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I stared at the pile of textbooks, not quite sure how to tackle my first term at UCLA. Scanning down the stack, my eyes settled on Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species. As a Christian student and a humanities major who had never studied the theory of evolution before, this year long seminar on "The Evolution of the Cosmos and Life" made me a little nervous. But one of the important lessons I learned early on is that in order to truly understand what you believe and why you believe it, you must also know what you don't believe and the reasoning behind your decision. It was with this attitude that I decided to take on Darwin in the classroom.
Natural selection. The Big Bang. Mendelian inheritance. Genetic mutations. The list of concepts on my study guide seemed to be endless. I sat in the library for over five hours studying for my first midterm, and all of the concepts started to blur together. The past two weeks in class introduced me to some of the primary theoretical foundations for evolutionary biology, reopening a world of curiosity for God's creation and the science behind it. By separating theory from fact in my assigned readings, I was able to better appreciate God's design and purpose behind His creation in new and exciting ways and know that there is much more to come this year. Looking back down at the study guide, I cracked open my textbook, wishing I had more coffee...
"Who claims that our universe is a product of divine creation?" my professor asked. A few brave hands slowly went up, followed by my own a few seconds later. Today was the interactive debate between creation and evolution, and you could feel the discomfort in the room.
"And after all of the scientific proof we have studied in this course, how can you defend your faith?" His sarcasm grew thicker with each word. A few of my classmates looked down, avoiding eye contact in hope of not having to respond to his loaded question. But instead of joining them, I slowly stood up from my seat and faced the entire class as one of my favorite scriptures (1 Peter 3:15) came to mind.
"We've been taught in this class that 95 percent of our universe is made up of dark matter and energy that is undetectable based on its radiation emissions, yet its presence can be inferred because of its gravitational impacts on visible matter all around us. Similarly, the spiritual influences that occur every day may be invisible to the human eye, but the lasting effects are both observable and monumental. Now, what I wonder is how is my faith in God's presence in my life any less valid than trusting the existence of dark matter in our universe?" I paused, letting my point sink in. "In fact, God created them both" (that is, my life and what makes up the universe).
I imagined one of those "movie moments" where the inspirational music swells as the class bursts into enthusiastic applause and the professor professes to believe in God...Well, it didn't exactly happen that way, but I did end up leaving my professor speechless, and I got an A on the assignment. Even Hollywood can't beat that ending!
I was finally able to catch my breath over break. I was still wrapping my head around how Darwin and so many others could suppose we came from nothing (macroevolution), yet I also found evidence of microevolution—the adaptations of species over time—all around me.
Since enrolling in this seminar, I have often found myself in awe of the power and beauty of the natural world around me. Walking around the lake by my house, I began to admire the way the sunlight fell gently through the branches of a nearby tree, reflecting in a sea of shimmers across the water. Overhead, a flock of geese flew in a perfect V as they traveled south for the winter. All around me, nature magnified God's beauty and love for His creation. Indeed, the landscape that I observed was no accident; rather, it was the perfect, careful design of a Creator who wants what is best for His children.
These simple moments helped me see a larger purpose for creation that evolution doesn't account for. When studying evolution in college, I found that it was crucial to separate out assumptions from truth, while viewing science through a biblical lens in order to understand and appreciate God's ultimate purpose through creation. Only then can science and God truly be in harmony, as He intended.
Here are some great books and publications that can help you learn more about evolution and biblical creation. The first five can be found in bookstores and libraries; the last three can be found free on the Internet.
Darwin on Trial by Phillip Johnson (1993).
Creation: Remarkable Evidence of God's Design by Grant Jeffrey (2003)
Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution by Michael Behe (1996).
Icons of Evolution: Science or Myth? Why Much of What We Teach About Evolution Is Wrong by Jonathan Wells (2000).
Faith, Reason, and Earth History: A Paradigm of Earth and Biological Origins by Intelligent Design by Leonard Brand (1997).
Creation or Evolution: Does It Really Matter What You Believe?
Can You Believe Both the Bible and Evolution? by John Ross Schroeder
Creation and Evolution: An Interview With Phillip Johnson by Jerold Aust
When I first came to college, I initially had absorbed the message that it was dangerous to ever study evolution, as though learning about it would ruin my faith. Yet by studying the theory of evolution, I was able to come to a place where I knew what I believed about God and could feel His presence in my life, while still being okay with having some uncertainty about the minute details of how the incredible natural world surrounding us came to be in the form we see it today. Realizing that we can't—and don't need to—claim to know every last detail allowed me to find a good balance, without willfully ignoring scientific evidence or tossing out biblical teachings.
—Female college graduate, Ohio
Think critically, do your own research and studying, and listen to the arguments presented by every side so you don't take anyone's viewpoints at face value. Studying evolution is a remarkable opportunity to study your Bible as well!
—Female college student, California
When it comes to debating or discussing evolution, I believe it's increasingly important to assess one's audience and to actively decide whether to speak up or whether to be quiet (Matthew 7:6). Where the audience is decidedly hostile to God's truth, then one needs to be especially wise about whether or not to join the conversation.
—Male college graduate, Australia
As a Christian geologist, I choose to integrate religion and science. Modern science allows us to study the world God created. And if we are to hold the Bible as the ultimate authority in our life, nothing in science will contradict it. Once the integration of religion and science is seen as a partnership, true progress can be made because they work to enhance and refine each other.
—Female master's student, California
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