Dr. Don Batten CV: Unveiling the Faith Journey of a Christian Scholar
Published: 21 August 2024
Dr. Don Batten: A Biography
Dr. Don Batten grew up in rural Australia during a time of family stability and security. He witnessed the social decay that has since afflicted Australia, which he believes was accelerated by the introduction of evolutionary indoctrination in school curricula. Despite this indoctrination, Dr. Batten was converted to Christianity at a young age. However, he tried to reconcile the concept of evolution with the Bible by accepting ideas such as "God used evolution" or "days-are-ages." It was not until a professor made an off-the-cuff remark questioning his own belief in evolution that Dr. Batten began to see that evolution is a belief system masquerading as science.
Through prayer and study, Dr. Batten came to realize that evolution is an alternative religion designed to banish the creator God from the realm of science. He had a transformative experience where he felt challenged to choose between believing God's Word or the words of men. This experience led him to confess his unbelief and ask for forgiveness, resulting in a new life devoted to understanding and defending the Bible.
Dr. Batten is happily married to Lesley and has three grown children who love the Lord. He now works with colleagues and friends at Creation Ministries International (CMI) to spread the Gospel-creation message.
Research Fields
Dr. Batten's research primarily focuses on plant science and agricultural climatology, particularly the environmental adaptation of tropical/subtropical fruit species such as mango, lychee, and custard apple (Annona spp.). His research covers various areas including floral biology, floral induction, breeding, environmental physiology (water requirements, response to temperature and light), plant taxonomy (especially at the sub-species level), and mineral nutrition.
One significant contribution of Dr. Batten's research is in the field of floral induction of lychee and mango. His work has challenged previously accepted ideas in this area, leading to a better understanding of these crops and improved management practices for growers.
Research Projects Funded by External Agencies
Throughout his career, Dr. Batten has received funding for several research projects from external agencies. These projects have allowed him to conduct study tours in countries like India and Taiwan to study lychees and mangoes. He has also received funding for projects focused on topics such as controlling fruit set and retention in lychee, overcoming problems related to poor root health in custard apple and lychee, and regulating cropping in lychee.
Education
Dr. Batten's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with First Class Honors from the University of Sydney. He further pursued his studies at the same university, earning a Ph.D. from the Department of Agronomy and Horticultural Science. His doctoral thesis focused on the induction of adventitious root formation in mung beans.
Employment/Positions
During his professional career, Dr. Batten worked as a Research Horticulturist at NSW Agriculture's Tropical Fruit Research Station in Alstonville from 1976 to 1990. Afterward, he held the position of Senior Research Horticulturist at the same institution until January 1994 when he resigned.
Since then, Dr. Batten has been associated with Creation Ministries International in Brisbane, Australia, while also working as a private horticultural consultant.
Publications
Dr. Batten has published numerous papers in scientific journals related to his research field. Some of the journals where his papers have been published include Annals of Botany, Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, Scientia Horticulturae, Tree Physiology, Advances in Horticultural Science, and Indonesian Journal of Crop Science.
His published papers cover a wide range of topics such as ethylene and adventitious root formation in mung bean seedlings, auxin transport inhibitors and rooting of hypocotyl cuttings, development of a microprocessor-based data recording system for predicting plant disease, maturity criteria for litchis, and the effect of temperature on ripening and post-harvest life of atemoya fruit.
Dr. Batten has also contributed to postgraduate theses, books, book chapters, and proceedings of society meetings and technical conferences. He has edited conference proceedings and written major reports on various subjects related to horticulture.
Selected Creation Magazine Articles
Dr. Batten has written several articles for Creation magazine, a publication focused on presenting scientific evidence supporting the biblical account of creation. Some of the articles he has authored include:
- "The evolution train's a-comin'"
- "The 'ape to man' evolutionary icon is a fraud"
- "The 'God spot'"
These articles explore topics such as the flawed nature of evolutionary theory, debunking common evolutionary icons, and discussing the idea of a "God spot" in the brain.
Selected Journal of Creation Articles
Dr. Batten has also contributed to the Journal of Creation (formerly known as Creation Ex Nihilo Technical Journal and TJ). Some of his notable articles include:
- "The Australian dingo—a wolf in dog's clothing?"
- "The extinction of the dinosaurs"
- "Living fossils: a powerful argument for creation"
These articles delve into topics like the origins of the Australian dingo, theories on the extinction of dinosaurs, and the existence of living fossils as evidence for creation.
Other Articles
In addition to his contributions to Creation magazine and the Journal of Creation, Dr. Batten has written numerous other articles related to creation science. These articles cover a wide range of topics and are aimed at providing evidence and arguments against evolutionary theory while supporting the biblical account of creation.
Why This Matters
Dr. Don Batten's work is significant because it highlights the compatibility of science and biblical creation. His research in plant science and agricultural climatology has contributed to our understanding of tropical and subtropical fruit species. By defending the Bible and challenging evolutionary ideas, Dr. Batten encourages Christians to be confident in their faith and equips them with scientifically sound arguments.
Think About It
Dr. Batten's journey from accepting evolution to embracing biblical creation demonstrates the importance of critically examining scientific theories and aligning them with God's Word. His research shows that scientific evidence supports the biblical account of creation, providing Christians with a firm foundation for their faith. Consider how Dr. Batten's story can inspire you to dig deeper into the compatibility between science and the Bible, ultimately strengthening your conviction in God's design and purpose for creation.
