This week the Board of Trustees at La Sierra University has met to receive a report from the Education Department of the North American Division, and then consider the University's position on the theory of evolution and the Biblical record of Divine Creation, as it is to be emphasized and presented in the classroom.
As can be expected, a wide spectrum of reactions to the La Sierra Board's discussion and prayerful decision has been floating across the blogs and websites. A signficant number of comments are concerned about "Academic Freedom" and the ability of professors to teach what they understand to be truth. Also a number of comments are concerned that the "evidence" does not support a "short history of the earth" or a less than 10,000 year history of the human race. Other comments are concerned about Church Leaders seeming to have undue influence on an institution that is not directly under their sphere of responsibility for day-to-day operations (these same commentators fail to acknowledge that as members of the Board of Trustees, Church Leaders do have a responsibility for the philosophy, direction, administration and ultimately the operation of the institution that carries the name of Seventh-day Adventist). While the report from this week's Board of Trustees has not been made public yet, I have given much thought to the stakes involved.
In reading again recently in the powerful book, Great Controversy, I have noticed a principle that for me, aides me greatly in considering the relationship between "Academic Freedom," scientific thought and theology. The following 2 paragraphs help the Christian balance the understanding between Science and the Divine Inspired Word of Scripture.
"To many, scientific research has become a curse. God has permitted a flood of light to be poured upon the world in discoveries in science and art; but even the greatest minds, if not guided by the word of God in their research, become bewildered in their attempts to investigate the relations of science and revelation.
Human knowledge of both material and spiritual things is partial and imperfect; therefore many are unable to harmonize their views of science with Scripture statements. Many accept mere theories and speculations as scientific facts, and they think that God's word is to be tested by the teachings of "science falsely so called." 1 Timothy 6:20. The Creator and His works are beyond their comprehension; and because they cannot explain these by natural laws, Bible history is regarded as unreliable. Those who doubt the reliability of the records of the Old and New Testaments too often go a step further and doubt the existence of God and attribute infinite power to nature. Having let go their anchor, they are left to beat about upon the rocks of infidelity." Great Controversy 522
Now is the time to, "...contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." Jude 3 NKJV
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5 comments:
I appreciate your response to this issue. If only more would go to God’s word and his prophets. Thank you Ray.
Joyce
Thanks for the comments and the update. The world has been pressing it's views upon the church for some time. I remember these very views being brought up to my attention when I was still in seminary by a visiting science teacher. I also know science teachers who hold positions in our colleges who do not hold to or follow any of our beliefs. It bothers me that we allow such things to enter our educational facilities under the guise of "accademic freedom" so easily. If a teacher wishes to teach the science of the world and evolution there are many place he or she can go to do so. But parents trust our institutions to acquaint their children with the truth as it is understood in Jesus, as deliniated through our General Conference meetings. I don't think we should have a witch hunt, as happened around the views held by Desmond Ford in the '80s but it is wrong for our intitutions to hire professors who do not support our message wholeheatedly in my view. And wrong for said professors to continue in their possitions if they cannot fulfil the goals for which their institutions were established of leading our youth to Christ and His Word.
Bob
Thank you, Ray, for keeping in the front burner, so to speak, this topic about the relationship between Science and Religion. They are interconnected. They both are in the pursuit of truth, only that they work on different channels.
The roll of Science is to understand the laws and how the universe operates from the microcosmic level to the vastness of macro cosmic dimensions. The roll of Religion is to enlighten the human conscience by asking the philosophical questions: "what does this mean for me and my fellow man?" "How does it impact my set of moral and ethical values?"
It was Albert Einstein who stated:
"Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind."
The point being, they need one another. Having said that, I also wish to bring to our discussion that "SINCE THE BOOK OF NATURE AND THE BOOK OF REVELATION BEAR THE IMPRESS OF THE SAME MASTER MIND, THEY CANNOT BUT SPEAK IN HARMONY. By different methods, and in different languages, they witness to the same great truths. Science is ever discovering new wonders; but she brings from her research nothing that, rightly understood, conflicts with divine revelation. The book of nature and the written word shed light upon each other. They make us acquainted with God by teaching us something of the laws through which He works." EDUCATION, page 128. By Ellen G. White.
Going back to the working principles of science, I wish to add before closing my remarks, that "No intangible principle, no impersonal essence or mere abstraction, can satisfy the needs and longings of human beings in this life of struggle with sin and sorrow and pain. IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO BELIEVE IN LAW AND FORCE, IN THINGS THAT HAVE NO PITY, AND NEVER HEAR THE CRY FOR HELP. WE NEED TO KNOW OF AN ALMIGHTY ARM THAT WILL HOLD US UP, OF AN INFINITE FRIEND THAT PITIES US. WE NEED TO CLASP A HAND THAT IS WARM, TO TRUST IN A HEART FULL OF TENDERNESS. And even so God has in His word revealed Himself." EDUCATION, page 133.
"He who studies most deeply into the mysteries of nature will realize most fully his own ignorance and weakness. He will realize that there are depths and heights which he cannot reach, secrets which he cannot penetrate, vast fields of truth lying before him unentered. HE WILL BE READY TO SAY, WITH NEWTON, 'I SEEM TO MYSELF TO HAVE BEEN LIKE A CHILD ON THE SEASHORE FINDING PEBBLES AND SHELLS, WHILE THE GREAT OCEAN OF TRUTH LAY UNDISCOVERED BEFORE ME.'" Ibid.
"Only under the direction of the Omniscient One shall we, in the study of His works, be enabled to think His thoughts after Him."
EDUCATION, page 134.
-- Preston Monterrey
Thank you, Ray, for keeping in the front burner, so to speak, this topic about the relationship between Science and Religion. They are interconnected. They both are in the pursuit of truth, only that they work on different channels.
The roll of Science is to understand the laws and how the universe operates from the microcosmic level to the vastness of macro cosmic dimensions. The roll of Religion is to enlighten the human conscience by asking the philosophical questions: "what does this mean for me and my fellow man?" "How does it impact my set of moral and ethical values?"
It was Albert Einstein who stated:
"Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind."
The point being, they need one another. Having said that, I also wish to bring to our discussion that "SINCE THE BOOK OF NATURE AND THE BOOK OF REVELATION BEAR THE IMPRESS OF THE SAME MASTER MIND, THEY CANNOT BUT SPEAK IN HARMONY. BY DIFFERENT METHODS, AND IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES, THEY WITNESS TO THE SAME GREAT TRUTHS. Science is ever discovering new wonders; but she brings from her research nothing that, rightly understood, conflicts with divine revelation. The book of nature and the written word shed light upon each other. They make us acquainted with God by teaching us something of the laws through which He works." EDUCATION, page 128. By Ellen G. White.
Going back to the working principles of science, I wish to add before closing my remarks, that "No intangible principle, no impersonal essence or mere abstraction, can satisfy the needs and longings of human beings in this life of struggle with sin and sorrow and pain. IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO BELIEVE IN LAW AND FORCE, IN THINGS THAT HAVE NO PITY, AND NEVER HEAR THE CRY FOR HELP. WE NEED TO KNOW OF AN ALMIGHTY ARM THAT WILL HOLD US UP, OF AN INFINITE FRIEND THAT PITIES US. WE NEED TO CLASP A HAND THAT IS WARM, TO TRUST IN A HEART FULL OF TENDERNESS. And even so God has in His word revealed Himself." EDUCATION, page 133.
"He who studies most deeply into the mysteries of nature will realize most fully his own ignorance and weakness. He will realize that there are depths and heights which he cannot reach, secrets which he cannot penetrate, vast fields of truth lying before him unentered. HE WILL BE READY TO SAY, WITH NEWTON, 'I SEEM TO MYSELF TO HAVE BEEN LIKE A CHILD ON THE SEASHORE FINDING PEBBLES AND SHELLS, WHILE THE GREAT OCEAN OF TRUTH LAY UNDISCOVERED BEFORE ME.'" Ibid.
"Only under the direction of the Omniscient One shall we, in the study of His works, be enabled to think His thoughts after Him."
Ibid., page 134.
-- Preston Monterrey
Didn't Paul say that "knowledge puffs up?" It's rare to find in one person deep levels of scientific understanding and a humility that submits all knowledge to God's revelation. It is deeply concerning to see the direction some within our schools are wanting to go. I just finished watching an old interview of Roger Morneau and he stated that it is impossible for one to reject God as Creator and maintain a relationship with Him. Everything begins to crumble. May God step in and guide our institutions of higher learning while we can still call them that!
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