PERSPECTIVES ON SCIENCE AND CHRISTIAN FAITHPERSPECTIVES VOLUME 63, NUMBER 1 MARCH 2011 on Science and Christian Faith JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SCIENTIFIC AFFILIATION In This Issue … Reading Scripture and Nature: Pentecostal Hermeneutics and Their Implications for the Contemporary Evangelical Theology and Science Conversation Kepler and the Laws of Nature Sediment Transport and the Coconino Sandstone: A Reality Check on Flood Geology Design or the Multiverse? “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.” Psalm 111:10 VOLUME 63, NUMBER 1 MARCH 2011 (US ISSN 0892-2675) (CPM #40927506) Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith Manuscript Guidelines © 2011 by the American Scientific Affiliation The pages of Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith (PSCF) are open to original, unpublished contributions that interact with science and Christian Editor faith in a manner consistent with scientific and theological integrity. 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ARIE LEEGWATER (Calvin College) COMMUNICATIONS are brief treatments of a wide range of subjects of interest 1726 Knollcrest Cir. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 to PSCF readers. Communications must not be longer than 2700 words, [email protected] excluding endnotes. Communications are normally published 6–9 months from the time of acceptance. Editorial Board NEWS & VIEWS are short commentaries on current scientific discoveries or CHARLES C. ADAMS, Dordt College from 200 HESSEL BOUMA III, Calvin College events, or opinion pieces on science and faith issues. Lengths range to 1,500 words WALTER L. BRADLEY, Baylor University . Submissions are typically published 3–6 months from the WARREN S. BROWN, Fuller Graduate School of time of acceptance. Psychology BOOK REVIEWS JEANNE BUNDENS, Eastern University serve to alert the readership to new books that appear HARRY COOK, The King’s University College, Canada significant or useful and engage these books in critical interaction. Guidelines JANEL M. CURRY, Calvin College for book reviewers can be obtained from the book review editors. Note EDWARD B. DAVIS, Messiah College respective subject areas: KARL V. EVANS, Lakewood, CO · Louise Freeman ([email protected]): anthropology, biology, environment, LOUISE M. FREEMAN, Mary Baldwin College neuroscience, origins, and social sciences. OWEN GINGERICH, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for · James C. Peterson ([email protected]): apologetics, biblical studies, Astrophysics bioethics, ethics, genetics, medical education, philosophy, and theology. D. GARETH JONES, University of Otago, New Zealand · Arie Leegwater ([email protected]): cosmology, engineering, history of CALVIN JONGSMA, Dordt College science, mathematics, non-bio technologies, and physical sciences. CHRISTOPHER B. KAISER, Western Theological Seminary The viewpoints expressed in the books reviewed, and in the reviews H. 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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 Civil Discourse and the ASA Jennifer Wiseman Jennifer Wiseman “ f you don’t have something nice to say about segment of the scientific community that simply does Isomeone, then don’t say anything at all.” This not quite understand the concerns and beliefs of was the wise admonition often given to my sib- a significant segment of the largely religious public, lings and me by our mother during our childhood. from whom they need support. Perhaps this is a bit simplistic—after all, Jesus did not always say “nice things” about everybody—but for We do not know each other either: outside the the rest of us it should at least be the starting point in ASA, many Christians have never known a scientist, our conversations about viewpoints differing from and vice versa. In some Christian circles, we have our own, and especially about those who hold them. also lost touch with the diversity of Scripture-honor- ing views held throughout the centuries that are Yet as I write this, our nation is reeling from the relevant to scientific understanding today. Christian mindless rampage of a gunman who shot a US Rep- “camps” and labels have developed around certain resentative and several other citizens who were philosophical stances: “Creation Science,” “Theistic peacefully assembled with her. Though the perpetra- Evolution,” “Intelligent Design,” “Darwinism,” and tor was obviously troubled in many ways, many “BioLogos,” to name a few regarding origins. Then people are soul-searching the possibility that our there are the “camps” on issues that inform policy nation’s political discourse has become too negative and behavior as well: Why is the climate changing, and verbally abusive, driving some on the edge to and what should we do about it? Does God call us violence and many others to unproductive divisions. to lifestyle change for the sake of the environment? Even our media serves as a vehicle for polarization When does human life begin? Is embryonic stem cell rather than an objective marketplace for news and research ever a good thing? How much should we ideas. care and do about the welfare and suffering of other species? How should we use our technology? Are What does this have to do with an organization our institutions run in honorable ways? Finding focused on science and Christian faith, namely the like-minded fellow believers on any of these themes ASA? Quite a lot. The state of national discourse on can be refreshing. Yet well-informed and stimulating science and religious belief is also, by some mea- cross-discussion and debate are critical for the health sures, at a low point. This can be attributed to many of an open society, especially for Christians, as we possible drivers. For one, science education, at least believe there is truth to be found through honest dis- in the USA, currently leaves many without even course.Sadly,someChristiangroupsseemtohave a basic understanding of scientific history, methods, also fallen into the national abyss of name-calling and current knowledge. This leads to a vulnerability and disrespect, not just of viewpoints but also of the of belief: if a trusted religious authority figure speaks people who hold them. erroneously on a scientific issue, and conflates this error with a theologically disputable “biblical view,” Within the ASA, we discuss all kinds of issues how can an uninformed Christian citizen discern regarding the relationship of science and Christian how what to believe? faith.