Stephen O. Moshier, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Geology, Wheaton College
501 E. College Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60187
630/752-5856 office
630/752-5996 fax
Great are the works of the Lord: They are studied by all who delight
in
them. Psalm 111:2
THE FOSSIL RECORD IN GEOLOGIC HISTORY
ANNUAL SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM AT WHEATON COLLEGE
MARCH 30, 2000
In 1815, the English civil engineer William Smith demonstrated the
significance of fossils in sedimentary rocks. His principle of
fossil
succession, that there is an orderly sequence of fossils in the
stratigraphic record, has been verified by geological research over
the
past 185 years.
What does the fossil record reveal about the history of life? What
evidence do fossils provide for the origin of biological organisms
and the
diversity of life on earth today? This topic is relevant to the
evangelical
community because of interest in relating scientific ideas about the
history of life to creation accounts in the Bible.
In this program, our two speakers are paleontologists who will
address the topic of "The Fossil Record in Earth History" from
different
perspectives. One speaker views creation as having unfolded over
hundreds
of millions of years, with the history of life following a plan of
evolutionary development. The other speaker views creation as
having a
more recent and sudden beginning and the diversity of life as the
product
of distinct creative events.
In their presentations, each speaker will focus on the interesting
topic of what the fossil record reveals about the origin of
biological
organisms over the range of taxonomic groups.
Following each presentation, a panel will interact with the
speakers and audience. The panel will consist of persons with
professional
backgrounds in the sciences, philosophy and Biblical studies.
Session I. Armerding Lecture Hall
4:00 PM Welcome and Introductory Comments
Dr. Jeff Greenberg, Wheaton College
4:10 PM Featured Lecture: The Fossil Record: Witness to an Evolving
Creation
Dr. Keith Miller, Kansas State University
5:10 PM Panel Response, Discussion, and Audience Questions, Dr.
Stephen
Moshier- moderator
Dr. Keith Miller, Kansas State University
Dr. Kurt Wise, Bryan College
Dr. Paul Nelson, Origins and Design Journal
Dr. Robert O'Connor, Wheaton College
Dr. Richard Schultz, Wheaton College
5:50 PM Dismiss for Dinner
6:00-7:15 PM Dinner Between Sessions - Cafeteria-style dinning in
Anderson
Commons
Session II. Armerding Lecture Hall
7:30 PM Welcome and Introductory Comments
Dr. Stephen Moshier, Wheaton College
7:35 PM Featured Lecture: The Fossil Record: The Ultimate Test Case
Dr. Kurt Wise, Bryan College
8:35 PM Panel Response, Discussion, and Audience Questions, Dr. Jeff
Greenberg - moderator
9:30 PM Dismiss
For more information contact the Department of Geology and
Environmental
Science at 630 752-5063
Speaker Biographical Information
Dr. Kurt P. Wise is an Associate Professor of Science and Director
of
Origins Research
at Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee. Dr. Wise grew up in
Rochelle, IL
and graduated from the University of Chicago with a B.A. in Geology.
He
attended Harvard University and completed both the MA and Ph.D.in
geology,
specializing in paleontology. Since moving to Bryan College in
1989, Dr.
Wise has continued his research in geology and paleontology, and is
a
member of several professional societies. Dr. Wise has been
featured in
news articles and television documentaries on the topic of origins
as a
prominent advocate of recent creationism. He is co-author of a
study and
video series on the book of Genesis for Precept Ministries
International.
His hobbies include spelunking, hiking, drawing, genealogy,
refinishing
furniture and, of course, collecting fossils! Dr. Wise and his wife
Marie
are raising two daughters.
Dr. Keith B. Miller is a Research Assistant Professor of Geology at
Kansas
State University, in Manhattan, Kansas. His educational background
includes geology degrees from Franklin and Marshall College (BS),
SUNY
Binghamton (MA) and the University of Rochester (Ph.D.). His
research
interests and numerous scientific publications are on paleoecology,
stratigraphy and the geological record of global change. Dr. Miller
has
also published articles on the topic of theological implications of
evolutionary theory and the development of a coherent environmental
ethic.
He belongs to several professional societies and is an officer in
the
Affiliation of Christian Geologists. Dr. Miller and his wife Ruth
are
raising a young son.
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