I wish I had a dollar for every time I have heard the following question: “You are a relatively intelligent person, how is it that you are a Christian?” The presupposition behind this question is obvious. In our “modern” society the Christian has been denigrated to the status of a second class intellectual. This demeaning should be cause for concern to all Christians, not because of the assault upon our own self image but rather, for our inability to engage non-believers in discussions that concern their immortal souls.

This belittling of Christians is based upon the in-vogue philosophical school of thought called “post-modernism.” Post-modern thought is characterized by the concept that there is no absolute truth but that truth is relative to each person. The main appeal of this type of thinking is that individuals get to pick and choose what they believe, allowing them to “make up” their own rules. This philosophy is considered “new” and up-to-date, but in reality it is something that has plagued human thought from the beginning. An example of this “new” style of thinking is Pilate’s question to Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18:38).

I have always thought it ironic that Christians are considered less intelligent, given the history of great Christian thinkers. The list is long and impressive. Sir Isaac Newton, the father of modern calculus; Blaise Pascal, the master of the conic section and probabilities; Johannes Kepler, the man who first computed the elliptical path of Mars; and Gregor Mendel, the father of modern genetics, were all Christians. These men developed the science and concepts that form the basis of our current science.

How is it then that Christians are now thought to be uninformed? It is my belief that post modern thought is yet another reflection of the temptation offered by the serpent in the garden. The true temptation is to be “like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4). Stated in another way, God’s very existence renders pointless the idea of an individual being his own god and rules out his ability to choose whatever might seem right to him. The true basis of post-modern thought is this: that you can be your own god choosing what you consider to be good or evil.

This ability to pick and choose what is true and best is illustrated by the current belief in evolution. Micro-evolution which is the science of changes within a species is well documented and the original work was done by a Christian, Gregor Mendel. Macro-evolution, which is defined as evolution from one species to a new and different species, remains unproven. Contrary to what is taught in most schools, there is no proof of macro-evolution. Having no proof for macro-evolution leaves the door open for the existence of a creator and a created world, propositions which the Bible clearly asserts. Instead of being open minded to that fact, as scientists should be, the current thinking in biology and genetics is that since micro-evolution is true, macro-evolution must also be true regardless of the absence of proof. Since no proof for macro-evolution exists, scientist can only believe that evolution is true. Therefore belief in macro-evolution is a religion and unfortunately it is the prevailing religion taught in our public schools.

I recently was elected to the Lutheran Schools of America (LSA) board of directors. I am very interested in the training and education of our children. It is my firm belief that our children must be given a strong Christ-centered education, one that is based upon the classic tenets of absolute truth. I believe that the programs that are being developed by the LSA will meet these requirements and that they will allow our children to be able to withstand the myriad assaults on their faith that our post-modern culture will foist upon them. Furthermore, such education will enable them to engage non-believers in discussions that will allow the saving Word of God to be heard. Please join me in supporting Christian education and specifically the work of the Lutheran Schools of America.

Jim Murphy is a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Port Orchard, Washington and is a member of the LSA Board.