Mequon conference to defend creationism

By Melanie Ave

The universe may be vast — more than 150 billion light-years across — but that does not disprove the young age of the earth, according to the Rev. Dr. Joel Heck, theology professor at Concordia University Texas, Austin, Texas.

Astronomy holds many clues that support the LCMS perspective of the earth being several thousand years old instead of millions of years old, he said.

“There’s an awful lot of data that supports a young earth,” Heck said. “Most people are unaware of the fact that there is much scientific evidence, including the field of astronomy, that supports a young-earth position on origins.”

That topic and others will be addressed at the conference, “The Heavens Declare: What Astronomy Can Tell Us About Biblical Creation,” set for July 8-10 at Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, Wis. The conference is sponsored by the university and the Society of Creation, an organization founded by several Concordia University System professors, including Heck.

The main purpose of the conference is to explain and defend the young-earth perspective.

The conference is open to the public. Educators, students, pastors, church workers, lay members and anyone who is interested in learning more about creation are encouraged to attend.

Heck said the conference should give participants a better understanding of how the Bible is consistent with the young-earth perspective. He said it also will help them become more confident in articulating their own beliefs about creation in a society that is soaked with the evolutionary model.

“People are being bombarded on all sides about this subject,” Heck said. “About the only thing most people are hearing from the world is Darwinian evolution. Some people adopt that position because they don’t know any better. Others adopt that position because they trust the majority point of view.”

The conference will feature two keynote speakers: Dr. Danny Faulkner, an astronomer at Answers In Genesis, Petersburg, Ky.; and Dr. Don DeYoung, chairman of the science and mathematics department at Grace College, Winona Lake, Ind. Faulkner, who actively researches binary stars and has written the book Universe by Design, will address “Biblical Astronomy” and “Astronomy’s Young Age Indicators.” DeYoung, president of the Creation Research Society, will cover the topics of “Our Nearest Neighbor, the Moon” and “The Discovery of Design.”

Other speakers include Heck and Dr. Gary Locklair, a computer science professor at Concordia University Wisconsin.

Registration is $40 per person, which does not include housing or meals. One-day rates are available for $10 for Monday, July 8, or Wednesday, July 10, or $20 for Tuesday, July 9. Reduced rates are available for some groups, including family members and church staff.

Housing is available on campus or in area hotels or motels. On-campus lodging in the Coburg residential hall is $35 per person nightly, plus $1.50 per person for daily campus usage. For on-campus lodging, call 262-243-4525 or contact David Reyes at david.reyes@cuw.edu.

To register, send an email to Heck at heckyes@aol.com or send a check payable to “Concordia University Wisconsin” to Dr. Gary Locklair, Concordia University Wisconsin, 12800 N. Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI 53097.

For more information, visit societyofcreation.org.

Melanie Ave is senior writer and social media coordinator with LCMS Communications.

Updated May 12, 2013 / May 21, 2013