Now, I don’t intend to be always crying, "Wolf!" but I recognize that from time to time I am in the unenviable position of telling you that things are not what they should be. For years, we have been trying to tell brethren that the churches of Christ are fast becoming what Lynn Anderson, preacher of the institutional Highland church in Abilene, once called, "a big, sick denomination." Not to be partisan in any way, I charge that brother Anderson’s statement is as applicable to non-institutional churches as to any others. But, that’s beside the point of what I want to talk about, today.
Another disturbing trend is developing, and you may be surprised to hear about it.
Several years ago, brethren were alarmed to hear that a renowned theistic evolutionist was a tenured professor at Abilene Christian University. Brotherhood papers, notably The Firm Foundation, really jumped on the matter and although nothing much came of it, brethren were put on notice about the danger.
In recent years, schools such as Florida College have attempted to secure highly-qualified, advance-credentialed teachers to shore up their standing in the academic community as the school presses for expanded academic accreditation and a fuller complement of degree programs. Without broaching the subject of whether such schools are authorized at all, let me observe that this is all well and good, assuming scientists/teachers are holding to faithful teaching on Creation and related issues. But, recently, a popular FC teacher expressed his non-literal interpretation of the days of Creation. He has written, "Some Bible believers insist that the world, according to Genesis 1, was created in six twenty-four hour days. I believe, however, that the days of Genesis 1 should not be interpreted literally."
Earlier, another teacher avoided an explicit statement of his belief in literally eons of time defining the days of Creation, yet provided a detailed outline of his views in CD-ROM documentation provided to FC students. Still later, the chairman of the FC Bible Department, Ferrell Jenkins attempted to defuse the issue by arguing that passing the information among brethren via email was tantamount to performing the spiritual death sentence in the "electronic mail chair." It was cute and funny, to be sure, but it unfortunately disguises what is a very serious issue.
Even the President of FC has waded into the waters, but the teacher was tolerated and his views were not circumscribed, even as parents and others are raising outcries of alarm and concern…until just recently, when the uproar became so great that the President of Florida College took strong, but somewhat ill-timed and (to some) morally questionable actions to "clean house."
In recent years, a well-trained Doctor of Dental Surgery who is also a faithful Christian is addressing the questions of Creation’s timeframe (among other related topics). I am thankful that several churches are taking a stand in the very backyard of FC and am grateful that scientists are found among the faithful. I am even more grateful that some scientists are willing to place their scientific and academic standing on the line for the sake of such important issues.
But, I see a disturbing trend…
I am concerned that departures from the faith seem to have their origins in persons of high academic standing, as they grapple within the framework of their professional qualifications with the questions that science finds difficult to accept about the scriptures.
One of the best examples is, of course, creation, and the current state of macro-evolutionary teaching in our schools and colleges is the result. Some Christians, who are also scientists find themselves bombarded with theories of origins that seem to be incompatible with Biblical teaching. Indeed, these theories are incompatible with Biblical teaching, proceeding from a bias that rejects the instantaneous and miraculous work of The Creator. But, it doesn’t end there.
Now, in an effort to answer the scientific mind, we are forced to call upon another scientific mind, as though the simple reading of the text of Genesis 1-2 is insufficient to determine the matter for all people of faith. We cannot just read and accept the Word of God; we must call upon a man of science to prove it!
Please don’t misunderstand my point: I am deeply appreciative and respectful of academic and scientific standing. I know of several scientists among the faithful and I have a great sense of honor for their accomplishments. Frankly, I am appalled and chagrined at the "just another Joe" view that some take toward such people, since I believe that outside of the environment of the local church, the conventions of respect are both appropriate and desirable when addressing those who are so credentialed.
Accordingly, I often refer to and introduce our own Chuck Childs as "Doctor Childs" – it is right, appropriate and approved by convention. But, within these walls, he is simply "brother" (or maybe a colloquial "Doc," something he may or may not fully appreciate).
It bothers me greatly that a simple Christian, with knowledge of the scriptures and only minimal academic qualifications may be discouraged from entering the discussion, simply because he/she will be disregarded by those who have an exalted opinion of their own academic prowess. Still more disturbing is the implication that such scriptural knowledge and minimal academic standing is not sufficient to warrant inclusion in an organized examination of the subject. It is the same academic arrogance that raised questions about the qualifications of Jesus (Mark 6:1-3) and which was repudiated by Paul (Philippians 3:7-8).
The fact is, there is nothing in the text of Genesis that is beyond the scope of understanding by any person of faith who has the ability to read. And folks, there is nothing in the text of Genesis that is involved at all in the current discussion about eons of years being comprehended in each day of Creation. The text says each day was bounded by an evening and a morning, and "by the seventh day, God completed His work" (Genesis 2:2), and that is sufficient for believers.
Brethren, we are drifting!