American Scientific Affiliation (ASA) Records
Scope and Contents
The American Scientific Affiliation Collection, part of the Wheaton College Special Collections, contains a detailed record of the workings and development of this Christian professional organization. The collection includes photographs, brochures, minutes, papers, books, manuscripts, and articles from the origin of the organization in 1941 up to the early 2000s.
Pieces of correspondence dating from prior to the foundation of the Affiliation are also included. All material has been arranged alphabetically by subject folder titles. The collection was received in the order given it by the ASA historian. This order was maintained in part, but in cases where the folder title did not accurately represent the content of the folders, the material was combined or new folder titles were created.
Due to a fire in the ASA office in May of 1979, materials from the 1960's and 1970's are lacking as well as many papers concerning the incorporation of the organization which were destroyed in the fire. The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence (1940-1986) with the greatest amount in the years between 1948 and 1951. Letters between Executive Council officers, letters to ASA members, and business letters consititute the major types of correspondence included in the collection.
Creative Works form another important section of the collection. This includes manuscripts, brochures, articles, and monographs written by various ASA members. Some of the prominent authors in this section include Peter Stoner, William Tinkle, and George Horner. A manuscript and a bound volume of the completed work by Alton Everest, "The American Scientific Affiliation: It's Growth and Early Development" are also contained in this section. Besides the cited works of individual authors, the creative works section consists of reviews, outlines, and correspondence for the ASA compiled book Modern Science and the Christian Faith. Books concerning science and Christianity donated by the ASA are also housed with the collection.
Official publications of the American Scientific Affiliation are available to researchers. Holdings of the The Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation (later Perspectives of Science and Christain Faith) and ASA News (later Newsletter) run from their inceptions through 1984, and from mid 1987 to the present. An effort is being made to secure the lacking numbers. Current subscriptions to these journals insure that the collection is up to date in these areas. A bound volume of "Miscellaneous ASA Publications" from 1946 1948 is also held.
Dates
- Created: 1940-2019
- Other: Majority of material found in 1940-1986
- Other: Date acquired: 1986
Creator
- American Scientific Affiliation. (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
There are no specific restrictions on this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
Duplication may be restricted if copying could cause damage to items.
Historical Background
The American Scientific Affiliation was founded in 1941 by five Christian scientists. John Haitsma, Peter Stoner, Russell Sturgis, Irving Cowperthaite, and Alton Everest met in Chicago to discuss their concern about the need for integration between science and scripture. The American Scientific Affiliation was established in order to "investigate any area relating Christian faith and science and to make known the results of such investigations for comment and criticism by the Christian community and by the scientific community." From the original five members, the ASA has grown to include over 2000 members from most of the 50 states and 38 foreign countries. These members come from all branches of science.
The constitution of the ASA, first published in May of 1942, with the most recent revision in 1970 provides for an Executive Council to be the governing body of the ASA. The Executive Council consists of a president, vice president, secretary treasurer, and two additional members. Each member of the Council serves a five year term. In addition to the Executive Council an Executive Secretary is appointed for an indefinite term. The ASA consists of five classes of membership: Associate, Member, Fellow, Emeritus, and Honorary Fellow. Although both Members and However, only Fellows may serve on the Executive Council.
In 1946 the ASA held their first Annual Convention at Wheaton College. The Annual Convention brings together members from all over the world, giving them opportunity to discuss and review changes within their respective fields.
The ASA, through its publications, seeks to present information that is scientifically accurate and scripturally sound. Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith: Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation (formerly Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation) has been published quarterly since 1949 and is the major periodical for the organization. In 1959 the ASA News a bimonthly newsletter was first issued. In addition to the Journal and the ASA News, the ASA has published several monographs, pamphlets, and books including Modern Science and Christian Faith (1st edition 1948) and Evolution and Christian Thought Today (1959). Co-founder Dr. F. Alton Everest authored a history of the organization, "The American Scientific Affiliation: Its Growth and Early Development" (1986).
Extent
82 boxes
32 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement Note
The collection is arranged by series with folder level control.
Source of Acquisition
Gift
Method of Acquisition
The records of the ASA were officially consigned to Wheaton College in 1986.
Other Descriptive Information
The American Scientific Affiliation is a professional organization dedicated to the integration of Christian faith with all areas of science. Wheaton College received the materials relating to the ASA in 1986 from Dr. F. Alton Everest, the ASA historian. Everest obtained correspondence, minutes, articles, photos and other ASA material from various ASA members during research for his book, "The American Scientific Affiliation: Its Growth and Development." The dates for material in the collection range from 1940 to the early 2000s with the bulk of the holdings found in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
- Administrative Records.
- Annual Reports.
- Bible and evolution.
- Bible and science.
- Christian biography -- United States.
- Corporation records.
- Correspondence.
- Creation.
- Creationism -- History.
- Creationism.
- Evolution (Biology)
- Financial records.
- Human beings
- Minutes (Administrative records)
- Photographs.
- Proceedings (reports)
- Professional Associations.
- Publications (documents)
- Religion and science -- Periodicals.
- Religion and science.
- Science
- Science -- Study and teaching -- Moral and ethical aspects.
- Scientific societies.
Creator
- American Scientific Affiliation. (Organization)
- Title
- American Scientific Affiliation (ASA) Records
- Author
- Archives & Special Collections Staff
- Date
- 05/06/2008
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Roman Script
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Repository