Joseph K. Sheldon
Messiah College, Professor of Biology

Courses taught at Au Sable:
Field Biology of the Pacific Northwest
Ornithology: Eastern Birds

email:sheldon@ausable.org

Education
The College of Idaho, B.S. (biology)
University of Illinois, Ph.D. (insect ecology)

Interests
My research interests focus on insect ecology and conservation biology. I am presently involved with a museum/field study of the grasshoppers of Pennsylvania in cooperation with Dr. Daniel Otte of the Academy of Natural Science of Philadelphia.

Why do I teach? Because it is who I am. Professing about one's passion comes naturally. There are indeed some who only teach. To them, it is their job but not their passion. I am a professor. The awe and wonder of Creation have led me along paths of discovery that I find irresistibly exciting and must share with others. I long that they too might also discover the marvels of God's garden and in the process gain a deeper love and understanding of our Lord. He is the master-teacher and the author of the world's two great books - the Holy Scripture and the creation in all its grandeur.  We are His students - we who lift our eyes to the Lord for wisdom and       probe His books for knowledge. The world today needs stewards, not exploiters. To be a steward, one must understand how Creation works. My goal in teaching is to introduce my students to the University of the Creation for a life-long learning experience. My prayer is for their wisdom and knowledge. Their decisions today will shape the fruitfulness of God's Creation tomorrow. May they choose wisely!

Recent Publications:

SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE

Cianci, T. J. and J. K. Sheldon. 1990. The creation of an endothermic system by the larvae of the blowfly Phormia regina Meigen developing in pig carcasses. Bulletin of the Society of Vector Ecologists 15(1):33-40.

Ogren, R. E. and J. K. Sheldon. 1991. Ecological observations on the land planarian Bipalium pennsylvanicum, with reference to phenology, reproduction, growth rate, food niche. Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science 66(1):3-9.

Sheldon, J. K., C.A. Harrington, L.S. Edwards, and P.L. Swartzentruber. 1999. A survey of the seasonal and spatial distribution of the Orthoptera: Acrididae, Tetrigidae, and Tridactylidae of Goat Hill and Nottingham serpentine
barrens, Chester County, Pennsylvania with a note on Acrididae from Pink Hill Barren. Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences 73(2):51-56

Sheldon, J. K. 2001. Distribution and status of Merope tuber (Mecoptera: Meropeidae) in Pennsylvania. Entomological News (accepted for publication

ARTICLES/BOOKS PUBLISHED -- SCIENCE/CHRISTIANITY

Sheldon, J. K. 1989. Twenty - one years after The Historical Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis: how has the church responded? Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith 41(3):152-158.

Sheldon, J. K. 1989. Another hot summer? The greenhouse effect, the church, and you. The ESA Advocate, June, pp. 14-15.

Sheldon, J. K. 1989. How does your garden grow? A short devotional on Creation. The ESA Advocate, October, pp. 14-15.

Sheldon, J. K. 1990. Creation rediscovered. World Christian 9(4):10-19. 

Sheldon, J. K. 1991. Our energy options: a response. ESA Advocate 13(6):15.

Sheldon, J. K. 1992. Rediscovery of creation: a bibliographical study of the church's response to the environmental crisis. Scarecrow Press for The American Theological Library Association Bibliography Series: Metuchen, N.J.

Sheldon, J.K. 1993. Christians and the environment in the 1990's: a selective bibliography.
Transformation: an international dialogue on evangelical social ethics 10(2)21-23.

Van Dyke, F., D. Mahan, J. Sheldon, and R. Brand. 1996. Redeeming creation: the biblical basis for environmental stewardship. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Van Dyke, F., D. Mahan, J. Sheldon, and R. Brand. 1999. Redeeming creation: the biblical basis for environmental stewardship, Korean Edition. Seoul, Korea: Korean InterVarsity Press.

Van Dyke, F., D. Mahan, J. Sheldon, and R. Brand. 1999. Redeeming creation: the biblical basis for environmental stewardship, Portuguese edition. Sao Paulo: Editora Cultura Crista

Sheldon, J.K. 1999. Protecting a fragile paradise. Target Earth: Serving the Earth, Serving the Poor 3(2):6-7.