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Becoming Savages
In the last issue Warren Berkley's Front Page dealt with the use of computers
and the Internet to advance the teachings of Christ. He talked of the
opportunity that technological advances can bring. The printing press brought
about an information revolution. Following its invention, every family could
have a copy of the Scriptures in their home. Perhaps today we are on the front
end of another information revolution, and we need to be prepared to use it.
Which brings out another point; Christianity and technology are not opposed to one another. Neither is Christianity and scientific inquiry. Christianity is based upon faith in God as the Creator of an orderly universe complete with laws and purpose. If our universe not orderly, then how can experimentation prove anything?
Many scientists of yesteryear based their research on their beliefs in God. Pascal, Newton and Morse are examples of scientists who believed that there was a rationality behind the workings of the universe. But also important to human society is the recognition of the Bible's moral, ethical and spiritual truths.
And this brings us to an interesting story about another scientist. In 1832, Charles Darwin visited Tierra del Fuego in South America. He observed the savagery of the natives there. The depravity of these people were shocking to him, and he went on record as saying that the Fuegan savages were "untamable." However, within a few years, these barbarians were converted to the moral principles of Scripture by missionaries sent by the South American Missionary Society. Darwin was amazed at the transformation of the Fuegans into a rational and civilized society. In fact, Darwin sent donations to the mission for several years! [Adrian Desmond & James Moore, Darwin, (Warner Books, 1991) pp. 574,575] as cited by T.V. Varughese, Ph.D. in: Impact, Nov. 1993, (Institute for Creation Research) p. iv.
Today, our nation seems to be going in the opposite direction. We are becoming what the savages had ceased to be. As our nation thrusts Biblical principle from its conscience, our depravity grows. I'm afraid that Darwin's evolutionary theories have had a much stronger negative impact on the world than his donations to the missionary society had positive. We are not afraid of science and technology; but of moral failure and its consequences. And if we can use technology to teach men about the redeeming love of Jesus, then we will.
By Jon W. Quinn
The Front Page
From Expository Files 2.4; April, 1995
