Geoscience Research Institute
Encyclopedia
The Geoscience Research Institute (GRI), located on the campus of Loma Linda University
in California
, is an official
institute of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
which engages in creation science
, and serves the church in the areas of research and communication. Seven researchers are employed by the Institute.
s. In 1957, the church responded by forming a Committee on the Teaching of Geology and Palaeontology, which selected "two mature, experienced men of proven loyalty", biologist Frank Lewis Marsh
and chemist P. Edgar Hare, to undertake courses in these fields. In 1960, comparative anatomist and palaeontologist Richard M. Ritland was added to the group. However, differences in approach quickly led to disagreements over whether it was permissible to reinterpret biblical and prophetic accounts in the light of scientific evidence, with Hare and Ritland supporting this view, while Marsh favoured the historic Adventist interpretations. After a number of years of acrimony, Hare decided in 1964 to remain with the Carnegie Institution, where he had gone to conduct laboratory studies. Hare's views led towards theistic evolution
, though he chose to remain in the Adventist church. Also in 1964, Marsh was transferred to Andrews University
, having been outmanoeuvred by Ritland, who became the head of the institute.
However, by the late 1960s Ritland's more flexible approach fell out of favour with a new and more doctrinally rigid church president, Robert H. Pierson
, who laid down the following guidelines:
These constraints led Ritland to resign as director of the GRI in 1970, joining Marsh in the biology department at Andrew University. He was replaced by Robert H. Brown, a physicist who eagerly committed the institute to a more apologetical
mission, that of showing that the Earth "originated within six consecutive rotations of the planet" no more than 10,000 years ago and "experienced a universal destruction as portrayed in Genesis 6-8." Brown was fascinated with radioactive time clocks, dismissed radiocarbon dating
that contradicted church doctrine, but embraced evidence that indicated that the raw materials of the Earth were billions of years old. This viewpoint, described by historian of Creationism Ronald Numbers
as "schizoid", displeased both young-Earth conservatives (such as Marsh and Robert V. Gentry
) and liberals
like Ritland and Hare.
Ronald Numbers
notes Brown's achievements as including "polishing the tarnished image of creationism" (especially comparative to the "sometimes slipshod presentations" of the Institute for Creation Research
). His successor, Ariel A. Roth
, moved the institute to Loma Linda University
. They both dedicated the institute to salvaging flood geology, and repeatedly dismissed scientists who were skeptical of the credibility of this view.
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda University is a Seventh-day Adventist coeducational health sciences university located in Loma Linda, California, United States. The University comprises eight schools and the Faculty of Graduate Studies...
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, is an official
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is the governing organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, where it moved in 1989...
institute of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
which engages in creation science
Creation science
Creation Science or scientific creationism is a branch of creationism that attempts to provide scientific support for the Genesis creation narrative in the Book of Genesis and disprove generally accepted scientific facts, theories and scientific paradigms about the history of the Earth, cosmology...
, and serves the church in the areas of research and communication. Seven researchers are employed by the Institute.
History
The GRI owes its existence to concerns by Adventist science teachers, in the late 1950s, about the lack of Adventists qualified in Earth ScienceEarth science
Earth science is an all-embracing term for the sciences related to the planet Earth. It is arguably a special case in planetary science, the Earth being the only known life-bearing planet. There are both reductionist and holistic approaches to Earth sciences...
s. In 1957, the church responded by forming a Committee on the Teaching of Geology and Palaeontology, which selected "two mature, experienced men of proven loyalty", biologist Frank Lewis Marsh
Frank Lewis Marsh
Frank Lewis Marsh was an American biologist, educator and creationist author. In 1963 he was one of the ten founding members of the Creation Research Society along with well-known creationists such as Henry M. Morris and Duane Gish. His papers are kept at Andrews University, from which Marsh...
and chemist P. Edgar Hare, to undertake courses in these fields. In 1960, comparative anatomist and palaeontologist Richard M. Ritland was added to the group. However, differences in approach quickly led to disagreements over whether it was permissible to reinterpret biblical and prophetic accounts in the light of scientific evidence, with Hare and Ritland supporting this view, while Marsh favoured the historic Adventist interpretations. After a number of years of acrimony, Hare decided in 1964 to remain with the Carnegie Institution, where he had gone to conduct laboratory studies. Hare's views led towards theistic evolution
Theistic evolution
Theistic evolution or evolutionary creation is a concept that asserts that classical religious teachings about God are compatible with the modern scientific understanding about biological evolution...
, though he chose to remain in the Adventist church. Also in 1964, Marsh was transferred to Andrews University
Andrews University
Andrews University is a Seventh-day Adventist university in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1874 as Battle Creek College in Battle Creek, Michigan, it was the first higher education facility started by Seventh-day Adventists, and is the flagship university of the Seventh-day...
, having been outmanoeuvred by Ritland, who became the head of the institute.
However, by the late 1960s Ritland's more flexible approach fell out of favour with a new and more doctrinally rigid church president, Robert H. Pierson
Robert H. Pierson
Robert Howard Pierson was a president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. In 1935 he went to work in Bombay, India. In 1939, while in India, he was ordained as a minister of the Adventist church...
, who laid down the following guidelines:
These constraints led Ritland to resign as director of the GRI in 1970, joining Marsh in the biology department at Andrew University. He was replaced by Robert H. Brown, a physicist who eagerly committed the institute to a more apologetical
Christian apologetics
Christian apologetics is a field of Christian theology that aims to present a rational basis for the Christian faith, defend the faith against objections, and expose the perceived flaws of other world views...
mission, that of showing that the Earth "originated within six consecutive rotations of the planet" no more than 10,000 years ago and "experienced a universal destruction as portrayed in Genesis 6-8." Brown was fascinated with radioactive time clocks, dismissed radiocarbon dating
Radiocarbon dating
Radiocarbon dating is a radiometric dating method that uses the naturally occurring radioisotope carbon-14 to estimate the age of carbon-bearing materials up to about 58,000 to 62,000 years. Raw, i.e. uncalibrated, radiocarbon ages are usually reported in radiocarbon years "Before Present" ,...
that contradicted church doctrine, but embraced evidence that indicated that the raw materials of the Earth were billions of years old. This viewpoint, described by historian of Creationism Ronald Numbers
Ronald Numbers
Ronald L. Numbers is an American historian of science. He was awarded the 2008 George Sarton Medal by the History of Science Society for "a lifetime of exceptional scholarly achievement by a distinguished scholar".- Biography :...
as "schizoid", displeased both young-Earth conservatives (such as Marsh and Robert V. Gentry
Robert V. Gentry
Robert V. Gentry is a nuclear physicist and young earth creationist, known for his claims that radiohalos provide evidence for a young age of the Earth. He is a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.-Career:...
) and liberals
Progressive Adventism
Progressive Adventists are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church who disagree with certain beliefs traditionally held by mainstream Adventism and officially by the church. They are often described as liberal Adventism by other Adventists, the term "progressive" is generally preferred as a...
like Ritland and Hare.
Ronald Numbers
Ronald Numbers
Ronald L. Numbers is an American historian of science. He was awarded the 2008 George Sarton Medal by the History of Science Society for "a lifetime of exceptional scholarly achievement by a distinguished scholar".- Biography :...
notes Brown's achievements as including "polishing the tarnished image of creationism" (especially comparative to the "sometimes slipshod presentations" of the Institute for Creation Research
Institute for Creation Research
The Institute for Creation Research is a Christian institution in Dallas, Texas that specializes in education, research, and media promotion of Creation Science and Biblical creationism. The ICR adopts the Bible as an inerrant and literal documentary of scientific and historical fact as well as...
). His successor, Ariel A. Roth
Ariel A. Roth
Ariel A. Roth is a naturalized American zoologist and creationist who was born in Geneva, Switzerland. He is a leading figure in the field of flood geology, having been involved and published extensively on the creation-evolution controversy....
, moved the institute to Loma Linda University
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda University is a Seventh-day Adventist coeducational health sciences university located in Loma Linda, California, United States. The University comprises eight schools and the Faculty of Graduate Studies...
. They both dedicated the institute to salvaging flood geology, and repeatedly dismissed scientists who were skeptical of the credibility of this view.