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GRI partnered with the organizers of the 61st General Conference Session, held in St. Louis, June 6-11, 2022, contributing evening devotionals that explored the relationship between Scripture, faith, and science.
Recordings of the devotionals are available at https://www.gcsession.org/devotionals/
or can be accessed individually by clicking the links provided below in the outlines of these exciting presentations.
Monday, June 6
8:45 PM– 9:15 PM CDT
“I Believe!" , presented by Timothy Standish, PhD
Do “The heavens declare the glory of God”? How could anyone know if it’s true? Is truth something that is proven or something that is discovered and recognized? What is the cost of believing what is True? In this presentation, Dr. Standish will address these foundational questions and share his testimony of belief in the Word of God.
Click here to watch a recording of this presentation
Find a written version of this presentation on pages 30-32 of the GC Session Bulletin #2
About the speaker: Timothy Standish was born in Sydney, Australia, but grew up in the Far East where his parents served as missionaries. He completed his undergraduate education at Andrews University in Michigan, obtaining a BS degree in zoology with a chemistry minor. He commenced his graduate education at the same institution earning an MS degree in Biology while studying brachiopods. Subsequently he attended George Mason University earning a Ph. D. in environmental biology and public policy while studying application of molecular techniques to the identification and classification of nematode worms.
As an educator, Dr. Standish has taught in colleges and universities in the United States, South Africa, Austria, Kenya and the Philippines. He has also taught public high-school science classes in the United States and currently works closely with science teachers in Christian secondary and tertiary schools. In addition, he has authored many academic and popular papers and directed/produced several media productions dealing with faith and science. Dr. Standish is a senior research scientist at the Geoscience Research Institute in Loma Linda, California. Look for some of his work on the Geoscience Research Institute website.
Wednesday, June 8
8:45 PM– 9:15 PM CDT
“My God Did This!" , presented by Suzanne Phillips, PhD
Faith is foundational to the Christian experience, yet God has not let Himself without a testimony. Part of this testimony of the creatorship and godliness of God is material, and can be encountered in the study of the natural world. In this presentation, Dr. Phillips will discuss some of the realities revealed in the Bible that are also discoverable using the methods of science, and share her personal experience of amazement in encountering, while studying biochemistry, a God who is truly worthy of worship.
Click here to watch a recording of this presentation
Find a written version of this presentation on pages 26-28 of the GC Session Bulletin #4
About the speaker: Suzanne Phillips is the chair of the Earth and Biological Sciences Department at Loma Linda University. She previously served as chair and professor in the Biology Department at Southwestern Adventist University for nine years. She received a BS in Biology from Union College in 1998, and graduated from Loma Linda University’s Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Department with a Ph.D. in 2003. She serves on the Faith & Science Council, the Geoscience Research Institute’s board, and GRICOM. Her interests include bacterial signaling pathways, geology, and sharing the gospel. Learn more about her academic responsibilities and interests on the Loma Linda University website.
Thursday, June 9
7:00 PM– 7:30 PM CDT
“In the Beginning, There Was Love" , presented by Noemí Durán, PhD
“Survival of the fittest" and “struggle for existence." You have probably heard these expressions before, likely in connection with one of the most famous concepts in evolution: natural selection. Competition and violence are presented as the necessary tool that allowed for the emergence of biodiversity, in contrast with the biblical account of a “very good" creation. In this talk, Dr.Durán will illustrate fascinating examples of altruism and cooperation in the animal world, challenging the dominant narrative and pointing back to the time when animals were designed to show the loving character of God.
Click here to watch a recording of this presentation
Find a written version of this presentation on pages 26-28 of the GC Session Bulletin #5
About the speaker: Noemí Durán is the Director of the European Branch Office of the Geoscience Research Institute. Noemi completed a Masters in Zoology at the Universidad de Valencia (Spain), and obtained a PhD in Biology at Loma Linda University. She is a marine biologist specialized on ecology and animal behavior, with research interests related to conservation of endangered species and the study of their adaptations to specific environments. She lectures on faith, science, and origins topics, and teaches Science and Religion classes in several Theological Seminaries across Europe. Learn more about her research and educational interests on the Geoscience Research Institute website.
Friday, June 10
2:00 PM– 2:30 PM CDT
“In the Beginning God Created" , presented by Ronny Nalin, PhD
Does the Bible present an understanding of origins that is obsolete in light of modern advancements in scientific knowledge? Are there better witnesses to truth than the Word of God, when it comes to origins? In this talk, Dr. Nalin will share his testimony of trust in the infinite wisdom of the Word of God, and introduce contributions from other scientists who have dedicated their life to the study of nature and have found that God's revelation is trustworthy in a way that pierces through all times and cultures.
Click here to watch a recording of this presentation
Find a written version of this presentation on pages 30-32 of theGC Session Bulletin #3
About the speaker: Ronny Nalin is a sedimentary geologist who holds a doctoral degree in Earth Sciences from the University of Padova, Italy. From 2007, he has worked as research scientist at the Geoscience Research Institute, Loma Linda, USA, and serves as its Director since August 2020. He is also Assistant Professor of Geology at the Earth and Biological Sciences Department of Loma Linda University. His academic interests focus on the sedimentology and stratigraphy of shallow marine deposits. He has published several papers on these subjects on international journals of sedimentary geology. Ronny is passionate about sharing the message of a Creator God as revealed in the Bible and always seeks for ways to better understand the natural world in light of that revelation. Learn more about his academic interests on the Geoscience Research Institute website.