The former, she identifies as the operating stance of science: to assume observations of nature have "natural" causes, which are repeatable and able to be subjected to controlled study. Scott finds the latter to be inappropriate in government classrooms, as does the ASASEC.

It is at the borderline between science and special divine revelation that the controversy is keenest. Whether a Christian can unreservedly abandon the possibility of discovering evidence for the miraculousóevents without regular causal precursors, as Donald MacKay used to put itóis a debated point. While searching for regularities in the creation, can a Christian be closed to the possibility of discovering a message from God? Whether an evolutionary theory free of philosophical naturalism is compatible with the biblical worldview or not is another unresolved question.

The scientific merits of Darwinian theory vv. its possible rivals, such as Intelligent Design are not always cleanly separable from philosophical/religious issues. The extent to which ID theory is a scientific alternative in-the-making or is instead natural theology appears to be a key issue within ASA. However, there is widespread agreement with Scott's contention that what is presented in science classrooms should not be propaganda for a particular worldview.

Christian environmentalists examples of middle ground

Scott's article drew some responses, published in the Mar-Apr 1996 issue of The Sciences. Anthony Kaney of Bryn Mawr C. firmly believes that there is no middle ground, as Scott advised taking. "The dichotomy," Kaney insisted, "is precisely between religion and science, and one cannot evade the issue." Furthermore, "Ms. Scott's proposed distinction between `methodological' and `philosophical' naturalism smacks of sophistry."

In replying to letters favoring debates with creation-science advocates, Scott further elaborates that: "Our goals are more likely to be met in face-to-face exchanges with creationists on panels, or on television or radio talk shows, than in formal debates."

Scott answers the "no middle ground" letters with an example that sounds like it might have involved some ASA environmentalists. She cites a report of a group of "`fundamentalist Christians' who were supporting the Endangered Species Act, though environmentalism was ostensibly equated by the radio show host with nature worship." Scott points out that "conservative Christianity is not a monolithic religious philosophy" and that "conservative Christianity also includes `stewardship theology.'" The strict literalist view of a 6-day creation account, she notes, is "by no means universal even among conservative Christians."

As for the difference between the two naturalisms, Scott further clarifies that "whether or not there is a final cause to phenomena, a supernatural cause, science is inherently unable to corroborate or refute." However, causes closer to the observed phenomena can be explained in terms of natural processes. Scott sees both sides of the controversy making a logical error at this point:

"If science can explain apparent design without reference to the supernatural, then God is replaced at all levels of causationóproximate, ultimate and final. But science can make no assertions about final cause, including the supernatural. Thus if one believes (as I do) that God is removed from all three levels of causation, one must recognize that the conclusion is made not on the basis of science per se, but for philosophical reasons."

To close, Scott observes astutely that "In my dealings with conservative Christian antievolutionists, I find that they are primarily concerned that if evolution is taught, materialist philosophy will also be taught, thus robbing young people of their faith." Keeping grounds for this controversy out of the public school science classroom, Scott finishes, "would go a long way toward resolving the current controversy between creationism and evolution."

Wall St. Journal prints letter about macroevolution from Wiester

While Scott opposes anti-Darwinism largely because she is convinced that Darwinism is scientifically true, others question its macroevolutionary foundation as insufficiently established. On Sep. 25, 1996, the Wall Street Journal carried a letter from ASASEC chairman John Wiester (citing ASA in a one sentence description, with location!). He praised Michael Behe's (pronounced "bee-he," not "bay-he") "brilliant book," Darwin's Black Box, and dispelled the broad-brush stereotyping of Behe as a "creationist." He spent most of his column-inches distinguishing between micro- and macroevolution, and how

"..leading evolutionary biologists, such as Gilbert, Opitz and Raff, are calling for a new synthesis to explain macroevolutionary events because "microevolution looks at adaptations that concern only the survival of the fittest, not the arrival of the fittest."

Wiester goes on to affirm the empirical basis for microevolution and to deny, from new evidence from both the fossil record and biochemical studies, the extrapolation of Darwin's mechanism from micro- to macroevolution, as unwarranted. He closes, advising that "resistance to this distinction is not conducive to the advancement of science."

C.S. Lewis has last word

Liberated literatus Walter R. Hearn wrote a piece on C.S. Lewis's views about evolution for the Lewis Legacy (Aug. 1996), drawing from a PSCF article by Gary Ferngren and Ronald Numbers ("C.S. Lewis on Creation and Evolution: The Acworth Letters, 1944-1960," March 1996, pp. 28-33). Previously unpublished correspondence with Bernard Acworth, a founder of the Evolution Protest Movement of the mid-1930s, reveals that Lewis made a clear distinction between evolution as a scientific theory and evolutionism, a materialistic worldview. Later in life, Lewis appeared to grow "increasingly uncomfortable with the claims being made for organic evolution," and wrote to Acworth in 1951:

"What inclines me now to think that you might be right in regarding [evolution] as the central and radical lie in the whole web of falsehood that now governs our lives is not so much your arguments against it as the fanatical and twisted attitudes of its defenders."

Walt cites ASA's journal in his brief article and also briefly describes the ASA to Lewis fans. Timothy Chen, Walt Hearn, John Wiester

What a thrill it was to watch the boxes of the first ASA Press publication, God Did It, But How? enter the office recently. In this second edition, Robert Fischer has extensively reworked the text but kept the important emphases. My quotation on the back cover expresses my feelings. "Through careful definitions and illuminating explanations, Fischer works his way through the minefields of origins<ÖThis book is must reading for teenagers, college students, and church members who need clarity in the issues of creation." We hope that you will purchase a copy and then consider more copies for discussion groups, Sunday School classes, college classes, friends in scienceóboth Christian and non-Christian, and lay people in the church. Few good books like this are available for $10.00 plus $2.00 P&H with discounts available for larger quantities. Any profit made on the book will replenish the fund originally given in memory of Jim Neidhardt.

As I am writing this column, boxes again piled in the office. This time they contained the 1997ñ1999 ASA Directory. How helpful this will be, though a few addresses and numbers became outdated very quickly. The cover is bright green so you can easily find it in a pile or on a cluttered desk. The directory contains each member's home or business address, phone numbers, Fax number, and e-mail address, unless unavailable to the office. It also includes a person's field of expertise, membership status, and primary affiliation or commission membership. Besides an alphabethical listing, there are sections listing members by their chosen primary affiliation or commission and geographical location. Many were sold on a prepublication basis but surely there are others of you who will want a copy. You may order them for $8.00 which includes the cost of postage and handling. You may want copies for both home and office. It is now one of my prize possessions somewhere under the status of my Bible.

You should have or will soon receive the registration forms for the August 1-4, 1997 ASA Annual Meeting at Westmont C. in Santa Barbara, CA. The latest news is the fantastic all-day field trip being planned by Stan Anderson, George Bate, and others that will take us by boat to Santa Cruz Island early Friday, Aug. 1st. We will experience its geology and ecology as we hike this beautiful channel island. My wife and I are getting our walking shoes ready and saving some extra money to meet the trip cost. ASA hopes to break even on the trip so it means that we do need at least 50 people to go. The papers and posters are all set with about 35 people presenting. I always enjoy seeing the regular attendees but I do greatly hope that I will see many new faces. We need to get acquainted with one another, hear your testimony, and learn about what you are doing. The ASA Annual Meeting was a time that I greatly anticipated long before I came on staff. It was such a boost to my Christian life. There were so many with mature, well-thought out ideas, and people who were interested in what I was doing. If you think you are fighting a lonely battle out there for both integrity in faith and in science, you need to come and meet some marvelous people. It is well worth the financial sacrifice. Everyone is welcome and met with open arms.

Through the courtesy of the Institute for Advanced Christian Studies (IFACS), I was flown to a meeting in Grayslake, IL. There were many Christian groups represented for the initial meeting of the Council of Christian Scholarly Societies (CCSS) of which ASA is a charter member. The idea is to encourage cooperation between such societies and a committee is now working on future plans for the organization. Among the groups represented were economists, mathematicians, philosophers, sociologists, the visual arts, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (Terry Morrison), the Christian Scholar's Review, and more. Arthur Homes, retired Wheaton C. philosopher and an IFACS Director, was there to share a paper with us. V. Elving Anderson serves as IFACS treasurer. We hope for great things from CCSS and thank IFACS for its continuing support. The remainder of the weekend was spent attending the IVCF faculty and graduate student conference at Mundelein, IL on "Creation Care: Christian Stewardship of our Environment." I counted at least twelve ASA members there with Ruth and Keith Miller coming from Kansas with their baby, Ian. Calvin DeWitt was one of the six main speakers and I am amazed how he always has something fresh to say. It was a wonderful weekend and gave me a chance to talk with several young people who need to be ASA members.

Did you read my March letter included with the ASA Annual Report? Perhaps you put it aside with the report. In it I described a great opportunity and will continue to do so in each Newsletter until we reach the goal or run out of time. This opportunity is a great boost to the Endowment Fund of ASA. An anonymous donor, who made several contacts with an ASA Council member, has pledged up to $10,000 to match gifts marked for the endowment before Sept. 1, 1997. So far we have received about 15% of the goal. Your regular gifts should not be redirected to endowment because we need all the general gift funds to meet our austere budget.

The first months of the year always are a difficult time for cash flow and as of this writing we are struggling to meet this month's operating expenses. God continues to be faithful to us as you respond to his leading and right now we hope that he is calling many of you. Until next timeó

Don

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RepASAers report on NTSE

A conference on "Naturalism, Theism and the Scientific Enterprise" (NTSE) was held at the U. of Texas at Austin, Feb. 20-23, 1997. It was well organized by Robert C. Koons, prof. of philosophy at UT (koons@phil.utexas.edu). From all around the world, 120 scientists, scholars, and students met "to discuss the relationship between methodological naturalism, theistic hypotheses and explanations, and the practice of science," as Koons put it. Keynote speakers included Frederick Grinnell, Phillip E. Johnson, Alvin Plantinga, and Michael Ruse.

The discussions and questions "were thoroughly characterized by friendliness and mutual respect," according to Koons and others attending. A convergence of views developed on some of the issues discussed, such as whether philosophy makes progress. It does. Cartesian foundationalism and logical positivism are now recognized to be failed projects. And substantial progress was reported on the question: Is methodological naturalism an essential part of science?

According to Koons, some shared conclusions were:

1. A priori announcements cannot be made about what kind of theory or explanation is allowable in science.

2. Science requires empirically testable, novel predictions; explanations of a wide range of phenomena on the basis of a simple, sparse system of postulates; and anomalies and predictive failures cannot be dealt with by resorting to ad hoc repairs or epicycles.

3.Theistic science (TS) or intelligent design theory (IDT) must do more than poke holes in Darwinism. It also needs hypotheses about the intentions and preferences of the designer which lead to specific, testable predictions and informative explanations.

4.IDT cannot be expected to offer much support to theology (which, in any case, Koons says, does not stand in any need of such support). IDT must be pursued for the sake of doing science, not religion.

"These four theses," Koons e-mailed, "became so widely shared at the end of the conference that I think we could call them the Canonical View of the NTSE conference."

One other significant point of agreement is that the time has come to conduct the debate on methodological naturalism (MN) and theistic science (TS) on their scientific merits, "and we should no longer tolerate ad hominem attacks on Prof. Johnson, with attendant name-calling, bullying and intimidation" ("He's just a lawyer," "He doesn't understand how science works," etc.) Most participants also seemed to agree that the emerging design paradigm needs to be given adequate time to develop. IDT's core idea needs hypotheses and generalizations about the structure of design and how design relates to nature.

Several issues, however, remain unresolved, such as the tension between MN and historic Christianity, which were addressed at some length by Grinnell and Ruse. For philosopher Koons, one important distinction that arose was between a priori or dogmatic MN (DMNónot to be confused with the IDT trio, Dembski, Meyer, Nelson!), and a posteriori or empirical MN (EMN). DMN insists that science accord with the rule of only naturalistic explanations. EMN claims instead that in the long run only MN-based science will prove successful. Koons hopes that, as a result of the conference, DMN will be considered definitely refuted. No one defended it, "not even those like Michael Ruse, who have endorsed it in the past," Koons wrote.

Koons further opines that:

"we need to consider the possibility that as theists we can discover order and regularityÖthat our unbelieving colleagues do not see because they are not looking for them.ÖJohn Lennox, a mathematician from Cardiff, made a very paradoxical, but I think prescient, remark. He suggested that, just as it is possible to be an ontological theist but a methodological naturalist, so is it possible to be an ontological naturalist and a methodological theist. John and I agree that much of current biology (in so far as functional and teleological claims are still current) is in fact methodologically theistic."

Koons goes on to say that:

"Indeed, historians of science like Duhem and Whitehead have argued that the development of modern physical theory in the 14th-18th centuries would have been impossible without the Christ-engendered conviction that the physical universe might prove to be intelligible to us.

If TS takes off, savvy non-Christians could still equally participate in it, though not share in its philosophical motivations."

TS/IDT has much work ahead beyond finding more examples that Darwinism cannot explain. Superior predictive abilities from its hypotheses must become manifested. More anthropic coincidences are possible predictions that the many-worlds hypothesis cannot explain (except retroactively), Koons notes. Two other kinds of order that Darwinists are not looking for are: (1) biological functionality that cannot be explained by the need for reproductive fitness; and (2) functional or developmental homologies not explainable by common descentófor instance, functions that have benefits for the ecosystem but not the individual's reproductive fitness.

Koons sums up his perspective:

"God is of course inscrutable; merely asking, how would I do it if I were God is of course notoriously unreliable. However, as a heuristic for generating hypotheses, this is exactly right."

ASAers Joel Cannon and John ("Burgy") Burgeson attended the conference and offered their reports on the ASA list-server. Joel found positions well-distributed among attendees, but with a preponderance of IDTers. He was disturbed by Johnson's "sales pitch."

Burgy's report was corroborated, in part, by a subsequent e-mail exchange with Johnson. At the closing sessionówhich "stood out" for some participantsóJohnson was thought to have said that after this year's ASA Meeting, MN would be dead. What Burgy confirmed him to have actually said was that (Burgy's explanation) "within a year the debate over whether (or not) theistic science/intelligent design was a proper part of science would be settled." Phil confirmed this report (Johnson's words):

"I said that in 1998 we would be moving on from the debate over whether it is legitimate to investigate intelligent design at allóthe rule-making and definition-asserting debateóand go on to the merits of the issue on the evidence. Of course there will still be theistic evolutionists around."

Burgeson also noted (corroborating Koons' comment about the demise of DMN) that nobody (that he heard) defended Richard Dawkins. "Most of the attacks I heard on Dawkins' writings came fromÖmetaphysical naturalists."

According to Burgeson, many ASAers attended the conference. The attendees were evenly split between scientists and philosophers. About 90% were from academia and 10% from the business world.

Cyberquip & ASAN Leaflet Conte$t

ASA has not been as effective in communicating something about the relationship between science and Christianity as has other groupsóperhaps because we have not bashed "atheistic science" enough. Keith B. Miller offers this insight into the situation:

"When Denton or others write whole books filled with detailed scientific arguments that are very misleading or flat-out wrong, they are published without being subjected to critical scientific review. However, when someone else writes a rebuttal, it is dismissed as being too scientific and technical for the lay public. In other words, if you criticize evolution, anything goes. But if you argue for the standard evolutionary interpretation, you are met with glazed eyes. [lightly edited; dated 25 FEB 97 on ASA list server]"

Is it possible that a presentation of various sci/Xny options cannot be heard by many church members because of a gap in understanding the nature of truth? Or are ASAers lost in a world of epistemological esoterica? ASA's new book, God Did It, But How? will help answer these questions for seekers with book-level seriousness.

Many ASAers are thinking about advanced details of sci/Xny issues and are not always prepared to offer a few simple words of wisdom to those engaging such issues at an elementary level. Yet, many ASAers teach in academia and we all relate to colleagues and church members in some ways. A few simple, explanatory words of wisdom on major sci/Xny issues in written form is what the

Leaflet-Writing Contest

is about. Announced last issue, ASAers are encouraged to write one 8.5 x 11 sheet (2 published pages) worth of clear and succinct wisdom to give to fellow Christians and non-Christian colleagues. Submissions are due July 1, 1997. Send your entries to the Editor (ASAN Editor, 14554 Maplewood Road, Townville, PA 16360) and one or both of the $75 prizes for the best two entries could be yours.

Welcome, New Members: Jan-Mar, 1997

Alley, Jason óCorona, CA

Ashcraft, Susan óWoods Hole, MA

Chang, Soo Young óPohang Kyungbuk, KOREA

Chapman, David óWoods Hole, MA

Cheek, Dennis óN. Attleboro, MA

Chiu, Shing óMadison, WI

Corey, Michael óCharleston, WV

Davis, John óS. Hamilton, MA

Dobson, Richard óFt. Worth, TX

Dorsey, Laura óOwings Mills, MD

Dovolis, Chris óEdina, MN

Doyle, Michael óPhiladelphia, PA

Ford, Wendy óDavis, CA

Golub, Tomislav óW. Bloomfield, MI

Gonzalez, Oscar óLima PERU

Granger, Bruno óHV Rijswijk, THE NETHERLANDS

Gruetzner, James óAlbuquerque, NM

Haarsma, Deborah óSomerville, MA

Hoehner, Paul óSt. Joseph, MO

Hudson, Benjamin óNew Orleans, LA

Itoi, Keiichi óAnn Arbor, MI

Joyce, Jon óSpringfield, OH

Kirchner, Jack óJohnstown, CO

Kulp, Willis óGreeley, CO

Leonard, Timothy óHummelstown, PA

Lewthwaite, Lydia óNorthridge, CA

Martin, Mark óRogers, AR

McReynolds, Karen óBoulder Creek, CA

Morley, Tamara óFullerton, CA

Nutter, David óWashington, DC

Pease, Robert óSan Francisco, CA

Ragsdale, David óEagan, MN

Reimer, Jason óOmaha, NE

Sarigianis, Steven óAnnandale, VA

Shaddy, James óKirksville, MO

Stevens, Timothy óLivingston, MT

Strombeck, Donald óRancho Murieta, CA

Topazian, Janet óGuilford, CT

Wahl, Rob óTerrace CANADA

Woo, Jong Hak óSeoul KOREA

ASAers in Action

Davis Young, Calvin C. geologist and author of The Biblical Flood (Eerdmans, 1995) has recently solved a four-decade puzzle involving three rock samples he sent to the Smithsonian. The rocks contained an extremely rare mineral known as prismatineóthe only known occurrence in the United States. Young discovered the mineral in New Jersey in 1967, while doing some field work as a Brown U. graduate student. The prismatine was running in distinct bands through an outcrop of approximately 15 feet by 15 feet, the Calvin alumni magazine (Calvin Spark) reported (Fall 1996).

For the next 25 years, Young occasionally revisited the sample, "but nothing ever clicked" in its identification. As years went by, technology advanced, and then three or four years ago, Young sent some samples to be analyzed with an electron microprobe and included his unknown sample. The chemical analysis lab suggested that it might be surinamite, but Young wasn't sure. So he kept at the analysis.

The probe could not check for boron, and Young subsequently found that the mineral contained a high fraction of boron, so it could not be surinamite. At this point, Young recalled excitedly, "I knew then that I had something different." With the chemical composition known, Davis consulted a "rather exhaustive reference book" and narrowed the possibilities down to about a half dozen. He then began looking at papers and prismatine began looking like a better and better match. What clinched it was a comparison of x-ray patterns, taken back in `67, with those of prismatine. Young recounts, "It was a pretty good feeling. It was a lot of fun."

Prismatine is known from about 40 to 50 locations worldwide and was first discovered in Germany in 1886. Now it's also been found in New Jersey. "It's exciting," said Young. "When I first began doing serious work on the sample I was hoping it would be a new mineral because then I could have named it, but this is pretty fun too. As I told my students, it's rarer than diamonds." Don Degraaf

ASA's project to publish Being a Christian in Science is intended to counsel Christian graduate students in science. A key event for helping students understand how they can serve God in the sciences was InterVarsity's Urbana Conference. Robert Waltzer gave a standing-room-only seminar for faculty and grad students, with a preponderance of students attending. He drew heavily on Phillip Johnson's material in talking about methodological naturalism.

Two seminarsóstanding room onlyówere given by Catherine Crouch, entitled "Issues in Science and Outreach" and "Social Justice as a Scientist."

Michael K. Thompson did not give any talks but recounts that

"numerous times I was standing in a line somewhere only to overhear a student talking about how they are wasting their time studying science or engineering. It was great to talk with these students to show them how we can serve God as scientists and engineers. We need to talk to these students as undergrads though. This is the time when they are trying to discern how to be strategic for the kingdom."

Michael also advised that "the ASA would do well to be strategic in using Urbana and other events geared toward today's students if it wishes to impact tomorrow's university." Michael Thompson

Fritz Schaefer didn't need any help in giving his well-received public lecture, "A Scientist Looks at the Origin of Life," at the Gainesville, Georgia Civic Center on the night of March 3. But Charles Thaxton, recovering from cancer surgery, was happy to make his first public appearance since returning to the States, and was pleased to join Fritz in answering a few questions. Schaefer's talk was sponsored by Veritas Forum, with about 100 in attendance, including many doctors, teachers, and students. One student commented, "Thank you for information the government and my biology teacher don't want me to have."

Meanwhile, Charles said in his Konos Connection letter, after losing a leg to cancer: "Öthe cancer was arrested and I am alive." Many were praying for him, and "God never left even during the intensity of suffering. I know for a fact that He draws near to those afflicted." The most arresting letter he received was from a student in Prague, who wrote: "Dr. Thaxton, I am very sorry for your cancer. Although I am an atheist I promise to pray every day for you in the name of Jesus Christ."

Thaxton's mission to Eastern Europeans with science interests is Konos Connection, 111 Bethea Rd., Fayetteville, GA 30214; tel. (800) 780-6827. Charles Thaxton

Return to the City

Last year's ASA Annual Meeting keynoter, Robert Linthicum, gave us his theory on the etymology of Jerusalem, reported previously (Nov/Dec 1996 ASAN). Theologian Vernon Raaflaub of Camrose, Alberta, has a different angle.

He points out that authorities differ on the original meaning of the city's name; most common is "(The god) Shalem founded." (See Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, Vol. VI, Eerdmans, 1990, p. 348). Vern writes:

"It would have been the "City of Baal" in the sense that Shalam presumably was the name of the Baal worshipped in that place. But more importantly, I have not found evidence in Hebrew lexicons that "Shalem later became Satan" ÖBut even if it did, meaning is not determined by etymologyÖ[but] by usage. If such a derivation took place, I believe it would have to have happened in pre-biblical Hebrew, as the noun satan (in Hebrew, "adversary, enemy) and the verb satan or satam ("to lay snares for anyone, to follow hostilely") are already firmly entrenched in biblical Hebrew. It would also seem that the word satan meant "adversary" in biblical Hebrew long before its biblical use as a name for a specific being, Satan."

On a related point, Vernon disagrees that David changed the name by prefixing it to mean "city of Yahweh." He writes:

"That meaning does not make sense; it would require that the initial Ye- of the Hebrew word Jerusalem represents the particle Yah, a short form of Yahweh, and that -ru contains the word city. But what then of the ending -shalaim? (The later Hebrew is Yerushalaim.) It seems much more likely to me that the Uru (of the Canaanite Urushalam) was transliterated in Hebrew as Yeru (though in Hebrew the related word "city" is actually spelled `Ór), and that -shalam, or -shalaim (the later pronunciation) was simply reinterpreted as "peace." The adaption then would be "City of peace," not "City of Yahweh." Vernon Raaflaub

Squibs

Techno-morality

The V chip is an integrated circuit designed to be part of new televisions. It prevents categories of programs from being shown, based on sex and violence ratings encoded in the video signal.

Is this the right way to deal with media indecency? Steven Leibson, Editor-in-Chief of EDN, a leading electronics trade journal, argues for it because "you control what you can and cannot watch. Assuming that the TV shows receive ratings in some consistent mannerÖ" (EDN, 25

APR 96, p.13) But as Christians, will we be satisfied to let "tinseltown" make our categorical moral judgments for us? So far, the vagaries and ambiguity of TV ratings suggest we'd better continue to exercise viewing discernment.

Perhaps it is time to avoid the issue entirely by abandoning broadcast television and getting involved in a good book, videotape, or even an ASA project. Commissions could employ willing ASAers to make a difference in our society in the promotion of God's purposes.

The Exodus Enigma

A letter called "The Exodus Enigma" in Nature (Vol. 382, 18 JUL 1996, pp. 213-214) reports on radiocarbon dating done by scientists in Israel and the Netherlands on cereal grains from Tell es-Sultan (Jericho) of the Middle Bronze (MB-IIC) Age. The six dates cluster around 3,311 + 8 years before present, thus dating Jericho's destruction.

Furthermore, 14C dating of ash found in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and Nile delta from the Minoan eruption at Santorini (Thera), which "produced the largest volcanic dust cloud over the eastern Mediterranean in the second millennium BC," averages to yield 3,356 + 18 yr BP, 45 radiocarbon years older than the Jericho destruction date. The authors note that "This time difference is rather striking, as it could fit the desert period of 40 years separating the Exodus from the destruction of Jericho, mentioned in the ancient Hebrew texts." The dust cloud could account for the Exodus plague of "darkness that can be felt" (Exodus 10:21).

From dendrochronology, a high-precision wiggle in tree rings from Turkey mark 1628 BC as the eruption date. Archaeological interpretations range from 2200 to 1200 BC for the Exodus. Matching 14C dating of XVIIIth Dynasty Egypt and levantine Middle Bronze Age sites with the Aegean dendrochronology "may lead to truly absolute dating," the authors, Hendrik J. Bruins and Johannes van der Plicht, conclude. Timothy Chen

...Still Reaching!

ASAers are continuing to reach churches, bridging the gap between the worlds of science and Christian faith. Leonard Bond presented two lectures/seminars to the couples' class at First Presbyterian Church in Boulder, CO, drawing on material by Mike Poole and distributing 20 copies of ASA's Teaching Science. Leonard says: "Here in Colorado there is a real hostility from many evangelicals towards any Christian who does not accept `Creation Science.'" His church has many scientists and engineers. Leonard's talks led some of them with reserved opinions to offer positive comments to him about the course. But with others, he is now at least suspect.

Leonard observes that "There is a real need for more popular literature that can be put into the hands of lay people and ministers," to counter the great volume of material that is available in Christian book stores and "from fundamentalist groups promotingÖCreation Science." The target groups for such material would be people in churches with teenage children, home schoolers, and evangelical Christian schools.

Leonard saw the article by ASA Executive Director Don Munro in the Nov. issue of Billy Graham's Decision magazine, and hopes that such articles will be put in a form that can be used by ministers and editors of church magazines. Leonard asks: Could the Newsletter produce a series of `inserts' that look at issues of science and faith which could be reproduced by churches and passed out with bulletins or newsletters? (See "Leaflet-Writing Contest.")

From last September through February, Ed Huff has been leading a Sunday School class on "Science and Christianity" at his church, the United Baptist of Old Town, Maine. From 12 to 16 college students and older people attend. Ed uses material from Ian Barbour, Henri Blocher, Richard Bube, Michael Denton, Thomas Kuhn, C. S. Lewis, Henry Morris, Wm. Pollard, Hugh Ross, Howard Van Till, Dan Wonderly, Davis Young and others. Ed's course outline covers history and sources of information for science and Christianity, God the Creator and Sustainer, various views on the days of creation, and evolution. Leonard Bond, Ed Huff

Personals

Roger C. Wiens, whose radiometric dating tutorial explaining the scientific basis for carbon 14 and other such dating can be found on ASA's web site (http://www.calvin.edu/chemistry/ASA/ papers.html), moved in February to Los Alamos, where he is now with the Space Physics group at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. He is working on instrument development and data analysis for NASA solar and planetary science missions. This includes instruments for Lunar Prospector, to be launched this year, a New Millennium mission to a comet and asteroid in 1998, and the Mars 2001 mission.

Roger had been working on instrument development and mission proposals for the last seven years at Caltech, mostly for a mission to sample the solar wind to study the isotropic composition of the sun. Previously, he worked two years as a post-doc at Scripps Inst. of Oceanography, researching nitrogen and noble gas isotopes in the martian meteorites. Roger adds that he is very skeptical of the recent claims for life on Mars.

Frederick P. Brooks Jr. is another ASAer elected to the National Academy of Engineering and also to the National Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1985. In 1994, he was elected to the Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) and the Royal Netherlands Acad. of Science. Fred received the National Medal of Technology in 1985 and the Bower Prize of the Franklin Institute in 1996. Fred acknowledges these honors by saying that "God has blessed me richly!"

Jack Swearengen has left Sandia National Labs to begin a new life as a professor. He is the first of the engineering faculty at the new branch campus of WA State U. in Vancouver, WA. Jack is expected to develop a B.S. program in manufacturing engineering, including hiring faculty, generating industry support and securing accreditation. Vancouver is across the Columbia River from the Portland area, an emerging electronics center called the "silicon forest." (Intel, for example, makes its Pentiums there.) Jack says his family was greeted by record rainfall and by their next-door neighbors, who are pastoring a new congregation and who had been praying earnestly for a Christian faculty connection to the new campus. They said to Jack, "We have been praying for you long before we met you!"

Lawrence H. Starkey of Wauwatosa, WI was an active ASA fellow from 1953 through 1971, including two local section presidencies, papers at two national conventions and commissions work. In the mid-`50s, Lawrence was a Moody Inst. of Science writer and has taught philosophy and religion at Bethel, Linfield, Alma (MI), and Jamestown (ND) colleges, Moorhead State U. (MN) and U. of MO, Rolla. He has also worked in industry, at Convair (Gen. Dynamics), Ency. Britannica, and has done TV studies for ND State U. In 1995, Lawrence was a citizen ambassador to Russia and Hungary. He co-authored TV documentaries, Mystery of Three Clocks (1956), Red River of Life (1957) and Windows of the Soul (1958). He has also been on the JASA (now PSCF) editorial board. For all this (and more), Lawrence is appearing in the Marquis Who's Who in the World.

With the Lord

Though not an ASA member, Larry Butler was a plenary speaker at the 1995 Montreat, NC Annual Meeting, where he spoke on his work with grain sorghum and straiga. This news was reported by another plenary speaker at the same conference, Martin Price, who was a student of Larry's. Martin recounted in his Annual Meeting talk how Larry was a positive spiritual influence on him and a factor in leading him to his present work at Edu. Concerns for Hunger Organization.

Larry had a routine operation for prostate cancer. His doctor visited him after the operation and told Martin that Larry was doing great physically and spiritually. An hour later he was dead. Martin Price

Dr. John A. Knapp, a physician, died Jan. 12, 1997. John interned at Cook County Hospital in Chicago (dietetics) and taught student nurses as a missionary in Jordan in 1952-54.

Carl Stuebe of Cleveland, OH passed away Mar. 4. He was a research chemist (organic) doing thermal analysis. He had several papers, patents and Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve U. (1954). Carl taught adult Sunday school at his church, Shore Haven Lutheran, and thought that ASA's top priorities should be dealing with issues (such as creation/evolution), Christian teaching, and explaining science to the church.

Joseph Marconi of Vestal, NY passed away in January. He was president and gen. mgr. of Endicott Machine & Tool Co. and a Presbyterian elder attending the Boulevard Methodist Church. Joseph was largely self-educated, but published several articles, including "Coincidence or God" in 1985. He was with ASA since 1949, and thought ASA could do more advertising to increase our membership.

Involved with the Pittsburgh local section was Sam Brunsvold, an IVCF worker at the U. of Pitts. and Carnegie-Mellon U., who at age 36, was tragically killed by an unknown assailant as he was returning home about midnight following a meeting. Police reported that he died of a gunshot wound to the head. His wallet, watch and car were not taken. Robert Voss, Pittsburgh ASA local-section initiator, notes that Sam helped organize an ASA meeting at the New Hope Christian Community Church near the two campuses, in April of 1995, to promote interest in local section development.

Bob Voss, by the way, is alive but is truly missed in the locale. He is at present in the difficult job situation of commuting internationally to work (Mexico), thus limiting his ASA local-section involvement. Robert Voss

Science and the Gospel in China

Mark A. Strand has been an ASAer about two years but has been in China (Taiyuan, Shanxi) with Evergreen Family Friendship Service for most of that time. He has led a team of doctors in running a rural doctor training program (though Mark is not an M.D.). He tells the following story.

As with most Communist countries, the young people of China have received a systematic indoctrination in atheistic materialism. Students and intellectuals have almost no opportunity to hear the gospel, and biased notions about the church, and religion generally, are easily perpetuated in their circles.

I joyously accepted an invitation to be on a panel May 15 (1996) at Shanxi U. to answer questions that students had about Christianity. About 250 students attended and I was joined by four other Western Christians on the panel. Many of the students were amazed to know that I had a master's degree in cell biology but was still a Christian; so they directed endless questions at me about science and faith. Eventually a student asked me if I believed in evolution. I told them that I do, and explained briefly how I reconcile Genesis with evolution.

It was an exhilarating two and one-half hours. We all cherished the privilege of clearly and thoroughly explaining and defending the Gospel to all these young people, who otherwise have no way of hearing it.

A week later, I received 47 letters of appreciation and interest. The common theme was that they appreciated my honesty in that I believe in what science has proven even though it presents some difficulties for Christianity. One young man wrote: "I never thought you would dare admit evolution was true, so I thought I had a reason not to respect your faith, but then you proved to be an honest science man and a sincere Christian, so now I have much to think about."

Mark goes on to say that ASAN readers will not be surprised to know that "while my intellectual honesty and spiritual sincerity won me praise from the unbelieving Chinese, it brought about great scandal among the foreign Christians. For a week the rumors were swirling about my having lost my faith and gone liberal." Mark met one-on-one with several individuals and eventually the issue was laid to rest.

Mark invites ASAers to teaching opportunities in Taiyuan for anyone with an MS degree or higher in biochemistry, hydrology, lasers, computer science, and law. Contracts are available for 6 months, 1 yr. or longer. If interested, contact Mark at e-mail address: 76744,1271 or by fax at: (86-351) 308-8687. His mailing address at Evergreen is: 67 Fuxi Jie 5-3-5, Taiyuan, Shanxi, P.R. China 030002. He would be happy to help arrange such an opportunity.

David Newquist has also been in Chinaóin Taiwan. He has put together a videotape short course in Mandarin Chinese (Guoy¸) on "Science and Christian Faith." Topics covered include: the Bible supports science, apparent conflicts between science and the Bible, what is faith, logical questions, the existence of the biblical God, and personal comments as a Christian and physics teacher. The tape set is accompanied by both an English and Chinese outline, in both traditional and simplified script.

The eight lessons on two videotapes (4 hours) are available for about $30 from Multi-Language Media, Box 301, Ephrata, PA 17522; tel. (717) 738-0582.