Re: [asa] The term Darwinism

I agree that TSCC was too hesitant about evolution even in 1986, let alone today. To keep things in perspective, however, we could compare it with a collection of essays by 11 ASA members published under the title Modern Science and Christian Faith in 1948 by Van Kampen Press. This also doesn't state an official position of ASA but with authorship given on the title page as "Members of the American Scientific Affiliation" I'm sure a lot of people thought it did. The chapter on 'Biology and Creation" by William J. Tinkle and Walter E. Lammerts (the latter eventually became one of the founders of the Creation Reasearch Society) comes down flatly against macroevolution. It ends with the sentence "We conclude that the Biblical account of the creation is corroborated, and that God finished His creation, just as Genesis states" (p.107).

TSCC represents a good deal of progress - after 38 years. Maybe after another 23 it's time for the next step.

Also worth noting: ASA is described on the title page as "A group of Christian scientific men devoting themselves to the task of reviewing, preparing, and distributing information on the authenticity, historicity, and scientific aspects of the Holy Scriptures in order that the faith of many in the Lord Jesus Christ may be firmly established." I think a lot of us would agree that that's too narrow a description of the purposes of ASA today. (That may have been official ASA language in 1948 - Ted D might be able to comment on this.)

Shalom
George
http://home.roadrunner.com/~scitheologyglm

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Keith Miller
  To: asa@calvin.edu
  Sent: Monday, July 06, 2009 8:51 PM
  Subject: Re: [asa] The term Darwinism

  For what it is worth, I agree with Allan that it is time to discontinue the ASA publication "Teaching Science in a Climate of Controversy". I was not in favor of its approach and language when it was first published, and I don't think that it is particularly helpful given the current public debates over K-12 science education.

  I am not honestly sure what a good replacement for that publication would be. To be worthwhile it would have to either provide some content not available elsewhere, or be able to reach an audience more effectively than existing resources. As always, the diversity of the ASA puts limitations on what can be done.

  Keith

To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@calvin.edu with
"unsubscribe asa" (no quotes) as the body of the message.
Received on Tue Jul 7 08:01:25 2009