NEWS
American Scientific Affiliation
VOLUME 13, NUMBER 3
JUNE 1971
ASA SEEKS FULL-TIME EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
The Executive Council decided at its April 16-17 meeting that now is the time to
launch out in a program of expansion of the American Scientific Affiliation. Jack
McIntyre is heading a task force to seek gifts from members and other funds to
finance a full-time Executive Secretary for the first few years.
The Council is now seeking applications for the position of Executive Secretary.
"We want a relatively young man who has had some experience in the academic world
but who is principally interested in promoting such work as that of ASA." The
salary will be in the range of $9,000-$12,000, and of course an immediate task of
the person selected will be to seek sufficient additional income for the Affiliation
to insure his (or her) continued employment.
HOT PANTS
Friends in a General Conference Baptist church sent us a copy of the February 8
issue of The Standard, their denominational magazine. Since the magazine reports
happenings at Bethel College, there on p. 11 was the official photograph of the 1970
ASA Convention. Sensibly clad in shorts in the front row were Walt (and Ginny) -
Hearn and retiring ASA president Chuck Hatfield. On that hot August day the other
ladies were demurely clad in dresses, while all the other men sweltered in (long)
hot pants. Is Spokane cooler in August than St. Paul? Maybe we'd better pack both.
1971 CONVENTION PROGRAM SHAPING UP
A preliminary program for the August 17-20 ASA Annual Convention on "SCIENCE,
SCRIPTURES, AND MAN'S ENVIRONMENT" at Whitworth College, Spokane, Washington, appeared in the last
ASA NEWS. Bob Groner, Program chairman, says one deletion has
been necessary (Norm Carlson, because of a conflict), but several new possibilities
are in the works:
C. Richard Terman on his studies of animal behavior and ecology.
Helmut Fandrich on "The Engineer, The Consumer, and Pollution."
Carl Armerding, Regent College, on "Biblical Perspectives on the Ecological Crisis."
James M. Houston, principal of Regent College and geographer on a UNESCO/IGU committee preparing papers for a 1972 UN meeting on "Man and the Environment."
Arthur L. Harrison, Landscape architect on the YMCA national board, on the relation
of Christians to their environment (banquet address).
An Apollo 8 astronaut to give the public address?
Arrangements for field trips are still being made, and there may still be room for
a last-minute contributed paper. Contact Robert B. Groner, Box 902, Corvallis,
Oregon 97330 immediately if you have a paper. The final program will soon be printed
and mailed to all ASA members.
HOW TO START SOMETHING No. 6. ALEX R. BALIAN
For the past 12 years, Alex Balian has been a junior high school science teacher in
Los Angeles. For the past three years he has also taught Evening Adult School
(11--something everyone should try. Quite different from day school and very rewarding."). Alex is currently working on a master's degree and hopes to begin work in
another year on a doctorate in science education. His hobbies are nature study,
photography, astronomy, and music--but he doesn't have much time for them.
I found out these things from correspondence with Alex, whose first letter introduced
me to one of the most exciting projects yet featured in our series:
"For the past two years I have been working as a consultant for the L. A. city
schools in developing special science kits for EMR (educable mentally retarded) Students in our schools. I have found this to be rewarding and fascinating work. Our
kits consist of consumable written lessons and lab materials that are used by the
students in doing experiments described in their lessons. We have a Science Center
that ships the kits to teachers on order and receives them back to be replenished
and sent out again.
"The program has been a great success so far. It is functioning in our junior and
senior high schools and we are now planning to expand it to our elementary schools.
Apparently the need is great for this. I would be interested in hearing from other
ASA members about anything they have done along these lines or any reactions they
might have to it."
Later, Alex sent me a copy of the description of the AIS (Activities in Science)
program, as it is officially called, appearing in the 7th Annual Clearinghouse of
Science and Mathematics Curriculum Development of 1970. The Clearinghouse emanates
from the University of Maryland and lists all new innovative programs in science and
math curricula throughout the world. The AIS program is the only one for EMR kids
listed in the Clearinghouse. (Another L. A. school system project called LAMP (Low
Achievers Materials Project) is the only one listed as a specially designed course
in science for low achievers.) According to the Clearinghouse report, the AIS/EMR
program has been adopted by 240 teachers in 109 schools, reaching 4,320 pupils in
Los Angeles. As a consultant, Alex has worked on preparation of the 50 or so different kits and also on a handbook and other material for teachers.
Alex sent me a sample of a junior high lesson on the human skeleton ("Roll Them
Bones"), and a senior high lesson ("How Many Cells?"). I have since received BSCS
Newsletter No. 43 (April 1971) about "Me Now",
another science program for
E
youngsters. (This is free on request from Biological Sciences Curriculum Study,
P. 0. Box 930, Boulder, Colorado 80302.) Anyone interested in such a project should
send for the BSCS material as well; information on the two L. A. projects could be
requested from David P. McLaren, Secondary Science Supervisor (or Alfred Casler,
Supervisor of Special Program-EMR), Los Angeles City Unified School District, P. 0.
Box 3307, Los Angeles, California 90054. You can see from Alex's last letter why
I'd refer you to the Program Director
(who
probably has a secretary) instead of Alex:
"I hope this reaches you in time for publication. The success of the EMR science
program leaves me little time for anything else. In addition to all the rest, I now
have responsibility for in-service training of teachers in the use of the kits '
and (something new) a gigantic cascade of interest and requests have come from elementary
teachers for kits like those we developed for Jr. and Sr. high. I have been asked
to begin this as an additional project.
"One other thing about AIS comes to mind. Much of the funding for the program comes
from the state government on an 'excess cost' basis. In California all school
districts above a minimum size are required by law to maintain a separate special educational program designed to meet the specific needs of the mentally retarded. The
state government provides whatever amount of money is deemed to be above and beyond
the amount necessary to educate a 'normal' child. In the present financial state of
our district, we could not operate the AIS program without these state funds.
"I hope this does spur others to do the same thing for the EMR kids in their vicinity.
I am happy to say that programs for the mentally retarded seem to be most highly developed in our country, but much is still to be done. By the way, mental retardation seems to afflict about the same percentage of the population of every country
in the world, a curious fact."
We're sending a dozen Scientist's Psalm greeting cards to Alex R. Balian, 7021 West
83rd St., Los Angeles, California 90045, with our thanks not only for contributing
to HOW TO START SOMETHING, but also for his final words:
"I believe very strongly in ASA. One of the things I like about it is the fact that
so many Christians in science can belong to this group, hold diverse opinions on so
many matters, and still get the ear and respect of their Christian colleagues. This
is beautiful and is only possible in a Christian organization."
RSCF SEPTEMBER CONFERENCE: SCIENCE AND THE BIBLE
Research Scientists' Christian Fellowship of Great Britain will hold its annual
September Conference this year in conjunction with the Christian Education Fellowship, on the topic "Science and the Bible." The meeting, at Bedford College of the
University of London, will discuss four papers to be circulated beforehand:
I. The Interpretation of the Bible
2. Biblical Miracles
3. Biblical Psychology
4. Prayer in a Mechanistic Universe
ASA members who would like the papers (cost 35p) are asked to write early to Dr.
Oliver R. Barclay, RSCF Annual Conference, 39 Bedford Square, London WCIB 3EY,
England. If we translate correctly, 50e, should cover the papers and postage--but
a dollar bill is easier to mail (and shouldn't cause another international monetary
crisis).
REPORT ON THE ETS MEETING: FAITH AND HISTORY
Bill Paul, philosopher at Central College, Pella, Iowa, attended the Dec. 28-30
meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society at Westmont College, Santa Barbara,
California. The convention theme, "Faith and History", raised Bill's hopes because
he has been thinking and writing about the philosophy of history. However, he felt
there were too many papers and not enough time for useful discussion and debate.
In his own paper on the role of models in the interpretation of history, Bill made
reference to Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. He argued that
Kuhn's concept of paradigms for the interpretation of the history of modern science
would have to be clarified if applied to theological and other philosophical efforts
to find meaning in history.
Besides the fantastic Santa Barbara weather (remember what Iowa was like in December?), the aspect most enjoyable to Bill was a series of conversations between
Jewish and Christian scholars on the theme of the convention. The Hebrew Union
College of L. A. was particularly well represented, with Dr. Samson Levey giving a
top paper on the history of the Jewish conception of the Messiah. "Barton Payne, of
Wheaton, did a fine job of beginning a dialogue from an evangelical point of view.
Similarities and basic differences came out clearly both in the formal discussions
and in ongoing table talk. Made it well worth the trip."
AGU/AMA/ASA?
Meteorologist John McBride writes that he attended the annual joint meeting of the
American Geophysical Union and the American Meteorological Society in Washington,
D. C., April 12-16. He would like to stir up interest among other ASA members who
attend AGU/AMS for an ASA get-together. He thinks the meeting next year will again
be in Washington, D. C., where a concentration of local ASA people are also on hand
for fellowship. Why don't those of you who expect to attend drop a card to John
McBride, 147 Davenport Road, Toronto 185, Ontario, Canada. Would ASA meteorologists
dare plan an outdoor picnic?
A WHEEIER-DEALER ROLLS FOR OXFAM
Jim Ashwin, physiologist-pharmacologist with the Canadian Food and Drug Directorate,
once asked ASA News readers for information on the "Ramble Seat", an electric wheel
chair he had heard about. (Years ago Jim returned from missionary service a victim
of polio.) He reports that the "Steven Chair" he eventually acquired was a much
better deal, since the "Ramble Seat" would have cost much more and has to be imported into Canada as a golf-cart, on which duty must be paid.
Jim was planning to use his chair this year in the "Miles for Millions" March sponsored by OXFAM to raise money for famine relief. He wasn't sure how many of the
check points he would pass--it depended on how long his batteries held out. Jim's
artistic talents have also contributed to famine relief work, since a design of his
for the Ashwins' own 1966 Christmas card has been accepted for use on a 1971 OXFAM
card, sold to raise money by the organization. We're not sure what OXFAM stands for,
but we'll take ASHWIN's word that it's a good outfit.
For a fellow who has to keep getting his batteries recharged, Jim gets more mileage
out of life than most of us. The week we heard from him he was chief judge at a
Regional Youth Science Fair in Ottawa and trying to keep up with his six-year-old
son, whose batteries never seem to run down.
.TWENTYONEHUNDRED PROJECT COMES TO LIFE
Eric Miller may be something of a modern "Renaissance man." At any rate, he is trying to combine technology and art forms in an exciting communication of the gospel.
After obtaining a bachelor's degree in biology, Eric worked as a fisheries biologist
for the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service before going to Fuller Theological Seminary
in Pasadena. In 1968, while serving as a Fuller Seminary intern with African Enterprise in Nairobi, Kenya, he observed that a large segment of Nairobi's student population ignored most traditional Christian statements, but were eager to discuss pop
music.
That's where the idea for TWENTYONEHUNDRED began. Informal meetings with students
were set up to listen to records of such groups as the Beatles, Hendrix, the Blues
and the Fudge. Their songs of alienation led easily to conversation about Jesus
Christ and the new dimensions He brings to life. Visual presentations were added to
heighten awareness of the lyrics. Students were gripped and many wanted to learn
more about Jesus Christ in a personal way. Eric returned to the U. S. to finish his
studies. A student action group formed a team to help him develop a powerful evangelistic presentation, which premiered in Pasadena in April 1971.
Eric is now on the staff of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship and TWENTYONEHUNDRED
is now a project sponsored by IVCF. A battery of 12 slide and movie projectors,
lighting effects, and a stereophonic sound track of folk, rock, and soul music lead
participants into a world of despair. Confronted with the alienation of much of
man's existence, they then learn of One who died to let them gain "a life that's
new!
Nearly 6000 students viewed a 25-minute excerpt from the latest revision at
the IVCF Missionary Convention in Urbana, and hundreds have since requested a booking at their own college campus.
So far TWENTYONEHUNDRED HAS BEEN PRESENTED primarily at colleges in southern California, partly because of serious financial limitations. About 90% of their equipment is borrowed, and the team needs to buy better equipment to permit showings in
bigger rooms. Their lack of a van makes it difficult to move the equipment from
campus to campus. They try to keep revising and improving, but film costs are high.
Most of the team members are graduate students with full course loads and part-time
jobs in addition to their responsibilities on the team. In July and August, IVCF is
opening up opportunities for more students to work with the regular team in presentations in California. A smaller group of creative specialists will work with Eric
in updating the current production and developing new shows.
Projectionists and all other team members donate their time. Sponsoring groups generally suggest a donation of $1 from those who view the presentation, which helps
cover expenses. But Eric estimates that $20,000 is needed to take advantage of
immediate opportunities. Requests for information or showings, and contributions
(tax deductible) may be sent to TWENTY0NERUNDRED, 135 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena,
California 91101. The name, by the way, is from the Latin numerals MMC--also an
abbreviation for "multi-media communication."
WHY THEY ARE STILL CHRISTIANS
E. M. Blaiklock, emeritus professor of classics at the University of Auckland, New
Zealand, engaged in a university debate on the subject of Christianity in 1965 with
a professor of philosophy who was a declared atheist. As a sequel, professor
Blaiklock gave an address entitled "Why I Am Still a Christian", which was reprinted
as a pamphlet, since circulated around the English-speaking world. He got the
idea of collecting similar testimonies from men of academic standing in various
disciplines all over the world. His "symposium of Christian academics" has just
appeared.in print. The writing is warm and personal, but addressed to thescholarly
minded.
Why I Am Still a Christian (1.95 "Horizon" paperback, Zondervan Publishing House,
Grand Rapids, Michigan) contains Blaiklock's lecture plus contributions by eleven
other scholars whose Christian faith has stood the test of time. Their fields of
specialization vary from human anatomy to 16th century music. Most are from universities in New Zealand, Australia, and England, men known personally by the editor.
Among the scientists represented, however, are three Americans, all members of the
American Scientific Affiliation.
Gordon R. Lewthwaite was born in New Zealand, but married an American and has settled in the U. S. He is professor of geography at San Fernando Valley State College
in Northridge, California. His chapter is entitled "A Geographer Addresses the
Question." John A. McIntyre, one of several physicists in the volume, is professor
and associate director of the Cyclotron Institute at Texas A. & M. University,
College Station, Texas. His chapter, "The Appeal of Christianity to a Scientist",
originally appeared in Christianity Today (March 16, 1968). Walter R. Hearn,
associate professor of biochemistry at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, contributed a chapter entitled "A Biochemist Shares His Faith."
CHRISTIAN SCHOLAR'S REVIEW BEGINS PUBLICATION
Christian Scholar's Review is a new quarterly journal "seeking to integrate the
Christian faith with the arts and sciences", taking up more or less where Gordon
Review left off. The new journal has a firmer base of support, being sponsored by
not one but fifteen liberal arts colleges: Anderson, Barrington, Bethel (Minn.),
Calvin, Geneva, Gordon, Houghton, Northwestern (Iowa), Nyack Missionary, Spring
Arbor, Taylor University, Trinity Christian, Trinity (Ill.), Westmont, and Wheaton
(Ill.).
Editor is George K. Brushaber of Gordon College. Book review editor is Edward E.
Ericson of Westmont College. Associate editors: Humanities, James Barcus, Houghton
College; Social sciences, George Marsden, Calvin College; Natural sciences, David
Lindberg, currently at the Institute for Advanced Studies, Princeton, New Jersey.
Subscription price is $6 per volume (four issues), $4 to students. Order from Circulation Manager,
Christian Scholar's Review, 255 Grapevine Road, Wenham, Mass.
01984
ON GUARD, VANGUAPD!
Another young journal is Vanguard, an independent Christian magazine published ten
times a year by Wedge Publishing Foundation, Toronto. It is young both in issues
published so far and in spirit, deliberately providing a forum for younger Christians
who want their Christ-commitment to affect their life in a radical way. Co-editors
are Robert Lee Carvill and Bert Witvoet. Dutch names and a modern Reformed viewpoint abound in the issue we have seen, with a spiritual if not financial connection
to the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto. ICS is a graduate center "offer,~-ing an opportunity for freedom in advanced study within a body of Christian
thinkers"--5 research and teaching professors, 26 full-time and 100 part-time students. ICS is supported by 2500 people in the Association for the Advancement of
Christian Scholarship.
Vanguard loaned its logo and editor Carvill to students from ICS and several Reformed colleges for an underground tabloid paper at Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship's Urbana Missionary Convention in December 1970.
Vanguard was highly critical
of what it called IVCF's "multi-headed cultural rip-off." In turn, the ASA Executive Council criticized what might be called
Vanguard's "egregious ASA mailing-list
rip-off" (use of our mailing list to solicit subscriptions without Executive Council
approval). However, let us learn from each other--from senile scholar to Reformed
radical. Subscription is $5 per year from Subscription Dept., Vanguard, Box 2131,
Station B, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
CREATION AND/OR EVOLUTION
We take it that every Christian worships God as Creator, and hence is a "creationist." Some of us think God used processes to bring our present world into being,
but others think He must have created man (in particular) without processes, suddenly, and recently. There are ASA members in both groups, and the ASA takes no
official position. The Creation Research Society, on the other hand, seems to
limit its membership to creationists of the second type, sometimes called "special
creationists." A number of publications along this line have appeared recently
(and rather suddenly, we admit--but we suspect one could trace their origins if the
evidence were at hand).
Henry Morris, director of the Creation Science Research Center and vice-president
for academic affairs of Christian Heritage College in San Diego, California, has informed us of a new book: Henry M. Morris, William W. Boardman, and Robert F. Koontz,
Science and Creation: A Handbook for Teachers (Creation Science Research Center,
San Diego, 1971; 100 pJ.
"This is a treatment of scientific creationism, designed
primarily for public school teachers, to enable them to present creation as a scientifically viable alternative theory to evolution, apart from Biblical or religious
considerations."
We picked up the April 25 Sunday magazine section of the Grand Rapids Press to find
on the front page a photo of John N. Moore, professor of natural science at Michigan
State University, East Lansing, holding a copy of Biology: A Search for Order in
Complexity ' (Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, 1971). According to the story
inside by Jon Halvorsen, the book co-edited by Moore is the first high school biology
text in thirty years or more "to favor the Biblical rather than the evolutionary
explanation of man's origins." The story goes on to say that the book was developed
by the Creation Research Society, of which John was a charter member in 1963 and for
which he now serves as managing editor of the quarterly journal. (Our thanks to Anne Deckard
of the chemistry department of Grand Rapids Junior College for sending
us the clipping.)
The last page of the clipping was missing, but from another source we learned that
the other co-editor of the book is Harold S. Slusher, professor geophysics and
astronomy at the University of Texas in El Paso. Slusher, a member of the research
committee of the Creation Research Society, is to author a regular feature called
"A Scientist Explains" in a new bimonthly magazine, Science and Scripture '($3.25 per
year; P. 0. Box 1672, Beaumont, Texas 77704). According to the issue we saw, "Science and Scripture
is a fundamental conservative periodical which has no denominational affiliation and shows no favoritism toward any church or particular church
doctrine."
Favoritism toward a particular interpretation of Genesis abounds, however, as indicated by three unsigned book reviews. A book by A.
M. Rehwinkel is recommended for
concluding "(as Science and Scripture contends for) that only a 24 hour day is
warranted by the Hebrew text and that the earth is young, not old." A booklet by
John C. Whitcomb, Jr., which "emphasizes the supernaturalness and suddenness of the
creation resulting in a superficial appearance of history" gets a special recommendation. But for
Russell W. Maatman's recent The Bible, Natural Science, and Evolution: "Chapters 1, 2, 4-7, and 11 are commendable; however, in other chapters,
he takes a strong stand against those who do not hold to his idea of an old earth."
Consequently, "to our readers who are not familiar with creationist material, we do
not recommend this book."
We doubt that Science and Scripture could be wholly enthusiastic about another little
pamphlet sent to us recently by Dallas Theological Seminary, called We Believe in
Creation. It was written by Charles C. Ryrie of the Dallas faculty, and is distributed by Word of Life Fellowship, Inc., 91 Main St., Orange, New Jersey 07050.
Ryrie thinks Adam and Eve must have been created as adults "who only appeared to
have passed through the normal time-consuming processes of growth", but he Also
thinks there might be room for a long period of time in Genesis 1:1,2.
Looks like we creationists still have a few problems to work out (--Just like
us evolutionists.--Ed.)
PEOPLE LOOKING FOR POSITIONS
We have a pair of roommates at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, with similar training and interests:
Carol Bibighaus is certified to teach high school biology and chemistry, but would
consider any job for which she is qualified. She attended Grand Rapids Baptist
'Bible College for two years, then after three more years at Wheaton College in
Illinois she graduated with a B.S. in biology from Wheaton. She is now at Miami
University on an NSF Graduate Traineeship, expecting to graduate this summer with
an M.A. in zoology. Contact Carol at 277 Upham, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
45056.
Susan Swieringa wants to teach biology or botany but would be willing to teach
ecology or zoology. She also received a B.S. in biology from Wheaton College in
1969, along with her Illinois secondary education teaching certificate. At Miami
she has done thesis research in the area of ecology and has taught general botany
under a graduate assistantship. She was scheduled to receive her M.A. in botany at
the June graduation when we heard from her in May. Contact Susan at 2465 Wynnefield
Drive, Havertown, Pennsylvania 19083.
We also have a note from Jeremiah Bizonet that he is not planning to continue in
Seminary, partly because of his age, but "seeking a chance to serve full time with
any society involved in the evangelizing of Jews." Contact him at 909~2 South 5th
St., Tacoma, Washington 98405.
POSITIONS LOOKIFG FOR PEOPLE
The Halfway House in Akron, Ohio, is looking for an M.S.W. (Master of Social Work)
with some experience in corrections to fill the position of assistant director.
Contact Bob Denton, P. 0. Box 444, Akron, Ohio 44309.
Wycliffe Bible Translators thinks ASA News is a good place to look for good people.
We got a nice letter of thanks from their superintendent of schools, who hadn't
seen our notice but knew it was published because of inquiries received. Wycliffe's
need for teachers seems to be continuing, so if you're looking for a challenging
teaching job, we suggest you contact J. Daniel Harrison, Superintendent of Schools,
Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc., 6340-C Ventnor Ave., Ventnor, New Jersey 08406.
Adrian College, Adrian, Michigan is looking for someone for teaching of undergraduate mathematics, primarily pre-calculus statistics and advanced-level probability and statistics. Teaching load is 3 courses, 10-12 contact hours. The starting
date is September 1971. The salary is $9,700 - 13,600 for assistant professor,
11,600 - 16,200 for associate professor, plus benefits. They want a Ph.D or candidate; experience - Teaching undergraduates, Computer programming desirable. If you
are interested contact Levon L. Yoder, Chairman Dept. of Mathematics at Adrian
College.
WESTERN NEW YORK
Don Munro of Houghton College has reported on the March 20 meeting at Roberts
Wesleyan College, North Chili. About 55 people heard Dr. James Billet's
lecture
on "The Rage for Order: Our Search for Meaning and Significance." Don hopes that
Billet, trained as a chemist but now assistant vice president for academic affairs
at the State University College in Geneseo, N. Y., will soon join ASA. The interdisciplinary exchanges triggered by the talk after dinner were so stimulating that
nobody wanted to go home. Informal interaction over dinner, coffee breaks, etc.,
still seems to be the most important aspect of their local section meetings.
Earlier in the afternoon, Steve Calhoon's fine review of Pollution and the Death of
Nan by Francis Schaeffer "showed why Steve is now book review editor of our ASA Journal."
Don Munro himself opened the meeting with a talk on a course in creation
and evolution he is presently teaching, and says "when the president of the section
has to speak, you know we must be getting hard up."
In addition to the regular spring meeting, the section had an extra meeting on May
1. Geologist Donald Boardman of Wheaton College, Illinois, was in the area to speak
to the Houghton College junior-senior banquet on the subject of ecology. An ASA
breakfast the next morning brought out 22 people to hear the national ASA president
discuss ideas and problems of the Affiliation and answer questions. That afternoon
Don Munro plowed through the mud with the Boardmans to give them a look at geological features of Letchworth State Park on the way to the airport.
The fall meeting has been planned for October 22-23, with mathematician Charles Hatfield of
the University of Missouri, Rolla, as special speaker. Hatfield will be
sponsored for a Friday evening lecture by the Houghton College lecture series. He
will also speak to a luncheon meeting of the ASA local section on Saturday, after a
morning symposium on the effect of Christian commitment on one's philosophy of
science. Some ASAers will probably come on Friday and stay overnight. Contact
Don Munro or Anne Whiting (secretary of the section) at Houghton College (Zip 14744)
if you're interested in attending but not on the section's mailing list.
WESTERN MICHIGAN
We haven't had a report yet on the April 30 meeting held at the Calvin Seminary
Building, Knollcrest Campus, Grand Rapids. John Moore, professor of natural science
at Michigan State University, East Lansing, was speaker for the evening meeting.
John was to speak on "Recent Issues on Creationism in Education."
We do have a report on new officers for the section:
President, Harry Frissel Board members
V.P., program, Donald Wilson Dan Anderson
Secretary, Anne Deckard A. H. Elve
Treasurer, Henry Bengelink M. Poppema
CHICAGO AREA
Russell Mixter of Wheaton College sent us a good report of the April 16 meeting
held at North Park College in Chicago. Bryant Kristianson, assistant professor of
physics at Wheaton, described the "life" of a star from birth to death, including
the fascinating "black holes" postulated to occur when the matter of a star is completely collapsed. Then
Lawrence Starkey, associate editor of philosophy for
Encyclopedia Britannica, gave a paper on "the cussedness of matter" similar to his
1970 ASA Convention paper. Larry's abstract for his paper, officially titled
"Symmetry, Necessity, and Theodicy in a Double Universe", is (more or less) as
follows:
"In a joint relativity-quantum theory, the basic properties of matter, being
reflections of the overall geometry of the universe, are necessary. One suchjoint theory is that of the double universe, arising as sections through a
basic 5-space. This cosmology has nil mass-energy; with all its anti-matter
relegated to the partner universe, it achieves symmetry; and through the necessities of its cosmic cycles and of quark theory, it determines a succession of
three specific kinds of matter. Being rooted in such geometries (as in Plato's
regular polyhedra), the contingencies of the infinite regress of causes transmute into necessity. Only in the nucleic acids does teleology gain a foothold.
A finitist theodicy ensues."
Wow! Richard Carhart, associate Professor of physics at Chicago Circle campus of
the University of Illinois, gave a formal response, questioning whether the model
really predicts the nature of matter or merely shows internal consistency. Mixter's
quote: "To impose necessity upon God is to carry science far beyond its boundaries.
God is not bound by a medium in which he has to work. Evil has a more damning
cause. All of nature is subject to the second law of thermodynamics. Man should
have had nature in subjection but he did not follow God's will so we are in the mess
we are in."
NORTH CENTRAL
The 25th regional meeting of the North Central Section was jointly sponsored with
the Christian Medical Society at the University of Minnesota. The theme was
"Crisis in Foods--The New Anxiety." Keynote speaker was Dr. Ogden Johnson, director of the Division of Nutrition, Bureau of Foods, Food and Drug Administration,
Washington D. C. A panel thpn discussed "Meeting the Crisis" before a final word
on "Resolving the Anxiety." Members of the panel were Dr. Ivy Celender, director
of Nutritional Service, General Mills, Inc., Minneapolis; Dr. Pat Swan, associate
professor, College of Home Economics, U. of Minnesota, St. Paul; and Harold R.
Broman, M. D., North St. Paul Medical Clinic. The printed program announcement
stated:
$'A new crisis is developing which involves the foods we eat. Conflicting evidence
has created confusion particularly among consumers. What is good food? How much
of what we read -- about cholesterol, saturated fat, vitamins, synthetic vs natural,
mercury contamination, food additives, herbicide residues on foods--should we take
seriously? Is there justifiable cause for alarm? What about nutritional claims?
Do cereals contain "empty calories?" These and many other similar questions are
being raised today. WE AIM TO ANSWER THEM."
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
"Man in the Twentieth Century" was the theme of a conference March 29-April 1 featuring Os Guinness, lecturer at L'Abri Fellowship in Switzerland. The conference,
held at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, Menlo Park, California, was sponsored by the
church, the ASA local section, the local section of the Christian Medical Society,
Stanford Christian Fellowship, Campus Crusade, and the L'Abri Fellowship.
NOTES FROM THE NATIONAL OFFICE
The most important item in the minutes of the April 16-17 meeting of the Executive
Council has already made the front page: the decision to seek both a full-time
Executive Secretary and the funds to employ him. Other items:
1. Commissions: The current structure will be eliminated by Aug. 31, 1971, because of lack of effectiveness due partly to wide geographical scattering of
commission members. The president will have the power to appoint ad hoc or task force
committees charged with specific tasks.
2. Budget: Important revisions of the proposed budget included adding $1,000
a year for the editors of both the Journal and ASA News (Hooray! Ed.) and an additional $300 for the current Executive Secretary (who hasn't had a raise in ten
years).
3. Annual conventions: Council heard a report on progress of the program for
the 1971 Convention in Spokane. The next western convention year will be 1975, with
Corvallis, Oregon, and Colorado discussed as possible locations. Revised form of
instruction sheet on "Preparations for ASA Annual Meetings" was accepted with minor
change.
4. Journal: The editor has proposed a special enlarged issue dealing with
creation and evolution. Alternatives discussed include simply enlarging each regular issue and publishing a special issue in the form of a paperback book. Many pros
and cons, with concern expressed by the Council for the content as well as the format.
Bube is to submit a list of papers or chapter titles to Collins for further consideration. An expenditure of $65 to advertise ASA
Journal in the new Christian
Scholar's Review was authorized (the first time an ad has been authorized in the
history of ASA).
5. Publications: Cordelia Erdman's monograph, Paleontology of the Horse, was
reviewed and some changes suggested. Boardman was given responsibility for this ms.
Collins is to check on status of all writing projects with which ASA is involved.
Our Society in Turmoil has been available but the Council was not satisfied with the
amount of publicity it has received. Collins is to check with the publisher to see
if overtures have been made to Christian colleges that might use it as a text.
6. Directory: Revision to avoid waste space and duplication was suggested.
Unauthoized use of the ASA membership list by Vanguard was discussed, with recommendation that a strong statement be placed on the directory cover in the future
warning that permission to use the directory must be requested and granted by ASA.
7. Certificates of Membership: Hartzler was authorized to have Certificates of
Membership made up and to make them available to any member requesting one. (The
idea of displaying this certificate is to advertise ASA.)
8. Other Matters: Development of an administrative manual has bogged down.
Kreider is responsible for revising the annual info sheet and application for membership forms. Boardman is responsible for revising the descriptive brochure.
Hartzler is authorized to select gift books for members who give three gift subscriptions to
the Journal or get two new people to subscribe de novo. The Council will meet on
Monday, August 16, before the Annual Convention-at Whitworth College; and again at
Wheaton College, Illinois, on October 8-9 at the time of the special dedication of
the new science building.
PERSONALS
Quinten H. Alfors has left a 12-year pastorate at the St. Louis Park Evangelical
Free Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota, to become executive director of the Greater
Minneapolis Association of Evangelicals, an affiliate of the NAE. Seventy eight
churches and one other organization in the GMAE are working together on a number of
cooperative programs.
Marilyne Backlund of St. Paul, Minnesota, says she's tried to recruit some new ASA
members during her sabbatical stay at the University of Arizona in Tucson. A nursing specialist, Marilyne is now off to summer school at the University of Oslo,
Norway, before going to Iran and Ethiopia to visit health care facilities under
auspices of the World Health Organization.
Donald A. Bierle, associate professor of biology at Sioux Falls College, Sioux
Falls, South Dakota, has received a grant to study "Dynamics of Macrobenthic Communities in Arctic Alaska Ponds and Lakes." The grant was awarded by NSF as an
activity of the U. S. Arctic Research Program and as part of the International
Biological Program. Don will spend the whole summ r at the Arctic Naval Research
Laboratory, Barrow, Alaska.
Stanley B. Boertje was promoted to professor of zoology at Midwestern College,
Denison, Iowa, last spring, but since September 1970 he has been professor of zoology
at Southern University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Stan writes of the challenging
but rewarding experience of being a Christian faculty member in a university with an
all-black student body: "God provides the strength and guidance to solve new
problems and increase our faith in Him."
Larry Christensen, associate professor of chemistry at Houghton College, Houghton,
New York, will spend the summer at the university of Florida on an NSF post-doctoral
fellowship. Larry will work with professor W. M. Jones, chairman of the Chemistry
Department at Gainesville, on carbocyclic aromatic carbenes.
John B. Coulter, III, does research on senile cataract formation at Scott & White
Hospital in Temple, Texas. At the 1971 spring national meeting of the Association
for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in Sarasota, Florida, John presented a
paper on "Metabolism of Rat Lens Proteins."
Robert Denton of Akron, Ohio, attended the National District Attorneys' Association
Council on Drug Abuse in Las Vegas this year. Bob says that although the atmosphere
was certainly not "pro" drug, he got the feeling that the views of this traditionally "anti" drug group were beginning to moderate.
Robert D. Knudsen is back in Roslyn, Pennsylvania, finishing out his sabbatical year
of research in the thought of Paul Tillich. He reports a wonderful stay in Holland
(including eleven unexpected opportunities to preach in the Dutch language) with
side trips to Germany, England, Scotland, Austria, Belgium, and France.
Sister Loretta Koechel is a new member of ASA who says she finds ASA News "interesting and helpful." (After a comment like that, we say the same thing about her!)
Her Ph.D. is in College Chemistry Education and she teaches at Molloy Catholic
College for Women, Rockville Centre, New York.
David Leep's address is Co. B., Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland 20010. He says he hasn't
seen a copy of ASA News since he got drafted, and wonders how long it takes to get
an address change through the Mankato office. While we're getting that straightened
out, sounds like Dave (a Physicist from the University of Colorado) is a good prospect for some ASA fellowship from you people in that area.
William Brink Monsma, who received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of
Colorado in 1970, will be back in Boulder this summer to do research and attend
lectures in the Institute for Theoretical Physics on an NSF post-doctoral stipend.
Bill has just completed his first year of a two-year appointment in the physics
department of Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan. He and his wife plan to
participate in the Inter-Varsity summer institute in Boulder, which they helped
start last summer.
Donald W. Munro, professor of biology and head of the department at Houghton
College, Houghton, New York, has been awarded an NSF Research Participation Fellowship at Argonne National Laboratories in Illinois from June 7 to August 28. Don
will be a resident associate in the Biological and Medical Division, studying the
effect of infra red light on nuclear phosphorylation. The family will probably live
in the Wheaton area for the summer and have to pass up the Spokane ASA Convention.
Stanley Obitts of Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California, has been chosen as
one of 40 participants in the Carnegie Summer Institute in Philosophy at Notre
Dame University. This summer the Institute will be an intensive six-week postdoctoral study of the philosophy of science under the tutelage of ten leading
authorities in the field. How about a report on that for ASA News or Journal?
J. Edwin Orr of the School of Missions, Fuller Theological Seminary, spoke on "Faith
That Makes Sense" at Seattle Pacific College, Seattle, Washington, during their
Christian Commitment Week, April 5-9. Ed's visit to the college was sponsored by
the Distinguished Christian Scholar Lecture Program of the Thomas F. Staley Foundation.
Thomas D. Parks is now semi-retired, living in the Tacoma, Washington, area, and
consulting in the fields of chemistry and research management. He has become interested in Regent College on the campus of the University of British Columbia, and
in organizing the Christian Graduate Studies Foundation. Tom hopes to attend at
least part of the Spokane Convention in spite of a schedule conflict.
William W. Paul, professor of philosophy and chairman of the department at Central
College, Pella, Iowa, will head for Yucatan, Mexico, in August for a term in the
college's term-abroad program. Bill and Martha are trying to soak up Latin American
culture and the Spanish language even though his course will be given in English.
The Pauls look forward to visiting Christian friends south of the border and renewing contacts with Mexican philosophers made when Bill gave a paper at the 1963
International Congres of Philosophy.
Floyd L. Rheinheimer is an M.D. with a busy general practice in rural Milford,
Indiana. He is active in the Christian Medical Society. Floyd says he enjoys ASA News and
the Journal "even though some of it is over my head." Gosh, Doc, if
welre suffering from supercephaloincumbency, is an editorectomy indicated?
Carol Ann Vieweg of Hyattsville, Maryland, received her M.S. degree in zoology from
the University of Maryland last August.
Anne Whiting, associate professor of biology at Houghton College, N. Y., has been
asked to participate in the Summer Institute of Demography presented under the
International Population Program at Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y,, from June 30
to August 6.
Paul M. Wright gives us the following information. "I am finishing my year of substituting for Dr. Floyd Rawlings, who is on sabbatical leave from Westmont. We
especially enjoyed the California climate. We have been invited to install a new
sound system in the McCormick Hospital complex in Chieng Mai, Thailand. Our Wheaton
chemistry major, Dr. Edwin McDaniel, and his wife, are there. The unit is used to
send music, news, and gospel messages to the rooms in several buildings. The job
will take about two months. We expect to leave about the middle of August, stopping
in London, Holy Land ??, India, Nepal on the way, and Hong Kong, Taiwan ??, Tokyo,
and then Hawaii or Alaska on the return."
Ernest A. Clevenger, Jr., 1569 Berry Rd., Birmingham, Alabama 35226. Director of
Birmingham Extension, Professor of Bible. BA, MA, ThB - Chemistry, Speech, Bible,
Practical Historical, Theology, Archaeology. Rank: Member
George A. Rekers, 308 Westwood Plaza, Box 285, Los Angeles, Calif. 90024. Graduate
student. BA in psychology. Rank: Member
Lee W. RuDpersburg, 3557 Bandini Avenue, Riverside, Calif. 92506. Clerks help at
Safeway Stores, Inc. Student at Riverside City College. Rank: Associate
H. Newton Malony, 1315 Medford Rd., Pasadena, Calif. 91107. Assoc. Prof. at Grad.
School of Psychology, Fuller Theol. Seminary. AB History, Psychology; BD Theology
and Psychology; MA, PhD Psychology, Theology. Rank: Member
Marcia Harris, 805 Bank Street, S. Pasadena., Calif. 91030. Jr. Research Technologist
- Electron Microscopy at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. BS in Biology, Chem.
Rank: Member
Herman R. Schoene, 569 Occidental Drive, Claremont, California 91711. Ortbopaedic
Surgeon - Partner in the Southern Calif. Permanente Medical Group. MD - Medicine
Rank: Member
Robert E. Sundell, 919 Elm St. , New Haven, Connecticut 06512. Grad student at Yale
University. BS, MS Mech. Engr.; PhD expected in 1971 in Fluid Mechanics. Rank:
Member
Joseph L. Aubel, 315 Bahamas Ave., Temple Terrace, Florida 33617. Asst. Prof. of
Physics at Univ. of S. Florida. BS, PhD in Physics, Math. Rank: Member
Sander DeHaan, 1722 N. E. Sth St., Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33304. Teacher of
Biology & Science at Ft. Lauderdale Christian School. AV in Biology, German.
Rank: Member
Paul E. Bellino, 161 Mt. Vernon Hwy N. E., Atlanta, Georgia 30328. Conciliator,
Equal Enployment Officer. BS Theology, Social Science; MA Adult Education, Counseling and Guidance. Rank: Member
Richard P. Carter Jr., 3850 Club Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30319. Project Manager,
Research and Development Center for Agri-Chemicals Div. of U. S. Steel Corp. BS,
YIS, PhD. all in Chemistry. Rank: Member
Ronald J. Vos, 18251 Roy Street, Lansing, Illinois 60438. Junior High Science
Teacher. BA in Biology, Chemistry Rank: Member
Stanley T. Bristol, 2021 Suffork, Northfield, Ill. 60093. Superintendent Northern
Suburban Special Education District, Highland Park, Ill. BS in Econ.; MS, DEd in
Ed. Adm. Rank: Member
David Claerbaut, 3208 W. Carmen Ave., Apt. 5, Chicago, Ill. 60625. Instructor in
Psychology at North Park College. AB in English, Phys. Ed.; MA in Education.
Rank: Associate
William L. Cummins, 2045 Halfday Rd., Deerfield, Ill. 60015. Student. BS Social
Science; MA Psychology & Counseling. Rank: Member
James J. Bare, Rt. 4, Box 518, Elkhart, Indiana 46514. Assoc. Research Biochemist
for Miles Laboratories, Inc. AA, BA Biology. Rank: Member
Ruth S. Euler, 100-G N. Parkridge Rd., Bloomington, Indiana 47401. Student. Rank:
Associate
Darrell R. Parnell, 1633 Wayne, Topeka, Kansas 66604. Asst. Prof. of Physics &
Astronomy, Washburn University. BS, MS Physics, Math. Rank: Member
Hugo Boschmann, 723 Moro St., Manhattan, Kansas 66502. Grad. student at Kansas
State University. BA in Biology, Chemistry. Rank: Member
R. Michael Sly, 1904 Riviere Ave., Metairie, La. 70003. Assoc. Prof. of Pediadrics
at La. State Univ., School of Medicine. AB Biology, Chem.; M. D. Rank: Member
Donald R. Marlow, Greenwood Drive, Highland, Maryland 20777. Senior Electrical
Engineer for Applied Physics Lab., The Johns Hopkins University. BS, MS in E. E.,
Math. Rank: Member
Frederick M. Luther, 4-A Sellers Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21402. Physics Instructor
U. S. Navy, U. S. Naval Academy. BS in Mech. Engr.; MS, PhD App. Science. Rank:
Member
Raymond N. Kieft, 3156 North Concourse, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 48858. Asst. Prof.
of Math. at Central Michigan University. BS Math., Chem.; MS, PhD Math. Rank:
Member
Paul R. Elbert, 14167 Swanee Beach Rd., Fenton, Michigan 48430. Graduate student.
AR in Physics, Math. Rank: Member
Robert J. Glaser, 1381 W. Nebraska, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108. Instructor at Anoka
Ramsey State Jr. College. AB, MA Chem., Math. Rank: Member
New Jersey
Stanley T. Tonnesen, 17 Green Drive, E. Hanover, New Jersey 07936. Pharmacologist
for CIBA-Giegy Corp. BA Psychology, Biology. Rank: Member
Herbert L. Badger, Jr., 133 Elizabeth St., S. Bound Brook, New Jersey 08880. Education Dept. Head and Prof. at Alma White College. ABL Bible; BA Phil. & Rel.;
IlEd Counsel. & Guidance; DEd Counsel. & Guidance, Adm. Rank: Member
David W. Kellogg, 2020 Anderson Drive., Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001. Asst. Prof.
New Mexico State University, College of Agriculture. BS Agric.; MS Dairy Husbandry;
PhD Nutrition. Rank: member
Larry 0. Stockton, 2044 Crescent Drive, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001. Dean of Men
New Mexico State University. BA Hist. & P. E., Psychology; MA Health & Rec., Hist.
Rank: Associate by request.
H. Ramond Wright, Jr., 878 Aberdeen Rd., Bay Shore, New York 11706. Hydrodynamicist
for Grumman Aerospace Corp. BS Aero.; BS Math., Science; MS math. Rank: Member
Walter B. Sinnamon, Houghton Academy, Houghton, New York 14744. Instructor in
Science at Houghton Academy. BS Biology, Chem., Economics. Rank: Member
David D. Bell, 11A Wolden Rd., Ossining, New York 10562. Student. BA Biology,
Education. Rank: Member
Richard C. Pocock, 22 Campus Heights, Houghton, New York 14744. Assoc. Prof. Math,
Head Dept. of Math., Houghton College. AB Soc. Sci., Math; MS Math.; ABD Math., Ed.
Rank: Member
John E. Carey, Lake Oniad Drive, Wappingers Falls, New York 12590. Program Administrator - Education Development for International Business Machines Co. BS in
Math., Physics. Rank: Member
Roger C. Hunter, 980 Sycamore Avenue, Corvallis, Oregon 97330. Graduate student.
BS General Ag.; MS Dairy Mfg., Microbiology. Rank: Member