L. James Gibson Director

Is there really a Creator-God, and if so, why does His existence matter to us in this Age of Science? This question may seem strange to many Seventh-day Adventists, but it is being asked by millions who need to understand the gospel. Answers are needed that will appeal to those who are thoughtfully seeking for meaning in life. Is Genesis still relevant in a world dominated by the secularizing influence of science? We believe it is and that the story of Creation is an important part of the gospel as presented in the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14, which includes a call to worship Him who created heaven and earth.

Some four decades ago the General Conference leadership acted to meet the challenge to Scripture increasingly posed by scientific discoveries and theories. The Geoscience Research Institute (GRI) was established for the purpose of studying the relationship of science and Scripture—seeking to develop an interpretation of nature that was in harmony with the teachings of Scripture.

First located on the campus of Andrews University, the institute was moved to Loma Linda University. After 20 years of renting space in buildings owned by the university, the institute moved into a new building of its own in the spring of 2000.

The Staff
Four scientists and three support persons are currently employed in the home office. Clyde Webster, a geochemist, analyzes the proportions of various elements in volcanic deposits in order to identify their source areas. Elaine Kennedy is a geologist specializing in sedimentology (determining the conditions under which sediments were deposited). Ben Clausen is a nuclear physicist. Jim Gibson is director of the institute. His studies focus on geographical distribution patterns of terrestrial vertebrates, and how they might be interpreted in the context of the biblical flood. Other staff include Katherine Ching, Jan Williams, Ed Collins, and David Rhys, who volunteers his time and efforts to publish Ciencia de los Origenes.

The institute operates a branch office in Europe and one in South America. The European branch office is located at Collonges-sous-Saleve, France, and is directed by Jacques Sauvagnat, an invertebrate paleontologist. The South American branch office, on the campus of the River Plate University in Argentina, is directed by Carlos F. Steger, whose research interests are in paleontology.

The Work
Field conferences for church administrators and educators are conducted during the summer. These are designed to include visits to geological sites that have significant implications for understanding earth history, along with numerous lectures to help church leaders keep up with recent developments in creationist thinking. During the past quinquennium two field conferences were conducted in Europe and two in the United States. In addition, a field school for teachers was held in the state of Washington.

Another GRI activity is BRISCO (Biblical Research Institute Science Council), jointly sponsored with the Biblical Research Institute (BRI). Members of GRI and BRI meet with college teachers of science and religion classes, church administrators, and others to discuss current issues in creationism. Many papers presented at BRISCO have led to published articles in various journals.

The institute publishes three journals. Origins is a semitechnical journal published twice a year. Geoscience Reports contains material of interest to teachers of Earth sciences in grades 6-10. Ciencia de los Origenes is a Spanish-language publication intended for university students in Spanish-speaking countries. Our Web site (www.grisda.org) contains the articles published in Origins, material of interest to teachers, and other material of general interest. It also includes links to a wide variety of other organizations, with a diversity of views.

GRI also supports a modest research grant program. During the past quinquennium this program involved 13 research projects addressing various issues of significance in understanding Earth history.

The Future
The institute looks forward to continuing to serve the church in the coming quinquennium. We anticipate that science will continue to bring challenges to the teachings of Scripture, for we have been counseled to expect this (Evangelism, p. 593). In this we depend not upon our own efforts, but upon the power of the Creator, who is the author of nature and the inspirer of Scripture.