By Shane Hilde

According to the Adventist Review a “joint statement, prepared and signed by six LSU biology professors and a group of trustees, offers hope of a peaceful resolution to tensions….” Really?

Whatever hope there may be is slim to none, and LSU biology professors don’t appear to have changed their tune. The joint statement proposes they teach “Creation as a faith conviction, rather than as science.” This is what they’ve believed all along.

The joint statement goes on to say “Creation is not a scientific construct. It is a faith construct. The conviction of Divine Creation lies beyond the purview of the methods of empirical science, and cannot be subjected to them.” This is nothing new. This is one of many mental gymnastic acts performed by Seventh-day Adventists attempting to embrace contradictory world-views–evolution and creation. The evidence for creation is completely ignored, which only highlights the obvious evolutionary bias in which this statement was created. What exactly about Divine Creation do they believe is beyond the purview of the methods of empirical science? They merely offer the status quo as something new and viable.

Despite faith and science having little to do with each other, they suggest the two “can and should constructively interact.” Their approach is based on two core principles. The first principle immediately pits a Biblical concept of creation with the Seventh-day Adventist understanding of creation. The “Biblical concept of creation” and “the Seventh-day Adventist understanding of Genesis 1 and 2” will be incorporated in the classroom? What does that mean? Are they not Seventh-day Adventists themselves, and don’t Seventh-day Adventists believe their understanding of Genesis is Biblical?

There is nothing mentioned in the joint statement about what affirmation of the Adventist position means in the classroom. Will it be presented as the position or a position among others and of no particular consequence except that it is what Adventists believe? The answer is simple. The LSU biology department doesn’t believe in the Seventh-day Adventist understanding of Genesis 1-2. All they can offer is an affirmation, whatever that means, and a mention of what Adventists believe when origin discussions arise. This approach is something you could get at a secular university.

The second principle says they want to continue to teach and research in the “various disciplines of the modern sciences according to the most up-to-date and rigorous standards of the published science.” What does modern, mainstream science teach? Overwhelmingly evolutionary theory. Now the core contention is not that the theory of evolution is taught, but how it is taught in relationship to creationism. The principle concludes with their desire to include “the data which highlight the strengths and weaknesses of various models.” While this statement sounds hopeful, there are number of problems with it. First, they already said creation is not a scientific construct, thus there wouldn’t be any scientific evidence for creation, which means none would be offered. Second, they believe the data supports evolutionary theory.

There is nothing in this joint statement that suggests any changes to the status quo of the biology department. Clearly the dialogue from LSU isn’t any different than before. They have not changed and it appears they have no intention of changing.

Educate Truth shares the following excerpts from The Press Enterprise as a service to readers. Opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Educate Truth.

Sunday, April 10, 2011
By David Olson

Nearly two years of pressure on La Sierra University to better incorporate Biblical creationism into its biology classes is leading to warnings from key oversight organizations.

A Seventh-day Adventist Church board says the college hasn’t gone far enough to address creationists’ concerns, while a secular commission is worried that the outside lobbying could impinge on academic freedom.

The belief that God created the world in six days is one of the Adventist church’s fundamental beliefs, and the worldwide church’s president in 2009 urged all Adventist university professors to advocate that belief.

University leaders last month publicly apologized for not adequately emphasizing church teaching in biology classes and promised to do more…

“The real crux of the matter is whether the Bible has a privileged position as a source of knowledge,” said Lisa Beardsley, director of education for the worldwide Adventist church.

The inadequate teaching of Biblical creation “is a symptom of a problem,” an indication that La Sierra hasn’t done enough to ensure students are thoroughly exposed to the Adventist worldview, she said. (Read more)

Related articles:

1. Creating Controversy by Jack Stripling
2. More than 5,600 people sign petition in favor of creationism by David Olson
3. La Sierra University debate over creationism continues by David Olson

By Educate Truth Staff

September 1, 2009, an article titled “Creating Controversy” by Jack Stripling surfaced at InsideHigherEd.com, covering the controversy surrounding La Sierra University. As a result of this article, EducateTruth.com received a spike in unique hits Sept. 1 — over 7,000 — five times the daily average for August.

Widespread interest in this issue is the natural result of a defiant Biology department and the institutional hand that protects it from reproof or consequences. LSU continues to sympathize with these professors who are openly undermining church doctrine and Biblical creation. These professors are allowed employment at Seventh-day Adventist institutions. It would have been better for LSU to responsibly take action and address the issue, as opposed to denying the existence of the problem and attempting to sweep it under the rug.

Stripling’s interview with LSU biology professor of 38 years Gary Bradley was the most convincing piece of evidence supporting the allegations evolution was being taught as the preferred scientific worldview at LSU. Bradley unabashedly admitted it, saying when evolution debates have emerged before, his response was to “dive under the desk and wait for them to blow over.” In other words, this controversy isn’t new to LSU. It has come and gone, while evolution-promoting professors have stayed to continue turning out faithless or confused graduates. This matches the testimony of many impacted students and parents who have been ignored after attempting to have this issue addressed by LSU.

Bradley said he is backed by President Wisbey, and has felt no pressure to change anything about his course, according to Stripling’s article. If Bradley is telling the truth, President Wisbey is supporting a professor who does not believe in a six-day creation, but teaches to the contrary, refusing to “dismantle” evolution in his class, and considers those who believe in creation the “lunatic fringe.” He said, “They do not represent the majority position in the Church, and yes I’m skeptical of that.”

Stripling wrote: “Bradley says he won’t undercut decades of peer reviewed scientific research in the interest of religious consistency.”

This contradicts LSU’s claim that students “will be introduced to Seventh-day Adventist understandings of Creation, centered in the Genesis account, which reveals the Creator as a personal and loving God.” According to Stripling’s article, LSU will be adding a seminar for biology students “in which theologians and scientists will discuss the intersections of faith and science.” No word yet on this becoming part of the core curriculum for biology students, or whether it will be headed by creationists or more defiant evolutionists. While this is a nice step on LSU’s part, it still does not address the problem.

The same day Stripling’s article was posted, Executive Director of University Relations for LSU Larry Becker issued a diplomatic statement, attempting to soften what Bradley had boldly stated:

Some of Dr. Bradley’s statements as reported in the article posted September 1 do not reflect the views of the university. They are his views alone …. The university is saddened that some of his statements, as reported in this interview do not reflect the university’s commitment to help our students navigate the important issues of faith and science in the context of Seventh-day Adventist higher education.

This no doubt includes Bradley’s use of an expletive during the interview.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church manual says on page 190:

Therefore, although all members have equal rights within the church, no individual member or group of members should start a movement or form an organization or seek to encourage a following for the attainment of any objective or for the teaching of any doctrine or message not in harmony with the fundamental religious objectives and teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Such a course would result in the fostering of a factional and divisive spirit, in the fragmenting of the effort and witness of the church, and thus in hindering it in the discharge of its obligations to its Head and to the world.

The first reason listed in the church manual which would subject a member to discipline is “Denial of faith in the fundamentals of the gospel and in the cardinal doctrines of the church or teaching doctrines contrary to the same” (p. 195).

There is no question LSU is at odds with the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s position on creation by supporting professors who believe and teach contrary to church doctrine. Making claims of conformity to the church’s position is of no effect if LSU continues to allow professors to promote evolution as the preferred scientific worldview over Biblical creation.

Some have criticized the manner in which EducateTruth.com is handling the situation. They quote Matthew 18, but fail to realize for decades there have been many private attempts by parents and students to address the issue, but to no avail. EducateTruth.com is a direct response to LSU’s lack of response.

The church manual also says:

When differences arise in or between organizations and institutions, appeal to the next higher organization is proper until it reaches the General Conference in session, or the Executive Committee at the Annual Council.

A Seventh-day Adventist university promoting evolution is no private matter. It is publicly contrary to the Bible, church doctrine and Spirit of Prophecy. This issue has been kept hushed for decades, and thus evolution has been the fall of many vulnerable minds to worldly doctrine.

In a letter dated August 27 and addressed to me, Dr. Wisbey said:

The Board will set aside a portion of the November 12, 2009 Board meeting for an evaluation of the matter in executive session. The participants will be limited to Board members and such individuals as the Board chooses to invite to provide background information to educate the Board on Biology curricular matters. Written comments including your petition will be received from members of the campus community. Such materials will be provided to the Board as part of their consideration. These materials will be reviewed for their balance and objectivity.

Pray for La Sierra University that the Lord will guide administration into making decisions in accordance with Biblical principles and Spirit of Prophecy enlightenment.

The following are quotations taken from “Creating Controversy” by Jack Stripling. Emphsis added.

“Bradley says he’s felt no pressure to change anything about his course, and says bluntly that he doesn’t plan to turn his class into a theological seminar, or to present evolutionary theory only to then dismantle it for students. While he’s fine with helping students work through struggles of faith, Bradley says he won’t undercut decades of peer reviewed scientific research in the interest of religious consistency.”

“‘I am not OK with getting up in a science course and saying most science is bullshit,’ he said.”

“‘It’s very, very clear that what I’m skeptical of is the absolute necessity of believing that the only way a creator God could do things is by speaking them into existence a few thousand years ago,’ Bradley added. ‘That’s where my skepticism lies. That’s the religious philosophical basis for what I call the lunatic fringe. They do not represent the majority position in the Church, and yes I’m skeptical of that. But I want to say to kids it’s OK for you to believe that, but it’s not OK for you to be ignorant of the scientific data that’s out there.’”

Source: Inside Higher Ed
By Jack Stripling

Ever a thorny issue, the teaching of evolutionary biology at a small Christian university in California has sparked debate on the campus and within the Seventh-day Adventist church.

Now-public e-mails between a recent La Sierra University graduate and his biology professors provide a firsthand glimpse of a debate no doubt playing out at many colleges, where students of faith struggle to reconcile their beliefs with scientific theories on the origins of humanity. Unlike so many such academic discussions, however, the private interchange between Carlos Cerna and his professors has moved beyond the campus walls — thanks to the Internet — and generated a review within the church about the appropriateness of evolutionary studies for Seventh-day Adventists, a Christian denomination that embraces the six-day creation story outlined in the Book of Genesis. (Full Article)

What Professors are Promoting Evolution at La Sierra?

There is strong evidence four biology professors at La Sierra promote evolution in their classes. Professor at La Sierra University Lee Greer believes and teaches the human species evolved from primates. On June 6, 2009, Greer gave a presentation at a Loma Linda Sabbath School on genetic evidence which, according to him, supports the theory of common descent.

In the April-May 2009 edition of “Riverside Magazine,” Greer calls himself an “evolutionary biologist” in an article called “Heroes of the environment” by Jerry Rice.

In Greer’s UNST/UHNR 404B class at La Sierra, he gives a 57-slide presentation, showing the four million years of human evolution. Slide 55 has the caption “Homo neaderthalensis our nearest sister human species.” Also, during LSU chapels, he has actively promoted the idea the accounts of creation in Genesis are contradictory and allegorical. Is there any question what Greer believes or promotes?

Gary Bradley, in the Biology Capstone class, gives a 69-slide presentation titled, “Hominin Evolution.” In the fourth slide it says: “Recent years have shown a dramatic increase in the discovery of hominid species that are intermediate between the great apes and modern humans.” He also has another presentation on the fossil evidence of hominin evolution. Is there any question what Bradley believes or promotes?

Larry McCloskey, former chair of the biology department, states in a Biology 112 presentation that there is “nothing ‘theoretical’ about the evidence supporting evolution.” He goes on to say the research about evolution “continues to support and refine Darwin’s original ideas.” If that wasn’t enough, his next point states, “No data have been found to refute the idea.” Is there any question what McCloskey believes or promotes?

L. Lee Grismer, in his book and published essays, tells what he is teaching his LSU students. Grismer is an expert on the vertebrate life of Baja California, which he argues in his papers has been affected by the “dynamic environmental history . . . over the last 4-5 million years” and that this history “has had a profound effect on the evolution, distribution, and genetic structuring of Baja California’s terrestrial vertebrates.” Check out his book “Amphibians and Reptiles of Baja California, Including Its Pacific Islands and the Islands in the Sea of Cortés.” Grismer has allegedly ridiculed creationists during lectures. A former student also said he saw this posted on Grismer’s door: “Two questions to ask a creation scientist: What have you published? Why not?” Is there any question what Grismer believes or promotes?

These teachers do not present creation in a favorable light, if at all. This is part of the “Christian” education La Sierra offers. Students can’t opt out of these classes for ones in favor of creation, because there are no such science classes.

What You’re Paying For!

To those parents and students who have saved and borrowed funds for an Adventist education, is this where you want your $23,637 annual tuition to go? That’s right, it costs $23,637 just in tuition to attend La Sierra.

Any professor employed by the Seventh-day Adventist church who promotes evolution is robbing you, as well as an administration that would allow this to continue. For some the theft means a mere loss of $23,637 a year and the lost chance to learn about Biblical creation. For others the theft means something far greater — a loss of faith. A recent LSU graduate said many of her classmates in the science department started school as Christians, but graduated from LSU as atheists or not sure God existed.

Who is Getting Fooled?

While it’s clear what these teachers are promoting in their classrooms, what’s not so clear is why La Sierra has not been as forthright about its professors. Parents and potential students have a right to know what they are paying for and La Sierra is covering up the unethical practices of its professors.

John R. Jones, Associate Professor of New Testament Studies at LSU, said in a Facebook comment: “I spent an hour and a half in a meeting with President Wisbey and the biology department and a number of the other faculty discussing these allegations…. I think I can honestly and sincerely say that the answer is Yes — in the sense that they teach ABOUT evolutionary theory, as I’m sure you would want any responsible Christian biologist to do. But that of course is a very different matter from advocacy.”

Has Dr. Wisbey publicly denied these teachers are promoting evolution? No. His open letter merely said this: “We reject this implied atheistic charge.” David Asscherick did not charge La Sierra professors with atheism.

It has been suggested that legal responsibilities may outweigh Dr. Wisbey’s ability to be forthright about what his professors are teaching. If Dr. Wisbey were to publicly admit an Adventist university is promoting evolution, the legal repercussions could be devastating for La Sierra. La Sierra would become responsible, so in a sense it is his job to either deny or ignore the charges.

The Real Issue

These four LSU professors are misrepresenting the Seventh-day Adventist church by promoting evolution in their classrooms. There might be more. This isn’t about their sincerity, church attendance, belief in God, or Christian devotedness. This is about employees promoting ideas that are explicitly contrary to that of their employer. It’s not personal. They’re not evil people, but what they are doing is wrong.

What Can You Do?

1. Sign the petition, and then tell every concerned Adventist about it and encourage them to sign.
2. Talk to your pastor, and encourage him to take a public stand. Write your conference president, and encourage him to take a stand as Jay Gallimore has.
3. Email Dr. Wisbey and express your concern.
4. Send your kids to Adventist schools that promote creation.
5. Financially support Adventist schools that promote creation.
6. And most of all, PRAY.

By Shane Hilde

May 26, 2009

Dear Mr. Wisbey:

This letter is in regard to your letter about “naturalistic evolution” being taught at La Sierra University. I graduated from LSU in 2005, and in my last year I took a biology class that did teach naturalistic evolution. There was no discussion of divine guidance or intervention. Natural selection was taught as being the primary catalyst for the evolutionary process. Sir, I think you have committed a straw man fallacy in your letter, and have thereby avoided the issue.

1. David said naturalist evolution is being taught at LSU.
2. You said that implies atheistic evolution is being taught.
3. You said, “We reject this implied atheistic charge.”
4. You then seem to conclude the accusations are false, or at least undercut the education being offered.

You never denied that naturalistic evolution was being taught. Instead, you denied atheistic evolution was being taught. Do you honestly believe theistic evolution is compatible with the Bible? Do you believe the biblical account of creation is literal? Naturalistic evolution is being taught, and I am a witness to it as are many others. In effect, your letter is misleading. Will you write a letter specifically denying some teachers at LSU are teaching naturalistic evolution as fact?

Sincerely,

Shane Hilde

By Educate Truth Staff

President of La Sierra University Randal Wisbey responded on May 18, 2009, to David Asscherick’s concerns regarding LSU biology professors teaching “naturalistic evolution” as fact, or “as the preferred and normative worldview.” Instead of clear denouncement of the charge, Wisbey made the following statement:

‘Naturalistic evolution’ is a phrase that either in code or direct definition implies a perspective of ‘atheistic evolution.’ We reject this implied atheistic charge. Every one of our science faculty share the goal of students experiencing a vibrant Adventist Christian faith while pursuing their education in the sciences.

The charge was never addressed directly. Not once did Wisbey deny “naturalistic evolution” was being taught as fact at LSU. He goes on to say it is the university’s “commitment to responsibly address difficult issues” and to “consider a variety of views.” Is it safe to say he’s referring to naturalistic evolution in the “variety of views” he mentions? In essence, he appears to be saying this commitment to consider a variety of views “grows from our church’s commitment to ever be open to new light.”

Wisbey states our schools provide “an excellent setting for examining the evolutionary process – a subject that is foundational to the modern biological and behavioral sciences.” These are statements of fact. There is an evolutionary process. It is foundational. Is Wisbey admitting he believes naturalistic evolution is fact? Is this part of the “new light” we should be embracing as Seventh-day Adventists?

If the Bible isn’t clear enough about the origins of life and the earth, Ellen White’s insights will certainly shed light on the subject:

Inferences erroneously drawn from the facts observed in nature have, however, led to supposed conflict between science and revelation; and in the effort to restore harmony, interpretations of Scripture have been adopted that undermine and destroy the force of the word of God. Geology has been thought to contradict the literal interpretation of the Mosaic record of the creation. Millions of years, it is claimed, were required for the evolution of the earth from chaos; and in order to accommodate the Bible to this supposed revelation of science, the days of creation are assumed to have been vast, indefinite periods, covering thousands or even millions of years. Education p. 128

Even in Mrs. White’s time, evolution was taught at all levels of education. She said, “Thus the study of science, which should impart a knowledge of God, is so mingled with the speculations and theories of men that it tends to infidelity” (Education p. 227). It is through “pleasing sentiments of higher criticism,” like evolution, that the “enemy of righteousness is seeking to lead souls into forbidden paths” (New Life p. 54).

Clearly, the theory of evolution is not new light, but a dark shadow that has robbed many believers of truth.

On November 21, 2008, Wisbey gave a speech for the Adventist Society of Religious Studies, titled “Nurturing the Adventist Mind.” In his speech, he explains how Adventists can integrate “Adventist thinking” with a “vast array of intellectual disciplines.” He then went on to tell how the church “needs” to be integrated, quoting from Ellen White and director of Geoscience Research Institute James Gibson:

One example of how the church needs this integration is in the vexing issue of the relation of Adventist thinking to the natural sciences as pertains to the history of life on planet Earth. On the one hand, for more than a hundred years Adventists have believed that “the book of nature and the written word shed light upon each other. They make us acquainted with God by teaching us something of the laws through which He works” [White]. On the other hand, we recognize that “creationists do not have an adequate explanation” for “radiometric dates of many millions of years . . . . The most difficult question is probably the apparent sequence of radiometric dates, giving older dates for lower layers in the geologic column and younger dates for upper layers” [Gibson].

What Adventist colleges and universities can do is to provide a supportive environment and conceptual assistance not only to their students but also to the whole church in addressing this issue effectively by reexamining our understanding of both the “book of nature” and the “written word.” In the process, Adventist colleges and universities can be examples of thinking faithfully.

Who does Wisbey cite as one “recent example of the way in which other faith communities are engaged in this discussion”? He points to Karl W. Giberson’s book, ”Saving Darwin: How to Be a Christian and Believe in Evolution” as an example of “thinking faithfully.” Is this what Adventists should be doing, discussing how we can be Christians and believe in evolution?

Perhaps there is a gorilla in the room no one is willing to acknowledge. How can change occur with faculty when leadership endorse what faculty teach about evolution? This issue goes beyond individual teachers. It’s important to know where our leaders stand. It seems Wisbey has made his stance clear. It is no wonder La Sierra administration has never addressed this issue before, because they are sympathetic to the scientific world view of their biology professors. Firing these biology professors would only be a temporary solution.