I’m a creationist…get me out of here! was a youth feature in the July Evangelical Times. It is written by Paul Garner of the Biblical Creation Trust and provides some helpful suggestions for young people who have to deal with being a creationist at school, college or uni.
So you’re a Christian young person studying science? You believe in creation because that’s what the Bible teaches, but you’re wondering how to handle the issue at school or college. You have some difficult decisions to make.
Will you openly challenge what you’re being taught about evolution, or will you keep quiet? Will you avoid science as much as you can and opt for other subjects? Or will you embrace science and hope that your faith stands up under the challenge?
Being a creationist at school or college is not easy and in this article we want to give you some advice based on the experiences of others.
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Update, 10/08/17: A couple of times this article mention ‘evidence’ for evolution. This could seem a bit confusing. What I believe the author means is that there are some persuasive arguments for evolution, rather than actual evidence. If we are to be able to effectively counter these arguements, it is important that we understand them fully and realise why they are so persuasive. Always remember though, that when properly considered, the evidence points to creation.
Hi. I just read your blog about my ET youth feature and I’m glad you found it helpful. But I wonder if I might expand a little on what I meant when I wrote about the evidence for evolution?
What is meant by evidence? Basically, evidence can be thought of as data that is consistent with a theory. In this simple sense, is there evidence consistent with the theory of evolution? Yes, lots! Does that mean evolution is true? No, not at all! Even false theories can (and do) have lots of evidence in their favour. In fact, I would go further. Is there evidence that at the moment the theory of evolution seems to explain, and that creationist theories cannot explain? Again, the answer is yes. All theories have bits of data they can’t (yet) explain, but that doesn’t mean we throw out those theories when they can successfully explain lots of other things. Nor does it mean that creationist theories will never be able to explain those ‘inconvenient’ bits of evidence. Sometimes, we just have to exercise faith in God and His Word, resting in the things that we do know and trusting him for the things we don’t understand – and of course there are lots of good reasons to accept creation, both biblical and scientific!
In fact, this is the approach you yourselves suggest in the case of other tough questions about the faith (http://footstepsblog.net/2018/06/22/three-tips-for-tough-questions/). I would just add that it applies equally to how we approach questions of origins.
Anyway, I hope this helps to explain things a bit better. I think it’s important for us to acknowledge that the scientific evidence doesn’t unambiguously point in one direction, otherwise we may be up for a rude awakening when we encounter such evidence, say at university. Part of what it means to mature as believers is to learn to live with unanswered questions. God bless!