It is vital that evangelical schools clearly place science “under the banner of Scripture so that other biblical teachings are not compromised. Science is on a journey; revelation is a destination” (Mike Milton, RTS Orlando Acting President)
Bruce Waltke built a national reputation teaching the Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) for more than 20 years. But in March, when he seemed to challenge evangelicals in a video interview to consider the possibility of evolution or risk being seen as a “cult,” Waltke’s scholarly life exploded…In early April, the renowned scholar resigned from RTS’s Orlando campus. (Full story here: http://bit.ly/9MWqny)
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Waltke said he does not fault RTS—which still praises his scholarship—and that he resigned willingly. But he also does not regret stirring up controversy about an important issue. “I see it as Providence,” said Waltke, who has been hired by Knox Theological Seminary. “I’m very glad the discussion has come to the fore.”
Tensions continue between Christian scholars and their institutions over how to present the findings of science while upholding theological convictions.
Westmont College biblical scholar Tremper Longman III was disinvited last year from further adjunct teaching at RTS due to questioning in a video whether Adam was a historical person.
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Such dustups pressure institutions “heavily dependent upon public reputation.” Theologians take greater risks than scientists in terms of how quickly a school’s constituents are “going to be alarmed or pass judgment.”
READ MORE: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/june/1.14.html
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