Women Respond » Cambridge

Evolution: Different Views

sian — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 02:40:42 +0000

I was at a boarding school in England when I was a teenager. My school was Downe House which is named after Charles Darwin’s home in Kent. The school was started in the late nineteenth century in Darwin’s home. When it outgrew these premises it moved to the current location in Berkshire. Although the school had strong connections with Darwin, evolution did not feature on the O’ level curriculum. O’ levels were important national exams in multiple subjects. I remember the teacher describing the theory of evolution to broaden our general knowledge, but it was not a fundamental part of my life. As I did not specialize in the sciences, (and in England students specialize when they are young) I paid little attention to evolution although I assumed that we were all descended from a common ancestor, as I had seen persuasive looking diagrams in books.

Studying at Cambridge

As a student at Cambridge University I became a Christian and I got involved in all sorts of fascinating debates. When evolution came up in discussion, I rather naively incorporated it into my world view. I assumed that God initiated and controlled evolution. Without much thought I had a confused picture of creation, trying to combine two ways of looking at the beginning of life and unsuccessfully knitting them together in an attempt to respect both God and science. This did not affect my faith and it did not seem to be a hot topic in the UK, although evolution was an important aspect of science, an arena that I avoided. I taught young school children, in both public and private schools, about the creation of the world according to Genesis, and this was perfectly permissible.

Arriving in the USA – Christmas banned. Evolution portrayed as fact

When Martyn and I arrived in The States with our children in the late nineties we were culture shocked. One of the shocks was that Christmas was a forbidden word and had been replaced with “the holidays”. Evolution was an even dirtier word for many American Christians and “creationism” was taboo for many non Christians, so much so that creation was not even mentioned in schools.

Christianity and politics

Christianity and politics were inseparable in the US whereas in the UK the Christian voice was mostly silent amongst politicians. In the US there was inflammatory division about issues such as abortion and evolution and in the UK there was ignorance and apathy. Neither situation was great, but comparing the two responses encouraged us to question our presuppositions which was a positive development. Now we understand both perspectives and we think that awareness of others’ views is valuable.

Recently at a meet the teachers night at the local high school, I spoke to a biology teacher. I suggested that it would be more academically honest for schools to teach various approaches regarding the origins and development of life. As none of us were actually present when the world began much is open to debate, speculation and faith. If evolution is taught as fact, students are not given permission to discuss alternative theories. He was a very engaging guy but the teacher was surprised by my suggestion. Surely educators should encourage students to look for evidence and discuss world views especially when there is still much to discover?

I am reluctant to go into details here about evolution because I am not a scientist and I am in danger of annoying someone who is. However, as a Christian I do think that it is important to take the first three books of Genesis seriously. If we dismiss the creation account as myth, why not dismiss the rest of the Bible too? Certainly the Bible is not a science text book and does not contain all the details, but God was certainly capable of creating the world in six days, instead of there being a series of mutations taking millions of years. While He could have chosen to use evolution to make living things, much scientific discovery as well as the Biblical text suggest otherwise.

An important Biblical principle in the first book of Genesis is that God made the living creatures “according to their kinds”. This strongly suggests that we are not all (animals and humans) descended from a common primeval ancestor. Also, Genesis 1 does not indicate that we are a sophisticated animal, for it is written that “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him…” If we are merely refined animals, euthanasia and abortion would be possible; but God has a much higher regard for people and killing others for convenience is out of the question.

Being created in the image of God rather than evolving as a result of a series of mutations from an ape, means that we are highly valued. Human life is very precious and we were designed by God to have responsibility for the animals but not to be like them. If we seek a relationship with God (Jesus) he will make us like Him and He will give us God given compassion to love, leading us away from wrong to do what is right and He will give us mercy and justice as we care for others and for God’s creation.

I believe that it is possible for Christians to both believe in Jesus and to believe in evolution. It is not a salvation issue. However I think that it is important for Christians to consider the important principles of Genesis and to take them seriously. I think that it is essential that we have an educational arena that encourages debate, and that scientists, Christians or otherwise, should have the freedom to investigate all theories using the scientific method. I have read information recently that has caused me to question the evidence for evolution. www.AnswersInGenesis.org provides much valuable information regarding the pros and cons of evolution and I recommend that you read some of their extensive written material. I want to encourage you to open mindedly consider the arguments against evolution as well as those in its favor. Perhaps it requires more faith to believe in evolution than to oppose it. Most importantly, please don’t let this debate prevent you from believing and worshiping the creator and Savior: Jesus.

This is a post from: WomenRespond.com

Evolution: Different Views

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college is a place to ask why

sian — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:08:38 +0000

A few days ago I wrote about starting college in the early eighties. My best experiences at college were conversations about the meaning of life, why we were here and how we could make the world a better place.

Karl Marx, German political economist, 1861

We studied various political thinkers including Marx and we read George Orwell’s “Nineteen Eighty Four”, wondering whether the Iron Curtain would become an even harsher barrier separating east from west. Europe seemed much smaller then, as most people living in the Eastern Bloc were virtual prisoners and could not join us to present their perspective. Our parents were children in Britain during World War Two and their memories also reminded us that the power of evil could impact us as it had impacted them. Although their gas masks looked like Mickey Mouse they were still a reminder that danger was a real possibility. Europe was not necessarily fine and there was much to discuss.

When we arrived in The States in 1999 we came at the end of an era. There was still the assumption here that the US was safe and far away from danger. Waitresses smiled continuously and there was a sense of satisfaction. There seemed to be an abundance of money: sufficient money to throw away on details. There was a sense that we could all fall in love with the present because it was good and we were happy. Vietnam was a bad memory but best swept aside as it should not spoil the fun of the present.

September 11th threw a hand grenade into much of that. It was a terrible day that reminded Americans that evil was a reality and that like Europe, America is not necessarily fine.

Our oldest son Tom is going to college for the first time this week. I hope that he will be challenged to think beyond the fun. Perhaps now there is more debate here about good and evil and while Islam seems to be more threatening than communism, it demands a response in the same way that the Iron Curtain provoked us to comment. September 11th can never be justified but the Bible teaches that God works for good in those who love him and I think that there is value in being challenged to question why. Without recognizing evil we cannot understand our need for a savior. This world is full of evil, full of examples of man hating man.

Jesus is God who came to Earth as a baby, at the first Christmas, to grow up to die for us to receive the punishment that we deserve, at the first Easter. My desire is that our son, Tom, will be in an environment, like I was, where students are prepared to push aside the Easter bunny and Santa Claus and consider how Jesus stands against evil with his love and hope. Instead of hiding behind fixed smiles, we also can consider the claims of Jesus and how he can help a hurting world, how Jesus can help us. Pursuing truth will offend but it is more purposeful than avoiding conflict by saying nothing. It is more purposeful than pretending that the Easter bunny has all the answers, smoothing over family difficulties by offering candy to maintain peace. This fictional interpretation of Easter contrasts hugely with what Jesus achieved on the first Easter when he shed his precious blood to offer peace to a people who deserve punishment.

As I travel to Chicago with Tom tomorrow I will be silent for a few days, Please use this time to scroll back to the beginning of this blog to see what I was like when I was also seventeen and starting college, and how God changed my life. Read some of the comments, including a current conversation investigating the meaning of life.

May God bless you.

This is a post from: WomenRespond.com

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goals in life

sian — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 01:30:07 +0000

I admitted in an earlier post “the round church” that my goals were focused on getting into college, being nice and receiving attention from boys with the hope that that one day I would get married. A further goal, once I got married, was to have kids. I appreciate that many women would consider me to be very fortunate to be happily married with kids, after receiving a university degree from a good university. I am thankful. However, it is easy to base our happiness and sense of fulfillment on whether we have realized our own goals or satisfied the goals that our parents established for us when we were kids.

The reality is that there are many depressed and disillusioned people who have not achieved their goals who feel let down by God and are possibly jealous of others who seem to be living a more successful or happy life. We should know by now that when the princess gets married she does not necessarily live happily ever. It is likely that her marriage hits at least one rocky patch and her kids rebel, calling her “stupid” and causing her to go to bed early in tears more often than she could have imagined… She may look at her single friend’s interesting career and tidy apartment and wonder what went wrong.

Christian women need to re-evaluate their goals in line with the Bible and God’s priorities. All of us have experienced disappointments and rather than becoming resentful we should turn over our past as well as our future to Jesus, seeking to please him in all that we do. We can get used to our own grumbling, complaining attitude assuming that this is normal. It is normal but it is not Christian. In Philippians 4:14 the apostle Paul encourages us to do “everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless children of God in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life – in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain”. Paul was single, frequently in jail, persecuted, near death on several occasions, on the move constantly and there was no sign of a stable home for him to come home to every evening. Perhaps we should expect him to have been in and out of the psychologist’s office but instead he was focused on Christ. His goal, the purpose of his life’s race, was to be a blameless child of God sharing the”word of life” with others. Paul knew that all those lost people needed the Word of life: they needed Jesus. He did not want to live in vain and as God’s voice, he is encouraging us to live a life of purpose, way beyond the goals that we have dreamed up.

If you are single, thank God, if you are married thank him, if you are grieving trust him and if you are resentful let it go. Let’s focus our eyes on Jesus, confessing that our priorities are often pathetic and that our dreams are self centered.

Shine like a star for Jesus

Let’s share God’s goals. Let’s reach out to a lost, hurting or indifferent world offering Jesus, the only one who can radically change our destiny. Are you ready to walk away from the grumbling and complaining and shine for him?

This is a post from: WomenRespond.com

goals in life

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Like cancer, sin needs to be cut out

sian — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:41:45 +0000

When I was a new Christian I was selective about which parts of the Bible I would apply to my life. Part of the problem was that I had not read much of the Bible and although I had heard many good sermons, every aspect of life had not been addressed in the short time I had been a Christian. I have heard people say that the last part of most Christians to be converted is the wallet. Perhaps it takes a while for us to become willing to generously give to God’s work and to have faith that he will still take care of our own needs.

As a new Christian, I assumed that it was fine to have a boyfriend who was not a believer. None of the sermons had addressed this issue and I had not yet got to the relevant parts of Scripture that confronted this subject. I rationalized that because I did not sleep with my boyfriend, I was fine. I was in danger of being pulled in the wrong direction. I could have married someone who did not share what was becoming the dominant force in my life.

My concern is that there are many new Christians who do not understand that to follow Christ they need to let go of many aspects of their old lifestyle to adopt a much better life with Christ at the center. This is much more exciting and refreshing as it is only when we face up to the sin in our lives and ask Jesus to forgive us that we are truly able to enjoy living with him. We are aware that a cancerous tumor needs to be removed and the same is true of sin.

Sword

That is why we must apply the word of God to our lives rigorously. Seek a mature Christian who can help you understand Scripture and do not avoid the truth. Hebrews 4:12 explains that “the word of God is sharper than any double edged sword.” It penetrates deep, judging “the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”. In the same way that cancer needs to be removed to stop it destroying the body, sin also needs to be dealt with. Our relationship with Jesus is much more important than the health of our bodies.

My relationship with the non Christian boyfriend ended. Jesus intervened. Please ask Jesus what he needs to remove in your life. I assure you that you will not regret this prayer for we can’t hide from God (Hebrews 4:13) and ending a sinful habit draws us into his light and closer to Jesus.

This is a post from: WomenRespond.com

Like cancer, sin needs to be cut out

college is a place to ask why A few days ago I wrote about starting college in the early eighties. My best...
Avoid or Embrace Religious Conflict? Most people who lived in England when I was a kid considered that they were...
A baby Christian I have described how Jesus began to change my life when I started as a...

Avoid or Embrace Religious Conflict?

sian — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:54:58 +0000

Most people who lived in England when I was a kid considered that they were Christians. Many of us went through the ritual of church and were satisfied that that was enough. Once I had acknowledged that everyone is by nature wretched and mean and not at all ready to go to Heaven, I realized that the opposite was a dangerous assumption. Heaven would be more like Hell if we all arrived with our selfish agendas unchanged by God. At Cambridge I changed. I did not yield everything to Jesus right away but little by little I spent more time recognizing Jesus’ authority in my life and I could trust Him and the Bible more than my opinion or others. My goals were now much more exciting because they involved God.

I prayed frequently for my family. I had a wonderful family. We enjoyed spending time together and we were generally pleasant to each other. It is easy to assume that kind = Christian. Actually Christian= aware of how far from God we are and how only Jesus can forgive and free us from our wretched state. I like truth. Today this is an unfashionable word in an era when relativism is embraced, but in 1981 truth still meant something to me at least. I wanted my family to understand that holding onto church attendance as a substitute for a relationship with Jesus was not enough.

My brother and sister, Vaughan and Clare, are twins and two years younger than me. We were not placid but neither were we like angry dogs, at least not by the time we were 18 and 16!

Angry dog

My comments to them about not having the choice of sitting on the fence, regarding Jesus, were considered inflammatory. I emphasized that you were either fully for Jesus or against him: a bored observer is not a child of God. Vaughan and Clare were annoyed and my remarks threatened the peace that we had been enjoying on our vacation in France.

I have lived in the US for nine years and It seems that some Californians at least, and I am sure some British people too, prefer to keep the peace than explain a truth that can liberate someone from death to life. Without Jesus our spirits are dead and our future is hopeless. Jesus wants to interact with us, to breathe his life into us and for this to happen we must give up our control and our selfish wants. I was basically telling my brother and sister that they had got it wrong. The good news is that Jesus got it right and during that year they started to seek him as well and so did both of my parents. I saw no obvious encouragement during that vacation but God’s work was in motion. Today all of my family is wholeheartedly serving Jesus. Without understanding the challenging news, that we simply can never be good enough to please God, no one will understand the full magnificence of the good news that God came to earth to die in our place if we give our lives to him in faith. This is the only way to receive eternal life.

If you really want to give people what is best, tell them the truth. Avoiding conflict is not an excuse. We must not be guilty of withholding information to appear nice. Lives are at stake and those who discover the full riches of Christ will come back and thank you. Some may turn against you. I did not change Vaughan’s and Clare’s lives, Jesus did and it was Jesus who said : “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” If you are not yet a follower of Jesus, read the Bible and find out about him. If you are, gently but faithfully share the whole truth. This will help set people free.

This is a post from: WomenRespond.com

Avoid or Embrace Religious Conflict?

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A baby Christian

sian — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:05:50 +0000

I have described how Jesus began to change my life when I started as a student at Homerton College Cambridge in 1980. Responding to Jesus’s invitation to become a child of God has influenced every response that I have made since then. However, when I first became a Christian I was like a very small infant and the nourishment that I was receiving from the Bible was at first like milk. I needed it to survive but like a baby I could not do much more than receive and drink and even my vision was limited.

A newborn baby can focus on his mother’s face, but at first he is not able to see further afield.

Cute but vulnerable

My attention was now on Jesus and, in a spiritual sense, I had started over and my life was new. Now I had the living Spirit of Jesus in me, the Holy Spirit. I had the potential to change the world but I had to grow up. My life was full of hope. God himself was with me but like a child I had much to learn and I would make mistakes.

As a parent it is tempting to wish that our children would remain infants. For a mother, that sensation of being needed and appreciated is usually more exciting than the teenage response from our older kids: a loud opinion. It seems that sometimes the church is also tempted to hold on to a vast collection of babies. If we are loved and encouraged and fed enough to get by then surely we will coo like contented babes and cause little trouble. However, God’s word, the Bible, warns us that this is not his plan.

In Paul’s letter to the Hebrews chapter 5 verses 13 and 14, he writes, “For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and does not know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” Paul was complaining about people who had been Christians for a while. They had not grown up, they had not received sufficient training to make godly responses and their understanding of the Bible was minimal.

My desire is that you would not remain a spiritual infant. Study the Bible, listen to Christian talks that will challenge you to repent and change. I find Alastair Begg’s talks on www.TruthForLife.org helpful. Growing up is painful but it leads to spiritual maturity. A mature animal is less likely to be food for the local lion. Similarly, when we are mature we have the skill to “recognize the difference between right and wrong”, we can more successfully avoid our enemy the devil who “prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Peter exhorts us, in verse 9 “to stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith”.

Receive training from the word of God and don’t be naive like an infant. God can overpower our lion like enemy but if we remain immature we will be devoured.

This is a post from: WomenRespond.com

A baby Christian

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Starting College

admin — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 05:49:52 +0000

As I had already been to boarding school when I was younger, arriving at Homerton College, Cambridge was exciting but not intimidating. I was eager to join clubs and hear speakers and when I heard that there was a Christian Union meeting, featuring a pastor from one of the local churches, I was happy to go along. I do not remember any details except that two students, who were in their second or third year, invited me to cycle with them to church the following Sunday. I should not have been surprised when we arrived at the Round Church, the church where I had prayed a couple of months earlier (see “the Round Church”). I had agreed with God, during one of my infrequent prayers, that if my grades were high enough for me to become a student in that beautiful and inspiring city, I would go to church at the “Round”. As my faith was so weak at the time, God did not wait for me to take the initiative but seemingly encouraged the two students to take me to that church. I continued going to that unusual, circular church for the next four years. Jesus had made sure that I would keep my promise.

Nowadays so many students in the US stop going to church when they get to college. In the UK the opposite was often true. In 1980 when I arrived in Cambridge, university cities usually had at least one effective church that taught the congregation about why we needed Jesus. Most of the village churches and many of the churches in towns too did not clearly communicate the truth about who Jesus was, why he came and why we needed to pay attention to him. Today in the US many churches make their services “seeker sensitive”, making the message appealing and avoiding teaching about our horrible sinful state. I am so pleased that Mark Rushton, the vicar of the Round Church did not do this. He taught the Bible as it was, providing in depth understanding of Scripture and challenging me to reconsider my notion that I was a good girl. To ensure that people had the opportunity to understand how we could become Christians, every couple of months they held a guest service when a visiting speaker would preach about sin, repentance and salvation. By November, I was ready to respond. I had been listening for six Sundays and was challenged by the Bible messages but needed to hear about my need for a savior. Although better, in my own eyes, than many of my teenage contemporaries I recognized that compared to Jesus I was a horrible sinner and I needed his forgiveness to be transformed into a new person. I had assumed that everyone had the right to go to Heaven but now I realized that without Jesus I was lost. As I walked up to the front of the church to declare my faith, I was starting all over again with Jesus at the helm rather than me. I was in better hands now.

This is a post from: WomenRespond.com

Starting College

college is a place to ask why A few days ago I wrote about starting college in the early eighties. My best...
the round church When I was seventeen and in my final year at school, I was at one...
goals in life I admitted in an earlier post “the round church” that my goals were focused on...