(revised 01/24/14)
Years ago I had the misfortune of attending public schools. In high school, we were taught evolution, and only evolution. No Creation Science was discussed, no Intelligent Design, nothing but pagan Darwinianism. Very few students complained or protested, and very few parents at the time homeschooled. So we settled uneasily for evolution without alternative.
Today we are blessed to have other options. Christian homeschooling parents can teach their children the Truth, the facts about Creation, with total religious freedom (for now, at least, in the U.S.).
But Christian parents beware. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find Christian homeschool curricula which take a hardline stance against evolution and for the Truth. Which is, I believe, Young Earth Creation (YEC).
(image source: http://www.motherjones.com/files/legacy/mojoblog/creation_museum.jpg)
I came across several articles which reveal what some “Christian” homeschool publishers are now providing as alternatives to YEC. {I have emphasized certain points by bolding, and inserted comments in [brackets].) In an 04/29/13 Christianity Today article, Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra wrote:
Christian homeschool science textbooks have long taught young earth creationism (YEC) almost exclusively. But observers say a growing number of parents want texts that also teach evolution. Some of these parents still believe in a young earth, says [BioLogos] program director Kathryn Applegate, but they want their children exposed to different perspectives. [BioLogos is extremely liberal.]
“Homeschooling has broadened so much, and now includes ,” said homeschool pioneer Susan Wise Bauer, a history professor at Virginia’s College of William and Mary. [Bauer is also extremely liberal.] “Also, there are a lot of younger evangelicals who have come to a different way of understanding Genesis, while still holding [on to their] evangelical roots.”
Numbers on the trend are hard to pin down. Still, BioLogos president Deborah Haarsma says that it’s “fairly common” for homeschooling families to request materials from her organization, which promotes theistic evolution. [Parents, take note – theistic evolution is heretical; do not order materials of any kind from this “Christian” organization.] Some of these parents still believe in a young earth, says program director Kathryn Applegate, but they want their children exposed to different perspectives. [If these parents “still believe in a young earth”, why are they giving their hard earned money for materials that blatantly espouse theistic evolution?]
American Scientific Affiliation
Doug Hayworth, coordinator of homeschool science resources for the American Scientific Affiliation, agrees. Inquiries to his Christian association reveal not a wave of old-earth converts, but instead frustrated young-earth believers who believe that “the standard [YEC] curricula … are very strident,” said Hayworth, who homeschools. “They’re looking for some advice.” [Again, I question the real beliefs of these parents. “Strident” – according to Merriam-Webster – is defined as “characterized by harsh, insistent, and discordant sound <a strident voice>; also : commanding attention by a loud or obtrusive quality.” What exactly is it about the Truth that they consider strident?]
Interesting. In an article entitled Weighing in on Ken Ham, Peter Enns and Jay Wile – Hayworth gives a great description of the “Christian evolution” conflict between these three men. But note this excerpt which shows ASA does not hold a YEC-only position: “…we do not promote only one specific position on science and faith topics. Although many ASA members have views akin to those of the BioLogos Foundation (some individual are members of both organizations), we represent a broad range of denominations, scientific disciplines and views of biblical interpretation in relation to science. This differentiates our mission from BioLogos’s mission. “ [I’m not sure how this makes ASA any better than BioLogos. Both question the validity of the YEC view – which is what counts.]
Sonlight Curriculum
Back to the Christianity Today article, which states:
“Sonlight Curriculum is an exception [to the YEC-only curricula]. It offers a diversity of homeschool curricula that allow parents to teach various theories of origins. “The YEC position is strong and ingrained in the homeschool movement,” said Sonlight president Sarita Holzmann, who homeschools her children and believes in a young earth. “That might be to our detriment.” She says students need to be able to evaluate different positions.”
But does Sonlight hold strongly to the YEC position, as Sarita Holzmann claims that she believes? No! Check out this blog by “Robert”: Do Christian Homeschoolers “Embrace” Evolution? Robert is connected with Sonlight. He never comes out and condemns “Christian” evolutionary theories. And this detailed article by Sonlight co-president John Holzmann (Sarita’s husband) questions whether we can even know that YEC is true.
This excerpt from Robert’s Sonlight blog does provide further leads concerning the views of several other Christian organizations (which perhaps publish homeschool curricula):
“Obviously, Christians reject non-theistic evolution because by definition that view excludes the supernatural and, with it, God.
But what about the other options? Young-earth creationism is promoted by organizations such as Answers in Genesis, old-earth creationism is held by Reasons to Believe, while theistic evolution is the view of Biologos. In addition, the Discovery Institute promotes what it calls Intelligent Design, which claims to remain neutral on the question of old versus young earth, but opposes theistic evolution and non-theistic evolution.”
BioLogos projects
Again, let’s look at the Christianity Today article. Here we find another red flag regarding BioLogos. Remember, BioLogos promotes theistic evolution:
With a recent grant from BioLogos, Turner and colleague Brian Eisenback, a biology professor, are writing a textbook that discusses the history of the science of origins, as well as different positions scientists have taken on Genesis and origins. They will include material on YEC, evolutionary creationism, intelligent design, and atheistic evolution.
And yet another red flag:
A similar BioLogos project is underway at Wheaton College, where five professors are working on a textbook covering the current scientific consensus on origins. [Will this textbook favor or oppose this “consensus”? Knowing that BioLogos favors theistic evolution, I’m guessing this upcoming “Christian” textbook will favor evolution-in-general.]
Sadly, Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra’s Christianity Today article does not condemn any “Christian” homeschooling publisher for pushing theistic evolution.
Besides BioLogos, I hope to locate other “Christian” homeschool publishers which are pushing theistic evolution and other non-YEC theories as the Truth. And mark my word, theistic evolution is an evolutionary theory; it is not Creation. Click here for one of many Christian discernment articles blasting theistic evolution as evolution-in-disguise.
Bottom line – It is an honorable thing for Christian homeschool publishers to prepare students for the world’s evolutionary arguments, by warning them about evolutionary theories. (To its credit, the Christianity Today article does mention this practice of warning children.) But beware “Christian” homeschool publishers which cast doubt on YEC and discuss alternatives to YEC, claiming that an evolutionary alternative may be the truth.
FOR FURTHER READING
Articles exposing BioLogos publisher as being liberal:
Homeschool Controversy: Anti-Bible, Bible Curriculum! – This article mentions the liberal BioLogos publisher, as well as the liberal Peacehill Press. An excerpt: “I have watched anti-Bible books infiltrate and grow in the homeschool movement over the years. Satan does not want us to teach our children truth. What better place to attack the Christians than to get to homeschool teachers. We are training the next Christian generation.”
Henry Morris III, An Inconvenient Truth – This article provides a good introduction to the various views of creation and evolution. Also, Dr. Morris mentions BioLogos.
Articles FAVORING the new wave of Christian homeschool textbooks including evolutionary theories:
List of BioLogos articles mentioning homeschooling
Peter Enns (a founder of BioLogos), Not All Homeschoolers Think Adam Had a Pet Dinosaur, Which is Good
David R. Wheeler, Old Earth, Young Minds: Evangelical Homeschoolers Embrace Evolution
The Old-Earth Christian homeschooling vacuum
Forum discussion: Books on creation, progressive creationism, and theistic evolution
———————————————————————————–
To find more articles on this issue, Google this search string:
[“homeschool” “evolution” “publishers”]
Also, try this search string:
[“homeschool convention” “evolution”]
Dave, Sonlight continues to promote “education, not indoctrination.” I recommend you take a look at the article Young- and Old-Earth Creationists: Can We Even Talk Together?
~Luke
Any curriculum which honestly describes its content so parents can make the choices they deem appropriate for their children is OK by me.
That makes sense, Mark. I think the key word here is “honestly”. To me the only truly Christian (born again) position on Creation is the Young Earth teaching. When a curriculum says it is presenting some other “Christian” position, to me that is a nonchristian position, and the curriculum publishers/writers are not being honest. God bless you – Dave
Biologos is not a homeschool curriculum publisher, it is a foundation that provides grants and programs for the promotion of evolutionary creationism. They are not being covert about that, it’s the reason they exist. You look pretty misinformed when you present them as a homeschool curriculum publisher that some unsuspecting homeschooler might accidentally purchase heretical curriculum from.
Good catch, Christy. Upon reading my sources more closely, it seems Biologos does not have its own homeschooling curriculum. But as my blog does point out, Biologos people are providing other materials of various kinds to interested homeschoolers. And, they are promoting a homeschooling curriculum (apparently from a third party company) that presents their point of view. See: http://biologos.org/newsletter/2012/09/new-homeschool-course.html
“To me the only truly Christian (born again) position on Creation is the Young Earth teaching.” What science do you use to support this position?
Thanks for asking, Warren. The simple answer: Creation Science. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creation_science. Granted, this Wiki article is rather antagonistic towards Creation Science. Here is a more favorable article – note also the links at the bottom: https://answersingenesis.org/creationism/young-earth/young-earth-creationists/ Unlike the author, I don’t have a problem with the label “Young Earth Creationist”. I see the author’s point, but to me the term helps describe accurately what I believe.
Here are several articles with more specific scientific evidence for Young Earth Creationism: http://www.icr.org/article/evidence-for-young-world/
http://creation.com/age-of-the-earth
Call me old fashioned, but I truly believe there is more scientific evidence for Young Earth Creation (YEC) than for any other view. Frankly, I would think every born again, biblically sound Christian would be thrilled to read articles which bolster YEC.
One final thought. The easiest way to deny YEC is to deny Genesis Chapters 1-11 as being literal and historical. This view is shared by atheists, skeptics, humanists and nonchristians/”anti-Christians” of every stripe. Truly, we as born again Christians are in danger of apostasy, when we start believing (or not believing) the same way as the world.
Feel free to tell me where I’m wrong. I always enjoy a lively but civil discussion. God bless you – Dave
I realize this is an old thread, but I stumbled on here while researching homeschool curriculums. Please, permit me to expound on the young earth/old earth issue and it’s supposed ties to evolution.
First, I want to say I am a Blood bought child of God who vehemently opposes evolution. I believe adamantly in studying and rightly dividing the word as we are told to do in II Timothy 2:15 (KJB). I also believe God destroyed this earth before mankind and recreated it in 6 days afterwards.
Hold just a minute, and I will tell you the “biblically sound” reasoning for this doctrine–although, this is quite petty as it has nothing to do with eternal salvation through the Blood atonement. It diminishes nothing from the finished work at Calvary!
I’m sure most everyone who has studied this issue has heard the supporter for a recreated earth say, “God never created anything ‘without form and void’.” That is true, but this wasn’t the evidence that tipped the balance for me. The evidence in which I find so much rest is located in II Peter 3: 5-8.
2 Peter 3:5-8 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
Now, this might be hard for a new believer (as it is meat, not milk), and unfortunately for some old timers, but if a born again Christian is truly seeking guidance of the Holy Spirit and not leaning to their own understanding, their eyes will open.
Notice in the scripture passages above that the earth was “STANDING OUT OF THE WATER and in the water…” Like a fishing cork would in water…OUT AND IN. Also, REMEMBER that during the flood of Noah, “ALL the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were COVERED.” Nothing was OUT!
Genesis 7:19-20 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.
There is way more to II Peter 3: 5-8 than this one mere point. Words which obviously stand out are: “the heavens were of old…Whereby the world that then was …..BUT THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH, WHICH ARE NOW….that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
Did you catch that really big one in the capitalized text above? Not only does it say the earth, but also the HEAVENS which are NOW! Hello?!? Why, if the flood of Noah was the only destruction of the earth–which would have only destroyed the earth and not the heavens–would there be HEAVENS…WHICH ARE NOW. Again I bring to your attention the scripture “the heavens were of OLD” and “But the heavens…, which are now…”
In the flood of Noah, the earth, not the heavens were destroyed. But we can plainly see in II Peter 3 there was at one time old heavens and new heavens were created.
I do not know why God felt it unnecessary to let us in on all the details of the original earth, but He didn’t. Perhaps it would have been more than most people are able to digest–obviously. But I do know this, IT DOESN”T MAKE A DIFFERENCE TOWARD A BELIEVER”S SALVATION!
It only causes others to label recreationist as somehow evolutionists–how perverse and far from the truth! Born again believers can and do believe this Bible doctrine and it is sound!
I am not an evolutionist, thus any one who would associate me with such corrupt teaching is unjust and wrong.
Thanks, Millie, for your detailed defense of the Gap Theory. I would still disagree with the Gap Theory though, for reasons explained in this ICR article: http://www.icr.org/article/why-gap-theory-wont-work/ BTW, I realize the Gap Theory has been supported for years by many fundamentalists, with whom I agree on most other beliefs. I’m glad we can agree that, regardless of the number of times creation occurred, in the very beginning of everything God created everything ex nihilo, out of nothing. Evolution is a big lie of the Devil. God bless you – Dave