When you set out to go to college after being born and raised a baptist, you know you're going to face some challenges. We all hear the nightmarish stories about professors failing the Christians in the class or, as in the movie God's Not Dead, ridiculing them. Naturally, I was a little afraid of what college might bring, especially since I was studying science. I was pleasantly surprised to find that few professors even care about your religion, much less call you out on it. However, there are still some challenges. Here are some of the more important lessons I've learned in the past two years.
You still need to understand evolution
You will be in classes where you will be tested over the theory of evolution. And if you actually say the words, "It's just a theory," I will come out of this computer and smack you. A theory in science terms in not the same as everyday use. A theory is supported by a wide body of evidence. I do not support all aspects of evolutionary theory, but that doesn't mean there isn't evidence to support it.There's evidence to support all kinds of things, true or false. Yes, that means that as a Christian, I believe in specific parts of evolution, namely microevolution. But, that's a story for a whole other post.
You will get a grade for your understanding of this theory, so it's to your advantage to be knowledgeable about it. It's also just a good thing to be educated about, as people will bring it up as an argument against the existence of God for your entire life. One of my favorite quotes is by Aristotle: "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
Science does not contradict God, nor vice versa
God is the Supreme Being in control of everything, far above our human understanding. So why do some get so mad when the subject of science comes up; did He not create this very thing we are speaking of? It's not like anything could 'contradict' God anyway You can't contradict the Creator.
On that note, there is actually quite a bit of science in the bible. Like dinosaurs, in Job 40 and 41. Long before Pythagoras (or whoever) discovered that the Earth was round, it was right there in the bible all along in Luke 17: "And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back...I tell you, in that night there will be two people in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left ." This seems to imply that there is dark and light on the Earth at the same time, supporting the concept of a revolving and round planet.
In Leviticus, there are so many laws that dictate hygiene, long before we even knew about germs. From placing a sick person in a separate place and washing one's hands in running water, to claiming that blood is essential to life. That one is especially interesting, considering that up to mere centuries ago people were still enduring bloodletting as a cure.
These are only a few examples, but you won't have to look far to find more. Personally, I find it absolutely amazing that the God above keeps every cell and atom in the Universe functioning the way He desires it to, day in and day out. Being a biochemistry major has only made me realize how great and omnipotent He is.
