Four persons were recognized this year by the Presbyterian Association on Science, Technology and the Christian Faith (PASTCF) at a luncheon during the 217th General Assembly in Birmingham. They are Dr. Randall M. Erickson of Los Alamos, N.M., Dr. Ronald Lee Jenkins of Birmingham, Ala., Dr. Brian Scully of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., and Dr. James H. Shelhamer of Kensington, Md.
PASTCF inaugurated the “Daniel W. Martin Science as a Christian Vocation” program in 1998 to recognize Presbyterian scientists, engineers, science educators, and other technical professionals whose work is truly in response to a call from God. To date, PASTCF has recognized 36 individuals in the program.
Erickson is a nuclear and systems engineer at Los Alamos National Laboratory. From his high school days, he has been interested in physics, with a particular interest in energy technology. He perceives science as providing an opportunity to understand more about God’s creation. After graduating with a D.Sc. in nuclear engineering from M.I.T., he rejected working on “Star Wars” projects on ethical grounds, and joined Los Alamos National Laboratory instead where his work has emphasized peaceful uses of nuclear fusion energy, and safe disposal of nuclear wastes. He has also been actively involved in many aspects of the life of the United Church of Los Alamos, including participating in 25 mission trips to Mexico, and discussion of science and faith issues in the Men’s Group.
Jenkins is a professor of biology at Samford University. The Samford student body is predominantly white, middle class, and from evangelical Protestant religious traditions. They are struggling to reconcile challenges from science, from modern technology, and from their faith traditions. As a Christian first and scientist second, Jenkins helps his students find their own way of respecting both their faith and the science that they learn in the classroom and laboratory. He has taught classes on various aspects of science and religion both at Samford and at his home church. He describes himself as a “theologian of nature” — one who “begins with a faith in God and the preaching of Jesus Christ,” and then through study of science sees God everywhere.
Scully is director of the Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences of the University of Florida Indian River Research and Education Center. He has been described as a “humble, decent, conscientious Christian and devoted father of two daughters who is always thinking of ways to use his projects to help peoples and populations who have special needs.” His research has been in plant breeding and genetics, specifically turf genotypes. He has also developed new varieties of corn and beans that improve production without sacrificing nutrition in the process. Rather than getting rich as a result of his plant patents, he has expressed the intention of donating to the church all profits from his new corn variety
Shelhamer is deputy chief of critical care at the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C. His pastor describes him as “a dedicated, committed disciple of Jesus Christ living out his faith in all aspects of his life,” and “a wonderful model for others as they work to discern God’s call and claim upon their lives.” His professional work combines the practice of medicine with the most critically ill, significant medical research, and advanced training and collaboration with physicians who hold NIH Fellowships. He has also been a leader in his church’s mission work, participating in two medical missions to a small village in western Kenya.
The “Science as a Christian Vocation” program is named after the late Daniel W. Martin, a distinguished acoustical physicist who was the first vice president of PASTCF. More information about the program may be found on the web at www.pastcf.org/martin.html and www.pastcf.org/vocation.html .
Derek L. Pursey is a professor emeritus of Iowa State University and an ordained Presbyterian elder living in Dubuque, Iowa.
