Comment on My Goal for La Sierra University by Paul Evans.
Although one of the most salient benefits of the modern university is in its ability to birth and nurture needed changes in society (and church), I think Sean’s point should be carefully considered. Even if the scientific data is in fact stubbornly pointing away from a recent, six-day creation, that is not enough to justify such a view being slighted in Adventist science classrooms. A parochial institution has a different consitutency than does a public university. We believe and teach a number of things that are out of step with modern views. It seems that the proper place for presenting contrary evidence and airing altenative views on origins is in the board rooom, not the classroom. Although change is much more difficult to effect this way, it can be more thorough and complete.
If the top administators will not hear you, then talk to the lower-level leadership. And if they will not hear you, go to the rank-and-file teachers and pastors. And if the teachers and pastors will not hear you, then go the membership at large. And if even the general consitituency will not hear you, then go to their children (who, agreed, have more open minds). But don’t hide what you are doing. That is unethical. Be willing to stand up for what you believe.
I hope this doesn’t sound harsh. I have been guilty, too, of not being transparent, as a teacher. But it is the minimum requirement to be met in order for progress to occur. We all have much to learn here. (And I am afraid this situation will end up with many more lessons for our administrators and theologians to learn, than for our scientists. We see in Sean’s piece that the position of at least one LSU scientist was rather transparent.)
