As we approach the 9th annual Question Evolution Day, we must remember that people will learn about universal common descent concepts. Some folks have objected and said that we do not need to teach our children that stuff or even learn it ourselves. The opposite is true. Let me 'splain, Loocy.
The school systems have kids for many hours a day for many years, so they are indoctrinated in secular science philosophies and values that run contrary to the Christian worldview. Sadly, many supposedly Christian schools reject biblical authority as well as recent creation and the Genesis Flood. Evolutionary ideas are everywhere, so their is no shielding anyone — which is a bad idea. As I have repeated several times, secularists tell us what to think, biblical creationists try to teach us how to think. That is, rationally and in keeping with God's Word.
Something about debates applies here. In a formal debate (not the kind on social media and such where anyone with an axe to grind can chime in), both sides are expected to accurately understand and represent the position of the opponent. Evolutionists and atheists are notorious for misrepresenting creationists and Christians. We need to be careful to properly understand and present evolutionary concepts, especially if we want to present the gospel to the lost.
When students and the rest of us are bombarded with tendentious evolutionary ideas, it is important to be able to think critically and ask the right questions. In evangelism, we need to challenge the assumptions in the worldviews of others, and evolution is a primary reason people fall away from the Christian faith or simply reject it outright. People have said that they could not get answers about the age of the earth, origins, and so on, and uninformed parents and others would essentially tell them to simply believe. Sorry, Sigmund, but our faith is not blind. The Bible is self-affirming, with a passel of evidence to support it. We must equip our children and ourselves so we can deal with the hard questions. There are many biblical creationist sites available (regular readers know because I keep linking to them), and they have answers to a passel of questions.
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| Background image: RGBStock / Steve Woods |
Something about debates applies here. In a formal debate (not the kind on social media and such where anyone with an axe to grind can chime in), both sides are expected to accurately understand and represent the position of the opponent. Evolutionists and atheists are notorious for misrepresenting creationists and Christians. We need to be careful to properly understand and present evolutionary concepts, especially if we want to present the gospel to the lost.
When students and the rest of us are bombarded with tendentious evolutionary ideas, it is important to be able to think critically and ask the right questions. In evangelism, we need to challenge the assumptions in the worldviews of others, and evolution is a primary reason people fall away from the Christian faith or simply reject it outright. People have said that they could not get answers about the age of the earth, origins, and so on, and uninformed parents and others would essentially tell them to simply believe. Sorry, Sigmund, but our faith is not blind. The Bible is self-affirming, with a passel of evidence to support it. We must equip our children and ourselves so we can deal with the hard questions. There are many biblical creationist sites available (regular readers know because I keep linking to them), and they have answers to a passel of questions.
As a science teacher in Christian schools, I’ve noticed a predictable progression when students begin studying evolution. They start with a mocking attitude that “evolution is stupid.” But when I present the details accurately, a bewildered hush falls over the class. Quizzical looks are followed by raised hands and vociferous objections. They sound betrayed.
Finally, as they discover biblical answers from the creation perspective, light bulbs turn on, and their perplexity is replaced with relief. They then are able to communicate their thoughts about origins more coherently and confidently.
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Here are the four most helpful principles I’ve learned for effectively teaching evolution. They are useful in any educational environment—home, church, or school.I'd be much obliged it you would read the entire article (or download the audio). You can find it at "Teaching Evolution to the Next Generation". You'll thank me later.