A 28-member Faith and Science Council that will tackle continuing issues of creation, science and the Bible has been voted by leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist world church. The action came during executive committee meetings on Oct. 12 as part of the movement’s annual business meetings.

Membership will be drawn largely from scientific and theological ranks of the church, including its Biblical Research Institute (BRI) and the Geoscience Research Institute (GRI), the latter with headquarters at Loma Linda University.

The panel will “work toward developing interpretations of nature which are consistent with the biblical teaching of origins”; “explore the interrelation between the biblical understanding of creation and scientific discoveries and theories that have an impact on the topic of origins”; promote a better understanding of the complexity of the scientific study of origins and its challenges and contributions to the biblical doctrine of creation”; “contribute to a better understanding of issues connected to the relationship between humans and the rest of creation”; and “share with church leaders, teachers, pastors and the world church materials related to faith and science issues.”

It’s anticipated that the panel will prepare research papers for publication; review and evaluate creationists’ claims as well as scientific claims, and the importance and/or relevance of each to Adventism’s understanding of origins; work on special projects; schedule various field trips for both BRI and GRI; and disseminate the results of this research through various media.

“They will make recommendations that will affect the direction of the church’s approach” to scientific issues, predicted Pastor Jan Paulsen, world church president, in introducing the concept. Though the BRI Science Committee has partly served this function in the past, the new panel is one “where we can sit down and strategize and plan for the future,” he added.

The terms of reference for the panel says its membership should reflect those with academic expertise, those who are professional theologians or scientists or high-level church administrators, and be internationally representative. A fifth provision, calling for a “common approach to the study of the Scriptures and to science,” evoked a question from the floor, but was answered by BRI director Dr. Angel Manuel Rodríguez, who said that “too much dissonance” in approach among members “would not enable [the panel] to achieve its goals.”

At the same time, GRI director Dr. L. James Gibson added that there are issues which need consideration from several viewpoints: “If there were no differences to study, we wouldn’t have this council.”

Pastors Gerry D. Karst and Ted N.C. Wilson, both general vice presidents of the world church, will serve respectively as chairman and vice-chairman of the panel. Gibson and Rodríguez will be co-secretaries of the group. Membership includes several church administrators as well as theologians from BRI and key Adventist institutions. Scientific representation comes chiefly from GRI and Adventist colleges and universities as well. With one exception, which is being taken under consideration, all nominated members of the new group were approved. No dates were set for meetings of the new panel.