Trends in Science in 2004

With the coming of a new year, we though it would be interesting to look at the current trends in science that might impact Christianity. Several interesting trends have been developing and may come to a head in the next year or so.

The theory of Darwinian evolution (gradualism) continues to take a beating at the hands of the Intelligent Design (ID) movement. Perhaps 2004 will be the year ID really breaks through into the public psyche. For those who don’t know, ID is being advanced by the likes of Phillip Johnson, Michael Behe, William Dembsky and Jonathan Wells. Over the years these individuals and others have recognized the shortcomings of the theory of evolution, writing and speaking extensively on this topic. They point out that not only is the theory of evolution vacuous when it comes to evidence, it is constantly misconstrued as fact to the general public and to school children. The fact is nature shows a high degree of design and does not indicate that natural process can bring about “evolutionary” advancement in organisms. The rhetoric continues at a fevered pitch in the debate between the priests of Darwinian evolution and ID scholars, causing the debate to continue to overflow academia into the public forum. The lack of evidence for Darwinian evolution coupled with the apparent attempt of evolutionary scientists to mislead the public is going to boil over soon, causing a mistrust in everything considered “science” by the general public. This would be unfortunate but can only be stopped by honest scientists reigning in their religious fervor over a failed theory.

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) is feeling pressure over their earlier statements that the James “Bone Box” (ossuary) is a fake. It is becoming more and more apparent that the IAA made statements that are not consistent with the data and on-going scientific research. Like the unscientific response of the Bible critics who claimed it was a fake before even seeing it in person, the IAA is coming across as anti-Christian, anti-Bible and, perhaps, against the American public in general. The American public would like to see a scientific examination of the ossuary, not a politically biased edict from on high. The IAA even arrested the owner of the ossuary on their non-existent evidence that it is a fake. This ossuary is an important find in the minds of archeologists and Christians. The IAA needs to act as responsible leaders in Israel antiquities. We think they will before the end of 2004.

Overall, it looks like 2004 will be a good year for a new “Christian intellectualism.” The anti-intellectual approach to Christianity is falling by the wayside as a new, well educated batch of Christians are entering adulthood. Christians are no longer afraid to study the sciences while holding fast to their Christian beliefs. We think that more and more Christian college students will major in the sciences, changing the face of science in the future.

-ed
e-mail: wwcw@wwcw.org

I want to learn more about how I can have a relationship with the creator of the universe.

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