John Cimbala

I was raised in a Christian home, believing in God and His creation. But when I was taught evolution in high school, I began to doubt the authority of the Bible. If evolution is true, I reasoned, the Bible could not also be true. Eventually I rejected the Bible, believing that we descended from lower creatures; there is no purpose in life but to enjoy the short time we have on earth. I spent my college years at Penn State as an agnostic. By the grace of God, I began to read articles and listen to talks about scientific evidences for creation. Over a period of years, it became apparent to me that the theory of evolution has no legitimate factual evidence, and that scientific data from the fossil record, geology, etc. could be better explained by a recent creation, followed by a global flood. Suddenly I realized that the Bible might actually be true! It wasn't until I could believe the first page of the Bible that I could believe the rest of it. Once I accepted the fact that there is a Creator, it was an easy step to accept His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ as well. I became a follower of Christ during my first year of grad school at Caltech. Since then, I have devoted much time to studying the evidences for creation and a global flood. The more I study, the more convinced I become that there is a loving God who created this universe and all living things. God revealed some details about His creation in the book of Genesis, which I now believe literally - six days, a young earth, a literal Adam and Eve, and a global flood. I speak at churches and campus ministries about the evidences for creation. I received my B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1979 from Penn State. From there I went to Caltech, where I obtained my M.S. degree in 1980 and my Ph.D. degree in 1984, both in Aeronautics. I conduct research in basic fluid mechanics, turbulence, indoor air quality, and turbomachinery. I teach courses in fluid mechanics; indoor air quality; air pollution; and instrumentation, measurements, and statistics. I am married with two adult sons and two grandchildren. I enjoy working out, swimming, pool (billiards), and family activities. I love to write and have co-authored several textbooks including a popular undergraduate fluid mechanics textbook, “Fluid Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications,” McGraw-Hill, which is now in its fourth edition and has been translated into seven languages. I am an avid reader and especially enjoy studying, memorizing, and teaching the Bible. I have published two Biblical historical fiction novels, “I, Adam: The Man without a Navel” and “I, Peter: My Life in Threes,” as well as a couples devotional book, "Growing Old Together: A Serious Comical Devotional for Married Couples," all of which are available at Amazon. I created and maintain a Christian resource website called Christian Faith Grower at www.christianfaithgrower.com and its associated Facebook page at fb.me/ChristianFaithGrower.

My Life

Favorite Quote

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. [Hebrews 4:12-13, NIV]

Friends describe me

witty and gifted at teaching

My hobbies

working out, swimming, pool (billiards), reading, writing, and family activities.

Fantasy dinner guests

The Apostle Peter

Best advice I ever received

Do not let the sun go down on your anger.

My undergrad alma mater

Penn State

My worst subject in school

Fencing

In college I drove

a bicycle

If I weren't a professor, I would

be a full-time author or perhaps a truck driver

Favorite books

The Bible, especially Matthew, Acts, and Hebrews. The Pilgrim's Progress. Chronicles of Narnia.

Favorite movies

Galaxy Quest, all the Bourne movies, It's a Wonderful Life, The Princess Bride

Favorite city

State College, PA to live; Santa Fe, NM to visit

Favorite coffee

Starbucks dark roast (black - I don't contaminate my coffee with anything)

Nobody knows I

lie about what nobody knows about me

My latest accomplishment

I am in the process of writing a devotional book for married couples, to be published in summer 2019: Growing Old Together: A Serious Comical Devotional for Married Couples.

Current Research

Trying to get funding to install a small hydroturbine in Bellefonte, PA, a town close to Penn State.