{"id":1516,"date":"2020-07-28T15:00:42","date_gmt":"2020-07-28T20:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/wels-educator\/?p=1516"},"modified":"2020-08-04T10:43:43","modified_gmt":"2020-08-04T15:43:43","slug":"a-covid-19-response-why-we-should-be-teaching-evolution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/wels-educator\/2020\/07\/28\/a-covid-19-response-why-we-should-be-teaching-evolution\/","title":{"rendered":"A COVID-19 Response: Why We Should Be Teaching Evolution"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written by Professor Dan Fenske<\/em><\/p>\n

It was mid-March 2020 at Martin Luther College. I\u2019m 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: \u201cProfessor, if we Christians don\u2019t accept Evolution (when referring to the Theory of Evolution, I will indicate that by capitalizing Evolution), then where did this virus come from?\u201d Many thoughts flooded through my head, but my priority was to address the honest question held by two troubled students.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 So, how can a novel virus emerge if there is no genetic mutation?<\/p>\n

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\u2019t dispute. The fact that COVID-19 is labeled a novel<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019t 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?<\/p>\n

Though far from scientific, anecdotal responses from my General Biology students may help shed some light. When asked, \u201cHow much attention was given to Evolution in your grade school and high school experiences?\u201d, many responses were similar to: \u201cNot much. We were told that this is Evolution, and we believe Creation. We skipped it and moved on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instruction time is precious, and the curriculum is crowded. Many Lutheran teachers feel that they don\u2019t have adequate scientific backgrounds to take on Evolution. With all this in mind, one can easily wonder if it\u2019s really worth the time and trouble to address Evolution. Be assured that those efforts are worth the time and trouble, and much more.<\/p>\n

Evolution needs to be addressed.<\/strong> 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\u2019t believe.<\/p>\n

Evolution needs to be addressed. <\/strong>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\u2019t address Evolution, our students will draw their own conclusions based on the information surrounding them.<\/p>\n

Evolution needs to be addressed.<\/strong> We need to show students that much of what falls under the umbrella of \u201cEvolution\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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. \u201cYou see!\u201d the Evolutionist exclaims, \u201cWe are not only seeing, but directly experiencing, Evolution in action!\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

Evolution needs to be addressed.<\/strong> Students need to see that \u201cscience\u201d does not equal \u201ctruth.\u201d Students need to know that data and observations can\u2019t and don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

Evolution needs to be addressed, not disproven.<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Study this topic with your faculty. CLICK HERE to Register.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Professor Dan Fenske (DMLC \u201987) serves as a professor of science at Martin Luther College-New Ulm MN.<\/em><\/p>\n

References
\n<\/strong>DerSarkissian, Carol. \u201cCommon cold causes: Coronavirus, RSV, Rhinovirus & more.\u201d WebMD<\/em>, WebMD, 8 May 2019, www.webmd.com\/cold-and-flu\/cold-guide\/common_cold_causes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Turner, Ronald B. \u201cRhinovirus: More than just a common cold virus.\u201d\u00a0The Journal of Infectious Diseases<\/em>, vol. 195, no. 6, 2007, pp. 765\u2013766.\u00a0JSTOR<\/em>, www.jstor.org\/stable\/30085994. Accessed 16 Apr. 2020.<\/p>\n

School Statistics 2108-19, https:\/\/cls.welsrc.net\/download-cls\/general-documents\/?wpdmdl=3106&ind=1547486873061<\/a>, Accessed 4-17-2020<\/p>\n

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