24 Sep 2025, 11:54Kyrah McIntosh
Creation Beyond Faith: A Symposium Exploring How Science and Scripture Intersect
At a time when modern science often seems to contradict the biblical account of the origins and existence of humanity and the wider world, it is more crucial than ever to be firmly grounded in biblical truth and to understand how the history, accounts, and narratives recorded in Scripture relate to the modern world.
From 5–7 September, Adventists from across the Midlands gathered at STAR King Solomon Academy in Birmingham for the Creation Beyond Faith series, hosted by Dr. Subodh K. Pandit. The three-day symposium explored the relationship between science, history, and religion, examining whether scientific and historical evidence supports - or challenges - the biblical narrative.
The Sabbath programme featured a range of speakers presenting on geology, biology, and scientific approaches to evaluating the reliability of Scripture.
Dr. Tim Ohiara, who holds a PhD in geology, began the morning with a presentation entitled Does Geology Disprove Genesis? He examined how layers of historic rock relate to the Genesis account, arguing that geological evidence - including fluid still preserved in some rocks - supports a catastrophic global flood rather than the millions of years of gradual change commonly proposed by scientists. One attendee reflected, “The session was truly insightful, and it was interesting to learn that rocks can be used to tell stories about the history of the Earth. I will never look at rocks the same again!”
Following Dr. Ohiara’s presentation, the symposium offered a younger perspective from 12-year-old Zachary Tipping, who spoke on the existence and extinction of dinosaurs. While science often attributes their extinction to a major catastrophic event, Zachary proposed that the Great Flood was the true cause.
Medical doctor Miranda Roberts presented on whether the human eye points to design or chance. By examining its anatomy and reflecting on both its irreducible complexity and spiritual symbolism, she concluded that the eye’s intricacy clearly indicates intentional design.
While the main hall sessions engaged adults, younger attendees enjoyed a full programme of activities and workshops. These explored the creation story in practical and interactive ways, helping children to discover their uniqueness and value as the pinnacle of God’s creation.
The Sabbath symposium concluded with Dr. Pandit’s keynote address, Faith is Not Blind. He compared the sacred texts of Christianity with those of other major world religions, highlighting the historical reliability of the New Testament, supported by early manuscripts, archaeology, and prophecy.
During the fellowship lunch provided by organisers, participants engaged in an interactive Q&A session, allowing Dr. Pandit to respond to questions raised throughout the series. The day closed with a lively social evening featuring quizzes, puzzles, and games designed to both entertain and stimulate the mind.
Organisers expressed their hope that the series would inspire ongoing dialogue and strengthen understanding between faith and science. They prayed that young people, in particular, would be encouraged to ask meaningful questions about religion and seek their own answers - without fear.
At a time when modern science often seems to contradict the biblical account of the origins and existence of humanity and the wider world, it is more crucial than ever to be firmly grounded in biblical truth and to understand how the history, accounts, and narratives recorded in Scripture relate to the modern world.
From 5–7 September, Adventists from across the Midlands gathered at STAR King Solomon Academy in Birmingham for the Creation Beyond Faith series, hosted by Dr. Subodh K. Pandit. The three-day symposium explored the relationship between science, history, and religion, examining whether scientific and historical evidence supports - or challenges - the biblical narrative.
The Sabbath programme featured a range of speakers presenting on geology, biology, and scientific approaches to evaluating the reliability of Scripture.
Dr. Tim Ohiara, who holds a PhD in geology, began the morning with a presentation entitled Does Geology Disprove Genesis? He examined how layers of historic rock relate to the Genesis account, arguing that geological evidence - including fluid still preserved in some rocks - supports a catastrophic global flood rather than the millions of years of gradual change commonly proposed by scientists. One attendee reflected, “The session was truly insightful, and it was interesting to learn that rocks can be used to tell stories about the history of the Earth. I will never look at rocks the same again!”
Following Dr. Ohiara’s presentation, the symposium offered a younger perspective from 12-year-old Zachary Tipping, who spoke on the existence and extinction of dinosaurs. While science often attributes their extinction to a major catastrophic event, Zachary proposed that the Great Flood was the true cause.
Medical doctor Miranda Roberts presented on whether the human eye points to design or chance. By examining its anatomy and reflecting on both its irreducible complexity and spiritual symbolism, she concluded that the eye’s intricacy clearly indicates intentional design.
While the main hall sessions engaged adults, younger attendees enjoyed a full programme of activities and workshops. These explored the creation story in practical and interactive ways, helping children to discover their uniqueness and value as the pinnacle of God’s creation.
The Sabbath symposium concluded with Dr. Pandit’s keynote address, Faith is Not Blind. He compared the sacred texts of Christianity with those of other major world religions, highlighting the historical reliability of the New Testament, supported by early manuscripts, archaeology, and prophecy.
During the fellowship lunch provided by organisers, participants engaged in an interactive Q&A session, allowing Dr. Pandit to respond to questions raised throughout the series. The day closed with a lively social evening featuring quizzes, puzzles, and games designed to both entertain and stimulate the mind.
Organisers expressed their hope that the series would inspire ongoing dialogue and strengthen understanding between faith and science. They prayed that young people, in particular, would be encouraged to ask meaningful questions about religion and seek their own answers - without fear.
