John W Burgeson wrote:
>
> I've been asked to speak to Middle Schoolers at our church in a couple
> weeks on "creation/evolution." This age group scares me! <G>
>
> Last week they were given by the teacher the following outline on the
> subject. Any comments? I do not wish to be confrontational. But a couple
> of the statements don't seem quite right.
Burgy -
A few comments are interspersed below.
> Origin of Life, the Universe and Everything
>
> When these 3 sources of evidence agree perfectly you can be 99% sure of
> yourself!
> Observation (scientific method)
> Revelation (Scripture)
> Reason (logic)
It's wrong to limit "scientific method" to "observation." Both observation and
reason (theory) are essential for science. But this does not exhaust the use of reason
in this connection, because it's also one tool used to relate science & religion.
& I also think that a straightforward equation of revelation with scripture is
problematic. God's action in history, with it high point in Christ, is revelation.
Scripture is inspired witness to revelation.
> Assumptions behind Revelation:
> God is the source of all truth
> Scripture is the Word of God
> Truth exists, even if we don’t know what it is
>
> Assumptions behind Science:
> Matter is real
> Cause and effect are connected
> Effects can be observed and causes can be deduced
> Identical conditions will produce identical results (repeatability)
Though it probably won't come into an introductory creation-evolution
discussion, the limitations of the final statement (sensitivity to initial conditions,
butterfly effect, quantum theory) are significant when one talks about divine action in
general, answer to prayer, &c.
>
> Assumptions behind Reason:
> There is a difference between truth and untruth
> There is a difference between real and unreal
>
> What factors affect a Christian’s view of origins?
> Degree of literalness in interpreting Scripture
This is not the best way to phrase the matter. What's important is ascertaining
what kind of literature one is dealing with. Is a given biblical text straight history,
parable, fiction, liturgy, &c? & it's important to communicate that "straight history"
in the modern sense is NOT the default setting.
> Degree of understanding of the scientific process
> Ability to reason and use logic
>
> The range of beliefs about origins:
> 1. Everything was created in six 24-hour days
> 2. God created basic animal types and man in six ages or periods of time
> 3. God guided evolution by using mutations
> 4. God created the primordial soup from which life sprung
> 5. There is no creator and no creation. What exists has always existed.
>
> Difficulties in arriving at truth:
> Past history is not directly observable
> Geologic and fossil records are discontinuous
> Both scientists and theologians come to the discussion with many
> assumptions
> Almost all mutations are harmful—was this always the case?
> Dating methods produce inconsistent results
The latter claim is highly questionable.
> Do you have to know the answers to these dilemmas in order to be a child
> of God, loved and cherished by Him, forever safe in His care? NO! So
> don’t be afraid of your own questions. Use all the brains God gave you
> and explore His glorious universe.
>
> This outline is gratefully adapted from material by Harold Steinhoff,
> retired biology professor, Fort Lewis College. yg
A couple of additional points -
Often middle schoolers (& for that matter high schoolers) have no real idea what
evolutionary theory is really about.
Do not allow the issue to be stated as "creation OR evolution." (But you knew
that :).)
Shalom,
George
George L. Murphy
gmurphy@raex.com
http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/
Received on Tue Mar 23 09:55:41 2004
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