For the past 50 years, the Canadian Scientific and Christian Affiliation has facilitated discussions about science and Christian faith in Canada. As part of our 50th-anniversary celebrations, we asked 50 CSCA members to comment on their personal connections to science, scripture, and Canadian scenery. We will share these contributions throughout 2023 in the hope that you will find them engaging and encouraging.
CSCA member of the week: David Clements, Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at Trinity Western University.
1. Why did you choose your scientific discipline?
I was fascinated with insects of life of all kinds since about age eight, so I wanted to become an entomologist. I did my Ph.D. on apple mite pests but then took a slight left into the weeds doing a postdoc on Weed Science as part of a very inspiring lab led by Clarence Swanton at the University of Guelph. Moving to the west coast of Canada and teaching a course in Hawaii drew me into the world of invasive plants, opening up an array of subjects for me to study the fascinating interplay between invasive plants, climate change and creation care.
2. What is one of your favourite Bible verses and why?
Colossians 1:15-20 brings it all together – our personal salvation, God’s redemptive power for creation, and Christ’s blood that is the source of life eternal.
3. Which Canadian city or landscape do you love exploring and why?
My home landscape in the greater Vancouver area is endlessly fascinating, and these days I don’t go into any landscape without my camera as I love to capture the intricacies of creation with my camera lens.