| Is This Battle our Battle? by Cleone Weigand (March-April, 2000) |
Is the battle over content in science teaching in the public schools our
battle? At present this battle’s hot spot is Kansas where efforts are being
made to modify the school science curriculum. Questions receiving
attention are questions such as these: Must all science education in the
public schools take place within the framework of evolution? Is evolution
true and should it be taught as truth? Should evidence supporting other
explanations (a creator) also be presented? If we lived in Kansas we
would have to wrestle with a more personal question. How deeply do I get
involved in helping to direct the path education follows in our schools?
battle? At present this battle’s hot spot is Kansas where efforts are being
made to modify the school science curriculum. Questions receiving
attention are questions such as these: Must all science education in the
public schools take place within the framework of evolution? Is evolution
true and should it be taught as truth? Should evidence supporting other
explanations (a creator) also be presented? If we lived in Kansas we
would have to wrestle with a more personal question. How deeply do I get
involved in helping to direct the path education follows in our schools?
The people attacked and blamed for encouraging laws that would prevent the monopoly in science education
currently held by evolutionists are referred to as “creation scientists.” If one examines the lives and activities of
those branded creation scientists, one discovers that most have a very high regard for the Bible and the
Genesis account of creation. Most believe the earth is young and that science demonstrates that there is an
ongoing and continuing extinction of existing forms of life and not an evolution of more or improved forms of life.
In their number we find individuals holding degrees in nearly every branch of science. Many have authored
books on the this subject. Their articles appear in publications such as “The Creation Research Society
Quarterly,” “Institute for Creation Research” newsletter and others. They are also responsible for placing on the
market many creation science videos. These introduce viewers to truths of our universe that receive little
publicity because the information media in press, education and government shun reporting scientific
information that threatens to undermine evolutionary explanations for our universe.
While many Christians cheer on the creation scientists, there are others who fear that the creation scientists are
attempting to build up faith and win souls for Christ through reason and not the gospel in Word and Sacrament.
Science is a changing and uncertain thing, even when practiced by a believer, and therefore is an unworthy
foundation for such important work as soul keeping and kingdom building. Your author agrees that it is wrong to
attempt to build up faith and win souls for Christ through reason and not the gospel in Word and Sacraments.
Everyone should realize that the knowledge of science is a very tentative and uncertain thing. In soul keeping
and kingdom building we dare not build on any other foundation than Christ nor substitute other means than
those he has given us to use, namely, Word and Sacraments.
With that said, let us add some cautions from a different perspective. The eighth commandment bids us all to
“put the best construction” on all that we witness our neighbor doing. This applies also to Christian neighbors
who may form a society so they may exchange scientific information that is gathered by scientists with a bias for
the Lord. This applies also to Christian neighbors who write books on topics in their field of expertise from a
Christian perspective. Should we not encourage their witness in the field of science? Should we not examine and
use it as we strive to carry out our responsibilities in the other kingdom of which we are citizens?
currently held by evolutionists are referred to as “creation scientists.” If one examines the lives and activities of
those branded creation scientists, one discovers that most have a very high regard for the Bible and the
Genesis account of creation. Most believe the earth is young and that science demonstrates that there is an
ongoing and continuing extinction of existing forms of life and not an evolution of more or improved forms of life.
In their number we find individuals holding degrees in nearly every branch of science. Many have authored
books on the this subject. Their articles appear in publications such as “The Creation Research Society
Quarterly,” “Institute for Creation Research” newsletter and others. They are also responsible for placing on the
market many creation science videos. These introduce viewers to truths of our universe that receive little
publicity because the information media in press, education and government shun reporting scientific
information that threatens to undermine evolutionary explanations for our universe.
While many Christians cheer on the creation scientists, there are others who fear that the creation scientists are
attempting to build up faith and win souls for Christ through reason and not the gospel in Word and Sacrament.
Science is a changing and uncertain thing, even when practiced by a believer, and therefore is an unworthy
foundation for such important work as soul keeping and kingdom building. Your author agrees that it is wrong to
attempt to build up faith and win souls for Christ through reason and not the gospel in Word and Sacraments.
Everyone should realize that the knowledge of science is a very tentative and uncertain thing. In soul keeping
and kingdom building we dare not build on any other foundation than Christ nor substitute other means than
those he has given us to use, namely, Word and Sacraments.
With that said, let us add some cautions from a different perspective. The eighth commandment bids us all to
“put the best construction” on all that we witness our neighbor doing. This applies also to Christian neighbors
who may form a society so they may exchange scientific information that is gathered by scientists with a bias for
the Lord. This applies also to Christian neighbors who write books on topics in their field of expertise from a
Christian perspective. Should we not encourage their witness in the field of science? Should we not examine and
use it as we strive to carry out our responsibilities in the other kingdom of which we are citizens?
Prof. Daniel Deutschlander describes our responsibilities in this other kingdom very
well in “Civil Government, God’s Other Kingdom,” the volume of “People’s BIBLE
Teachings” which he authored. He writes, “Christians’ convictions do not change
when Christians consider political questions. But the way in which Christians defend
their convictions in a political arena does change.
“In discussing our religious beliefs, it is sufficient to say: ‘This is what the Bible says,
and that is all I need to know. The Bible says that murder is a sin, and therefore I
oppose abortion on demand..’ But when we translate that conviction formed by the
Word of God into a political position argued in a political forum, human reason is the
basis for the discussion. To enter a political forum with the language of the Word of
God would be as sensible as speaking in Latin at the meeting. The Word of God
simply is not the language of the discussion. Reason is. … It is enough for the
Christian as a Christian to say: ‘The Bible teaches a six-day creation; therefore I
cannot accept the theory of evolution.’ … But when the debate occurs before the
well in “Civil Government, God’s Other Kingdom,” the volume of “People’s BIBLE
Teachings” which he authored. He writes, “Christians’ convictions do not change
when Christians consider political questions. But the way in which Christians defend
their convictions in a political arena does change.
“In discussing our religious beliefs, it is sufficient to say: ‘This is what the Bible says,
and that is all I need to know. The Bible says that murder is a sin, and therefore I
oppose abortion on demand..’ But when we translate that conviction formed by the
Word of God into a political position argued in a political forum, human reason is the
basis for the discussion. To enter a political forum with the language of the Word of
God would be as sensible as speaking in Latin at the meeting. The Word of God
simply is not the language of the discussion. Reason is. … It is enough for the
Christian as a Christian to say: ‘The Bible teaches a six-day creation; therefore I
cannot accept the theory of evolution.’ … But when the debate occurs before the
school board, what satisfies us as Christians because God’s Word says so is not enough. Someone will quickly
resound to the answer from the Bible: ‘This is not the church. Nor is it the business of the public school to teach
what your church teaches or what the Bible teaches.’
“The one who answered thus will be right. The school board is guided not by the Bible but by human reason. A
Christian, however, might call up a number of arguments on the basis of reason to make his or her points. …
“The point is that the debate in the political arena is carried out on the basis of reason even though his or her
reason has first been taken captive by the Word of God. No reasoning in the world is more solid and sound
than reasoning that submits to the Word of God, who alone is all wise!” (Deutschlander, Daniel M., “Civil
Government, God’s Other Kingdom” People’s BIBLE Teachings, Northwestern Publishing House, Milwaukee, WI,
pp89ff)
A teacher at South Dakota Schools of Mines near Rapid City is reported to have challenged the class recently
with these words. “If your can breaks down, could you open the hood, step back 20 feet, throw a wrench at the
engine, and fix your car? No. But what if you threw the wrench one million times? Chances are you’d fix it.”
(Morris, John D., “Surprise in South Dakota,” Acts & Facts, ICR, Vol. 28, No. 6, June 1999, pp. 1f.)
Parents, citizens and school board members are rightfully upset when this type of evolutionary trash is
presented as truth. We cannot, however, go on the warpath waving our Bibles against such untruthful teaching.
We can and should prepare ourselves to battle and then do battle against untruth in our other kingdom using
reason. Quotations from the laws of mathematics, especially in the area of probability, that flatly contradict such
a foolish evolutionary principle, would be an argument from reason that could well be shared with our fellow
citizens at this point in the debate. It is in preparing ourselves and our children for this ongoing debate that the
writings of creation scientists can prove very useful. Therefore, should there not be space in our libraries for
this literature, especially when we remember our duty as citizens to participate in doing what is best for the
people of our land? Allowing evolutionists to monopolize and infect education, the media, our schools of
science, library boards and government institutions because of their irrational bias certainly is not good for our
country. More and more people are speaking out against this disturbing development. Should we not prepare
ourselves to argue effectively and forcefully in the arena of reason so we may enlarge their number and
strengthen their witness? Is not this battle also our battle? Are we not obligated as responsible citizens to fight
this battle against untruth? These are questions we do well to discuss among ourselves so we may better
continue waging war against untruth wherever it rears its head and whatever form it takes. LSI
resound to the answer from the Bible: ‘This is not the church. Nor is it the business of the public school to teach
what your church teaches or what the Bible teaches.’
“The one who answered thus will be right. The school board is guided not by the Bible but by human reason. A
Christian, however, might call up a number of arguments on the basis of reason to make his or her points. …
“The point is that the debate in the political arena is carried out on the basis of reason even though his or her
reason has first been taken captive by the Word of God. No reasoning in the world is more solid and sound
than reasoning that submits to the Word of God, who alone is all wise!” (Deutschlander, Daniel M., “Civil
Government, God’s Other Kingdom” People’s BIBLE Teachings, Northwestern Publishing House, Milwaukee, WI,
pp89ff)
A teacher at South Dakota Schools of Mines near Rapid City is reported to have challenged the class recently
with these words. “If your can breaks down, could you open the hood, step back 20 feet, throw a wrench at the
engine, and fix your car? No. But what if you threw the wrench one million times? Chances are you’d fix it.”
(Morris, John D., “Surprise in South Dakota,” Acts & Facts, ICR, Vol. 28, No. 6, June 1999, pp. 1f.)
Parents, citizens and school board members are rightfully upset when this type of evolutionary trash is
presented as truth. We cannot, however, go on the warpath waving our Bibles against such untruthful teaching.
We can and should prepare ourselves to battle and then do battle against untruth in our other kingdom using
reason. Quotations from the laws of mathematics, especially in the area of probability, that flatly contradict such
a foolish evolutionary principle, would be an argument from reason that could well be shared with our fellow
citizens at this point in the debate. It is in preparing ourselves and our children for this ongoing debate that the
writings of creation scientists can prove very useful. Therefore, should there not be space in our libraries for
this literature, especially when we remember our duty as citizens to participate in doing what is best for the
people of our land? Allowing evolutionists to monopolize and infect education, the media, our schools of
science, library boards and government institutions because of their irrational bias certainly is not good for our
country. More and more people are speaking out against this disturbing development. Should we not prepare
ourselves to argue effectively and forcefully in the arena of reason so we may enlarge their number and
strengthen their witness? Is not this battle also our battle? Are we not obligated as responsible citizens to fight
this battle against untruth? These are questions we do well to discuss among ourselves so we may better
continue waging war against untruth wherever it rears its head and whatever form it takes. LSI