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Leonard R. Brand
File:Leonardbrand.jpg
Born
Leonard Roy Brand

1941, USA
Harvey, North Dakota
Occupation(s)Professor of biology and paleontology
EmployerLoma Linda University
Known forZoology and Paleobiology Research;
Advocate of Young Earth Creationism;
Philosophy of Science advocate for:
* Courtesy in Dialogue
*Divine Intervention Belief Informing Scientific Inquiry
Caution in making scientific claims.
TitleChairman, Department of Earth and Biological Sciences
SpouseKim
Children2
Websitehttp://resweb.llu.edu/lbrand/index.html

Leonard Brand is a young earth creationist,[1] zoologist and paleobiologist. He is the Chair Professor of Loma Linda University Department of Earth and Biological Sciences.[2]

As a Creationist, he champions interventionism, a view of history holds that there is intelligent intervention in history.[3][4] His philosophical notion of respectful dialogue has been welcomed by advocates on both sides of the creation–evolution controversy. He challenges his fellow creationists to use caution when making scientific claims.

As a research scientist, he has had his findings published in various peer-reviewed journals. He has studied the vocalizations of chipmunks, the reproductive biology of mice, and the taphonomy of whales in Peru and turtles in Wyoming. His research on fossil tracks in the Grand Canyon has been published in Geology, but his conclusions have been challenged by some critics.

Biography

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Leonard Brand has been a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church since his early teens. He was baptized in 1952 while living in Kansas.[5]

In 1964, as a senior biology student at La Sierra College, he received a $50 book scholarship from a scholarship fund established by Riverside naturalist and author Edmund C. Jaeger. He was one of only two students to receive the award in that first year it was offered.[6][importance?]

Brand received his doctorate from Cornell University in 1970 while working for Loma Linda University's La Sierra campus.[7] That same same year, he was part of a creationist team from Loma Linda University which studied the Paluxy tracks. Berney Neufeld, Brand and Art Chadwick concluded that the tracks did not provide valid evidence for the coexistence of humans and dinosaurs.[8]

Scientific research

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In 1968-69, Brand and Ryckman studied the reproductive life and biochemistry of deer mice (specifically the mainland cactus mouse and two related species isolated to nearby islands, the San Lorenzo and Angel Island mice). They confirmed the accepted taxonomy of these species, and showed that these species are still able to interbreed. [9][10][11]

Between 1970 and 1987, Brand reported on the tree nests and vocalisations of California chipmunks.[12][13][14][15]

From 1999, the fossil remains of hundreds of whales (including the "Leviathan") were discovered as part of the Pisco formation in Peru. Brand and his associates studied the taphonomy of these well-articulated skeletons, and demonstrated that the burial of the whales in diatom sediment had been a very rapid event.[16][17]

Brand has also been involved in taphonomy experiments using modern animal carcasses, particularly intended to aid understanding of the features of fossil turtles.[18]

Fossil tracks

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In the field of Ichnology, Brand, along with Thu Tang, Andrew A. Snelling, and Steven A. Austin, have proposed that fossil tracks in the Grand Canyon's Coconino Sandstone point to underwater deposition, rather than desert wind deposition of dry sand.[19] Brand and Tang studied western newts. They had them walk on sand under 4 cm of flowing water in an aquarium tank. By analogy, they concluded that at least part of the Coconino Sandstone was deposited under water.[20] This hypothesis has not found support in the geological community, which has found various pieces of evidence supporting their formation on dry land.[21][22][23][24]

Geologist Martin Lockley describe's Brand's Salamander trackway study as "seriously flawed" and notes that Brand links the underwater tracks theory to the idea that the whole Grand Canyon was entirely formed by a catastrophic, biblical-style flood, a view which Lockley calls geologically naive and disingenuous. He criticizes Brand's book, Faith, Reason and Earth History, for "leaving out any discussion of the objections published by geologists to his interpretation." Lockley praises Brand for admitting that creationists have made mistakes and that science-bashing can be counter-productive, for advocating respectful engagement, and for raising some thought-provoking philosophical questions regarding evolution and sociobiology.[25]

A number of studies have found evidence contradicting Brand and Tang's conclusions and Lockley and Hunt's 1995 book Dinosaur Tracks and Other Fossil Footprints of the Western United States suggests an alternative explanation with the tracks being made in air by extinct mammal-like reptiles called caseids. Inconsistencies that contradict the underwater hypothesis include:[20][24]

  • tracks demonstrating various running gaits impossible under water, at various angles to the slope;
  • tracks made by many forms of invertebrates which would not leave prolific underwater tracks, including some which could only be made on completely dry sand; and
  • raindrop impressions.

Creation-evolution debate

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Brand participates in the creation–evolution controversy less confrontationally than many creationists. Young and Stearley, two Christian geologists who disagree with Brand's young earth views, state that he, along with Ariel Roth along with some other recent flood geology advocates "have a much more irenic and moderate tone that provides a welcome contrast to the sarcastic, sometimes disrespectful tone and unwarrantedly dogmatic pronouncements of earlier creationists."[26] In a forward to Brand's book, Faith Reason and Earth History, Kurt Wise applauds the book for breaking free from the "science-bashing spirit" prevalent in creationist literature.[27] Lockley suggests that Brand is "writing for people of faith" and that his more sympathetic approach may have a greater impact in "educat[ing] creationists to a scientific way of thinking" than the more confrontational approach of many anti-creationists.[25]

Brand argues for integrity in creationist arguments, against using material that is full of errors and writing "without having the scientific training to match their zeal."[28]

In his PhD dissertation, Thomas McIvor reports that:[29]

Zoologist Leonard Brand used live reptiles and amphibians in his lab to see how footprints were formed in different conditions: dry, damp, and wet sand, and when the animals were walking on sand underwater. The underwater tracks, he concludes, resembles most closely fossil tracks such as found in the Grand Canyon’s Coconino Sandstone. This contradicts the evolutionist assumption of the desert origin of the sandstone, and supports the Flood model. Brand has published these experiments both in GRI’s journal Origins (1978) as well as a standard scientific journal (1979).

Philosophy of Science

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Leonard Brand presents his philosophy of science views in writing, at seminars, creationist conventions, church meetings, and as a lecturer in the classroom.[original research?] He has published two books on the philosophy of science from a Young Earth Creationist worldview and as a professor of the Earth and Biological Sciences department at Loma Linda University, he teaches three courses on the Philosophy of Science.[30][importance?]

A difference in philosophy not scientific data

Brand distinguishes between scientific data and presuppositions. He says,

The difference between a creationist and an evolutionist isn't a difference in the scientific data, but a difference in philosophy - a difference in the presuppositions... [31]

For Brand, the Bible inspires inquiry

Brand teaches that his biblical views help him propose questions for research. On page 8 of his book, Beginnings, he states,

In my approach, I retain the scientific method of observation and experimentation, but I also allow study of Scripture to open my eyes to things that I might otherwise overlook and to suggest new hypotheses to test. This approach is not just a theory; some of us have been using it for years with success.[32]


Relationship to the Seventh-day Adventist Church

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Leonard Brand has served on the SDA church's science council from 1976 to 2003.[33] He oversaw the development of the church's earth sciences program at Loma Linda University. His research was announced to be important to the mission of the church at a meeting of Adventist world leaders. He has published a book in response to the major critics of church founder Ellen G. White.[original research?]

Masters program in earth history

In 1978, church leaders approved Loma Linda University's Department of Biology masters program in earth history. As head of the department, he explained the rationale for the program,

Our objectives for the degree are two-fold. We want to train secondary teachers to teach earth history and to foster study in the earth sciences in the context of the various ideas of origins." He said that Adventists had neglected the fields of paleontology and geology even though they related significantly to the church's understanding of origins. According to Brand, it was important for the Adventist church to have teachers on all levels who could understand the conflict in these areas.[34][better source needed]

Brand's research important to the church's mission

At the 1995 Annual Council of the General Conference Committee of Seventh-Day Adventists, John T. Baldwin, Professor of Theology at the Andrews University Theological Seminary, commended the work of a number of creationists within and without the Seventh-day Adventist Church, including Brand and his department, the Geoscience Research Institute (GRI), evangelical law professor Phillip E. Johnson and evangelical theologian J. P. Moreland. Baldwin called Brand's research, and the field discoveries of the GRI, "significant," saying that the research would help Adventists to keep their biblical worldview and to continue to proclaim their message.[35][importance?][better source needed]

The prophet and her critics

In 2005, Don S. McMahon, an Australian medical specialist, and Leonard Brand co-authored the book, The prophet and her critics. It was published by the Pacific Press Publishing Association, a prominent church publisher of Adventist books.[relevant?] [undue weight? – discuss][36][better source needed] The core issue treated in their book is the doctrine of inspiration as it relates to Ellen White's writings on health.[37][better source needed] In the first four chapters, Brand reports on the earlier research of Ron Numbers on health (1976), Jon Butler on prophetic fulfilment (1979) and Walter Rea on literary relationships (1982). He proposes that these earlier research studies should be examined for their use of logic, interpretation of data, and whether they had good research designs. In the last part of the book, McMahon reports on his research findings regarding Ellen White's statements on health and their accuracy.[37][relevant?][undue weight? – discuss][better source needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Numbers, Ronald (2006). The Creationists. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. p. 514 (footnote 14). ISBN 0674023390.
  2. ^ Loma Linda University School of Science and Technology: Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, retrieved 6 August 2011
  3. ^ Brand, Leonard R. Faith, Reason, and Earth History: A Paradigm of Earth and Biological Origins by Intelligent Design. Andrews Univ. Press, 1997. ISBN 1-883925-15-0
  4. ^ http://www.creationsabbath.net/resources/articles/a-historical-review-of-the-creation-debate.html
  5. ^ "We Welcome You" (PDF). Central Union Reaper. 21 (18). Lincoln, NE: Central Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists: 5. 29 April 1952. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  6. ^ "Two Biology Students Awarded Scholarships" (PDF). Pacific Union Recorder. 63 (36). Angwin, CA: Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists: 8. 30 March 1964. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  7. ^ "R. R. Bietz Notes Strides Made on La Sierra Campus" (PDF). Pacific Union Recorder. 69 (42). Angwin, CA: Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists: 8. 16 April 1970. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  8. ^ Kuban, Glen J. (2010). "On the Heels of Dinosaurs". Talk Origins. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  9. ^ Brand, Leonard R.; Ryckman, Raymond E. (August 1968). "Laboratory Life Histories of Peromyscus eremicus and Peromyscus interparietalis". Journal of Mammalogy. 49 (3). American Society of Mammalogists: 495–501. JSTOR 1378208. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  10. ^ Brand, Leonard R.; Ryckman, Raymond E. (August 1969). "Biosystematics of Peromyscus eremicus, P. guardia, and P. interparietalis". Journal of Mammalogy. 50 (3). American Society of Mammalogists: 501–513. JSTOR 1378777. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  11. ^ Review article. Veal, Rita; Caire, William (8 June 1979). "Peromyscus eremicus" (PDF). Mammalian Species. No. 118. The American Society of Mammalogists: 1–6. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  12. ^ L. R. Brand, Tree nests of California chipmunks (Eutamias), Amer. Midl. Nat., 91:489–491, 1974
  13. ^ L. R. Brand, The vocal repertoire of chipmunks (genus Eutamias) in California, Anim. Behav., 24:319–335, 1976
  14. ^ University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Animal Diversity Web Tamias obscurus, California Chipmunk Accessed August 15, 2011
  15. ^ Blankenship, D., L. Brand. 1987. Geographic Variation in Vocalizations of Tamias obscurus and T. merriami. Bulletin of Southern California Academy of Sciences, 86:126-135.
  16. ^ Brand, L. R., Esperante, R., Chadwick, A. V., Poma, O., and Alomia, M. (2004) "Fossil whale preservation implies high diatom accumulation rate in the Miocene-Pliocene Pisco Formation of Peru." Geology 32:165-168.
  17. ^ Esperante, R., L. Brand, A. Chadwick, and O. Poma. 2002. "Taphonomy of fossil whales in the diatomaceous sediments of the Miocene/Pliocene Pisco Formation, Peru." pp. 337–343 In: De Renzi, M., M. Alonso, M. Belinchon, E. Penalver, P. Montoya, and A. Marquez-Aliaga (eds.). Current Topics on Taphonomy and Fossilization. International Conference Taphos 2002. 3rd Meeting on Taphonomy and Fossilization, Valencia, Spain.
  18. ^ Brand, Leonard R.; Hussey, Michael; Taylor, John (2003). "Taphonomy of Freshwater Turtles: Decay and Disarticulation in Controlled Experiments" (PDF). Journal of Taphonomy. 1 (4). Prometheus Press: 233–245. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  19. ^ Brand, L.R. and Tang, T., 1991. "Fossil vertebrate footprints in the Coconino Sandstone (Permian) of northern Arizona: Evidence for underwater origin." Geology, 19:1201–1204.
  20. ^ a b Elders, Wilfred (July–August, 1998). "Bibliolatry in the Grand Canyon". Reports of the National Center for Science Education. 18 (4). NCSE: 11–19. ISSN 1064-2358. Retrieved August 15, 2011. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ "Briefing". Geology Today. 8 (3): 78–81. 1992. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2451.1992.tb00366.x.
  22. ^ Monastersky, Richard (4 January 1992). "Wading newts may explain enigmatic tracks - footprints found in sandstone layers within the Grand Canyon". Science News. 141 (1): 5. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
  23. ^ Lockley, M. G., and Hunt, A. P. (1995) Dinosaur Tracks and Other Fossil Footprints of the Western United States . New York, New York, Columbia University University Press, p. 338 ISBN 0231079265
  24. ^ a b Isaak, Mark (2007). The Counter-Creationism Handbook. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 138. ISBN 0520249267.
  25. ^ a b Lockley, Martin (2000). The Eternal Trail: A Tracker Looks at Evolution. New York, NY: Basic Books. pp. 68–71. ISBN 0-7382-0362-9.
  26. ^ Young, Davis A.; Stearley, Ralph F. (2008). The Bible, rocks, and time: geological evidence for the age of the earth. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press. pp. 160, 161. ISBN 978-0-8308-2876-0.
  27. ^ Giberson, Karl; Yerxa, Donald A. (2002). Species of Origins: America's Search for a Creation Story. American Intellectual Culture. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 162. ISBN 0-7425-0765-3. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  28. ^ Toumey, Christopher P. (1994). God's own scientists: creationists in a secular world. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press. p. 136. ISBN 0-8135-2043-6.
  29. ^ McIver, Thomas Allen (1989), "Creationism: Intellectual Origins, Cultural Context,and Theoretical Diversity, section: The Geoscience Research Institute", PhD Dissertation, Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles: 85–88 {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help)
  30. ^ Loma Linda University School of Science and Technology: Department of Earth and Biological Sciences Faculty: Brand, retrieved 6 August 2011
  31. ^ Brand, Leonard (1976, 1977) "The Evidence for Creation," Ministry, November 1976 pp. 18-20; January 1977, pp. 34-37 cited in Couperus, Molleurus. "Tensions Between Religion and Science" (PDF). Spectrum. 10 (4). Association of Adventist Forums: 74–88. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  32. ^ Brand, Leonard; Jarnes, David C. (2005). Beginnings: are science and Scripture partners in the search for origins?. Pacific Press Publishing Association. p. 8. ISBN 0-8163-2144-2.
  33. ^ Yearbooks of Seventh-day Adventists, 1976-2003, retrieved 16 August 2011
  34. ^ "Graduate Program in Earth History at LLU" (PDF). Atlantic Union Gleaner. 77 (13). South Lancaster, Massachusetts: Atlantic Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists: 7, 8. July 11, 1978. Retrieved August 10. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  35. ^ Baldwin, John T. "Biblical Worldview as Contrasted with Contemporary Thought". The Annual Council General Conference Committee Minutes for October 2, 1995, 2:00 p.m. Silver Spring, MD: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists: 205. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  36. ^ Brand, Leonard; McMahon, Don Stewart (2005). The prophet and her critics. Nampa Idaho: Pacific Press Publishing Association. p. 127. ISBN 0816320578.
  37. ^ a b Patrick, Arthur (17 April 2005), Acquired or Inspired? Groundbreaking Research on Ellen White and Health, retrieved 13 August 2011
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Brand, Leonard R.}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:American geologists]] [[Category:American biologists]] [[Category:American paleontologists]] [[Category:Cornell University alumni]] [[Category:Loma Linda University faculty]] [[Category:Christian creationists]] [[Category:Intelligent design advocates]]

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