OT Scholar's Views on Evolution Cost Him His Job

USA TODAY reports that Bruce Waltke, one of the best known evangelical OT scholars of our day, resigned his position at Reformed Theological Seminary, following a controversy begun by his statements, recorded on a website video, affirming that one could believe in evolution and also hold to the inerrancy of Scripture. His comments caused a furor at the Seminary, which allows diversity in views of creation, but doesn't allow faculty to hold a Darwinian position.

The report linked above doesn't explicitly state that Waltke believes in evolution, but he did say that if the church resists established scientific data, it is denying truth, which is God's truth.  The report also quotes Scot McKnight expressing dismay over RTS's actions and affirming the need to wrestle with the questions Waltke raised.  The interim president of RTS responded that the confessional nature of the institution must provide a boundary within which faculty must function.

I have benefited greatly from Dr. Waltke's ministry--both preaching (he is an excellent speaker) and writing.  At the same time, I am puzzled at this development in his thinking--he has been such a stalwart for treating the content of the OT with such integrity.  If he has embraced a theistic evolutionary view instead of some form of direct creation, I am disappointed.  I can understand thinking that looks at the framework of Genesis 1-2 as other than a literal 24 hour day structure--my own view.  The old earth of Hugh Ross and the "day-age" views that are similar are full of problems, from my perspective, but still affirm direct creation by God.  But Waltke seems to be allowing for (if not endorsing) a position I see as inconsistent with the high view of Scripture he has always defended.

Waltke's remarks were in a video posted by an organization called BioLogos, that seeks to promote what they call the harmonization of science and faith, which for them seems to be the acceptance of evolution within Christian thinking.  Waltke was speaking to a seminar they hosted.  Once the controversy began, Waltke asked the video to be removed, but the damage was done.  I am not only bothered by Waltke's position, but that as a professor at RTS, he would publicly advocate a position that was out of line with the institution that employed him.  If his views had changed, he should have left before creating such an uncomfortable situation for RTS.  He should have known better, and done better for a school that had good to him. 

In other "creation news"  I found out that R. C. Sproul, who did not believe in recent creation, changed his views after hearing Douglas Kelly's presentation, now in the book Creation and Change.  It is primarily a theological approach, with reference to science.  I've gone through it myself and recommend it if you are interested.

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