It makes you wonder

Kelly Clark wrote a passionate piece about teaching people of faith to doubt science. His story begins with a tale of religious persecution. Christian professors at Christian universities have been silenced or dismissed for casting doubt on young earth creationism. What is funny about that is many of these same universities and seminaries have been so vocal about religious liberty. Nothing supports religious liberty like harassing fellow Christians for telling the truth about biology and geology. That is truly remarkable.

And while most scientists and some theologians and philosophers teaching at Protestant Christian colleges know this, very few are willing to speak out. The message of the dismissals is clear -- speak out and get fired. When dissenting Christian voices are squelched or fired, faculty clam up. 

Christian colleges and seminaries desperately fear change. According to Peter Enns, "The theological tradition embraced at Westminster Theological Seminary, stemming from deliberations in England during the seventeenth century, is nevertheless perceived by its adherents to enjoy an unassailable permanence and in need of no serious adjustments, let alone critical reflection, despite many known advances in biblical studies or science since that time." 

How can Christian intellectuals be getting fired, just when Christians need leadership on this and other science-related matters? With such a paucity of intellectual assistance, Christians feel forced to choose between the science of human origins, on the one hand, and an antiquated theology of human origins on the other.

Liberty at the expense of others is privilege. Unfortunately, there is more than just glaring hypocrisy on display here.

Here is Albert Mohler, Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and culture war brawler:

I would suggest to you that in our effort to be most faithful to the scriptures and most accountable to the grand narrative of the gospel an understanding of creation in terms of 24-hour calendar days and a young earth entails far fewer complications, far fewer theological problems and actually is the most straightforward and uncomplicated reading of the text as we come to understand God telling us how the universe came to be and what it means and why it matters.

As the scientific evidence comes in conflict with the narrative pushed by some Christian leaders, it turns people away from faith. If they see faith leaders invested in teaching untrue things, then why should believe anything else they teach? A stumbling block is being created. So are you really working for Christ if you are demanding people of faith accept a narrative what they know to be false?

There is another bit of false witness to consider. The work of creation is ongoing. It did not start and stop a few thousand years ago. God did not snap fingers to create everything in one fell swoop and then retreat to the distant heavens to keep track of who is naughty and nice. That does not sound like the God I know and serve. The work of creation is not finished. I question the discernment of a religious leader that claims otherwise.

Nothing about creation is uncomplicated or static. God promises perfection will be worth the wait.