If you haven’t yet, you may want to first check out the primer.

The controversy over the teaching of evolution in biology classes at La Sierra University, an Adventist university in southern California, all began when one student became upset with his professor. Carlos Cerna was a biology student about to graduate and he wanted to “insert his creationist beliefs into a paper about evolutionary theories,” for a capstone class. The professor reluctantly agreed to this, but rejected the final paper due to it’s failure to demonstrate an understanding of the materials covered in class. The professor, Dr. Bradley, informed Cerna that he “‘demonstrated only superficial knowledge with what was presented in class and even that was done with clear apologetic skepticism.’”

In other words, he wrote an apologetics paper for a biology class. That would be appropriate in a theology class, but not for biology. What Cerna should have done is rewrite the paper to adequately address the material. Instead he leaked the email exchange on to the internet. It shouldn’t be surprising that this quickly went to the very top of the church’s organization.

Here’s a few excepts from the email dated April 30, 2009 from evangelist David Asscherick, that he sent to Jan Paulsen, then President of the General Conference (GC) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church; Don Schneider, then President of the North American Division, and Ricardo Graham, President of the Pacific Union Conference that really kicked off the inquisition:

This letter concerns the teaching of evolution at La Sierra University. While I am not a formally trained scientist, I am, however, familiar with many of the apologetic, philosophical, and theological issues surrounding the theories of naturalistic evolution. I have made this an area of special study in my life and ministry. So, I feel both comfortable and qualified to speak to the issue, especially in its ecclesiastical ramifications.

It is a matter of incontestable fact that naturalistic evolution is being taught at La Sierra University. This is not in and of itself a bad thing. Evolution should be taught at our denominational universities. But it should be taught as a competing and inimical worldview to the biblical worldview. We need our young people to know what it is they are up against, yes, but when naturalistic evolution is taught as fact or as the preferred and normative worldview, then we can be sure that the enemy has breached our lines.

Furthermore, the greater the errancy, the greater the urgency. As even a cursory analysis plainly reveals, few doctrines are at greater philosophical odds with Seventh-day Adventism than naturalistic evolution, the arguments of well-meaning theistic evolutionists notwithstanding. Our Magna Carta is Revelation 14:6-12. If naturalistic evolution is true, Creation is cremated, the Sabbath is sabotaged, and our very name is neutered. What becomes of Scripture? And of our unique eschatology? We are not talking about bongo drums, wedding bands, and Christmas trees here.

So a pastor who knows nothing about the science of evolution thinks that scientific fact should not be taught as such for theological reasons. He admits that he’s unqualified to speak about the science, so he just focuses on the theology. Unfortunately for him, theology is not science and religious doctrine has no place among scientific theories and facts.

He is right that evolution destroys scriptural authority, creationism, and any kind of literal/biblical view of salvation. However, I think the real core of his objection, and this is true for a lot of Adventists, is that evolution would nullify the Sabbath and you can’t have Seventh-day Adventists without the Sabbath. Of course his arguments break down when you consider the fact that there are entire Christian denominations that accept evolution and there are atheist Jews who keep the Sabbath.

This right here is quite damning for the SDA church. They would rather preserve their name and care more about theology than they do about scientific fact. A point made clear by the church’s now former president, Jan Paulsen in his response from Jun 19, 2009. Here’s a few key excerpts from his statement:

I appeal to all engaged by our church in the ministries of administration, preaching, teaching, and writing to articulate and reflect our stand as a community on Creation. We are a faith-community, and the world of faith is the world in which God’s creative powers are on constant display. Sometimes the findings of science may reflect some of this, but often not. Faith is certainly not subject to findings of science.

To those who teach at our colleges and universities, let me say that you have a demanding, often difficult, but sacred assignment. It is a ministry you hold in trust. It is understood that to care for your ministry responsibly you have to take your students on many a journey of findings into various disciplines of study. They need to know what they will meet in their profession and in life. As part of that exercise you will also expose them to the elements and concepts of evolution. That is understood.

As your pastor, however, I appeal to you that when you take your students out on the journey, you bring them safely back home before the day is over. And their home must always be in the world of faith. You owe it to the students, you owe it to God, you owe it to their parents, you owe it to the church, and you owe it to yourself as a believer to safely guide them through difficult moments on their journey.

He’s asking scientists to take their students out of the world of myths and make believe just long enough to teach them about the real world, only to lock them back up in the shadows. Teachers shouldn’t be concerned about anything other than teaching the facts of their subject. I’m sorry, but a theologian is not qualified to tell a biology professor how to teach.

By this time there was a website up called EducateTruth.com which has tracked this entire controversy. It should be noted that the “Truth” they want people to be educated with is actually nothing more than myths and lies.

The La Sierra University Board of Trustees launched a full investigation of whether or not the school taught evolution as fact.

There were also many statements coming from church committees, universities, and the seminary endorsing creationism. The strongest statement came from the Michigan Conference Executive Committee  who in May 2010 voted to strike La Sierra from their list of Adventist colleges and universities on the grounds of apostasy. This meant that tuition subsidy would not be available for that school. This is a big deal since it covers 85% of tuition for the dependents of denominational employees who attend approved Adventist schools.

In short a hell storm broke loose over a science professors teaching science.

To be continued…