PERSPECTIVES on Science and Christian Faith
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PERSPECTIVES ON SCIENCE AND CHRISTIAN FAITHPERSPECTIVES VOLUME 61, NUMBER 3 SEPTEMBER 2009 on Science and Christian Faith JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SCIENTIFIC AFFILIATION In this issue … The Puzzle of Existence Assessing Evidences for the Evolution of a Human Cognitive Platform for “Soulish Behaviors” Prophet of Science—Part Two: Arthur Holly Compton on Science, Freedom, Religion, and Morality “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.” Psalm 111:10 VOLUME 61, NUMBER 3 SEPTEMBER 2009 (US ISSN 0892-2675) (CPM #40927506) Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith Manuscript Guidelines © 2009 by the American Scientific Affiliation The pages of Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith (PSCF) are open Editor to original, unpublished contributions that interact with science and Christian faith in a manner consistent with scientific and theological integrity. Published ARIE LEEGWATER (Calvin College) 1726 Knollcrest Cir. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 papers do not reflect any official position of the American Scientific Affiliation. [email protected] 1. Submit all manuscripts to: Arie Leegwater, Editor, Calvin College, De Vries Hall, 1726 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4403. Managing Editor E-mail: [email protected]. Submissions are typically acknowledged within LYN BERG (American Scientific Affiliation) 10 days of their receipt. PO Box 668, Ipswich, MA 01938-0668 2. Authors must submit an electronic copy of the manuscript formatted in [email protected] Word as an email attachment. Typically 2–3 anonymous reviewers critique each manuscript submitted for publication. Book Review Editors 3. Use endnotes for all references. Each note must have a unique number. REBECCA FLIETSTRA (Point Loma Nazarene Univ.) Follow The Chicago Manual of Style (14th ed., sections 15.1 to 15.426). 3900 Lomaland Dr., San Diego, CA 92106 [email protected] 4. While figures and diagrams may be embedded within the Word text file of the manuscript, authors are required to also send them as individual electronic JAMES C. PETERSON (McMaster University Divinity files (JPEG or TIFF format). Figure captions should be provided as a list College and Faculty of Health Sciences) at the end of the manuscript text. Authors are encouraged also to submit 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1 Canada a sample of graphic art that can be used to illustrate their manuscript. [email protected] ARTICLES are major treatments of a particular subject relating science to a ARIE LEEGWATER (Calvin College) Christian position. Such papers should be at least 2,000 words but not more 1726 Knollcrest Cir. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 than 6,000 words in length, excluding endnotes. An abstract of 50–150 words [email protected] is required. Publication for such papers normally takes 9–12 months from the Editorial Board time of acceptance. CHARLES C. ADAMS, Dordt College COMMUNICATIONS are brief treatments of a wide range of subjects of interest HESSEL BOUMA III, Calvin College to PSCF readers. Communications must not be longer than 2700 words, WALTER L. BRADLEY, Baylor University excluding endnotes. Communications are normally published 6–9 months from WARREN S. BROWN, Fuller Graduate School of the time of acceptance. Psychology JEANNE BUNDENS, Eastern University NEWS & VIEWS are short commentaries on current scientific discoveries or HARRY COOK, The King’s University College, Canada events, or opinion pieces on science and faith issues. Lengths range from 200 JANEL M. CURRY, Calvin College to 1,500 words. Submissions are typically published 3–6 months from the EDWARD B. DAVIS, Messiah College time of acceptance. KARL V. EVANS, Lakewood, CO LOUISE M. FREEMAN, Mary Baldwin College BOOK REVIEWS serve to alert the readership to new books that appear OWEN GINGERICH, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics significant or useful and engage these books in critical interaction. Guidelines for book reviewers can be obtained from the incoming book review editors. JOHN W. HAAS,JR., Gordon College Note respective subject areas: WALTER R. HEARN, Berkeley, California D. GARETH JONES, University of Otago, New Zealand · Rebecca Flietstra ([email protected]): anthropology, biology, environ- CALVIN JONGSMA, Dordt College ment, neuroscience, origins, and social sciences. CHRISTOPHER B. KAISER, Western Theological · James C. Peterson ([email protected]): apologetics, biblical studies, Seminary bioethics, ethics, genetics, medical education, philosophy, and theology. GORDON R. LEWTHWAITE, California State · Arie Leegwater ([email protected]): cosmology, engineering, history of University, Northridge science, mathematics, non-bio technologies, and physical sciences. H. NEWTON MALONY, Fuller Theological Seminary SARA MILES, Eastern University The viewpoints expressed in the books reviewed, and in the reviews KEITH B. MILLER, Kansas State University themselves, are those of the authors and reviewers respectively, and do not STANLEY W. MOORE, Pepperdine University reflect an official position of the ASA. GEORGE L. MURPHY, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, LETTERS Columbus, OH to the Editor concerning PSCF content may be published unless must not be ROBERT C. NEWMAN, Biblical Theological Seminary marked not for publication. Letters submitted for publication longer than 700 words JACK C. SWEARENGEN, Santa Rosa, CA and will be subject to editorial review. Letters are WALTER R. THORSON, Calgary, Alberta, Canada to be submitted as electronic copies. Letters accepted for publication will be PETER VIBERT, Wading River Congregational Church published within 6 months. DAVIS A. YOUNG, Calvin College ADVERTISING is accepted in PSCF, subject to editorial approval. Please ESTHER MARTIN, Manuscript Editor address inquiries for rates or further information to the Managing Editor. The ASA cannot take responsibility for any orders placed with advertisers Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith in PSCF. (ISSN 0892-2675) is published quarterly for $40 per year by the American Scientific Affiliation, AUTHORIZATION TO PHOTOCOPY MATERIAL for internal, personal, or 55 Market Street, Ipswich, MA 01938-0668. educational classroom use, or the internal or personal use of specific clients, Phone: 978-356-5656; Fax: 978-356-4375; is granted by ASA, ISSN: 0892-2675, provided that the appropriate fee is [email protected]; www.asa3.org paid directly to Copyright Clearance Center (CCC), 222 Rosewood Drive, Periodicals postage paid at Ipswich, MA and Danvers, MA 01923 USA for conventional use, or check CCC online at the at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: following address: www.copyright.com/. No registration with CCC is needed: Send address changes to: Perspectives on simply identify the article being copied, the number of copies, and the journal Science and Christian Faith, The American title (Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith). For those who wish to Scientific Affiliation, PO Box 668, Ipswich, MA request permission for other kinds of copying or reprinting, kindly write to 01938-0668. the Managing Editor. Guest Editorial The ASA in 2109: How We Got There Edward B. Davis Edward B. Davis ne of the benefits of being a historian is that Our purpose is even clearer: “to investigate any O you get to encounter the past in the present, area relating Christian faith and science” and through the perceptions and experiences of “to make known the results of such investigations our predecessors. I have yet to figure out how to for comment and criticism by the Christian com- encounter the future, yet historians are often asked munity and by the scientific community.” Again, to prognosticate: considering the history of this or we find just the right amount of specificity, with that, what do you think will happen in the next enough breadth to ensure that many interesting quarter century? Usually I decline the opportunity topics will get plenty of attention, while leaving to consult my crystal ball, but let us pretend for some controversial topics on the outside, for ex- the moment that I have used it to peer into the future ample, those related to more purely political or of the ASA, looking forward to a century from now, theological disputes—though both politics and when no one reading this editorial will be able to theology can certainly influence one’s views about tell me how badly I was misled by that transparent science and Christianity. little sphere. The other part of our purpose reflects the two The premise behind this thought experiment is, worlds in which our members live and work: first, of course, that the ASA will still exist in 2109, in the body of Christ, of which we are only a very when there will be 168 candles on its birthday cake. small part, with millions more no less valuable than Plenty of organizations and institutions have been ourselves; second, in the professional communities around far longer, but more than a few have not to which we belong and to whom we can be salt made it even to our present age, a modest and light. In short, the ASA exists to advance the sixty-eight. If we are still here in 2109, what will activity of science—including the social sciences have made it possible? What might some future and technology, along with the natural sciences— historian say then about how we got there? as a proper Christian vocation. If we are still here in 2109, it will be because we remained faithful to First, he or she might say, we were clear about this vision. who we are and why we exist. The ASA is currently defined as “a fellowship of men and women of Our future historian might identify a second, science