I recently saw the trailer for Ben Stein’s new film Expelled, The Movie. Apparently, Stein is an Intelligent Design theorist. As a result, he has sympathized with scientists who are being harassed for concluding that much scientific data is pointing to the presence and work of an intelligent designer in creation. The film will hit theatres nationwide on April 18. Basically, the film presents a case for intelligent design theory and, in turn, defends the scientists who are under attack for subscribing to such a position. As the movie is grabbing the attention of news media, television shows, and internet sites, many Christians are bubbling with excitement over what they feel is a perfect opportunity to gain some ground in the debate. However, perhaps we should ask the question, “Has anyone thought about Ben Stein?” As if you really care what I think…
Let me start by saying that I think this is a great step toward a Christian’s position on biblical creationism. However, I think there is a certain measure of caution required. Specifically, I think there are 2 points at which Christians must exercise caution and discernment because this discussion regarding Darwinism, Intelligent Design, and Biblical Creationism is trickier than it appears on the surface.
First Caution: The water of Intelligent Design is cloudy. Unbeknownst to many Christians, the theory of Intelligent Design is not the same as Biblical Creationism. Though Christians are assumed to be the primary adherents, many “religious” non-believers espouse the position of Intelligent Design, though oppose Biblical Creationism. Intelligent Design is limited in its subscription to a creative origin suggesting merely that some kind of “higher power” initiated the beginning of time, space, and matter. The real issue here is the question, “Who?” Who holds the intelligence behind the design? According to the limits of the theory, the credit could go to a distant and veiled being, who agnostics admit is out there, but unknowable. The credit could go to an impersonal being, who deists suggest got things spinning, but is relatively unconcerned with the results. The credit could go to an all-encompassing life force, who the New-Ager pantheists claim IS everything. The credit could go to the Author of the “divine spark,” who Gnostics suggest is the source of “divine light” (mostly held today by proponents of Kabbalah and Sufism, the psycho/spiritual, mystical aspect to Islam). The credit could go to an inclusivistic being, who the Universalists suggest has no conscience, accepting everyone on their terms. For this reason, we should exercise caution because as Biblical Christians, we do not hold merely to the limited position of Intelligent Design. We go much farther. Intelligent Design Theory did not originate with Christians, but with spiritually-minded scientists. Historically, Christians have held only to Biblical Creationism. Unfortunately, at this point in time, the line between ID and BC is being blurred. We are, in a sense, theologically intermarrying. Therefore, let’s not forget that theological intermarrying almost always gives birth to ugly, confused, and bratty kids.
What I am getting at here is that Intelligent Design is not the same as Biblical Creationism. Though related, they are cousins at best. Many people would say to us, “What’s the big deal? Aren’t the same thing?” No. They are not the same thing. Biblical Christians do not believe in an Intelligent Designer. We believe in an all-consuming, sustaining, perfect, judging, saving, condemning, revealing, specific Creator God who in the Old Testament calls Himself Yahweh and in the New Testament calls Himself Jesus of Nazareth. Certainly, He has emphatically and specifically revealed His identity. I am reminded of the Sesame Street song which goes, “One of these things is not like the others, One of these things just doesn’t belong, Can you tell which thing is not like the others, By the time I finish my song?” Biblical Creationism is not like the others.
At this point, there are basically 3 “things” on the table of debate: Atheistic Spontaneous Generation Theory, Intelligent Design Theory, and Biblical Creationism. We should be careful not to allow this to move to a 2-party discussion such as Atheistic Spontaneous Generation vs Intelligent Design/Biblical Creationism. Our “thing” is not like the others. Also, as we will consider in a moment, Biblical Creationism is not really in the discussion. We are prepared to be, but up to this point, we have been much ignored and derided for being fanatics. I’m okay with this. It’s supposed to happen. However, what I am not okay with is trying to sneak through the door, pointing at Intelligent Design saying, “we’re with him.” More about that in a moment.
Second Caution: I have always respected Ben Stein. Though I was first introduced to him as a kid watching Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, I quickly realized his brilliance. Certainly, it is refreshing to hear intelligent people arrive at the intelligent conclusion regarding intelligent design…and to even take a career-threatening stand for what the evidence suggests. However, we should keep in mind that according to the public information we have, including his own statements of belief, Ben Stein is Jewish.
(Now, before some of you call me an anti-Semite, let me say that, as a Christian, I love Ben Stein and hope he will one day see Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah that He is. After all, the gospel of Jesus Christ is first for him, the Jew, and then for me, the Gentile. However, at the same time, let me click over to Sesame Street again and remind you that Christianity and Judaism are not the same “thing”.)
From what I know of Stein, he is a tolerant Jew, but most likely not a Christian. Therefore, though he probably holds to the existence of a personal and divine creator (OT), he probably does not hold to the Messiahship of Jesus Christ (NT), which is the real issue here. In the current, global discussion regarding Darwinian Evolution vs. Intelligent Design, this is a critical point for Christians. It seems to be one of those points at which we are in danger of “missing the forest for the trees.” As we often do, we are close to falling into the trap of majoring on the minors, when the real issue at stake is not what He has done, but who He is and what He demands. Though this conversation concerning the origin of the universe is an important one, we must realize that we, as Biblical Creationists are not really in the discussion and should use caution when dealing with the temptation to “tag along” with the Intelligent Design theorists in order to slip in the back door. If by chance, we Biblical Creationists, earn a seat at the table in the future, we must be prepared to take the crucial step of proclaiming the gospel and even refuting the Intelligent Design position as inferior to our own Scriptural conviction. In other words, there is a danger in aligning ourselves with systems of thought such as those of Ben Stein. Without a doubt we are sympathetic to the cause and encouraged by their work. However, we should remember that the gospel is probably not the objective of their discussion, as it is ours. Though we would agree with Stein’s camp regarding creation, they would most likely baulk at our Soteriology, Christology, and overall Theology. Though Intelligent Design directs people toward the correct conclusion, its message will never make converts or disciples.
Nevertheless, the continuation of this discussion should be exciting to us as Christians. We can definitely benefit from more intelligent discussion about matters of faith, evidence, and sound/reasonable theology. I certainly see that there is a great opportunity for mild partnership between Biblical Creationists and Intelligent Design Theorists. For instance, we can work together toward deregulating the teaching of Darwinian Evolution in schools, leading to an inclusion of the Biblical perspective within curriculum. Certainly, this would free up Christian teachers to express their Biblical worldview rather than requiring them to teach the Darwinian/Atheistic worldview, thus opening more doors for gospel conversation. Though we can partner with them to some extent, we certainly do not want to appear as though we, Biblical Christians, agree with the limited and vague position of Intelligent Design.
So, those are my 2 cents…
