Volume 37, Number 3                         May/June 1995


Annual Meeting to Feature International Opportunities

The 1995 ASA Annual Meeting from July 22-25 highlights opportunities to apply science to the basic needs of others in developing parts of the world. Below are highlights from the abstracts of three of the keynote speakers.

Bryan Duncan is director of the International Center for Aquaculture and Aquatic Environments and a professor at Auburn U. in Alabama. His talk, "A Tapestry of Providence," illustrates how his involvements in international science, beginning with the Peace Corps, has led him to aquaculture, which Bryan believes has great utility for both economic development and conservation of natural resources. This work has acquainted him with the programs and needs of mission organizations, and has allowed him to develop close Christian friendships with American and international students in aquaculture.

Larry Butler, another keynoter, is a biochemist at Purdue U. who has been helping African farmers. The major traditional cereal crop of Africa is sorghum. Larry is improving its production and nutritional quality by addressing the antinutritional effects of tannins in sorghum grain. Another major project involves the greatest biological constraint on cereal production in Africa, the parasitic weed Striga, or witchweed, and the goal is to develop Striga-resistant sorghums, a genetics-oriented effort.

Rolf Myhrman is also helping Africans as well as those in Central America, India, and the Phillipines by facilitating the detoxification of potential food plants. Rolf's work, with the help of his students at Judson College (Elgin, IL), has identified varieties of the protein-rich velvet bean with much lower levels of toxins than others. His students have also discovered that most of the toxic material, which remains after cooking, can be removed by relatively simple laboratory procedures. They are now working to adapt these methods for use by potential consumers in the Third World. Rolf is also working on the development of appropriate technologies for weed and insect control using natural insecticides from plant material. His program at Judson also assists those who are working in these areas.

Abstracts for 37 platform or poster presentations have been received covering a wide range of topics. Expect more on science for developing cultures, biblical topics, creation/evolution, experimental research, philosophy of science, environmental issues, slides of Zambiaó and even instant Chinese puddings!

The 50th Annual Meeting is at Montreat-Anderson College, Montreat, North Carolina. For more information, call the ASA office, (508) 356-5656.

New ASAN Feature: Copy and Pass-Along" Inserts

A 1963 issue (Vol. 15, No. 4, Dec.) of the Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation states ASA's objectives (back page): to investigate science as related to Christianity and the Bible and "to disseminate the results of such studies." If the need for such dissemination was apparent in the world of 1963, how much more so today.

In that same issue, a book reviewer (a "W.R.H.") concluded:

" The ASA has a stake in the effective popularization of science. Presenting science to laymen in an interesting way without distortion is a difficult task. Perhaps more of us should be doing this specifically for the evangelical Christian public. The layman may not be able to identify with impersonal science, but he should be able to identify with scientists who are, like himself, first of all human beings and born-again Christians (p. 121)."

Since that time, ASAers have produced a book, Teaching Science in a Climate of Controversy, that has been widely distributed, especially to high school teachers in California. The Commission on Science Education, chaired by John Wiester, produced the book, which includes a statement to teach evolution as science, without commonly attached materialist or accidentalist connotations. This book is now in its fourth revised printing and is a means for such dissemination to a wider audience.

Walt Hearn, one of the book's authors, gave a talk in William B. Hurlbut's ethics class at Stanford U. He handed out a page that offers the ASA statement on teaching evolution, followed by brief information on the ASA and where to get the book. This one-pager is being reprinted here for duplication and distribution as the first ASAN "Duplicate and Distribute" insert.

A second insert is in preparation, following the style of Search, which was inserted in the ASA journal when it was staple-bound. Some ASAers are doing interesting ó and even nationally acclaimed ó scientific work, and hand-outs that briefly describe their science in the wider context of their lives as Christians offer a means for ASAers to reach a wider audience. Other inserts could be tutorials or informative "backgrounders" on issues in science and beyond. Last August, Ken Dormer independently got the idea of "tear out" sheets that clearly explain concepts for the layman. Some possible audiences are: Christian graduate students, Christian and non-Christian colleagues in academia, industry and government, church classes, university and high-school students and the general public. With Commissions now in place, projects by them to create 1, 2, or 4-page hand-outs are encouraged by the Editor for inclusion in future newsletters.

The Executive Director's Corner

Thanks so much for your prayers. So many of you have said that you remember the staff in prayer and I felt God's strength during an exhausting schedule of travel, teaching, speaking, and ASA office work over these past weeks.

In the middle of March, I headed for the last of the ten Templeton/ASA lecture sites where David Myers spoke and enthralled his audience at Peninsula Covenant Church in Redwood City, California. The lecture was well attended and I had the privilege of speaking with many ASA members including Richard Bube, who has done just about everything one can do for the ASA except be its executive director.

This was my first visit to the beautiful San Francisco Bay area and each of my hosts made sure that I saw as much of that splendor as possible. I stayed in the lovely homes of the Irvines, Lincolns, and Hearns. What a delight that wasó good conversations and suggestions for the ASA as well as great meals, even an orange right off the backyard tree for breakfast! The night after the church lecture, several ASA members gathered at the Irvines' church to talk about the future of the ASA. I made a presentation followed by good discussion. It was commendable that people were willing to forego two consecutive nights for the benefit of the ASA.

As a genetics teacher, I really enjoyed a tour of Genentech by ASA Council member Ken Olson, who has worked there from day one. The complex of buildings and laboratories is amazing and I sure kept Ken busy those three days with the two meetings, the tour, and two lunches. On my last evening, Chi-Hang and Mae Lee came by and took the Hearns and me out to dinner. As you probably guessed, we went to a Chinese restaurant and the Lees ordered in Chinese. What a great meal we enjoyed! I was able to demonstrate my complete incompetence with chop sticks.

Two days later I flew to Pittsburgh to meet with ASA members and other interested persons. Bob Voss and others are trying to start a local section. Sam Brunsvold arranged for a Saturday afternoon meeting at the Central Christian Church in downtown Pittsburgh. I presented two talksó"Issues in Genetic Engineering" and "The Vision and Work of the ASA." We had some lively exchanges as the group proceeded to work out their reasons for existence. It is a good exercise for any local section. The Vosses entertained me at their elegant homeóincluding dinner with Dennis Feucht, our Newsletter Editor.

After a week of work and teaching, it was time to fly to Chicago and go to Mundelein, IL for the Institute for Advanced Christian Studies (IFACS) board meeting with Nigel Cameron, president, and ASAer V. Elving Anderson, board secretary. They invited several Christian organizations to a special meeting and ASA president, Ray Brand, joined in too. We were there to discuss how we could coordinate and help foster the worthy goals of IFACS. It was a wonderful time of networking which I strongly believe needs to be continued.

Terry Morrison, Director of Faculty Ministry for Intervarsity, came for lunch in Ipswich, MA to talk about the mentor program and other items. He gave me a brochure on the IVCF graduate student seminar that would follow the IFACS board meeting. One look and I knew that I had to stay. Among others, Carl Henry and Arthur Holmes made excellent presentations and I interacted for several hours with IVCF staff in a room full of natural science graduate students, many of whom are already ASA members. They were articulate, gave helpful ideas for the mentor program, and had wonderful testimonies. These young people are activists and part of the future hope of the ASA. By this time I felt like the TV advertisement in which a person is asked by phone where they are. They look around and sayó"in an airport somewhere."

The ASA Commissions are beginning to get organized. Some chairs asked me to call the people they suggested and I am happy to say that I have yet to have a refusal. That says something special about ASA people. The undergraduate representatives now have their sheets to send us the names of science seniors heading to graduate school. Sometime this summer some of you will hear from us about mentoring incoming graduate students and I pray that you will be able to see your way clear to serve in this capacity.

In the office we have about two or three complete sets of ASA journals but we do not have a complete set of Newsletters. We would appreciate even a Xerox copy of the missing issues. They are: Volumes 1, 2 and 3 (all missing); Vol. 4 (1962) #1, 2 and 3; Vol. 5 (1963) #1; Vol. 14 (1972) #6; and Vol. 15 (1973) #1. Actually Vol. 15 is labeled Vol. 14 because it wasn't changed until issue four came out.

If you come across an article by Seth Borenstein of The Orlando Sentinel called "Seeing God," do not believe the quotations attributed to me. People have already informed me of its appearance in Florida, Minnesota, and northern New Jersey. Unfortunately, the writer who is not familiar with the lingo, left out some critical words. It is a good lesson for me to be on my toes. We must communicate with the public but great care must be given in assuring that the writer has understood exactly what we said. In graduate school, I was asked to speak on origins at an IVCF meeting of about 200-300 students. Soon after, a synopsis of my talk appeared in the Penn Stater, the student newspaper. A freshman reporter had written what he thought someone speaking there would say rather than what I actually said. My PI told me to keep my big mouth shut until my degree was completed and for my final orals I carried an explanatory letter signed by the faculty who attended the IVCF meeting. The letter said that I had not denigrated science and that the article was a serious misquote. Fortunately, I never needed to use the letter.

Praise the Lord! We did receive the $10,000 to complete the matching grant. You are such wonderful providers! I cannot thank you enough.

We have a very interesting array of papers for the annual meeting and we hope that you can be there. Remember to get your registration in by June first to avoid the late fee. We have to know our numerical count for Montreat-Anderson and the field trips by then or else we suffer financial penalties.

During this next month, try to encourage at least one fellow scientist in his or her Christian walk and, as the Holy Spirit leads, witness to one who needs the Lord. We continue to pray for you as you continue to pray for us.

Squibs

An article in The Scientist (9 Jan 1995, p. 12 ff) entitled, "Science and Christianity are Compatible ó With Some Compromises" tended to dispel the warfare model of the relationship between the two enterprises. The author was Eugenie C. Scott, executive director of the National Center for Science Education, a Berkeley-based organization of scientists and teachers that monitors the creation-evolution controversy. She answers the question: "Are science and religion compatible?" with a qualified "yes." Sharing a view also found in the ASA, she states that "Science and religion can be viewed as different windows on the same universe, as different ways of knowing about different kinds of things." Science and religion differ, according to Scott, mainly because of the material (natural) explanatory limitations of science.

The article notes the spectrum within Christendom between those who are willing to derive an understanding of nature from science and those who "attempt to explain nature through the Bible." Intelligent Design theorists (IDT), including Hugh Ross, Dean Kenyon (author of Of Pandas and People) and U. C. Berkeley lawyer and Darwinism critic Phillip Johnson, were noted as those for whom "the methodological naturalism of science necessarily implies philosophical naturalism." Scott differs with both Johnson and Cornell U. historian of science William Provine, with whom Johnson has debated, in denying that the naturalistic methods of science demand philosophical naturalism (which Johnson opposes and Provine champions).

The ASA is listed with other organizations of credible scientists concerned with theology. Scott cites these organizations' members as evidence against the IDT/Johnson/Provine assertion.

Conflict between science and Christianity, Scott continues, occurs primarily when either becomes involved on the other's "turf." To distinguish, Scott describes religion's domain: "Religion is primarily concerned with the relations between God and man and consequent rules of belief, and secondarily with rules of behavior." She also recognizes that "although science itself does not infringe on religion's turf, philosophical outgrowths of science do. Scientism (materialism, philosophical naturalism) claims that scientific understanding eliminates the possibility (or likelihood) of a supernatural world; the material universe is all there is." Thus, "It is scientism that disturbs religion; science itself should not." Scott concludes with the assertion that "science and scientism can be decoupled" and that "it is a logical error to say that acceptance of science requires acceptance of philosophical naturalism." Eugenie Scott can be reached at (800)290-6006 or through e-mail at: ncse@crl.com

This article fits into a larger story involving local residents, Walt and Ginny Hearn, who are friends of the Scotts. Walt's response to Genie's article was a complimentary letter (with a few quibbles) to her, pointing out that ASA's Teaching Science book also tries to clarify "that a scientific description is not the same as a full explanation" ó in contrast with the National Academy of Science booklet's claim that the "valid" (or "real" or "true") explanation must be the scientific one. Walt believed that the article shows that we're getting somewhere: "I mean that we're beginning to pay attention to each other's arguments, not that we're necessarily agreeing with each other." Walt also noted the decoupling of IDTers from "scientific creationists" as a welcome distinction, in contrast with a common tendency to identify all believers in creation with some of the more provocative positions within the creationist spectrum. Ted Davis, Walt Hearn

Calvin DeWitt was cited in an article that appeared in the journal, Trends in Ecology and Evolution. The article reviewed a symposium on ethics and ecology that was held as part of the 6th International Congress of Ecology in Manchester, U. K. The article, "Oikos and Ethos: Setting Our House in Order" (pp. 6-57), reminds ecologists that theirs is a "discipline with a time limit," that their work has a significant influence on environmental policy, and that it "is not immune from subjective interpretation and ethical dilemmas."

The INTECOL symposium was convened by Nigel Cooper of the Church of England, Chelmsford. One participant, Jan Howarth, pointed out that the language used to describe the complex balance apparent in natural systems is often taken from war or economics, "and our reductionist methods do not adequately capture emergent properties." Later in the article, a reflection on the meeting considered it a noteworthy achievement that ecologists, philosophers, and theologians could "shed the dogmatism of their disciplines and openly communicate with each other." Among them, Cal DeWitt (U. of WI, Madison), David Erickson, and Brent Waters (U. of Redlands, CA) "identified biblical injunctions encouraging wise stewardship of the earth."  Keith Miller

Remember John F. Kilner? He was keynote speaker at last year's ASA Annual Meeting. If you missed him there, his Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity (tel. (708)317-8081) has some new educational resources. The Center has produced a 12-tape "Faithful Bioethics" video series, a 38-tape "Bioethics in Christian Perspective" audio series and a new book, Bioethics and the Future of Medicine: A Christian Appraisal. Kilner will be debating Geoffrey Feiger, attorney for Dr. Kevorkian, as part of a conference and intensive course on bioethics, July 13-15, 1995 on the campus of Trinity Int'l U., Deerfield, IL. Call (800) 417-9999 for registration or write to: The Christian Stake in Dignity and Dying, 2065 Half Day Road, Deerfield, IL, 60015. John is Director of the Center, at this address.

  Davis Young, professor of geology at Calvin College and past president of ASA's Affiliation of Christian Geologists, has written The Biblical Flood: A Case Study of the Church's Response to Extrabiblical Evidence. In it, he carefully documents the historic handling of the Genesis flood story, from Jewish thought through church history. Young argues that an effective witness by the church must take seriously flood-related knowledge from archaeology, paleoanthropology, paleontology, and geology. Young sides against a world-wide flood and has included an appendix on "Arkeology," a brief history of the search for Noah's ark. Eerdmans is publisher of this 327-page paperback book with a price of $19.99.

ASAers Active in Cyberspace

The ASA list server has been preceded by ASAers who use computers for communication or retrieval of information. Paul Arveson heads ASA's Commission on Communications. He is gathering articles written by ASAers (published or not) for uploading to Compuserve. Last year, Joe Carson became the system operator ("sysop") for the Religion and Science library of the religion forum on Compuserve. Paul can upload articles to Joe for placement in this library. The article requirements are as follows:

 Size: less than 20 pages of typewritten text or 50 kilobytes of ASCII (unformatted) text.

Format: IBM (PC) or Macintosh 3.5 inch floppy disk text files, or e-mailed files sent to Paul Arveson via Internet:

@E-MAIL = arveson@oasys.dt.navy.mil or Compuserve: 73367,1236.

 Title: must be clear (and catchy) and less than 40 characters.

Abstract: must have (less than 30 lines).

Content: should be specific to one question or issue. "Creation vs. Evolution" is too broad. Figures and pictures cannot be supported. Tables are okay but may not print correctly. Bibliographies and lists should not be too lengthy.

Style: clarity and relevance to a wide audience is a high priority.

Paul is editor of the files. The library on Compuserve is limited in size and files will eventually be removed. The intent of this effort is to make available some quality writing on Christianity and science to the world of Compuserve users. Emphasis is being given to evangelism and apologetics: articles which offer specific responses to objections, misconceptions, or counter-arguments of non-Christian scholars. Brief articles describing widely-held Christian views on professional or social issues are also desired.

Joe has also (indirectly) sent the Editor e-mail, announcing that he volunteered for this Compuserve job "on faith that you would be willing to help me sell some ASA members" on participating in one-time on-line conferences as "guest lecturers" for a one or two-week period. It costs nothing except the time involved and Compuserve will give such lecturers a free temporary ID. Joe's Compuserve address is: 73530,2350.

Steven Schimmrich, a geology student at the U. of IL has also set up and manages a Science & Christianity list server. He is at: schimmri@lahar.geology.uiuc.edu<P255D>

Steve's list server has been reported previously. (See "Science/Christianity E-Mail," SEP/OCT 1994 ASAN, p. 6), as has Peter Vibert's, at:  vibert@binah.cc.brandeis.edu

Finally, Glenn I. Kirkland of Potomac, MD has discovered a CD-ROM called "The Bible Library." (CD-ROM: a compact disk readable by a computer with a CD reader; ROM is "read-only memory") If its 9 complete versions of the Bible are not enough (with search capability), there are several commentaries, dictionaries, and a literal translation linked to Strong's numbering. That's 134,000 equivalent pages of text. In hardcopy (print), the cost would be over $1,400 (plus shelf space). The mail-order price of $69 is given from a page Glenn tore from a catalog, with telephone number: (800) 729-9500.

ICL, E-Mail and Writing Awards

Nate Olson has moved from the Institute of Science and Christian Faith to become Associate Director for the Institute for Christian Leadership, also supported by the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust. The ICL serves as a resource center, providing instructional and technological leadership to the Christian higher education and professional communities. Historically, ICL has had an interest in science/faith issues, as seen in their journal, Faculty Dialogue, and the annual Howard Vollum Writing Award, which focuses on themes such as "Horizons of Science and Christian Faith." One of Nate's duties at ICL will be Managing Editor of Faculty Dialogue. His long-time colleague and friend, Rick Parker, also serves as scientific adviser to ICL and is a member of the Awards Screening Committee for the Howard Vollum Writing Award.

The 1995 Writing Awards programs have just been announced and the topic for the Vollum Award this year is: "Scholarship and Science: The Struggle Between Christian Theism, Metaphysical Naturalism and Relativism ó How to Proceed?" The full details of the flyer are at Internet address:

FDAwards_info@iclnet.org or by U.S. postal mail at: Institute for Christian Leadership, 12753 SW 68th Avenue #299, Tigard, OR 97223-8323; tel: (503) 598-7889; fax: (503) 598-8571. Nate is at: nolson@iclnet.org

The Executive Director of the ICL, Martin Bush (martin@iclnet.org) has corresponded (by e-mail, of course) with Jack Haas and has indicated that the ICL provides e-mail resources through its ICLnet, an Internet bulletin-board service, or BBS. Contact him for more information.

As a historical footnote, Howard Vollum and Jack Murdock were the co-founders of electronics test and measurement manufacturer, Tektronix Inc., known for development of the laboratory oscilloscope. Howard was a Christian known to ASAer Alton Everest as a supporter of the Moody Science film series. The Editor's recollection of Howard from my days at Tek as a `scope designer was that Howard was inventive, very knowledgeable of electronics and truly humble. As president (and later Board Chairman) of a billion-dollar company, he would feel most at home when out in the aisles of engineering benches, brainstorming with fellow engineers about electronics design ideas.

Finally, postcyberphobe Walt (WOE no mo') Hearn was trying to get a network of Christian writers activated ó what he called a "writer's bloc" in which he would serve as the tentative leader, or "blochead." Well, perhaps with his still new but now comfortably familiar 486-based PC, Walt is ready to get the writer's bloc going in cyberspaceóperhaps with an announcement on the new list server? Glenn Kirkland, Paul Arveson, Joe Carson, Nate Olson, Walt Hearn

ASAers in Action

Edward B. Davis and James Moore participated in "The Evangelical Engagement with Science" at Wheaton C. from Mar. 30 to Apr. 1 along with others such as Mark Noll, Colin Russell, George Marsden, and Ronald Numbers. It was "a major academic conference exploring evangelicals' historic and contemporary role in the scientific enterprise" and was sponsored by the Institute for the Study of American Evangelicals at Wheaton C.  Walt Hearn

Physicist Bill Monsma is director of the MacLaurin Institute, a Christian study center at the U. of Minnesota, and is looking for donations of or reduced prices on used 386 or 486-based computer equipment. Bill says of the Institute in a recent letter that "Our goal is not to restore compulsory chapel services to state universities, but to get a hearing for Christianity in the marketplace of ideas. Our prayer is to see individuals and societies transformed by Christ rather than shaped by secular ideology." The MacLaurin Institute address is: 331 Seventeenth Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414; tel. (612) 331-1003; e-mail:  monsm001@maroon.tc.umn.edu Walt Hearn

Owen Gingerich's article, "The Summer of 1953: A Watershed for Astrophysics" appeared in Physics Today (Dec. 1994, p. 34 ff), recounting important events in the development of astrophysics. Written in a personable style, reminiscences of the events by renowned astrophysicists are accompanied by pictures from the 1953 Michigan summer school on astrophysics. Some of the most influential researchers from two generations of astrophysicists are shown. F. Alton Everest

Wheaton C. environmental scientist Jeff Greenberg, reported on radio in the previous ASAN, has now participated as moderator in the 1995 Science Symposium (Feb. 14, 1995) at Wheaton in a panel discussion, "Scientific, Ethical, and Technological Implications of the Gaia Hypothesis"óthat's the idea that the earth and its biosphere is a living being. Other Wheaton ASAers have participated in the Center for Applied Christian Ethics' "trialogue workshops" entitled "Distinctive Responsibilities for the Environment" (Mar. 15-16, 1995). Talks were given by David Mahan ("Teaching Environmental Responsibility in the Public Schools") and Ray Brand ("Human Health and the Environment"). Jack Haas and Sara Miles also participated in the symposium. Jeff noted that the symposium was well-attended. Jeff Greenberg

Past ASA president Gary R. Collins is now president of the American Assoc. of Christian Counselors. They are joining with James Dobson's Focus on the Family to sponsor a "Congress on the Family" in Denver, July 5-9. (For more information on it, call (800) 760-9119.) The Congress will include workshops, strategic planning sessions, seminars, and even some popular Christian musical performers. Gary will give one of the five plenary addresses and all participants will receive a copy of his new book, Family Shock: Keeping Families Strong in the Midst of Earthshaking Change. When Gary took over the AACC three and a half years ago, it had 700 members, and has grown since to over 15,000, with 1,000 new members in February alone! The AACC is at 20720 N. Meadows Court, Kildeer, IL 60047; (708) 438-9673. Gary Collins

Vernon J. Ehlers, physicist and Republican congressman from Michigan, was quoted in Science News (14 Jan 1995, Vol. 147, p. 20) in the article, "Republicans Talk Tough on Science." Vern said that "The most important issue we have to address is basic research." He was referring to the decisions ahead for the now Republican- controlled House Committee on Science, chaired by Robert S. Walker (R-PA). According to the article, "Many in the Republican leadership have held congressional seats for years and built records of support for science. However, even these members now say budget cuts appear inevitable."

U. of Minnesota geneticist V. Elving Anderson is now professor emeritus but is active. He and Bruce Reichenbach have published a book together (On Behalf of God: A Christian Ethic for Biology, Eerdmans, $22.99) and have written an article on human personhood and the sciences in the John Templeton Foundation's newsletter, Progress in Theology (March 1995; Vol. 3, No. 1). The article was based on a full paper published in the J. of Evangelical Theological Studies, Vol. 33, No. 2, June 1990 that received a 1993 Templeton Call for Papers on Humility Theology award.

Personals 

D. Wayne Linn is retiring from Southern Oregon State College in Ashland after 30 years of teaching and four years of chairing the biology department. Wayne and his wife, Fae, have been involved with foreign students for many years, precipitated by their two-year Peace Corps tour to Malawi, East Africa in the mid-70s. Wayne also taught for two years at the U. of Swaziland in southern Africa. He was also a research chemist and biologist at the Mayo Clinic and his career includes Dakota Wesleyan U. in Mitchell, SD (home of the Corn Palace), Utah State U., U. of Washington, the National Park Service and, for 18 years, a football official! Wayne has the rare distinction of having a fish, found only in Lake Malawi, named after him: Haplochromis linni. At SOSC he coordinated the master's degree program in environmental education and intends to continue to speak and write on environmental issues. Wayne's long history of ASA involvement includes Annual Meetings at Whitworth, Bethel, and Stanford in 1979, where he gave a paper. He was also on the Planning Committee for the Newberg Meeting at George Fox C., has been Committee Chair of the Oregon Section, and is published in the ecology edition of the Journal ASA (Mar. 1973).

Several years ago, Randy Cronk, assoc. prof. of psychology at Mt. Vernon Nazarene C. in Ohio, first heard about Daystar U. in Nairobi, Kenya through the ASAN, from an ASAer who had written about his sabbatical experience there. Randy's interest was "sparked" and when his first sabbatical came, all the arrangements (through Messiah C. at the time) were completed. He spent last fall lecturing in the Community Development Department at the new Athi River campus, about 25 miles southeast of Nairobi. Randy says that "with Daystar growing to a student body of nearly 1000, it was an exciting time to be there. There was truly a sense of Daystar coming of age." Randy taught two courses: Intro. Psychology and Life Span Development, with a combined enrollment of 132 students. He concludes with: "Our brothers and sisters in Christ at Daystar are carrying on a good work on a needy continent."

Pittsburgh Local ASA Meeting Asks "Why?"

A formative local section meeting was once again held on Sat., Mar. 18, 1995 at Central Christian Church in Pittsburgh, within walking distance of both the U. of Pittsburgh and Carnegie-Mellon U. Members in attendance included Robert Voss, Earle Fox, Sam Brunsvold, Robert Griffiths, David Laughlin, Dennis Feucht and the speaker, ASA Exec. Dir. Don Munro, who polished his talk on "Issues in Genetic Engineering," dealing with its wider, ethical implications. (It is estimated that some 4 to 6 thousand diseases are due to single-gene defects!) Some students attended, including one from Nigeria.

Don's second talk was about "The Vision and Work of ASA" and much of the afternoon was spent discussing the relative merits of having a local section. Don pointed out that sections differ in their focus and interests. With such a diverse set of interests in the ASA, the question of what specific intent a local section can have was a key point of discussion. Bob Voss emphasized the value in getting together a few times each year. Such occasional meetings are a way of networking with others interested in sci/rel and finding out what others nearby are doing and thinking. Bob Griffiths raised the question of how a local section might effectively address some specific intention.

The raison d' etre of the Pittsburgh section is itself still forming, but incidentally, Bob Griffiths and David Laughlin are co-teachers (of four) of a science/religion class at CMU, Sam Brunsvold is a local campus minister to students at both universities and Earle Fox (Emmaus Ministries) is also making use of his Ph.D. in phil. of science from Oxford U. with his active outreach to students and the church. With key local members involved in reaching students and the church in the area of sci/rel, perhaps there may be some common cause after all.

Welcome, New ASA Members!

For the first quarter of 1995, we have added 39 members. We thought it would be helpful to our membership if we publicly welcomed new members. People active in local sections could invite those who live in their locale to their activities. Call the ASA office if you need a more definitive location.

Ames, Patricia ñ Ipswich, MA

Boleratz, Betty Ann ñ Columbus, OH

Bond, Leonard ñ Boulder, CO

Brock, Brian ñ Loma Linda, CA

Carlsgaard, George ñ San Jose, CA

Clendenon, Cynthia ñ Indianapolis, IN

Corand, Pierre ñ Santa Fe, NM

Dennis, John ñ Hershey, PA

Funk, Richard ñ Oswego, NY

Gileff, David ñ Burnaby, BC

Gollus, Clifford ñ Geneseo, NY

Goodrich, Michael ñ Baltimore, MD

Hatcher III, Everette ñ Little Rock, AR

Hayes, Steven ñ Idaho Falls, ID

Hemric, Mark ñ Shawnee, OK

Hope, Ingrid ñ Scar, Ont.

Jacobson, Herbert ñ Elkhart, IN

Joslin, Charlie Gray ñ Wichita, KS

Kantola, Angela ñ Indian Hills, CO

Kruse, Liskin Swint ñ Iowa City, IA

Landers, Robert ñ Westfield, NJ

Lee, Leland ñ Buies Creek, NC

Mangan, Brian ñ Nescopeck, PA

Marangu, John ñ San Diego, CA

Mattson, Howard ñ Flat Rock, NC

McKinney Osborn, Carol ñ Houston, TX

McRae, Bradford ñ Chicago, IL

Meador, Darrell ñ Shawnee, KS

Minch, Roland ñ Clifton Park, NY

Norris, Ann ñ Valdez, AK

Pikey, Mary Lee ñ Grand Rapids, MI

Poffenberger, A. K. ñ Norman, OK

Ranger, Dean ñ San Diego, CA

Schweppe, Michael ñ Chandler, AZ

Sikkema, Arnold ñ Surrey, BC

Sumida, David ñ Los Angeles, CA

Vandegriff, Jon ñ Columbus, OH

Zobel, Henry ñ Darien, IL