By P. Harold Wallar, MD
LSU Alumnus
The Seventh-day Adventist church invests about one million dollars a year in its Geoscience Research Institute (GRI), located just 20 minutes from La Sierra University and staffed by five competent creation scientists: Dr. James Gibson, Dr. Raul Esperante, Dr. Timothy Standish, Dr. Benjamin Clausen and Dr. Ronnie Nalin. Surely these men of science and faith have been deeply concerned by LSU’s attempts to subvert biblical creation right in their backyard.
The GRI is supposed to be the combatant against forces attempting to undermine the church’s position on origins. But what does public record show are GRI’s activities to address the problems at LSU? So far, almost nothing.
It seems GRI is either not willing or is not being allowed to help resolve the LSU controversy. Why is the GRI silent when this topic is its specialty, when its voice is needed now more than ever? Is the GRI out of service? Are these scientists unable to support the Bible and the position of the church against LSU’s assault? Has the GRI lost its direction? Are they afraid? Are they unwilling? Or have these men been silenced from their superiors so they cannot perform their responsibilities? Is not one million dollars a year enough to enable the GRI to function in its chartered role?
Whatever the reason, their silence obviously begs many questions.
There is one positive. The GRI is planning a series of public lectures on creation for the 2010 General Conference session in Atlanta, called, “Reasons Seventh-day Adventists believe in a recent six-day Creation.” However, that is thousands of miles away from the mess they’re seemingly ignoring at home.
I encourage the scientists at GRI to speak up and get involved at this crucial time. The church needs creation warriors, unafraid to speak for truth. The church depends on you. Students and teachers depend on you. We all depend on you.
