Science in Christian Perspective

Letter to the Editor

How Does Modern Science Affect Christian Doctrine?
David J. Krause 
36407 Ladywood Lieonia, 
Michigan 48154

From: JASA 23 (June 1971): 77.

As a person who accepts in all essentials the picture of the universe revealed by modern science I enjoyed and appreciated the article by J. R. van de Fliert, "Fundamentalism and the Fundamentals of Geology" (Journal ASA 21, 69 (1969) ). Yet, after now reading The Genesis Flood for myself and reading Morris' letter (Journal ASA, 22, 36 (1970) ), I cannot help but feel that van de Fliert has indeed, as Morris states, missed the entire point. Van de Fliert discusses nothing that cannot also be found in standard geological texts. At just those points where enlightenment from an evangelical Christian is needed, namely, bow do modern geological theories influence and affect basic Christian doctrines (creation, the Fall, the authority of the words of Christ, the relationship to the Second Coming, last things, etc.) van de Fliert is silent, and this is precisely Morris' point. Why are so many contributors to the Journol evidently so reluctant to speak out on these issues? At least Whitcomb and Morris recognize that something of importance is at stake, whatever one thinks of their theorizing. If the symposium on the Bible and science (Journal ASA 21, 97-124 (1969) can be taken as evidence, many ASA members seem to be taking the position that Christianity and science can be completely isolated from each other (e.g. Albert's "There is no relationship between the Bible and science as we know it today."), in which ease the ASA obviously has no reason to exist. As one who accepts the modern scientific view of the universe, I had hoped to find in the Journal articles that would help to relate this view to the basic doctrines of Christianity. Instead the general impression received is that this relationship is either nonexistent or of trivial importance, yet many writers still insist that they are evangelical Christians. I find this situation, frankly, rather confusing.

(Editor's Note: Stay with us Mr. Krause; we're trying!)