My bachelor's degree was in chemistry and biochemistry from Kansas State
University in 1991. My graduate work was done in bioinorganic chemistry at
Duke University. I am currently in the throes of finishing writing my
dissertation and completing my first year of teaching chemistry at Gordon
College. (Which is why I have so little spare time...)
My introduction to this topic came as an undergraduate when I took
"Introduction to Philosophy of Religion" and an honors seminar in biology.
The philosophy course introduced me to the problems in creation science and
the biology seminar introduced my to Richard Dawkins ("The Selfish Gene")
and the sociobiologists (various readings). This brought about a crisis of
faith where I felt I had to choose between science or Christianity if I was
going to be intellectually honest. Fortunately, I didn't throw either of
them out and discovered C.S Lewis and Francis Schaeffer, who alleviated my
fears that a) my struggles were caused because my faith was weak and b)
'real' Christians don't ask questions.
I don't subscribe to one particular position (PC, TE, etc.). I don't think
we have enough biblical and scientific information to make a clear-cut,
unambiguous choice between several competing positions which I think are
still viable options. Thus my posts will be more focused on exploring
creditable possibilities I think are attractive rather than trying to
advocate a consistent clear-cut position. However, for the sake of
curiosity, I'll try to sum up what I DO think below.
1) I agree with the modern scientific consensus that the earth is roughly
4.5 billion years old and that the universe has been around about 15-20
million years.
2) I agree that natural selection has been demonstrated to bring about
limited changes in living organisms (so called micro-evolution). Examples
of this are the gypsy moths, antibiotic resistant bacteria, etc.
3) I agree that, in principle, God could work through natural processes to
do all his creative work in the physical and biological realms. However,
a) I am unconvinced that ALL of the diversity of living organisms past
and present is the result of evolution.
b) I am extremely skeptical of chemical evolution/abiogenesis.
4) I believe the Bible is the word of God and that it is fully true. However,
a) I don't believe in an ICR/literalist interpretation of the Bible,
especially Genesis.
b) I don't believe the Bible is theologically authoritative but silent
about all matters scientific.
c) I don't believe that "the Bible contains scientific errors, but we
should accept all of its theology as true."
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"Looking back, there's a thread of love and grace
Connecting each line and space I've known" -David Meece
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Eddie Gene Olmstead, Jr. Chemistry Department
Asst. Professor of Chemistry Gordon College
Email: olmstead@gordonc.edu 255 Grapevine Road
Phone: (508) 927-2300 Ext. 4393 Wenham, MA 01984