Pastor's Corner

24 Mar
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Mid-Week Challenge

It was just a matter of time until “cancel culture” found a way to cancel the individual parts of the Christian faith that it had no answers for in the fields of science and reasoning.  According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, next week the Council for Higher Education Accreditation will consider whether it should continue to recognize a young Earth creationist group because their accreditation standard includes classes dealing strictly with Creationism. The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools describes itself “as a national institutional accrediting agency for Christian post-secondary institutions, colleges, universities, and seminaries.” Founded in the late 1970s, the group today accredits more than 80 schools around the world. That includes Bob Jones University, which grants science degrees that require course credits in creation science.  The accreditation organization has been recognized since 2001 and to deny them standing in the educational field would call into question the accreditation of over 80 schools.  So, Dr. Joshua Swamidass, A Washington University computational biologist is offering a “constructive solution;” “Credit from courses that include creation science should not be used toward science degrees,” he wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed. “Nor should they be eligible for transfer to secular institutions.”  https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-compromise-on-creationism-11614901537?mod=article_inline

Swamidass’s “solution” is nothing more than censorship of the truths taught in Scripture.  Steve Pettit, president of Bob Jones University, responded by bringing to light the realities of Swamidass’ compromise.  He says, “Our students, while adhering to biblical viewpoints on the origin and diversity of life, must be fully conversant with, and able to think critically about both models.  Dr. Swamidass’s ‘compromise’—excluding credit from courses presenting evidence for multiple models—would marginalize outstanding scientists with biblical viewpoints about origins.” In other words, cancel Christian scientists who teach Creationism.    

One of the historical marks of a traditional liberal arts education was to be exposed to a variety of thoughts, beliefs and backgrounds so that the graduate would be better equipped to make a lasting difference in the world they were about to engage with.  What this move will do is limit the ability of Christian scientists to debate, interject and contribute to the field.  In the long run it would not expand our understanding but narrow the field of study; accepting only those that agree to a predetermined set of beliefs.  Science is supposed to be a field of discovery; open to any possibility.  This move would eliminate competitors who challenge the theories of those in authority.  This is the exact opposite move of what one would expect of a group who labels itself as open and tolerant of all beliefs and points of view.  But, when it comes to Christianity, no move to censor is off the table.

Pray for Christian professors in higher education that seek to practice their faith and exercise their God given abilities of discovery and pedagogy.  We need more men and women who are not afraid of discovering the truth found in God’s Creation and exposing the next generation to what it means to think independently.   

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20

Serving the Savior,

Bro. Jonathan

By: Dr. Jonathan Richerson

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