“Teaching Evolution to Young Earth-trained High School Sunday School Students” 2018 ASA Annual Meeting Gordon College Sat July 28, 2018 Mark A. Strand, PhD
Learning Objectives: n Describe the design of a Sunday School series for 11-12 grade students n Analyze the results of a pre/post survey on knowledge and attitudes about science and faith. n Explain best practices in helping conservative, young-earth creationist churches open up to a more expansive view of Scripture.
DESIGN OF SUNDAY SCHOOL SERIES FOR 11-12 GRADE STUDENTS
EFCA Statement of Faith To be within the doctrinal parameters of the EFCA, any process of creation must affirm: God is the creator of all things out of nothing, n God pronounced his creation � very good, � n God created with order and purpose, n God is the sovereign ruler over all creation which, by his personal and particular providence, n he sustains, that God created the first human beings – the historical Adam and Eve – uniquely in his n image, and that through their sin, all humanity, along with this created order, is now fallen. n
The Plan Purpose of the SS series was to n help students understand that the doctrine of creation is essential, n learn to do exegetical Bible study, n be able to describe that a variety of scientific interpretations of Gen 1-3 are possible, and n see that science is a method, not an enemy, and an opportunity for ministry.
Curriculum Date Topic Goals Sept 10 The Doctrine of Creation Creation is an essential doctrine. Gen 1:1-2:3 – The cosmos Survey the students on views of creation and science issues. Sept 17 Relating science to the doctrine of creation. Scripture addresses issues to Gen 2:4-25 -- Creation of man and woman which science speaks. Sept 24 When science becomes an idol Problems with the worship of Gen 3:1-24 – The entry of sin science. “Why I can say that I believe the Bible, love Science as a method. Oct 1 Jesus and accept evolution.” Science and theology can be Dave Buchannan guest speaker integrated. Dave is an animal geneticist at NDSU. Oct 8 “STEM and Biblical Human Flourishing." Science as a servant of humanity. Noel Anderson guest speaker Christians serve humanity. We need Christians in science. Noel is an engineer at John Deere, with over 100 patents to his name. Oct 15 Students defend Biblical and scientific arguments Help students reconcile any issues or conflicts. for both YEC, and an old earth with long process of biological development. Redo the survey taken on day 1.
The Process n Creating a safe space for the students. n Requiring the students to explain and defend both sides of the issue. n Studying the Bible and its genres. n Personal stories of scientists within our church.
Polarity Map
SURVEY RESULTS
Research n Qs 1-8 taken from David Buchanan’s 21- item “all questions false” survey. n Qs 9-19 taken from Tenneson, Bundrick and Stanford, Science-Theology Paradigm Scale Short Form. Perspectives, 2015;67(3):217-218. n Used on-line data collection method for survey
Survey Design: True-False items Statements True False 1. Since no human observers were available to see extensive evolutionary change, the study of evolution falls outside of real science 2. Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution in order to justify his atheistic beliefs. 3. Human and dinosaur tracks have been discovered in the same rocks in a river valley in Texas 4. None of the leading evolutionary biologists in the 20 th Century have been Christians 5. Many scientists recognize that evolution is not a very good theory but still support it because they are bound to it philosophically. 6. The validity of radiometric dating is highly questionable. 7. Almost all scientists are atheists 8. There is good evidence for micro-evolution but not for macro- evolution
True-False Results n Sample size: Pre n=17, Post n=10 n Part 1: “All False Quiz”
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Since no human Charles Human and None of the Many scientists The validity Almost all There is observers were Darwin dinosaur leading recognize that of scientists good available to see developed tracks have evolutionar evolution is not a radiometric are evidence extensive his theory been y biologists very good theory dating is atheists for micro- evolutionary of evolution discovered in the 20th but still support it highly evolution change, the in order to in the same Century because they are questionable but not for study of justify his rocks in a have been bound to it . macro- evolution falls atheistic river valley Christians. philosophically. evolution. outside of real beliefs. in Texas. science Pre and Post Results on "All False" Quiz on Science and Faith ** 1 0.9 *** Mean (0=False, 1=True) 0.8 0.7 0.6 * 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Question Number, Pre and Post (*p<.10, **p<.05)
Agree-Disagree Items Statements Agree- Disagree 9. Science and Christian faith deal with entirely different realms of knowledge, and so they must be kept separate 10. Reliable information comes only as the result of investigation by the scientific method. 11. Science has little or nothing to say about the Bible, and the Bible has little or nothing to say about science. 12. Because the Genesis account of creation is true, evolution is necessarily false. 13. Scientists are responsible for undermining people’s belief in the Christian faith. 14. It is highly unlikely for science and Christian faith to have beneficial interaction. 15. Science is a neutral subject, and can be equally pursued regardless of one’s Christian faith or absence of Christian faith. 16. A sincere Christian must reject any input from science that conflicts with the Bible. 17. The Bible is a reliable source of scientific information. 18. Science is a spiritually and ethically neutral subject, which serves to benefit society. 19. Anybody who takes the Bible seriously will believe in young earth creationism.
Agree-Disagree Results Strongly Disagree Pre and Post Results on Personal Opinion Responses 5.00 Mean value (1=Strongly Agree, 5=Strongly Disagree ** 4.50 4.00 ** 3.50 *** 3.00 2.50 2.00 ** 1.50 1.00 0.50 0.00 Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Pre Post Science and Reliable Science has Because the Scientists are It is highly Science is a A sincere The Bible is a Science is a Anybody who Christian faith information little or Genesis responsible unlikely for neutral Christian reliable spiritually takes the deal with comes nothing to account for science and subject, and must reject source of and ethically Bible entirely only as the say about the of creation is undermining Christian faith can be any input scientific neutral seriously will different result of Bible, and the true, people’s to have equally from science information. subject, believe in realms of investigation Bible has little evolution is belief in the beneficial pursued that conflicts which serves young earth knowledge, by the or nothing to necessarily Christian interaction. regardless of with the to benefit creationism. and so they scientific say false. faith. one’s Bible. society. must be kept method. about Christian faith separate. science. or absence of Christian faith. Question, Pre and Post (*p<.10, **p<.05)
Negative Process Outcomes n The kids seem unfamiliar with exegetical Bible study. n Some parents concerned about the topic. n Student views on some issues did not change: n Because Genesis is true, then evolution is false n The Bible is a source of scientific information n Anything contradicting the Bible must be rejected
Positive Process Outcomes n Attendance was good. n Student engagement was high. n Student views on some issues changed: n All scientists are atheists n Darwin’s goal was atheism n Science pointing to an old earth is bad science n Science can serve humanity n Science and the Bible address different issues n There is room for interaction between science and faith
BEST PRACTICES
Lessons Learned: Students n Some of the students are either fearful of or disinterested in science. n Creating a safe atmosphere was important. n It took six weeks for the issues to sink in. n 17-18 year old students need to be pushed out of their comfort zone. n Students seem ready to expand their understanding of science and scientists in a positive way n They were afraid of revisiting absolutist views they hold on the Bible.
Lessons Learned: Self n Need to begin where students are at, and not where a person is at after studying this issue for many years. n Humility and agnosticism: As scientists we need to be cautious when passing judgment on creation doctrines, and theologians should be similarly cautious when evaluating the scientific theory of evolution. n Different epistemologies: empirical, personal, ethical n The parents need this lesson as much as their children do. n This series was as much an activity in pastoral care as it was an intellectual activity.
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