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Revision as of 10:33, 13 October 2006 by Robert Stevens (talk | contribs) (revert: see Discussion page.)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Peter Stoner was Chairman of the Departments of Mathematics and Astronomy at Pasadena City College until 1953; Chairman of the science division, Westmont College, 1953-57; Professor Emeritus of Science, Westmont College; Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Astronomy, Pasadena City College.
Stoner is probably best known for his work Science Speaks that disccusses, among other things, Bible prophecies vis a vis probability estimates and calculations. The work is often cited in the field of Christian apologetics in regards to Bible prophecy. Professor Stoner's work became widely known when it was mentioned by Josh McDowell in his works Evidence that Demands a Verdict and its subsequent revision New Evidence that Demands a Verdict.
American Scientific Affiliation
Peter Stoner was a co-founder of the American Scientific Affiliation, a Christian organization which describes itself as "a fellowship of men and women in science and disciplines that relate to science who share a common fidelity to the Word of God and a commitment to integrity in the practice of science." The foreword to Stoner's Science Speaks includes a partial endorsement from this body (covering the book's scientific content and probability calculations, but not addressing issues of Biblical exegesis or historical accuracy). While the ASA includes members with a diverse range of attitudes towards science (theistic evolutionists, Intelligent Design advocates, Old-Earth creationists and Young-Earth creationists), Stoner himself believed the Earth and the Universe to be billions of years old.
Critiques of Stoner's apologetics
As Professor Stoner's apologetic work appears to have escaped the notice of critics until its inclusion in Josh McDowell's Evidence that Demands a Verdict, criticism of his claims tends to be addressed at McDowell rather than Stoner, with Stoner's name mentioned in passing. Specific criticisms include historical errors, claims regarding after-the-event authorship and/or tampering with Biblical prophecies (see Biblical prophecy), and disputed meanings of certain Biblical phrases. Christian apologist JP Holding has written a response to some of this criticism.
According to his grandson, Don W. Stoner, material for Professor Stoner's chapter on Biblical prophecies (chapter 2 of Science Speaks) was drawn from a book in Peter Stoner's library titled Fulfilled Prophecies that Prove the Bible by George T. B. Davis, The Million Testaments Campaign, 1505 Race Street, Philadelphia, Penna., C 1931.