There exists constant pressure in our society to adapt to a way of thinking. Webster’s dictionary defines ‘adapt’ as “to modify (oneself) to conform to a circumstance or environment” or alternatively “to become adjusted to a circumstance or environment.” When studying and researching in the sciences, the student will eventually (if not immediately) encounter the evolution perspective. Whether it is biology, geology or astronomy, the processes of evolution will be applied to living and non-living objects. When something evolves, it is believed to have changed from a less complex form to a higher order of complexity. Ignoring this perspective will not make it disappear. But remember… it is only a perspective.Webster’s dictionary describes evolution as a doctrine. Yes, a doctrine!
What do you do when you are confronted with a doctrine of this nature? I believe that it is helpful to equip yourself with suitable information that will enable you to define your convictions. This includes having a reasonable understanding of opposing and contrasting viewpoints to help you solidify your convictions and to give you fodder for meaningful dialogue.Throughout my studies I encountered numerous times when a lecturer or text would attempt to explain the origin of life or the origin of matter by citing astounding timeframes (many billions of years) and awesome, unusual processes (compression, explosions, hostile environments and the like). The eventual outcome was something amazingly complex beyond human imagination (like me). Simple to understand? NO! These compositions were most confusing at best. With earnest effort, I tried my best to understand but to no avail; the doctrine was weak and confusing – and unbelievable.I think that, all too often, lecturers and writers in the sciences make reference to evolution in order to appear fashionable and to gain peer acceptance. Usually, such reference is not even needed. For me, such references only serve to cloud and muddy the understanding of any pure science that may be active.If left unclouded, studying in the sciences can be a rich experience. I remember studying chlorophyll - a most basic building block necessary for life on earth. Chlorophyll is SO amazingly complex that I am convinced it was designed and created for its purpose by an awesome Creator God.I believe that there is no need to adapt, adopt, nor conform to the evolution mindset. Instead, we can ‘adjust’ (as per Webster’s definition) to the expressions of evolution by equipping ourselves with a deep, unclouded understanding of those things in our world that interest us. We can also reference those lecturers and texts that express the sciences from a Biblical doctrine perspective. By doing this, we gain knowledge, balanced and coupled with wisdom, so that we can hold firm to sound doctrine and be strengthened in our faith. This will help us past those times – especially in higher education – when the doctrine of evolution threatens to confuse us. Don’t let the evolution mindset hinder you from studying the sciences.When I consider all that I have encountered in my life, I can say that knowing ‘evolution’ has contributed nothing to my experience. If anything, it has detracted from my life. In contrast, knowing ‘The Creator’ has resulted in a full and abundant life. May you also experience the amazing aspects of this full and abundant life – even as you study the sciences.