History and Aims

Adapted and updated from:
W.H. Rusch, 1982. “A brief statement of the history and aims of the CRS.” CRS Quarterly 19(2):149.

The Creation Research Society (CRS), a scientific society with worldwide membership, is recognized internationally for its firm commitment to scientific special creation. The CRS was founded in 1963 by a group of ten like-minded scientists who had corresponded with each other for a number of years. A major impetus for this effort was a problem that each one had experienced. They had been unable to publish in established journals scientific information favorable to the creation viewpoint. Believing that there were probably other scientists with similar experiences, these men saw the need for a journal in which such information could be published. Thus, the CRS was incorporated in the state of Michigan as a non-profit corporation for educational and scientific purposes. Shortly thereafter it was granted 501(c)(3) not-for-profit tax-exempt status by the IRS. The first issue of the Creation Research Society Quarterly was published in July, 1964.

Statement of Belief

A number of principles were established from the beginning. First, members of the Society, which include research scientists from various fields of scientific accomplishment, are committed to full belief in the Biblical record of creation and early history. Thus, they advocate the concept of special creation (as opposed to evolution), both of the universe and of the earth with its complexity of living forms. All members must subscribe to the following statement of belief:

  1. The Bible is the written Word of God, and because it is inspired throughout, all its assertions are historically and scientifically true in the original autographs. To the student of nature this means that the account of origins in Genesis is a factual presentation of simple historical truths.
  2. All basic types of living things, including man, were made by direct creative acts of God during the Creation Week described in Genesis. Whatever biological changes have occurred since Creation Week have accomplished only changes within the original created kinds.
  1. The great flood described in Genesis, commonly referred to as the Noachian Flood, was an historic event worldwide in its extent and effect.
  2. We are an organization of Christian men and women of science who accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. The account of the special creation of Adam and Eve as one man and one woman and their subsequent fall into sin is the basis for our belief in the necessity of a Savior for all mankind. Therefore, salvation can come only through accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Independent and Unaffiliated

Secondly, the CRS is completely independent and unaffiliated with any other organization. In view of the widely divergent church backgrounds of Society members, there is no affiliation of the CRS with any religious group or church body. Obviously, members of the Society are encouraged to participate as individuals in church-related activities.

Thirdly, the essential purpose of the CRS is publication and research which impinge on creation as an alternate view of origins. The main publication of the Society is its quarterly, peer-reviewed journal which emphasizes original research and the reinterpretation of existing scientific data within the creationist framework. The journal carries both technical and popular articles in most major scientific and allied disciplines, and thus is of interest to individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. The CRS Quarterly continues to be recognized worldwide as the premier journal in its field. Additionally, since 1996 a popular publication (Creation Matters), containing somewhat lighter articles, has been published.

Van Andel Creation Research Center

In the area of research, the Society has established an experiment station, the Van Andel Creation Research Center (VACRC), in north-central Arizona for the purpose of aiding the Society and other visiting scientists in their research efforts. The Society encourages a broad spectrum of research to develop and test a creation model, and administers a research grant program whereby modest funds are distributed to qualified researchers for the conduct of creation-related research.

And fourthly, being a not-for-profit scientific Society, the CRS does not engage in any political lobbying. Though its primary purpose is research and publishing, the CRS occasionally sponsors or co-sponsors conferences, seminars, and field trips. These events serve to promote the purposes of the Society, to facilitate dialogue among creation scientists, and to serve the interests of our members. An open meeting is sometimes held in conjunction with the annual Board of Directors meeting to update members and other interested individuals on current activities of the Society.

Several categories of membership

Several categories of membership are available, each of which requires agreement with the aforementioned statement of belief. Since the CRS is a scientific society, it was deemed at the outset that its government should be in the hands of scientists. Thus, the category of voting member was established with the additional qualification that the person hold an earned post-graduate degree in a recognized area of science. All remaining categories are nonvoting. For those who have an interest in origins but lack the advanced science degree, sustaining membership is available. Student (those enrolled full time in high school or undergraduate college) and senior (voting or sustaining members who are age 65 or older) memberships are available at reduced rates. A special life membership (for either voting or sustaining members) is also available. Each membership includes subscription to the journal (the CRS Quarterly) and the bimonthly newsletter (Creation Matters).

For institutions (such as schools, libraries, churches, etc.), or for those individuals who cannot in good conscience agree with the statement of faith, the category of subscriber has been provided.

Fellows Of the Society

The CRS fellow recognition is a testament to a person's dedication, expertise, and commitment to advancing the creation model of origins. Their roles have often extended beyond personal recognition to actively supporting and advancing the goals of the society itself.