Andrews Autumn Conference on Religion and Science

Andrews University and the Midwest Religion and Science Society (MRSS), an organization representing a variety of faith backgrounds including Seventh-day Adventist, Anabaptist, Church of the Brethren, and Catholic.

2023 Conference: October 28 - 29, 2023

In an age where society is challenged by contending values that promote a zero-sum cancel culture, the theme, "Neither Fools nor Heretics" celebrates the decade of friendship between a Young Earth Creationist and an Evolutionary Creationist. Todd Wood, PhD, Darrel Falk, PhD, and Rob Barrett, PhD will wach present at this engaging and thought provoking conference.  As they reflect on what does it really mean to be accepting of others while hold diametrically opposing philosophical perspectives.

2021 Conference: November 12-13, 2021

The theme was "The Andrews Way of Doing Archaeology." Excavations in Hisban Jordan were started in 1968 by Siegfried H. Horn. He later founded the Horn Archaeological Museum, which now houses one of the largest cuneiform collections in the United States. The guidelines under which he worked have been established as the “Andrews Way” of doing archaeology—guidelines still followed by workers in biblical archaeology

The annual Andrews Autumn Conference on Religion & Science is a function of Andrews University and the Midwest Religion and Science Society (MRSS), an organization representing a variety of faith backgrounds including Seventh-day Adventist, Anabaptist, Church of the Brethren, and Catholic. The forum takes place in the Biology Ampitheater on Friday & Saturday, November 12-13, 2021.

The theme is "The Andrews Way of Doing Archaeology." Excavations in Hisban Jordan were started in 1968 by Siegfried H. Horn. He later founded the Horn Archaeological Museum, which now houses one of the largest cuneiform collections in the United States. The guidelines under which he worked have been established as the “Andrews Way” of doing archaeology—guidelines still followed by workers in biblical archaeology:

1. Be forthright with findings. Do not minimize problems or stretch interpretations of data to explain things away.
2. Do not make claims beyond what the data can support.
3. Be quick and complete in publishing results.
4. Engage and work within mainstream scholarship.
5. Include a diversity of people and specialists.
6. Take the history of the Bible seriously, but do not place upon archaeology the burden of “proving” the Bible.

Although these guidelines were established for Biblical Archaeology, they are applicable to other disciples and their relation to biblical faith. 

The 2021 speakers include Andrews professors Øystein LaBianca, and Randall W. Younker, as well as Darrell J. Rohl (Assistant Professor, Calvin University), Christopher Jenkins (PhD Student, Yale University), Carina Prestes (PhD Student, Andrews University), and Kevin Burton (Director, Center for Adventist Research). The conference is sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Institute of Archaeology and Siegfried H. Horn Museum, Theological Center for Interdisciplinary Dialogue, and the Office of Research and Creative Scholarship. 

Breakfast and supper will be provided for all participants. Please contact us for lunch or accommodation reservations.  Reach us at research@andrews.edu.

The Schedule of events: 

Friday, November 12, 2021

Sabbath, November 13, 2021

8:00 am         Breakfast 

4:00 pm       Closing worship: Seminary Chorus

4:30 pm       Horn Museum open house

5:00 pm       Supper (Institute of Archaeology and Siegfried H. Horn Museum)

For previous years, please see the archive on Digital Commons.