Why We Should Teach Evolutionary Concepts Even At Christian Colleges

By Lance Winslow

The other day, I was speaking with an acquaintance about evolution and we both agreed it was a "fun topic to explore on so many levels." We talked about sports, technology, business, industry, education, government, philosophy, and even our entire civilization and society as a whole. I'd like to discuss this dialogue with you, because I believe regardless of how you feel about evolution from a religious standpoint, there is a lot to be gained by understanding these principles.

Indeed, I immediately told my acquaintance that "yes I very much concur. First, I'd say that "YES" we should teach "evolutionary" theory, because it opens up doors to the understanding of the world around us. Regardless of "faith based" belief systems, which are to be honored due to our foundational promises to all comers in our "melting pot" society - we should teach evolution and everyone should understand the concept, even if they choose to dismiss these theories in humans or that the world was created merely 5,000 years ago, so be it, but we need to get over the concept that "evolution" doesn't exist.

It does, it's everywhere, in technology, education, government, philosophy, entertainment, military, sporting events, you name it and I'll show it to you. It's there and should be understood. Just as the concept of an All-Powerful Being makes for a nice philosophical dialogue as well, just the same - see that point?

Evolutionary changes occur, and it can help us understand how incremental change works, and how breakthroughs occur in an industry. How niches are won in the food chain can help explain how innovative companies can outperform mature corporations with strong entrenchment in the market and distribution channels. You can hardly have a belief of "hope and change" without honoring the concept of change, and that concept is evolution. If you are against "hope and change" then you are saying you don't want the evolution of our society to move in that direction, but you still have to address the movement, and that movement and change in its very roots has evolutionary elements.

If you don't understand the concept of evolution many things just will not make as much sense to you. It will be harder for you to understand your environment and world around you, even harder for you to change when you really need too. Perhaps, that's what I'd like you to take away from all of this, even if you don't believe in evolution of the Homo Sapiens species to which you are a member. Please consider all this and think on it.