How Biologists are Trained to Think and Write
The inspired Psalmist, when contemplating the wonders of the human body, wrote: “I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well” Psalm 139:14.
King David shows a humble spirit towards God. He gives God the glory as his Creator. But despite the obvious marvels of life, the average biology textbook over the last few decades does not demonstrate the same spirit! Rarely, if at all, does a standard school or college scientific textbook give glory to God. However, it’s not simply the case that they omit reverence to the Creator. Scientists are trained to write in a way that avoids implying purposeful design.
Consider this from a foundation level science textbook. The author is discussing human arteries:
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who SUPPRESS the truth in unrighteousness “Both these points, elasticity and internal diameter, are examples of the strong relationship between structure and function that one sees at all levels of biology. In physiology, this relationship is often so strongly apparent that so-called teleological statements are easily made. ‘Alveoli have a large surface area so that they can exchange gases readily’ is an example…A teleological statement is one that implies design for a purpose, and you should avoid writing in this way as it is, however convenient, biologically incorrect.” (Open University 1987, “The Science Foundation Course,” Unit 23, p.14.)
What a contrast this is with the truth of Psalm 139! The author of the above text acknowledges that the way structure and function relate is “often so strongly apparent.” In fact it is so obvious that it is more “convenient” to write as though the structures were designed than to write as though they were not. Yet despite this, the instruction to the student is that “you should avoid writing this way”!
Willfully Blind
because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them."
Romans 1
Most scientists of tomorrow are being trained from the outset to avoid implying purposeful design. Behind the aura of objectivity are authors more interested in indulging their arrogant, futile and ever-changing speculations than giving glory to an obvious Creator (Romans 1).
How tragically sad that many people choose to stand outside the creation of which they are a part, and refuse the opportunity to know the Power, Mind and Heart who performed all these things.
“Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live.’” Ezekiel 33:11
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