Written by Professor Dan Fenske
It was mid-March 2020 at Martin Luther College. I’m sure that the time frame needs no elaboration. Students had just left for Spring Break, and the campus was not yet locked down. Two student workers approached me with a simple question: “Professor, if we Christians don’t accept Evolution (when referring to the Theory of Evolution, I will indicate that by capitalizing Evolution), then where did this virus come from?” Many thoughts flooded through my head, but my priority was to address the honest question held by two troubled students.
After 30 minutes of discussion with these two students, I better understood their thought process. They were (mistakenly) thinking that since Christians reject Evolution, we must also reject data or observations that are used to support Evolution. Therefore, Christians reject the concept of genetic mutations. So, how can a novel virus emerge if there is no genetic mutation?
I explained that the concept of genetic variation and mutation is acceptable to Christians. The fact that viruses can evolve into new forms is something we Christians don’t dispute. The fact that COVID-19 is labeled a novel coronavirus need not trouble us. In fact, each time we catch the common cold, we have encountered a modified rhinovirus, coronavirus (yes, a coronavirus), or parainfluenza virus.
The fact that these two students were confused troubled me. Questions arose. Why the confusion? Are we giving the impression that anything associated with Evolution can’t be true? Are there other Christians who have the same question? Have some Christians now abandoned their belief in Creation because the evolution of a novel virus is undeniable? What is the source of the confusion in the first place?
Though far from scientific, anecdotal responses from my General Biology students may help shed some light. When asked, “How much attention was given to Evolution in your grade school and high school experiences?”, many responses were similar to: “Not much. We were told that this is Evolution, and we believe Creation. We skipped it and moved on.”
Instruction time is precious, and the curriculum is crowded. Many Lutheran teachers feel that they don’t have adequate scientific backgrounds to take on Evolution. With all this in mind, one can easily wonder if it’s really worth the time and trouble to address Evolution. Be assured that those efforts are worth the time and trouble, and much more.
Evolution needs to be addressed. The 2018 Statistical Report shows that over 30% of the students enrolled in WELS elementary schools are from other Christian denominations, from other faiths, or have no religious affiliation. One-third of our students may not even be aware that we would actually reject Evolution, or that a conflict exists between Biblical Creation and Evolution. Some of our students may not even know what Creation is. Imagine their confusion if we flatly reject much good science (more about this later) as something that Christians don’t believe.
Evolution needs to be addressed. There is no longer a Creation versus Evolution debate. The debate is over. Secular science accepts Evolution. If Creation is mentioned, it is disparaged as a pathetic leftover of unenlightened thinking hearkening to the days when we needed to invoke gods, demons, or spirits to explain nature. Evolution surrounds us. It comes into our living rooms by way of the National Geographic and Discovery Channels. Zoos and museums display Evolution on the signs. Evolution pervades science texts. If we don’t address Evolution, our students will draw their own conclusions based on the information surrounding them.
Evolution needs to be addressed. We need to show students that much of what falls under the umbrella of “Evolution” is science with which we Christians can agree. We acknowledge that individuals within a plant or animal population may be genetically different and that these differences can make one individual more fit for the environment than another. We can accept natural selection, where more favorable genetics are passed on and less favorable genetics decline. We can accept the fact that new species may form, and other species may go extinct. We can accept the fact that genetic drift, founder and bottleneck effects, and migration can alter the gene pool of a population.
We need to draw the line with changes in kind. The COVID-19 virus did indeed mutate from a previous coronavirus. But that virus will never mutate into a bacteria, then an amoeba, then a worm, etc. We can agree that the finches of the Galapagos Islands may have descended from a small population, but not only are they still birds, but they are also still finches.
The two students demonstrated their impression that all science attached to Evolution must be rejected by Christians. When the novel virus hit, they did not know how to react. “You see!” the Evolutionist exclaims, “We are not only seeing, but directly experiencing, Evolution in action!” If we throw acceptable science out with the unacceptable conclusions drawn from it, we do our students a grave disservice. When they are confronted with the science, as were my two students, our youth may be left with doubt and concern. At worst, they may believe that they have no choice but to accept the science and reject Creation.
Evolution needs to be addressed. Students need to see that “science” does not equal “truth.” Students need to know that data and observations can’t and don’t speak for themselves; they need interpretation. The interpretation depends on the belief system, the paradigm, of the observer, and that Evolution is such a paradigm, as is Creation.
Evolution needs to be addressed, not disproven. No amount of argument will ever convince the Evolutionist that Creation is true. Belief in Creation requires belief in Scripture, and that is a gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives faith. Through the eyes of faith, we can see the Creator and marvel at His Creation. A heart full of faith can be at peace when specific answers are withheld by God. Finally, the heart full of faith wants to see the Evolutionist as an antagonist, but as a soul for whom our Lord died. May that be our ultimate goal in this discussion.
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Professor Dan Fenske (DMLC ’87) serves as a professor of science at Martin Luther College-New Ulm MN.
References
DerSarkissian, Carol. “Common cold causes: Coronavirus, RSV, Rhinovirus & more.” WebMD, WebMD, 8 May 2019, www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/common_cold_causes.
Turner, Ronald B. “Rhinovirus: More than just a common cold virus.” The Journal of Infectious Diseases, vol. 195, no. 6, 2007, pp. 765–766. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/30085994. Accessed 16 Apr. 2020.
School Statistics 2108-19, https://cls.welsrc.net/download-cls/general-documents/?wpdmdl=3106&ind=1547486873061, Accessed 4-17-2020
One of my favorite comments from a friend was “I don’t have enough faith the believe in Evolution.” I, personally, am a scientist and Romans 1:20 always stands out to me as I see the intricacy and the not-so-coincidental set up of the world around us. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” But the cool part is, even atheists find evolution very hard to believe in. They look at the statistical possibilities and know that evolution isn’t the answer. However, most of them, instead of turning to intelligent design just decide in their hearts that science simply hasn’t found the correct answer yet.
Because of that, I do respectfully disagree with this line “No amount of argument will ever convince the Evolutionist that Creation is true.” That almost makes it sound like we shouldn’t even bother having discussions with Evolutionists. Many books have been written by former atheists and evolutionists who became creationists once they actually dug deep into Evolution only to find it just didn’t add up. Of course in this sinful world, I’m sure the vice versa is true also. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t at least try.
Hi Krista. It is true that some atheists who are evolutionists have, by noticing the logical problems with evolution, become theists. That happens, but it is rare. Some of those theists later find their Savior in the gospel message and become Christians. I documented several cases in part 3 of an article at http://www.LutheranScience.org/2012Reason
It is also true that “No amount of argument will ever convince the Evolutionist [whether atheist or Christian] that Creation is true.” Creation is an article of the Christian faith, and as such, is accepted as true only though faith. Hebrews 11:3 (EHV) reads, “By faith we know that the universe was created by God’s word, so that what is seen did not come from visible things.”
That said, extra-biblical arguments from reason do have an important role in defending the faith (apologetics). Such arguments can remove barriers to the gospel. A free 48-page book about this is available at http://www.LutheranScience.org/LessonBook
It is true that we can expose logical flaws in Evolution by means of reason. There is no observation or experiment that demonstrates changes in kind. Evolution takes a speculation (“It must have happened this way”) and holds it out as scientifically proven fact. We can dispute this “fact” and you have pointed out that many are doing this already, and these discussions can be very beneficial and fruitful. They help us discredit a lie which Satan uses to do his work.
Discrediting Evolution does not lead to automatically accepting Creation. Creation is a miraculous work from start to finish, and is something that the human mind cannot grasp. How can something come from nothing? And how can that something be perfect? Accepting Creation requires faith, just as accepting Evolution does. At best, I can only understand that God did create; I will never understand how.
The difference is that we Christians place our faith in something solid, enduring and absolutely true- God’s Word. We don’t place our faith in the shifting sands of human wisdom.
I am very pleased that more people are willing to engage in conversations about Evolution. What’s even more gratifying is that the trend is shifting to using these discussions as evangelism opportunities. Please continue your discussions!
Thank you Prof. Fenske for an excellent reminder for all of us teachers, parents and students. 2 Co 10:5 says it well, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” God is our Creator, Preserver, and Redeemer. With this Christian paradigm firmly rooted, we teach our students to denounce the faith-threatening aspects of evolution and train our student to be excellent scientists. Now more than ever we need Christians doing science–even though secular science comes with faith-damaging presuppositions.
The finest message on evolution I have heard was presented by Pastor Jason Ewart of Hope Christian Church in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin a good number of weeks ago. His sermons are available on the Hope website.
Great teaching points Dan. As with all worldly discrepancies with the Bible, study and compare…don’t avoid. God can guide us and scholars can assist us in seeing the truth of God’s Word.
An excellent point, Prof. Fenske. Viruses are known for fast mutation. The AAAS journal Science reports that SARS-CoV-2 not only mutated its RNA in order to be able to infect humans, but since the pandemic began has continued to mutate its genetic code at an estimated rate of two changes per month. In fact, the changes in its genetic code allow researchers to track the spread of the virus. Apparently, the virus got lucky with one of these changes and changed an A to a G in its genetic code at position 23,403 (Good grief, that’s impressive!). This mutation is very interesting because it caused a change in the amino acid located at position 614 of the spikes from an aspartic acid to a glycine. A slight change in the shape of the spikes occurred with this. Apparently, it has increased its fitness. Initially, an A was found in the vast majority of sequenced viruses infecting humans. Now the G version, called G614, is the usual and the A type has become rare. The G614 version with its changed spikes that are used to attach and enter a cell, are perhaps more efficient in infecting us. The increase in the numbers of G614 could certainly be natural selection in action. The nature of evolution is to survive and produce more offspring than your rival. However, some researchers caution that this increase in G614 numbers could merely be genetic drift, random selection in the gene pool without increase in fitness. We need not take sides. Interesting facts like this and the interpretations are fascinating to anyone who is at all interested in how nature and science work. You can tell that I find this fascinating.
Prof. Fenske is correct. None of this threatens faith. We need to know how evolution works. There is no theological issue with microevolution or natural selection. We also need to teach science as a human activity that is limited by everything that is human especially including assumptions that are made in any interpretations. Examples of microevolution do not prove that we have a natural origin, and Scripture tells us that this process, even if it is reasonable, did not cause us to be. We were created. Science has rightly limited itself to the study of natural causes, and some scientists make the leap to think that natural causes are all there are to reality (philosophical naturalism). We should not feel required to disprove any science that troubles us. We know that there is much more to all of reality than nature. Take God’s Word for it.
Kupferschmidt, Kai. “The pandemic virus is slowing mutating. But is it getting more dangerous?” Science, July 16, 2020.
Professor Fenske makes many important points including:
1) “Evolution needs to be addressed.”
2) “We need to show students that much of what falls under the umbrella of ‘Evolution’ is science with which we Christians can agree.”
3) “Students need to see that “science” does not equal ‘truth.’”
4) “Belief in Creation requires belief in Scripture, and that is a gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives faith.”
These same points are emphasized in the 48-page booklet, “Evolution -A Lutheran Response,” available as a free pdf from the Lutheran Science Institute at http://www.LutheranScience.org/LessonBook.
Well written! I took Creation Apologetics a few years ago. This was a good refresher and nicely concise.
Very good! I’m glad we have Prof. Fenske to help us sort through these issues!