JOHN GOERTZEN, Coopersville, Michigan, has been researching the recent existence of extinct animals for 6+ years by comparing features of archaeological depictions/records with those found from the fossil record. Of special value are those the Bible mentions.

Published the peer-reviewed article "The Rhamphorhynchoid Pterosaur Scaphognathus crassirostris: A 'Living Fossil' Until the 17'th Century" at the Fourth International Conference On Creationism, (Pittsburgh, 1998). Article On Line

On-line published article "New Zuiyo Maru Cryptid Observations: Appears to be an Unknown Marine Reptile Species" (the North American BioFortean Review, Issue 2, available at http://www.herper.com/nabr.htm).

Appeared on the TV program, "The Revolution Against Evolution," speaker in a dozen churches; Sunday School, Vacation Bible School.

Presented papers at the Midwestern Evangelical Theological Society (incl. "The Bible and Pterosaurs.")

Published five book/conference reviews regarding theology and science (CRSQ, CEN Tech Jrnl, Creation Moments).

M.A. at Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary (cum laude). M.S. at Rutgers University. B.A. at Cedarville (award for highest GRE score; Creation Science-Mathematics Award).

Member Creation Research Society; Evangelical Theological Society (student member).

Project leader for U.S. switch planning during an 11 year career at Bellcore, a telecommunications R&D firm.

Teaching assistant at Rutgers University (Calculus).

JAPANESE FISHING BOAT THAT NETTED A MARINE REPTILE (SEA SERPENT). Find out how archaeological evidence provided the clue that enabled proof that the tetrapod caught by a Japanese fishing vessel 30 miles east of Christchurch, New Zealand (1977), was a marine reptile similar to those thought to have been extinct millions of years ago (e.g., the Nothosaur, Plesiosaur). Although a majority of scientists thought it was a shark; that idea is now obsolete. What is fascinating is that there seem to be biblical mentions for this creature; an idea based on accurate Egyptian representations compared with its Hebrew Bible description.

PTEROSAURS (FLYING REPTILES) THAT LIVED RECENTLY. The four leading zoologists of the Renaissance (Aldrovandi [Italy], Gesner [Switzerland], Topsell [England], Belon [France]) all claimed that flying reptiles were alive then. (A majority of modern scientists think they became extinct 60 million years ago with the dinosaurs.) In fact, some of them observed specimens that they sketched, that may now be confidently identified with modern fossils that are known. Martin Luther observed, also accurately describing, the Scaphognathus's appearance; indeed a coin from his hometown (Mansfield) depicted a S. being hunted. (The S. is a member of the Rhamphorhynchoidea [long-tailed] pterosaurs.) The colors that the S. had may be represented by a middle ages "picture map." Also, there are biblical mentions regarding flying reptiles matching those by a good number of classical writers. The Egyptians, known for their accurate animal depictions, represented pterosaurs, sketching various types of their tail vanes found with the fossil record, providing strong evidence that those creatures did live recently in the Middle East.

IDENTITY OF THE HEBREW/AKKADIAN ANIMAL RHEEM (CERATOPSIA)

The Hebrew animal RHEEM was always a good symbol for biblical writers, having great strength for picturing Israel coming out of Egypt. Though thought to be the Bos aurochs (wild ox) since the late 19'th century, that creature does not appear to match the descriptions of the Hebrew RHEEM that engaged in pushing contests (though not goring), had a skull frill, and, occasionally, just one horn. The ancient Akkadian pictograph for the RHEEM (the same word/creature the Hebrews knew of) had an animal head with a pair of long outer horns, then a shorter nose horn. Some of their bronze statues represent a three-horned animal with a skull frill. In addition, ancient Roman coins, also Egyptian seals, displayed the three horned Triceratops. The leading Christian thinker of the second century, Justin Martyr, wrote that the horns of the RHEEM symbolized the conquest of the cross of Christ.

NEW 1st CENTURY EVIDENCE FOR JESUS/EARLY CHURCH

The evidence consists of a somewhat obscure Greek text by Heron, an Alexandrian physicist, who wrote about Hebrew coins of the mid first century. At the center of the Hebrew coin treatise is a description of a coin the early Jerusalem church minted in honor of Christ's Second Coming. The design of the coin had weapons symbolizing the earthly authority the followers of Jesus would have in connection with His coming, Heron said. The coin is almost certainly identified with a lepton minted during the reign of Procurator Felix (54 A.D., see also Acts 24) with crossed spears and shields. There is no other known coin from 1st century Judea anything like it. Heron's description closely matches the coin, so that they independently verify each other. Heron, together with the coin, illuminates a number of statements from Acts, the inspired history of the early Christian church. A talk regarding these ideas will be scheduled for the 2,000 midwestern Evangelical Theological Society Conference.

For younger children, less technical dinosaur/pterosaur/marine reptile talks could be given.

I'm available to speak at Sunday School, Church, High School, Junior High, Grade school, etc. An honorarium is appreciated, though not necessary. I may be contacted through the webmaster.

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