For public school teacher Bob Van Setten, a recent La Sierra University seminar about Earth's origins simply confirmed the invalidity of evolutionary theories.
The experience also strengthened his relationship with God, he said. "I just grew closer to the Lord because of how fabulous His creation is. Looking at it on a more microscopic level was a neat thing to see," Van Setten said. He teaches special education at Walnut High School in the Walnut Valley Unified School District and is enrolled in an education doctoral program at La Sierra.
Teachers from around Southern California gathered at La Sierra's School of Education June 16 through 20 to bolster their knowledge of current arguments and historic philosophies concerning Earth's origins and resulting societal values.
In total, 25 educators signed up for a week of presentations collectively titled "Origins: Creation, Evolution and Education." The event was part of the education school's annual Hot Topics summer seminar series, which has previously focused on technology, brain science and learning, language and other areas.
"The purpose is to inform teachers of the issues relating to Adventist K-12 education such as creation, evolution, intelligent design and conflicts in education over these issues," said Anita Oliver, chair of the education school's department of curriculum and instruction. She specializes in culture wars and education. "It is significant because there is considerable controversy within the church and in public education over these issues. Teachers are on the front line of interfacing with students and the broader cultural issues and therefore need to be well informed."
Five scientists gave lectures and held discussions on topics ranging from bird fossils, dinosaurs and Darwin to the views of Greek philosophers.
The lineup of lecturers included: Timothy Standish, a research scientist and public speaker with the Geoscience Research Institute in Loma Linda; Paul Giem, emergency room physician, medical research and author of Scientific Theology; Ariel Roth, former Geoscience Research Institute director and zoologist; Danilo Boskovic, assistant professor of biosciences at Loma Linda University School of Medicine; and Elaine Kennedy, geologist and retired Geoscience Research Institute scientist.
In opening her lecture on dinosaurs, Kennedy addressed beliefs and issues raised by Seventh-day Adventists about the creatures, whether they existed and whether God created such predators. In reality, such questions are founded in underlying concerns about whether God is the author of death, she said.
"When I see [fossils], I see death and destruction on a horrendous scale that is the result of sin," she said. People do not realize the effects sin has had on nature and its impacts on our spiritual and emotional lives, Kennedy said.
On the seminar's last day, Oliver led the class in a review of conflicts over evolution, creation, intelligent design and other science issues in public and private schools.
Some teachers attend such seminars in part to meet requirements for credentials, said fourth grade teacher Mickey Smith. "This one grabbed my attention," he said. Smith teaches at San Gabriel Academy.
Through Standish's presentation, Smith acquired greater understanding of the prevailing empiricism and hedonism confronted by New Testament authors. He plans to impart his broadened knowledge to his class. "They [the apostles] were addressing the philosophy of their time," Smith said.
Ana Bramhill, a self-proclaimed lover of science, includes biology lessons in her first grade curriculum at Sierra View Junior Academy in Visalia, Calif. "When I teach that, I'm in awe that people can say there is no God," she said.
She appreciated the information she gained from the seminar, "because the Bible says, ‘and knowledge shall increase,'" Bramhill said. "I always tell my students, never stop studying."
