READERS’ FORUM

 

By email from C. K.:

 

In the latest Biblical Astronomer (summer 2002), Dr. Bolton Davidheiser discusses the work of Dr. Hugh Ross.  On p. 114, he summarizes what H. D. B. Kettlewell wrote about his experiments, with some thoughtful responses to the significance of that research.  This summer science writer Judith Hooper published Of Moths and Men, a book on Kettlewell and his work, which points out serious problems with the work (finally criticised by scientists) and puts it perspective.

A good brief summary by Paul Raeburn is in the August 25, 2002 New York Times, section 7, column 3, page 12.

 

By email from John Arend, B.S. (Geology), M.S. (Science Education), M. Div.; Public Information Services Director of ICR–

 

I am writing to you for the purpose of clarifying the record regarding ICR’s position on geocentrism in response to a Readers’ Forum article appearing on p. 123 of Biblical Astronomer number 101. Unfortunately, without the name of your reader, or the date, or the specific subject he chose in emailing ICR, I am unable to retrieve it from our archives. The fact that this “42-year-old-layperson” chose to express himself in that manner rather than with ICR directly, indicates a possible different agenda is involved. Based on the nature of his remarks I believe there are some misunderstandings that need clarification. Scripturally, as a Christian, if a brother has trespassed against him he needs to “go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone....”(Mt. 18:15-18). By the same token if you believed that “ICR seems to regard both you and this subject” (geocentricity).... “with disdain,” it would have been appropriate to use the same approach, rather than print several such unsubstantiated remarks. However, you were unable to do this because neither you or I know who “the good people of ICR” were that reportedly “condescendingly informed me (in part) not to rely on Gerardus Bouw’s views on a rotating universe,” after I had submitted the geocentricity matter to them,” nor do we know who “them” is.

          As Director of Public Information Services (distinct from the “in customer service” department), I field ICR’s incoming email, letters, and phone calls regarding scientific or theological questions and have a small part-time staff for assistance.  In the last 12 months I have tried to thoughtfully and accurately prepare, or oversee more than 8,000 such responses.  I only learned about your publication from a mutual friend and was disappointed to learn that my first exposure to the Biblical Astronomer was to be cast as one of “the bad Guys.”  Since I prefer to try to please God rather than men, this could be a blessing in disguise, however, I suggest that the focus be changed from “personal digs” to dealing with the scientific/biblical issues. At this point it would be premature for me to answer any questions that you may have regarding ICR’s position (from your direct personal knowledge) on geocentrism until I have completed your book. In the interim, I do rely primarily on those of our scientific staff that also have their Ph D’s in Astronomy. If you disagree with their written positions on the subject, I would be willing to privately receive your considered beliefs and attempt to remove all misunderstandings that stand in the way of the pursuit of truth. For example, Dr. Faulkner has made several statements regarding Geocentrism in his review of Marshall Hall’s book The Earth is Not Moving. The review was first published in: TJ 15 (2): 36-37, 2001. Perhaps that could serve as a starting point to engage in some private irenics.

          At one time I thought that Geocentrism was simply a matter of whether the earth was at the center of the universe or not. I have learned that the earth is absolutely unique in its design, placement in the universe, and ability to sustain life as we know it.  Our Creator God has placed the earth near the edge of a galaxy that indeed is in the center of the all the galaxies of the universe. If you agree with that, than perhaps we are both geocentrists and that there is no conflict between Geocentrism and Creationism. I look forward to pursuing the matter further with you when I finish my own research on the topic.

John G. Arend,

My response:

 

I’ve forwarded your e-mail to my source.  Hopefully, he’ll make himself known.  [He did, and documented his charges. –Ed.]  He did not request anonymity, by the way.  The Biblical Astronomer has always presumed someone wants to remain anonymous unless they otherwise make themselves known publicly or specify that they do not desire anonymity.  The reason is that some are rather prominent and fear for their jobs.

          Apparently you are not aware of me and confuse me with Marshall Hall, an easier geocentric opponent to refute.  I have an earned Ph.D. in Astronomy, and I am the real man behind the straw man that was the subject of Faulkner’s main article in the same issue of CENTJ.

          To learn more, and to see my full response to Faulkner, which did not pass the CENTJ censors, see http://www.geocentricity.com.  That site is a good starting place for research on geocentricity.  My book is under revision, and the correction (the only one) needed is mentioned in the rebuttal to Faulkner at that site.