Christian education

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On Evolution and Education

Although some anti-evolutionists are knowledgeable about evolution, many, probably the majority, are not. Gallup and Pew Research polls show that people do not know much about evolution and they hold many misconceptions. So, why are there so many anti-evolutionists when so many do not know much about it? In other words, how can one be against something they do not know?

The two main distribution points of information about science and theology, especially evolution, are schools and churches. There are three groups of biology teachers: those avoiding evolution, those teaching it poorly, and those teaching it well. Through my experiences, there is no question in my mind that the first two groups are the overwhelming majority. Besides, ample research exists about the public’s limited knowledge of science.

Churches also play a role with both children and adults. Children coming from school may want to talk about the evolution issue with their parents, thus parents need to be informed about both the science and the theology. Church is a one place where both children and parents can learn about the important connections between science and theology. Simply put, the issue of God, theology, faith, and science is for the church, not for the public schools.

There is no doubt that the anti-evolution churches are teaching their members about the choice they must make. The five congregations in my history have not addressed this topic. A friend recently told me that neither has any of the 14 churches in his history.

I simply wonder why so many congregations in the traditions of Roman Catholicism, Episcopalian, ELCA Lutheran, Presbyterian (USA), United Methodist, United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Episcopal-Methodist, and other evolution-supporting denominations continue to promote ignorance to their membership by ignoring the evolution and theology topic with their members. Your thoughts?

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On an Adult Christian Education Model

Sometime in spring 2009, one of my pastors and I were discussing adult education within the church. We initially came to this church because of our previous congregation did not meet our growing desire for adult education.

Within a few years after our arrival, the adult education hour took a hit as the church added an additional service to accommodate overcrowding – thus we lost the reason why we came. Adult education efforts have since renewed and seemingly growing. Because of that spring conversation, I have leaped into leading the adult education committee – well, I gave committed for one year.

Since seeing the big picture and making connections is one of my strengths, I developed a course-planning model for our committee. Although I recognize that Bible study is an important educational component, it is far from the only.

The planning model consists of four sectors: Biblical Studies, Theological Teaching, Life Applications, and Issues. These areas guide the committee to offer courses across the Christian education spectrum.

Realistically, each sector overlaps with one, two, or three other sectors as illustrated by the Venn diagram. Nonetheless, focusing on these broad sectors allows us to offer a variety of courses to meet the needs of more people, thus something for decision makers at any church to consider in the future.

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On Evolution and Church

Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday (this past February) sparked many interesting posts; and I read many. The event also served as the foundation for polls from both Gallup and the Pew Research Center – and I read both. Collectively, I initiated expansion of my own knowledge base by focusing on three books:

  • Saving Darwin: How to be a Christian and Believe in Evolution (Karl Giberson)
  • Finding Darwin’s God: A Scientist’s Search for Common Ground between God and Evolution (Kenneth Miller)
  • Storms over Genesis: Biblical Battleground in America’s Wars of Religion (William Jennings)

Angle Point 1
The primary sources of information for people are schools and churches. In terms of schools, my experiences lead me to believe that science teachers can be divided into groups regarding evolution: Those avoiding it, those teaching it poorly, and those teaching it well. My gut tells me that the latter group is the smallest.

Angle Point 2
I’m convinced that many don’t know how science works; most may even be most.

Angle Point 3
When it comes to churches, there’s no doubt that the congregations against evolution actively educate their members. Meanwhile, congregations who don’t have issues with evolution at the organizational level do NOT educate their flock about the relationship between religion and science, thus perpetuating misinformation held by the public. Christian denominations in this group include mainline Protestants, Anglicans, and Roman Catholics. Interestingly Jews, moderate Muslims, Unitarians, and Buddhists are also supportive of evolution, but I’m unfamiliar with how they address this issue with their members.

Angle Point 4
Yes, some evolutionists are atheists, but not all. Yes, some evolutionists use evolution to say God doesn’t exist, but that’s a small number. There is more support in the religious community that people realize and the fundamentalists don’t speak for all Christians, thus churches should educate their members.

My Goal & Action Plan
At this point, I am concentrating my efforts at the congregation level in the church I attend. I’ve already had Round 1 discussions with one of our pastors about the importance of teaching a course on science and religion because members need to know that evolution is ok and here’s why. I have been promised additional discussion with others. After all, if I can move one domino, maybe others will fall.

The Bottom Line
As science has learned so much since Darwin and Alfred Wallace announced their findings, religious scholars continue to study and learn about the theological perspective. Although the conservative and fundamental Christians selectively point to Genesis to justify their means, I’m still amazed that they give God so little credit.

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