It's Creation, Baby!

I'm going to weigh in on the Evolution vs. ID debate, despite several misgivings. First, I don't want to hurt ID with a religious rant. I make no claim to be a scientist. A teacher at heart, a philosopher occasionally, and somewhat of a theologian, but not a scientist. Second, I have no illusions about my readership. Slim, and mostly friendly, I doubt anyone needs convincing. Still, I like writing, and writing clarifies my thoughts, so I'll chip in my dime for the choir's approval. Lawrance M. Krauss wrote an essay that was published in today's New York Times, entitled How to Make Sure Children Are Scientifically Illiterate. He was the springboard for this particular post, so I'll mainly respond to him.

In his first paragraph, Mr. Krauss trumpets a limiting of what is taught in public schools "a victory for public education." I fail to understand how NOT teaching something that the public is uncertain about can be an advancement for public education. My understanding of education is to inform the student, not cut them off from the public debate. Scientific ideas should be discussed, not only in the scientific forums, but in public forums as well. Cutting off debate is antithical to education, and should not be engaged in.

Mr. Krouse later asserts that Dr. Steve Abrams belief that God created the universe demands "a denial of essentially all modern scientific knowledge." He goes on to say:

It is a matter of overwhelming scientific evidence. To maintain a belief in a 6,000-year-old earth requires a denial of essentially all the results of modern physics, chemistry, astronomy, biology and geology. It is to imply that airplanes and automobiles work by divine magic, rather than by empirically testable laws."

To this, I recommend that Mr. Krouse stick with Physics & Astronomy, and stay away from theology. One of the fundamental things about God is that He is not just a Creator, but an all powerful Creator. Just because something is an empirically testable law, does not mean in cannot be a Divinely institution. In fact, if we refer to it as a law, the question "Where did the Laws come from?" will be asked immediately.

Mr. Krouse concludes his Op-Ed by saying that the issue is bigger than Kansas. He's right. It's also bigger than the "standards of knowledge" he focuses on. Rather, this is about worldview. Forgive me for returning to this, but I feel like it's too important to be left out.

There is empirical evidence for both creation and evolution. I can accept that. What we DON'T have is empirical evidence for is the existence of God. The closest we can come is to keep asking "Where did THAT come from?" until we don't have an answer. Ask it a few more times, 'til we don't have a theory. That's when atheists become uncomfortable. If you appeal to the physical laws of the universe, they will come. If matter cannot be created or destroyed, than the universe does not exist. It is matter, and it is here. However, if we allow God, than He created everything, and puts everything into motion. Works better, doesn't it?


My proposal to believers is theis. Since we cannot prove or deny the existence of God empirically, it is up to usto prove His existence in their daily lives. That is where the battle will be won and lost. God makes a difference. Unbelievers will not accept that, but when our lives are founded on the Solid Rock, they will be different. Unbelievers must accept that.

Pidgin on the Pigeon

This past weekend, we went to River's Edge again, sort of a second home church. There was a missionary from Sierra Leone, Michael Turay, who has a relationship with the pastor at Rivers Edge. He began his message in what I'm guessing was Pidgin English, because I knew just enough words to confuse me. After the audience was confused enough, he began by asking this question. "Why are you alive." My trite and careless answer, in my head was "Because I haven't died yet." But he made a similar argument to CS Lewis with his point. Lewis argued that if a person has a desire, there is something for it. Turay argued that if you are alive, there is a purpose for it.

We know from the Westminster Shorter Catechism that "the chief end of man is to glorify God." But how do we do it? Turay pointed to 1 Peter 3:18 as his text: Grow. That's how believers glorify God. Grow. It's a command, it's how we demonstrate our love, it's what we have to do. If we're not growing as believers, we're sinning. It's that simple.