More than 200 people have been attending this week’s South Pacific Division Faith & Science Conference at Avondale College of Higher Education, with a further 80-100 online viewers.
The four-day conference, which ends today (July 19), is exploring the biblical and scientific evidence for Creation. Presenters have included Dr Jim Gibson, director of the Geoscience Research Institute at Loma Linda University, California, Dr Jacques Doukhan, professor emeritus of Hebrew and Old Testament Exegesis at Andrews University, and Dr Leonard Brand, professor of biology and paleontology at Loma Linda University. Among the topics: “Complexity of the Living Cell”, “Comparing Human and Ape DNA”, “Mutation and Population Genetics” and “Exegesis of Genesis 1-3”.
Dr Sven Ostring, chair of the Faith & Science Conference organising committee, said prayer has been a key focus of the conference, which has featured “really insightful presentations and workshops”.
“There was also time for people to ask the significant questions that they are dealing with,” said Dr Ostring, who was one of the presenters.
“It has been an exciting opportunity to become more informed, confident and bold about sharing with people the incredible picture of God that we see in the biblical Creation account and His wonderful plan of salvation. We have really felt the presence of our Creator and Saviour at this conference.”
The Trans Pacific Union Mission (TPUM) had about 40 delegates at the conference, including science and Bible teachers, chaplains and administrators.
TPUM associate education director Mele Vaihola said the conference affirmed her faith in the one true God, the Creator of the universe.
“I am encouraged, affirmed and motivated that this conference is a timely one and the presentations addressed current issues that we are facing in our science classrooms,” she said.
“We have all been encouraged and inspired to go back and make a difference in what we do as we pass on the faith to our students.”
