David Humphreys is emeritus professor of chemistry at McMaster University, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and adjunct prof. of science and religion in the Divinity College at McMaster. He received his Ph.D. from McMaster in 1969, and was made full professor there in 1987.

Humphreys has also been involved in science teaching, including several educational R&D projects in chemical education and television programs, including the award-winning Dimensions in Science series for Canadian television. He was director of a major research study on the effectiveness of individualized instruction for the Ministry of Education in Ontario, and the originator of a series of programs which are used in distance education in a variety of Institutions around the world.

He is the author of scientific papers, innovative science text books and multimedia presentations. He co-authored the text Atoms, Molecules and Reactions published by Prentice-Hall. He has introduced chemistry to some twenty thousand students and has been recognized for his efforts in using video taped experiments and interesting demonstrations to integrate reactions and reality with theory and principles.

His current interests include promoting science in schools and communities throughout Canada and in developing countries. He has recently developed a new course on Frontiers of Science and Christianity for the Divinity College, which has received the Templeton Award for Science and Religion courses. He is currently lecturing extensively on aspects of science and faith with special emphasis on the mystery of the origin of life.

Humphreys has a website addressing this topic at: http://www.genesisquest.org

The website title, Genesis Quest, has a special emphasis on developments in science that relate to the meaning and purpose of life, or give evidence of purposeful design by an intelligent creator.

As if all that weren't enough, Humphreys has also produced a one-hour videotape, "The Astonishing Elements of Life: Chemical and Molecular Evidence for a Creator" put out by Crossroads Christian Communications Inc., 1997, ($20.00 CDN), and is available from: Dr. David A. Humphreys, P. O. Box 65618, Dundas, Ontario, Canada, L9H 6Y6. Phone/fax: (905)627-4672; e-mail: genesis@worldchat.com 

Plasma Science and Fusion Center, MIT

http://psfc.mit.edu/~hutch/home.html

Over 1,100 Christian faculty and graduate students gathered in Chicago over the new year for the conference "Following Christ, Shaping our World," sponsored by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and InterVarsity Press. In addition to the overall conference leadership exercised by Terry Morrison, ASA members were very active in leading the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Track, which had an attendence of just over a hundred.

The track Dean, Ian Hutchinson, and associate Dean, Alden Sunnarborg, organized activities and facilitated the six "track" session which met during the four days of the conference. Howard Van Till spoke on "Science After Kuhn" - a discussion of presuppositions and paradigms, with particular attention to issues of creation's formational history. Elving Anderson, Nigel Cameron, and Susan Sunnarborg participated in a panel discussion on genetics research and its spiritual trajectories. These together with Loren Haarsma, Keith Miller, William Newsome, Joan Centrella, Chuck Hampton, Terry Gustaphson, Chip Kobulnicky, and Brad Keister made up a mentoring team and led small-group discussions on a variety of topics. Participants were encouraged to build relationships with fellow Christians in science across disciplines and ages.

The conference's plenary sessions included Bible exposition by N.T. Wright and tales of God's faithfulness and challenges in the academy from many others. By meeting with professors and students from all academic disciplines, this conference gave additional insights into the particular joys and challenges faced by those of us in the natural sciences. Although our studies typically make less reference to spiritual matters than the other disciplines, we have the privilege of understanding and daily dealing with the creation, a constant reminder of our Creator.

I attended the "Following Christ/ Shaping Our World" conference in Chicago. This Urbana-like conference was convened with the goal of challenging those in the academy and professions to a thorough integration of the Christian faith and their chosen disciplines. Following are some of my personal reflections as a conference participant and mentor.

I was impressed with the breadth and depth of scholarship represented at the conference. The sciences, engineering, medical professions, business, government and law, arts and humanities were all well-represented among those who attended. Furthermore, many of the Ivy League schools and large research universities brought large contingents of students and faculty to Chicago. During the conference, testimonies were heard from individuals holding top university and government positions. These observations all reinforced my perception that thinking evangelical Christians are already in positions of influence within the intellectual, political, social, aan economic life of the country. How do we fully take advantage of the positions of privilege that God has already given us to transform both our own institutions and the larger society and world? That would seem to be our challenge.

The plenary expositions by N.T. Wright were very stimulating and challenging. He focussed on how Jesus understood the kingdom of God and his own messiahship. Central to Wright's argument is that Jesus came to build a new kingdom through himself, not by force or compromise, but through the cross. What Jesus was to Israel, the Church is now to be for the world. We are to follow Jesus by being cross-bearers, bringing redemption to the world through our suffering in sacrificial service and love. We are to be where God is, in the midst of suffering. This message seemed to resonate throughout the conference in a variety of contexts. The cross had implications whether the issue was racial hatred and genocide, social justice, creation stewardship, or the nature of God's action in the natural world.

As a mentor in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Track, I had the opportunity to lead small group discussions. I was very impressed with the thoughtfulness of the graduate students, and the seriousness with which they approached their faith and disciplines. Most clearly understood their academic work as a spiritual vocation, and were striving to work that out practically in their lives. As Christian faculty we must find ways to invest in Christian students. they need our encouragement and to see our own intellectual and spiritual struggles.

Keith B. Miller is in the Dept. of Geology at Kansas State U., Manhattan, KS 66506; email: kbmill@ksu.ksu.edu

Stephen C. Meyer presented a new approach to the creation-evolution controversy in state education, in an op-ed piece in Spokane's Spokesman Review newspaper. The article addresses a local controversy in the Post Falls school district. Meyer argues for "full disclosure" of the relevant facts and status of hypotheses in science teaching. The article begins:

The recent news from Post Falls has an all too familiar ring. A group of religiously motivated parents is pressing for the teaching of creationism alongside Darwinian evolution. If they succeed, many fear the A.C.L.U. will sue the school district.

On the surface, the Post Falls controversy appears to be yet another dreary and unproductive chapter in the American culture war over the teaching of Darwinism in the public schools.

Yet the Post Falls school board has done an unusual thing. Rather than capitulating to parental pressure or to threats of legal action, the Board has decided to study the issue to determine if parental concerns can be addressed responsibly without violating existing law.

Meyer argues for treatment of evolution in the historic scientific tradition of putting all the cards on the table and revealing both strengths and weaknesses of a theory. Treating evolution as science instead of a vehicle for reductionistic ideology, Meyer concludes by saying:

Even so, the threat of indoctrination does not come from allowing students to ponder the philosophical issues raised by the origins question. Instead, it comes from force-feeding students a single ideological perspective. Fortunately, there are now many resources that can help teachers rectify this imbalance without spoiling for a legal fight. Rather than censoring Darwinist texts or asking teachers to adopt religiously-derived alternatives, parents and school boards concerned about ideological indoctrination should now insist on full scientific disclosure.

  Diane DiMassa is spending the summer in Antarctica looking for meteorites for NASA.

What do you do after obtaining four degrees from MIT? Oceanographic and mechanical engineer Diane E. DiMassa left November 27, 1998 headed for Antarctica via New Zealand with the Antarctic Search for Meteorites Program (ANSMET). She will be spending 8 weeks with six other team members searching for meteorites in the heart of the continent, between 86 and 87 degrees south latitude.

Antarctic meteorites are uncontaminated, easily spotted laying atop the white snow fields, and optimal for scientific study. They will be sent to NASA Johnson Space Center for processing and distribution. The program is sponsored by NSF and supported by the Antarctic Support Associates. The ANSMET website is located at: www.cwru.edu/affil/ansmet

While the Y2K computer risk can be endlessly analyzed, what, if anything, should we do in response? The problem can be divided into two parts, technical and social.

Technically, if energy and food-supply infrastructure failures occur, modest preparation can adequately cover short-term failures. Stocking the pantry with a few extra bags of rice and beans, and a few jugs of water, (with extra for those you encounter who weren't so prudent) addresses the food problem. (It would be ironic if our Mormon neighbors had to help us instead.) A year's supply of canned goods and bulk foods is inexpensive and not too voluminous to store in a closet, attic or pantry. If nothing happens come Y2K, little cost has been incurred and the food will be eaten in time anyway. Beware, however, of bulk-food storage companies selling sealed buckets of grain, etc. at exorbitant prices. Do common-sense comparisons with local grocery-store pricing.

Energy is harder. Diesel-to-electric generators are a cost-effective solution to temporary outages. A 5 kW unit costs about $600 and tanks are about $1/gallon, plus costs of tank saddles and electric pump. But if the fuel runs out, there might not be more available.

If you happen to have a pond on your property, it must be immense (like a lake) to provide adequate hydroelectric power for a house averaging around 1.5 kW of power usage.

Less likely long-term (greater than a half-year) shortages require a different coping strategy. The two best options are solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and wind generators. In southern climates, PV is favored, and windmills in the north, where there are stronger winter winds and less sun. To check average wind intensity in your area, see http://rredc.nrel.gov. (Hilltops and open areas usually have more wind.)

Solar PV panels sell for about $5/W whereas wind generators are about $1/W. For PV modules, add the mounting hardware and optional sun-tracking controller. For wind generators, expect another $1,000 for the tower, and the problems of maintaining a 400 pound generator at its top. Because both power sources are intermittent, some "buffer" is needed. Deep-discharge batteries are the usual energy storage option. For a couple days supply, add another $1,000 for batteries. And then the charger and inverter (battery-to-house ac) electronics are another $3,000. (Trace Engineering has a leading line of power electronics; see www.traceengineering.com.) In all, for serious electrical support, plan on spending at least $10,000. All of this must also be put somewhere; an energy shed or cellar could add another $1,000.

For much cheaper lighting (and heating), get a few Aladdin lamps, such as the model C6106 for around $55 each, from: Aladdin Ind., Lamp Div., 703 Murfreesboro Rd., Nashville, TN 37210; tel. (800)456-1233. They burn kerosene, are odorless and smokeless, and put out a steady, white light equal to that of a 60 watt incandescent bulb. One quart of fuel lasts 12 hours; a 5-gallon container is a 10-day supply. Kerosene lamps may seem crude, but are a rather refined technology. The Editor has two, and while they require more attention than flipping a light switch, they are relatively easy to use and maintain.

Wind turbine manufacturers are listed at: www.igc.org/awea/faq/smsyslst.html; and for a primer on wind generators, see: www.bergey.com/primer.html. There's also Wind Power, the international journal of wind energy development, a monthly news magazine, at: www.wpm.co.nz.

The significant expense of alternative energy and the temporary outages predicted for Y2K makes this route an investment. Both PV panels and wind generators can last for at least 20 years. Payback time depends, of course, on how much sun and/or wind you have, and can range from 5 to 15 years.

Unfortunately, the anticipated cost breakthrough in solar panels will probably not occur before year 2000. Current PV cells are made using semiconductor batch processing. The new, continuous-ribbon, thin-film panels have a projected cost of $0.60/W but are still a few years away. (See http://www.darnell.com/mfgrs/ml_sol06.shtml for information from the leading enterprise, Solar Cells, Inc., in Toledo, OH.) This projected $/W is competitive with grid-sourced electricity.

Another emerging energy technology is the fuel cell. The major automakers are developing fuel-cell powered cars, and one company that is field-testing residential fuel cells that generate electricity from natural gas is Plug Power in Latham, NY (www.plugpower.com). They are currently seeking those who would like to field test their product.

  ASAers Tom and Barbara Hoshiko

What are ASAers doing in response to the Y2K problem? Tom and Barbara Hoshiko, who live on Cleveland's east side, have been alerting others to the potential problems Y2K may bring, and are also taking action. They bought a rural house in northwest Pennsylvania that they are remodeling. Included in the plan is an electric generator and fuel tank.

Alan Russell is dealing with the problem as part of his work. (See related article by him.)

While some ASAers find practical solutions to technical problems in aid of the developing world, we are facing the emerging issue of the control of technology in the developed world. The interaction of technology with Christian faith is growing in significance as our dependence on it becomes more pervasive and integrated into our lives. Beyond computer problems are the larger issues of biotechnology, the environmental impact of large-scale energy conversion, and most significantly, the use and misuse of these newfound powers by humanity.

The transition from the Industrial Age to the Information Age is driven by technological change. Just as the printing press and gunpowder radically changed the social parameters of medieval Europe, so the Internet, satellite constellations, smart cards, and alternative energy sources contribute to the demise of existing social structures. This leaves ASAers with plenty to study and discuss as Christians in the sciences: physical, social, and applied.

It's hard to read through a magazine or even a newspaper these days without encountering an article about the Y2K (Year 2000) problem. But most such articles are either focused on some narrow, often technical, aspect of the problem, or they are from some extremist (either positive or negative) view. They are also generally not written from the Christian perspective.

In this article, I will try to put this issue into perspective, condensing hundreds of hours of research and thousands of pages of reports from organizations around the world into something that is readable by everyone. More importantly, I will give some practical advice on how we, as conscientious Christians, can use this critical time of the information age to minister to ourselves and our families, to others in the church, and to those in the community around us.

Because most of the information about the Y2K problem is somewhat speculative, many people have become polarized in their reactions to it. On the one extreme are those who deny that it is other than a small "glitch" which will be quickly dealt with by the computer specialists. These individuals are sometimes called "Pollyannas" because they only see the good in everything.

On the other extreme are those who speculate that the pervasive nature of the problem and the interconnectedness of the world (especially Western culture) will result in "The End Of The World As We Know It." Some of these individuals propose moving out of the cities, storing enough food to last a year, buying generators and a large quantity of fuel, arming yourself to stop others from taking what you have, etc. This survivalist mentality is definitely at odds with the Biblical command to "love your neighbor as yourself." A far better reaction is one of informed awareness, and is the one which I will present here.

One thing is certain, however; the Y2K problem is quite real and is already making itself known in isolated instances. It affects not only old "mainframe" computers, but many new PC's as well. In addition, there are billions of so-called "embedded systems" worldwide where there is not necessarily something visible that one would call a "computer," but there is a microprocessor involved. Some common examples are VCR's, microwave ovens, and even automobiles. While only a few percent of these types of items may be affected, even 0.1% of a billion is still a million.

Some examples of Y2K-related failures/impacts which have already occurred may be helpful for illustration. In Dublin, Ireland, a failed Y2K test resulted in all the traffic lights in the city losing their synchronization. (Dates/times are used to cause different cycles of red/yellow/green during evenings and weekends.) This resulted in massive traffic jams during a morning rush hour. The recent merger of CoreStates Bank with First Union was precipitated by the realization that it was going to cost CoreStates $50,000,000 more to correct their Y2K problem than it would to be merged into the First Union computer systems. Thus a merger would be better not only for the stockholders of CoreStates, but the customers who would have to pay for the correction through higher fees, etc. Finally, a Y2K test at a U.S. automotive plant resulted in the security gates locking the current shift in and the next shift out, as well as disruptions on the assembly line.

Yes, the Y2K problem is quite real. A current estimate of the cost of correcting the problem is $1 trillion dollars.

It is helpful to consider three different types of impact of the Year 2000 problem. The first of these are the immediate failures. Some of these may be fairly innocuous (such as a personal computer which displays the wrong date upon startup), others may be more wide spread (power failures, etc.). Since experts in the field agree that there is no possibility that all such failure points can be detected and corrected in the time remaining, the biggest questions are how many of them there could be and how long lasting they might be. It is best to be prepared for several days/weeks of periodic disruptions.

A far different type of impact is the psychological one. During times of disruption, people tend to over-react to negative reports. Even if your local bank is having no difficulties, it may only take a few news stories about a bank problem in some other part of the country to convince people that they should try to take all their money out of the bank lest it fail as well. This can create self-fulfilling prophecies, as emptied ATM machines would then convince others that their bank is having problems. Also, the world stock markets are built on a basis of confidence. If some percentage of companies are having difficulties and closing their doors and the level of confidence begins to drop, the stock markets can have huge losses as people move their money to safer investment vehicles.

Finally, there is a "domino effect" to consider. We have recently seen how a strike at just a few GM parts plants shut down every other GM facility in only a short time. Because of reduced inventory levels (often less than one day in automotive assembly, 72 hours in food markets) and reliance on the supply chain, failures in other plants, other companies, or even other countries could impact companies who are otherwise prepared for the Year 2000. This is the most often cited area of risk which companies are noting in their statements on Y2K status.

The overall effect of these three types of impact is likely to be felt by all of us. Even if we do not use computers personally, our electric power, food supply, communication, and government services are quite dependent on them. Some are predicting (based on available facts), that 7% of medium-sized businesses could fail due to Y2K. The employees of these companies are either ourselves, or our neighbors.

There is much being written on Y2K preparation. Some Christian writers have published entire books on the subject. Therefore, I will not try to improve on these, but give an outline and list some sources of the detailed material. The four areas which should be addressed are: assess physical household vulnerabilities; store necessities; prepare financially; and maintain information records.

Assess your physical household vulnerabilities. Check your individual situation for areas of risk. These would include such things as personal computers and software and other embedded systems which you may own (camcorders, VCRs, etc.). It would also include assessing how vulnerable you might be if utilities were shut off, etc. Consider this like preparing for a major winter storm.

Store necessities. Have a supply of those "necessities" you cannot get along without. This would include not only basic foods, but things such as prescription medicines, fuel oil, etc. Again, the major winter storm parallel is useful.

Prepare financially. The federal government will be printing an additional $50 billion dollars in currency for this purpose. While it is not necessary to take all your money out of the bank as it will be perfectly safe there, it is prudent to have a few weeks supply of currency on hand. If you do not have savings to draw upon, saving a few dollars each week for the coming year will accumulate all that you need. Larry Burkett of Christian Financial Concepts has much to add to this.

Maintain information records. This is sound advice even if the Y2K problem did not exist. It is wise to have copies of important documents such as credit reports, social security earnings statements, etc. that you can refer to if needed.

In times such as these, the local church can have a tremendous impact. If businesses and government services are undergoing times of stress and people are feeling the impact of the Y2K problem, the church is a place to which many people will turn.

The local church needs to prepare in three different ways. It needs to prepare itself, just as any small business should. It also needs to prepare its members to deal with the impact of the Y2K problem. And it should prepare to meet the needs of the community around it.

Prepare itself: Even small churches are often "computerized" these days. There is often a computer in the church office or in the pastor's study. Church financial records may be prepared with the aid of a computer. Phone systems may be automated, etc. Each of these areas of risk should be examined closely. Someone in the church who has familiarity with these should be able to help.

Prepare its members: The members of a church are diverse. Some may be quite computer literate, some may not. Some may feel a sense of urgency about the Y2K problem, others may feel "it won't affect me." Just as this series of articles is seeking to calm the fears of some while raising the level of awareness of others, church leadership should do the same with its members. Perhaps this can be a series of sermons, perhaps a special Sunday school class, or perhaps a special committee should be assigned. There are many possibilities.

Prepare in advance! What will the church do if several of its members lose their jobs because their employer is not properly prepared? How much money could be diverted to a local benevolence fund during 1999 "just in case"?

Prepare to meet community needs: Is there a local food bank or soup kitchen? Is it stocked sufficiently to meet an increased demand if some government services fail or the unemployment rate rises? If people in the community experience physical or psychological stress due to Y2K problems, have they been told that the church is there to help them? Are church members (not just the pastoral staff) prepared to reach out to those in need? Do church members know their neighbors and what needs they might have? This is a tremendous opportunity for practical lessons in evangelism! The Joseph Project has many ideas in this area. (www.josephproject2000.org)

The Y2K problem is real! It has a distinct probability of impacting many of us in unforeseen ways. We as Christians have a unique opportunity to use this time in history to make a positive impact for Christ. By preparing ourselves physically to meet the challenges that await us, and by preparing ourselves spiritually to minister to others in His name, we can show others the true meaning of what being a Christian is all about.

Y2K - The Millennium Bug - A Balanced Christian Perspective, Shaunti Feldhahn

The Millennium Bug, Michael Hyatt

Storm Shelter: How to Survive in Uncertain Economic Times, Ronald Blue, Ronald Blue & Co.: fiscal checkups in advance of Y2K; www.ronblue.com

Christian Financial Concepts, Larry Burkett; www.cfcministry.org

The Cassandra Project: practical preparation advice;

www.millennia-bcs.com

Christian Broadcasting Network, www.y2kinsights.com

º we [ASA] are a forum for Christians to learn from one another about issues related to science and technology. Ted Davis

"Promoting Dialogue between Science and Christianity," the lectures in U.S. seminaries, colleges and universities will cover 18 states during the 1998-99 series. But not all the speakers are from the U.S.; Britons John Polkinghorne and Langdon Gilkey will be speakers, as well as ASAers Owen Gingerich, Fritz Schaeffer, and Howard Van Till.

There is both an American and British InterVarsity Press. Publishing under the "Apollos" imprint, the British IVP has published sci/rel books by members of ASA's counterpart organization, Christians in Science (CiS). Here are the cites for three of them:

God & the Biologist: Faith at the Frontiers of Science, R. J. Berry, 1996. Berry is an ecological geneticist, and covers evolution, the genetic revolution and environmental ethics. One page is given to describe ASA.

Science, Life and Christian Belief: A Survey and Assessment, Malcolm A. Jeeves and R. J. Berry, 1998. Covers the historical roots, philosophy, and theology of science, creation-evolution, biblical and scientific views of human nature, brain-mind and behavior, psychology, and environmental issues.

Science and the New Age Challenge, Ernest Lucas, 1996. The first four chapters are based on material published in CiS's journal Science and Christian Belief, vol. 4.1. Lucas considers the New Age a "sophisticated, but flawed, search for a holistic view of scientific truth, human knowledge and spirituality º "

For details on how to order British IVP books, contact Al Hsu at: ahsu@ivpress.com. By the way, the American IVP is at:

http://www.gospelcom.net/ivpress/

From Eerdmans also comes three new sci/Xny books:

Rethinking Theology and Science: Six Models for the Current Dialogue, Niels H. Gregersen and J. Wentzel Van Huyssteen, Eds., 1998. A joint American-European mix from six scientist-theologians rethink sci/Xny in view of cognitive pluralism.

The Analytical Theist: An Alvin Plantinga Reader, James F. Sennett, Ed., 1998. A collection of Plantinga's most important works on philosophy of religion for a scholarly audience, but with lighter treatments (of free will, for instance) included.

The Changing Face of Health Care: A Christian Appraisal of Managed Care, Resource Allocation, and Patient-Caregiver Relationships, John F. Kilner, Robert D. Orr, and Judith A. Shelly, Eds., 1998. Experience, theology, economics, managed care and alternative therapies from PhDs, MDs, RNs, MBAs, a JD, and a CPA.

Fred Heeren wrote Show Me God, in which he interviewed distinguished astrophysists and cosmologists, weaving in a Christian apologetic. Fred has done a sequel; Evidence for God? is a videotape that covers the six interviews of his book. Also, Cosmic Pursuit is a quarterly magazine of "latest scientific findings that bear on matters of faith." Big-time scientists, astrophysicists, NASA team leaders and intelligent-design leaders appear. Day Star publishes these three and more: tel. (800) 743-7700; website: www.daystarcom.org

Ad Astra, the magazine of the National Space Society (www.nss.org), a populist space exploration and development organization, devoted their NOV/DEC 1998 issue to "Space & Religion." The front-cover painting showed observance of the Lord's Supper on Mars (in spacesuits, of course). Inside was the article by Robert John Russell: "Forty Years in Space: How the Heavens Have Changed!" Three others were also by clergy, including the chaplain at the Cape. The final one was by Apollo astronaut and Christian Charles Duke. Extraordinary!

The Editor has been to NSS's annual International Space Development Conference and experienced a multimedia presentation by Shuttle astronaut Mike Mullane and his wife. It too had a definite spiritual dimension running through it.

The 80-page, bimonthly Life@Work Journal is directed at men and women in positions of leadership: managers, CEOs, small business owners, doctors, lawyers, etc. It attempts to combine biblical wisdom with business excellence. It addresses a specific theme in each issue. So far, they've done skill, failure, calling, mentoring, strategy and stewardship.

ASA members can get a free trial issue by calling (800)739-7863; website: www.lifeatwork.com

Also concerning vocation is the "At the Center" newsletter, put out by the U. of Indianapolis Center for Christian Vocations. The new Center, an academic unit of the university, aims "to integrate spiritual formation into the life of the University of Indianapolis" and beyond. Founder and director Michael Cartwright has been giving talks such as "The Place of Christian Vocations in American Higher Education" and "The Vocation of the Professor." He is assistant prof. and chair of the Philosophy & Religion Dept.

The Summer Youth Academy for Spiritual Formation will be held at the U. of Indy June 14-19; see the Center's webpage: www.uindy.edu/~vocations