Willing to Ask by Bill Jack

 

Ask me no questions, and I’ll tell you no lies,” often is the cry of evolutionary-minded teachers on the issue of origins. So, I encourage Christian students to challenge their teachers respectfully with pointed questions.

Students who have a passion for truth should always be wise in choosing a strategy, as well as compassionate, gentle, and gracious in addressing evolutionists. After all, Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 10:16 to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” In addition, Christian students who are intentional in promoting the gospel can donate creationist materials to the school library, have their Bible clubs sponsor debates before the entire student body, and conduct biblically based tours of local museums and zoos.*

A circumspect plan can often yield surprising results. For example, students at a Southern Illinois high school approached their biology teacher and said, “We really enjoy your class, but we don’t think we are receiving all the information available. Can you teach the class information dealing with the creation model?”

Students

Christian students can raise the issue of origins in class as a way to open the door to share the gospel with classmates and even teachers.

The teacher was honest and open, but replied, “I don’t know any.”

The students had already thought of that, went to their lockers, and brought back several books on creation. The teacher took one look at the stack, threw up his hands, and said, “I don’t have time to read all that material!”

Having anticipated that response, the students replied, “We know someone who can teach it. Will you invite him in to address the class for a day?” The teacher agreed, and my friend, Dan, presented the creation model. He did such a good job that the teacher invited him back every year. However, after a few years the teacher said, “Dan, I don’t think I’m going to have you back again.”

Dan asked, “Why? Have I offended you?”

“Oh, no,” the teacher replied, “It’s just that I’ve been studying this issue the past few years now, and I’ve concluded creation is the better model, so I will be teaching both models from now on. And, by the way, as a result of my study, I’ve also concluded that Jesus is the Creator and have trusted Him with my life.”

Those students have long since graduated. They may never know this side of eternity that the teacher trusted Christ. Simply because they were willing to ask, that teacher now has influenced a generation of students with truth and grace.

“Let no one despise you for your youth” (1 Timothy 4:12).

Bill Jack is faculty advisor for Worldview Academy (www.worldview.org), a Christian Leadership Training Program designed to train Christians to think and live in accord with a biblical worldview.

* Check out these strategies on Bill’s Simple Tools for Brain Surgery and Unauthorized Tours DVDs, available through Answers in Genesis or at www.worldview.org.

http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v4/n1/willing-to-ask