St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

In our "Questions to the clergy" slot, John will try to answer any query you throw at him, without hesitation, deviation or repetition...

Faith schools and creationism?

Q. What do you think about these faith-based schools which teach creation instead of evolution?

A. I agree with several bishops who wrote to the Secretary of State, to say they felt “creationism” wasn’t a scientific theory that could be put on a par with evolution, and to ask him to specify that evolution be taught as part of the science syllabus.

Let me explain in more detail.

Christians all agree that God created the world, and also that God sustains it. The question is how?

At one end of the spectrum some Christians believe God uses the laws of science as part of the way he looks after the universe. The universe was originally small and hot, and as it aged it expanded (the big bang) and cooled. Christians who believe this (and I’m one) see the early chapters of the book of Genesis as being about principles (that God made it good, that it was all part of his plan, that humanity is the pinnacle of creation, that marriage was designed by God, etc...), but not about literal history (seven days of creation, day and night before the sun and moon, etc...).

At the other end of the spectrum some Christians believe that the account of creation in Genesis is intended literally and historically, and therefore that the earth is about 6000 years old. Things which make the earth look older (dinosaur bones etc.) must have been either misunderstood by scientists or deliberately created by God to give a false appearance of greater age.

Scientists also have a variety of opinions on God’s role in creation. Some believe there is no god. Some believe that maybe there is a God but whether or not, he/it doesn’t interfere in the universe nowadays. Some believe God actively uses the laws of science to direct the way that the universe will develop. And some even believe miracles are possible (miracles are the occasions when God steps into the universe and changes something unilaterally). I was a research mathematician before I became a vicar: I believe God directs the universe, mostly by scientific laws, and sometimes by miracles.

There is no conflict between science and Christianity as such, although there is a conflict between an atheistic scientist and a creationist Christian. I think schools ought to set out the range of views of both Christians and scientists, so that pupils will be able to understand both facts and opinions.

John Hartley

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. June 2002, Page 8.
Home Page. Index of articles. Questions: index, Evangelical, Resurrection, Lord's Prayer, Apocrypha, Creationism, Change. Schools: index, Church & School, Creationism, Get involved. In this issue: (June 2002) Vicar's Letter, STV, Sunday Club, Services, Question, History, Jelleys.	In our "Questions to the clergy" slot, John will try to answer any query you throw at him, without hesitation, deviation or repetition... Faith schools and creationism? Q. What do you think about these faith-based schools which teach creation instead of evolution? A. I agree with several bishops who wrote to the Secretary of State, to say they felt “creationism” wasn’t a scientific theory that could be put on a par with evolution, and to ask him to specify that evolution be taught as part of the science syllabus. Let me explain in more detail. Christians all agree that God created the world, and also that God sustains it. The question is how? At one end of the spectrum some Christians believe God uses the laws of science as part of the way he looks after the universe. The universe was originally small and hot, and as it aged it expanded (the big bang) and cooled. Christians who believe this (and I’m one) see the early chapters of the book of Genesis as being about principles (that God made it good, that it was all part of his plan, that humanity is the pinnacle of creation, that marriage was designed by God, etc...), but not about literal history (seven days of creation, day and night before the sun and moon, etc...). At the other end of the spectrum some Christians believe that the account of creation in Genesis is intended literally and historically, and therefore that the earth is about 6000 years old. Things which make the earth look older (dinosaur bones etc.) must have been either misunderstood by scientists or deliberately created by God to give a false appearance of greater age. Scientists also have a variety of opinions on God’s role in creation. Some believe there is no god. Some believe that maybe there is a God but whether or not, he/it doesn’t interfere in the universe nowadays. Some believe God actively uses the laws of science to direct the way that the universe will develop. And some even believe miracles are possible (miracles are the occasions when God steps into the universe and changes something unilaterally). I was a research mathematician before I became a vicar: I believe God directs the universe, mostly by scientific laws, and sometimes by miracles. There is no conflict between science and Christianity as such, although there is a conflict between an atheistic scientist and a creationist Christian. I think schools ought to set out the range of views of both Christians and scientists, so that pupils will be able to understand both facts and opinions. John Hartley
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