Christian World View - Evolution
Posted By Paul on January 27, 2005
In reading thru the last couple of days of How Now Shall We Live, Colson is spending a great deal of time exploring evolution and the various beliefs of those who follow that path.
I have to admit, I just don’t get why all the fuss. It is such a non-issue, that to spend so much time focusing on it almost seems to send the opposite message. From my earliest memories, I’ve always known that the world was created. Period.
A fellow in our small group study mentioned the other night that he works with quite a few Muslims, many of whom are quite dedicated in their belief system. He mentioned that these Muslims also do not understand all the commotion and time and energy spent arguing about evolution. To them, in their belief system, it is such a non-issue as to not even warrant the waste of time.
I can’t help but feel that by expending so much energy into pointless and vain arguments, all we are doing is providing entertainment for those who have chosen to put their faith in evolution. To them it is also a non-issue, but they know they can get many Christians to ‘perform’ for them by tossing out a new debate subject.
I mean let’s face it, the Bible is point blank clear that anyone outside of Christ can not understand truth. 1 Cor 1:18-31. Our arguing with them isn’t going to convince them of anything, except that, by their sincere understanding, we are fools.
It just seems pointless to me to waste time and effort on learning about what is false. Although, I guess in American Evangelicalism, it is somehow expected that you be able to argue with the best of them, proving how right you are and how wrong everyone else is.
Sort of reminds me of the audience that used to follow Jesus around.
So there is my thoughts/rant on wasting time studying evolution to determine our Christian world view.
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A few thoughts:
1. Atheistic Evolution is an affront to the revelation of God as Creator, and it has proven destructive to society (for it has moved from biology and paleontology to social paradigms–”survival of the fittest”). Strict radical Darwinists use their theory to disprove the existence of God.
2. That being said, there are a number of evolutionists who are NOT atheistic–who see evolution as God’s way of creating the world (a number of scientists can be classified as such, as well as evangelical Christian leaders–read Brian McLaren’s “The Story We Find Ourselves In”).
3. Therefore, the old arguments–”it’s either God or Darwinism”–are of an age that is passing. This week’s Time Magazine has an article on how Intelligent Design is making inroads in schools’ curriculum. People are no longer buying the either/or of science vs. God, they are more accepting of a both/and. Colson is fighting an old battle (he is a very “modern” apologist; he has not progressed into postmodern thought and he still thinks in very “modern” categories and very 20th Century categories). His form of apologetics is very tied into enlightenment thinking and, as you said, in winning arguments. He still fights some of the fundamentalist/liberal battles of the middle 20th Century.
4. Evolution is a very flawed theory, and the pundits FOR it are less than up-front about letting people know those flaws. (Time quotes the executive director of the National Center for Science Education: “Teaching evidence against evolution is a back-door way of teaching creationism.†Huh? Why is does she interpret our desire to have our schools to teach the truth as some back-door agenda? What agenda does she have?) For the sake of TRUTH and truth alone in our children’s education, we need to force these issues into the public conversation.
4. On another note, the Bible passage you quote does not say that unbelievers cannot learn general “truth,” only the truth concerning salvation (“Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never find him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save all who believe†[1 Cor 1:21]). This does not mean that unbelievers cannot discover truth about other things—like science, art, society, relationships, inventions, etc. Whenever a human being finds truth that lines up with the way God created the universe, it is “wise,†and there have been many non-Christians who have done so.
I agree we waste entirely too much time and energy trying to prove something others will not believe anyway. I point out the facts, stand on my views and try not to argue but’s not my job to convince anyone. That’s the Holy Spirit’s role as convictor. Good post. Thanks for sharing!
Hope this posts. Had trouble with comments before! God’s Peace…
Check out the post at http://vanguardchurch.blogspot.com/2005/02/beginners-guide-to-worldview-jargon.html