2420 East Ashman Street Midland, Michigan 48642
|
Welcome to
the Midland
Seventh-day Adventist Church
|
|
Religion at
the Interface Page
|
So
that we may understand how our faith as Christians relates to the
issues of origins, life, and the future, we present a Distinguished
Lecture Series on Friday evenings at 7:00 pm monthly. We
hope you are blessed by your attendance.
Note: A poem by Thomas H. Troeger
which sums up the underlying philosophy of these Religion at the
Interface Lectures is included at the end.
October
15, 2004 Mickey Kutzner, PhD
Origin of the Universe: "Space, God, and Time"
Surprising
discoveries in cosmology related to the nature of the universe and its
origin are providing even the most skeptical with important evidence
for belief in a creator God.
Biography
of Mickey Kutzner
As
a professor of physics at Andrews University, Berrien Springs,
Michigan, Mickey Kutzner teaches and studies atomic theory and the
radio astronomy of interstellar clouds, the birthplace of stars. He
holds a Masters degree in astronomy from UCLA and a PhD in physics from
the University of Virginia. He as awarded the Sigma Xi Young
Investigator Award for the North Central Region for his research on
atomic photo-ionization. Dr. Kutzner has published many articles
with students from Andrews University.
November 12, 2004 John Stout, PhD
Intelligent
Design: "Accidental Brains or Designer Genes?"
Understanding
the nervous system, especially its functions at the molecular level,
challenges the most fundamental steps in the proposed evolution of
life. Read
more about the topic here.
Biography of John Stout
Currently the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Dean of
Research, John Stout joined Andrews University in 1969 as Professor of
Biology. He has taught courses in molecular biology, physiology
and neurobiology and chaired the Biology Department from 1983 to 2000,
a department now ranked in the top 10% nationally based on the success
of its graduates. As a researcher in neurobiology he has received
support from the National Science Foundation for more than twenty
years, and awards from the Humbolt Foundation. His research has
resulted in many published papers in refereed scientific journals.
January
14, 2005 John Baldwin, PhD
Origin of Life:
"Creation, Catastrophe, and Calvary"
Geological,
theological and spiritual reasons why a recent creation of
life forms on earth is necessarily linked to a global flood. Read
more about the topic here.
Biography of John Baldwin
Born in California, John Templeton Baldwin spent several years with his
missionary parents in Singapore. He is presently Professor of
Systematic Theology in the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary,
of Andrews University. He attended Walla Walla College, and
received his doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1990 writing a
dissertation on the topic of the philosophical relation of science and
religion. Baldwin has published articles in scholarly
journals such as the Harvard Theological Review; the Christian
Scholar's Review, and Andrews University Seminary Studies. In the
book which he edited and co-authored, Creation,
Catastrophe, and
Calvary (Review and Herald Publish, Hagerstown, Maryland), the
question
"What difference does it make whether I believe in a creation in six
literal days and a global flood?" is explored.
February
11, 2005 JoAnn Davidson, PhD
Christian History:
"Understanding the Christian World"
Christ
promised, "I will build My Church" which the Gospel of Mark
records. The 2000 years now passed offer a complex and amazing
picture of how God has been fulfilling His word through the many
failures of the Church. Read more about the topic here.
Biography of JoAnn Davidson
Daughter of missionary parents, JoAnn Davidson began her teaching
career as a home-schooling mom and music instructor. After
completing a PhD from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School JoAnn
continued her teaching career by becoming the first woman to teach in
the Theology Department of the Andrews University Theological
Seminary. Among the courses she has taught are The Works of God, Survey of Christian Theology, Understanding the Christian World, and Christian Ethics. Her
published works include the book, Jonah:
The Inside Story, (Review and Herald Publishing) as well as
chapters in Women in Ministry,
edited by Nancy Vyhmeister (Andrews University Press), and Creation, Life and Hope, edited by
Jiri Moskala. Dr. Davidson is past president of The Adventist
Theological Society.
March
18, 2005 Jennifer Groves
Biblecal
Archaeology: "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Yahweh: What
Archaeology Reveals About the Bible"
Archaeological finds in the Near East continue to demonstrate the
accuracy of the Biblical record. A review of recent studies
illustrates how the debate over the historical accuracy of the Bible is
being won with the spade. Read more about the topic here.
Biography of Jennifer Groves
A graduate of Andrews University and the University of Arizona, Ms.
Groves is a staff archaeologist with the Tall Jalul Excavation,
sponsored by Andrews University. Her field experience includes
archaeological survey and excavation in Arizona, Israel, and
Jordan. She has taught anthropology and archaeology classes at
Andrews University and Bethel College. Ms. Groves will be
speaking in place of Dr. Randy Younker, who found it necessary to be in
Jordan preparing for the May archaeological dig on the lecture's
announced date.
April
15, 2005 Norman Moll, PhD
Divine-Human
Intervace: "Star Wars? No, the Real Thing"
The
Bible provides intriguing insights into the reasons why our world
is the way it is. By putting the puzzle pieces together a
worldview emerges which provides one with understanding, comfort and
hope. Read more about the topic here.
Biography of Norman Moll
A graduate of Andrews University, Norman Moll earned a PhD in physical
chemistry from Case Western Reserve University. As a scientist
with The Dow Chemical Company he researched new products and processes
during his 30-year career. He is co-inventor of a process
to convert coal into clean liquid fuels. A polymeric foam pattern
material, which he developed, facilitated the commercial introduction
of ductile iron castings made by the lost foam casting process.
As a lay leader in the Midland Seventh-day Adventist Church, Norman has
served as a teacher, speaker, and musician. His Bible studies,
especially those in the books of Daniel and Revelation, have been
featured in numerous lectures.
Praise
the Source of Faith and Learning
by Thomas H.
Troeger
Praise the source of faith and learning
that has sparked and stoked the mind
with a passion for discerning
how the world has been designed.
Let the sense of wonder flowing
from the wonders we survey
keep our faith forever growing
and renew our need to pray:
God of wisdom, we acknowledge
that our science and our art
and the breadth of human knowledge
only partial truth impart.
Far beyond our calculation
lies a depth we cannot sound
where your purpose for creation
and the pulse of life are found.
May our faith redeem the blunder
of believing that our thought
has displaced the grounds for wonder
which the ancient prophets taught.
May our learning curb the error
which unthinking faith can breed
lest we justify some terror
with an antiquated creed.
As two currents in a river
fight each other's undertow
till converging they deliver
one coherent steady flow,
blend, O God, our faith and learning
till they carve a single course,
till they join as one, returning
praise and thanks to you, their Source.
Praise for minds to probe the heavens,
praise for strength to breathe the air,
praise for all the beauty leavens,
praise for silence, music, prayer,
praise for justice and compassion
and for strangers, neighbors, friends,
praise for hearts and lips to fashion,
praise for love that never ends.
Words copyrighted by
Oxford University Press
Used by permission of CCLI License
Number 1868056
Note: This poem may be sung
to the tune Hyfrydol
|
For
those who may wish to look more deeply into the topic of Intelligent
Design, we suggest the DVD's available at the following link. You
may view a short movie with comments by leading scientists and
philosophers.
http://www.buzzplant.com/illustra/ecard3/
|
Date Last
Modified: April 21, 2008