Published 10/25/19
By Greg Johnson
What If...
It’s discussion time again in science class. You are studying old civilizations and archaeology, how cultures developed from having no written language to having an advanced written language.
“Millions of years ago, well after human beings evolved from the sea,” your teacher says, “they still communicated by a primitive form of language. As the human brain evolved into something much larger and complex, each tribe had those who would tell the history of their people on a continual basis. This is what is known as oral history.”
“When did people start writing things down?” a student asks.
“That’s a good question,” the teacher says. “About 2500 B.C. some of the first writing occurred in Mesopotamia. Then later, the Jewish people began writing down their history as it had been handed down from past generations.
“So you see,” she continues, “the evolution of man is still taking place. We have gone from being cave dwellers who drew pictures, to cultures that constructed and wrote down their own individual languages, to a computer-based society where we can process millions of commands a minute on a tiny microchip.”
She used that word three times, you think. I don’t really believe in evolution. Should I say something?
“Ah, Mrs. Williams,” you say while raising your hand.
“Yes?”
“Isn’t evolution just a theory? I mean, it can’t really be proven. I believe that God had a reason for creating us and that we’re not an accident.”
“You must come from a churchgoing home,” she says. “If that’s what your family wants to teach, that’s fine. I’m sure there are others who believe that same. But science is pretty sure on this one. We’re not going to talk about creation because there is even less proof for that theory. And because it’s a church-related matter, we really can’t talk about it at all, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t bring it up again.”
Later at recess, a couple of kids say they were glad you raised your hand and spoke up. But then you also hear a few people call you “the churchmeister.”
Questions to Think On
• You may not have faced a situation like this but you might if you’re in a public school. What do you think you would say if evolution was taught as fact?
• By speaking up, you let others know that you’re a Christian. How do you feel about that?
• Would people really care that much if they knew you went to church?
• Mom and Dad: What are some things your child can say when this issue comes up in school?
What Does God Have to Say?
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before me, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
(c)