Re: [asa] Colling Statement

Michael:

Thank you for these helpful thoughts on the Colling situation.

I had a rather tame experience along these lines during my early years
at Gordon
College. Dick Gross, then dean and later president came to me one day
and said that a local business man
and strong supporter of the college had asked about the views of the
science faculty concerning evolution.
He asked me to go visit him which I did. We had an enjoyable visit and
whatever I said did not bother him as I
never heard about the question again. The key was a savvy administrator.

Unfortunately, a number of ASA people and other evangelical scientists
have had stressful times in church related
institutions and local churches. The problems have increased in recent
years.

Jack Haas
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Michael Roberts wrote:
> An outsider speaks again. In the present context of evangelicalism and
> especially in the USA, teaching science in an Evangelical is frankly
> fraught. It is fine to have principles and say one can stand up and be
> counted - and lose one's job and see the college move in a YEC direction.
> Ultimately a college has to look to its constituents and potential
> students as if they are lost so is the college. Perhaps a "political"
> decision was made trying to keep the situation under control and thus
> the decision on Colling was a sideways move to limit damage.
> In many ways I don't like it, but not all Christians have absolute
> freedom and in difficult situations have to make the best decision to
> avoid collapse.
> Evangelical colleges have to live with this kind of problem and those
> of us who are not in such a situation need to be more understanding,
> and possibly silently reserve judgement.
> I would add that all of us have to make less than ideal decisions in
> certain situations and may trim our sails to make headway. Time will tell.
>
> Michael
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Charles Carrigan <mailto:CCarriga@olivet.edu>
> *To:* asa@calvin.edu <mailto:asa@calvin.edu> ; lfreeman@mbc.edu
> <mailto:lfreeman@mbc.edu>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, September 18, 2007 9:55 PM
> *Subject:* Re: [asa] Colling Statement
>
> Hi Louise,
>
> Several have responded to this issue with a negative viewpoint
> toward the college and the decision made, even though I have
> repeatedly stated that I support the decision as an "insider". Of
> course everyone is free to their own opinions and insights, but I
> would like to urge everyone here to take caution when tempted to
> denounce one side or the other, when the only information you
> really have is that from a couple of articles, blogs, and email
> messages. I have tried to make the point very clear that the
> articles/blogs/etc. are not reporting all of the facts; I have
> given a few of these in previous messages. Here's another for
> clarification:
>
> It is true that Pres. Bowling asked that when the issues of
> biological origins are taught in general biology (the course from
> which Rick was removed) that they be team-taught by a biology
> professor and a professor from the school of religion. However,
> this is not an attempt to "babysit" the biology faculty, nor is it
> intended to send some covert message to the students that their
> professors cannot be trusted. What was not mentioned was that the
> same thing applies to the Christian Formation course (the
> "freshman religion course"). It is an attempt to increase
> communication across the disciplines both ways. Further, I see it
> as a tremendous benefit for the students. I would gladly welcome
> one of my colleagues from the school of religion to be a part of
> my general education courses, and I would be glad to be a part of
> theirs. The students have all kinds of questions in their minds
> about what all of this "evolution" stuff means for their faith,
> and what a great thing it would be for them to be able to ask a
> theology or science expert right on the spot during class. In one
> sense, it comes down to authority - the students may not believe
> me, the scientist, when I tell them that they don't have to
> believe in a literal 24-hour recent creation or that "billions of
> years" is compatible with their faith. But it makes a tremendous
> difference when their theology or bible professor tells them the
> same, because they see them as having more of the authority of the
> Church. Instead of some "covert" message of mistrust, it sends a
> message of community, working together on common ground.
>
> Best,
> Charles
>
>
> _______________________________
> Charles W. Carrigan, Ph.D.
> Assistant Professor of Geology
> Olivet Nazarene Univ., Dept. of Physical Sciences
> One University Ave.
> Bourbonnais, IL 60914
> PH: (815) 939-5346
> FX: (815) 939-5071
> ccarriga@olivet.edu
> http://geology.olivet.edu/
>
> "To a naturalist nothing is indifferent;
> the humble moss that creeps upon the stone
> is equally interesting as the lofty pine which so beautifully
> adorns the valley or the mountain:
> but to a naturalist who is reading in the face of the rocks the
> annals of a former world,
> the mossy covering which obstructs his view,
> and renders indistinguishable the different species of stone,
> is no less than a serious subject of regret."
> - James Hutton
> _______________________________
>
> >>> "Freeman, Louise Margaret" <lfreeman@mbc.edu> 9/18/2007 7:44
> AM >>>
> Dr. Colling has apparently posted another statement on a different
> blog, adding one fact that I
> had not known earlier. Apparently the president is also requireing
> that a religion professor be
> present in biology classes during the evolution lectures. So, the
> affects there, at least, are not
> limited to Colling.
>
> It seems to me to be a horrible covert messge to the students.
> Here is your professor, whom
> whe have trusted to teach you on this important subject, biology.
> Your professor is a
> distinguished professional, and a respected authority on the
> subject. Except when it comes to
> evolution, we're requiring a babysitter from another discipline.
>
>
> http://www.energionpubs.com/wordpress/?p=900
>
> __
> Louise M. Freeman, PhD
> Psychology Dept
> Mary Baldwin College
> Staunton, VA 24401
> 540-887-7326
> FAX 540-887-7121
>
>

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Received on Tue Sep 18 19:49:00 2007