It’s Never Just an Article
Posted on May 23, 2007
Filed Under Worldview |
[Personal note: I just had my one-week post-op exam and the surgeon told me everything is progressing well. Thank you all for your prayers—it was a great blessing to me and deeply humbling to have you do so. God is gracious and I am starting to feel much better…pain is abating; strength is on the return; my head is starting to clear. He is Jehovah Rapha!]
One of the homework assignments that I require of my seminary students is to analyze media articles for their underlying worldview positions. It is a great way to build the skill of discernment. Many of my students have complained (tongue in cheek) that I have ruined their ability to casually read the newspaper because the assumptive language and hidden agendas scream out at them.
I take great pleasure in hearing those comments. 
One of my regrets with the Truth Project is that we couldn’t build that kind of homework assignment and training into the DVDs. It is a critical skill, however, because it is through this deceptive media messaging that we buy truth claims without an open conscious dialogue. That is why I call it the most dangerous form of knowledge.
I have long used Carl Sagan’s opening statement in the widely seen video production “Cosmos” as an example: “The cosmos is all that is, ever was, or ever will be.” Here, Sagan is really saying that there is no God. But if he had begun the video series openly making that truth claim, it wouldn’t have been shown. If you buy his statement, you buy his assumption as well—although it gets into your mind by sneaking under the door.
So, in the same way, when we read or watch much of our media products today, very often there is a boat load of underlying truth claims that are just waiting to seep into our mind and heart as smoke through the cracks in the wall. As my friend, Dr. Leland says: “It is never just a movie.”
Well, anyway, I thought, why not try to build some of that discernment through the blog? Or at least give you a few examples that might help you build it in your children. I’m certainly willing to give it a try if you are.
So, let’s see what happens. Here is a link to a USA Today article entitled: “‘Resistance to Science’ has Early Roots”
Let’s read the article and try to identify its worldview positions and underlying assumptions. What are the truth claims lurking beneath the surface?
I’ll give you my analysis tomorrow and we can compare notes.
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21 Responses to “It’s Never Just an Article”
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Dr. Del Tackett is president of the Focus on the Family Institute and Senior Vice President to Focus on the Family. He is also the architect and chief spokesperson for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project--a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
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This article portrays Christian and the Catholic chuch as unintelligent and “scientifically ignorant;” on a level equal with believe in fantasy. I believe the citation from the article below summarized the general underlying message to the readers:
“In 2005 for example, the Pew Trust found that 42% of poll respondents think people and animals have existed in their present form since the beginning of time, a view that is tough to reconcile with evidence from fossils. Many people believe in ghosts, fairies and astrology. “This resistance to science has important social implications because a scientifically ignorant public is unprepared to evaluate policies about global warming, vaccination, genetically modified organisms, stem cell research, and cloning,” the psychologists say.”
Our knowledge and scientific discoveries have contributed to a spiritual blindness; as well as a pride bound up in what can be proven in a lab.
Thank you Del for all your work; my husband and I attended your 2006 Rockford, IL conference and are on our third round of the Truth Project…we are taking it to our high school Sunday School class in the fall and I am anxious to see how their responses will mirror, as well as differ, from the adults that we have worked with. Also, I wanted to let you know that the Truth Project has been very influential in our lives; to the extent that it is been a part of my decision to return to the classroom after 15 years and enroll in Seminary. Only one semester under my belt so far, but the trip thus far has been fabulous and I have found myself quoting you to my classmates more than a time or two.
May God vindicate His Word through you and your ministry,
Cheri L.
I just finished reading “Do Fish Know They’re Wet?” by Tom Neven.
I could discern things were askew, but didn’t know how to label them correctly. Now, the subject of worldviews and their importance is a subject I find myself returning to in every area of my life.
I am currently working on an art challenge - the subject is Symbols of Our Culture, and I find myself trying to think of a way to depict the damage that is part of our culture as a result from varying worldviews in our country.
I am looking forward to reading this blog, and the comments of its readers.
THANK YOU!
Well, this was a fascinating exercise! I can’t wait to see what you have to say Dr. Tackett. I don’t think I’m too good at discerning, but I caught a few things: 1. It seems, from the article, that if I hold a certain opinion on hot scientific issues I am “resistant to science” in general and then that equates to my being scientifically ignorant. 2. Believing in creation is equivalent to believing in ghosts, fairies and astrology. 3. It is a problem for science that the natural tendancy in children is to see a design and purpose in everything (if that natural tendancy is true, it’s no wonder Jesus said to let the children come…). 4. Every religion adopts dualism - but I don’t think Christianity does, does it? I’m staying tuned for the next installment!
Dr Del
We truly thank God for you! Thanks SO much for initiating this forum and for the Truth Project. Our teenage daughters have been doing the Truth Project with us in New Zealand. The Truth Project has been a God GIFT for us as parents. It provides us with a great tool that awakened us from the slumber and helped us to address and exit from our wrong paradigms. The Truth Project also helped us immensenly to introduce and build into our kids a framework to critique worldviews.
God Bless you and heal you with His supernatural power as you recover from your operation.
Ate Moala
Glad to hear you are on the mend! We appreciate your work with “The Truth Project” so much, and we’re sad that our 12 weeks is nearly over. I appreciate the blog! Thanks for the homework - it will keep my wheels turning! How amazing to be able to view the happenings in today’s world through the perspective of a biblical world view. This is new for me, and gives me a sense of excitement (and peace!) I have not known before.
Dear Dr. Del -
Thank you so much for starting this blog - love the idea of being able to ‘continue’ the Truth Project. I will pass this on to ‘my students’ who have participated in my truth project classes and keep the fire burning bright.
My family has committed to pray for the project to expand and we are seeking ways to get our local government officials to see the dvd’s as well as local churches.
We will pray for you and your family as well. May God continue to bless you and your work! Jesus Christ is being glorified through it!
The Truth is marching on,
Dianna Coughenour
Dr. Tackett,
Thank you so much for this blog. It’s almost like I’m back in your class at the Institute. I read the article, and was amazed. I won’t expound on my thoughts at this point so as not to ruin it for others, but I will say this, I need to try more to examine everything I read better. Most of the worldview subtleties in this article stood out to me pretty well, but that isn’t always the case.
Thanks Dr. Tackett
Christian Talsness
Fall ‘05 - Full of Faith
Vergano concludes that scientists need to show how they use evidence and observations to demonstrate their conclusions … “in contrast to religious leaders.”
Vergano could put that process into practice by offering evidence for his subtle conclusion that people who believe that animals have existed in their present form from the begining of time (that suggests that there was a “begining” of time) are the same people who believe in ghosts, fairies, and astrology, and are scientifically ignorant.
I might suggest that one origin or cause for the “resistance to science” is that some overly sensitive scientists seem to prefer name calling to an objective presentation of verifiable facts.
This article is merely an appeal to emotion (pandering), and is devoid of rational, objective truth.
Dr. Tackett,
Thank you for helping me realize the importance of having a Christian world view, and showing me how to develope one. I’m about to graduate from a Christian high school, and God has really used your teachings to help help prepare me for the coming years.
I confess that I’ve not been analyzing articles such as this recently, and want to thank you for encouraging me to start that practice again. This article creates an obvious dichotomy between the sciences and Christianity to the point of relating God’s Creation of the world to “fairy tales.” This, while proposing their theory as pure science, effectively discredits Creation as a childhood fantacy to the uninformed reader. It’s funny, in a way, how the kids mentioned in the article who saw a “purpose and design in everything” have it right, while the “scientific elite” are still utterly confused. The Kingdom of Heavan truly does belong to those with faith like a child. The faith/science dichotomy is taken even further in their false statement of Christianity being resistant to science, and science being “unnatural.” It’s sad how these people will go to such great lengths to rationalize their thinking so that they can ignore the authority of God, when trusting Him would set them free and open their eyes to the Truth.
These are quite obviously the end times when false prophets will decieve many. It is becoming more and more apparent, through articles such as this, that we as Christians must continually guard our own hearts so that we can shine the Light to others.
Your brother in Christ,
Isaac
Many thanks for your blessings to us. Two dear friends invited me to their small group study of the Truth Project, then further gave me a set to use as i teach at our Christian school
Speaking of discernment and bias, i’ve always been (unfavorably) impressed by the history books given me to use, printed by a Christian publishing house. They contain a kind of reverse-revisionism, in that any unseemly parts of our country’s past are downplayed, marginalized, or ignored, while spurious “facts” favorable to our image are included…
On the one hand, the books have been a great tool to teach our students how to spot bias [!!!] (”right-wing” OR “left-wing”); however, on the other hand it is frustrating to think that patriotism and a Biblical outlook are supposedly being taught by an approach that is not evenhanded in its treatment of history. I believe it is rather akin to thinking that we can win people to Christ by being less than transparent.
Blessings with prayer for healing…
Del,
This is my first ever post to you. I have been leading a Truth Project group in my home every Sunday afternoon. For me, filtering everything thru a biblical perspective has been a way of life since being saved 35 years ago.
But I was amazed how much I took that for granted and assumed others did too. This Truth project has opened my eyes to how much it is needed . . .in my life as well as those who don;t have that same “bible first” perpective on life!
This blog will give me a feeling of knowing you somewhat personally and I will relate your requests to our group. You have beemn and continue to be in our prayers.
Coming to Alaska again? Enjoyed your presentation in Achorage a while back. come to the Kenai Peninusla and do some serious fshing!
Dr. Tackett,
First, I am happy to hear that your recovery is progressing nicely. Second, in going through the Truth Project as a faculty endeavor at my school my eyes have really been opened up to how worldly the Christian world sees things. It has become very evident when I challenge my Bible classes with world view or Christian view perspectives that the majority of thinking seems to be leaning to the worldly side. And third, after reading the science article the thought that jumped out at me was regarding early childhood education. There is a distinct push to accelerate the educational process. However, a clearly stated point in the article was that children have a natural tendency to sway toward God. Subtly, the article seemed to say the quicker we can push these kids beyond childhood the less likely they will be to accept any of that Christian stuff.
Dr. T, thank you for challenging me to be more attuned to the streams of worldview thought.
kim
Thank you so much for posting that USA Today article. It really showed me what we are truly up against. This columnist’s worldview is crystal clear, we (those who believe in Truth)are all idiots, we have an inborn tendency to believe that things are created (I wonder where that comes from) and we must struggle against what makes sense to us if we are to ever “get it.” My question to people who believe this lie would be, “if these are beliefs that we are born with, why must we struggle against what our minds naturally tell us is True?” Again, thanks for posting this assignment, it really helps to see worldview discernment in action.
By the way, my husband and I attended the Truth Project conference in Raytown, Missouri. I wanted to tell you how much the truth claims you presented “rocked my cozy little world.” For that I say THANK YOU!
I read the article and am amazed at the underlying theme. To me it is Christians are “the problem” and even God’s gift to children to “see” that this world is created is a wrong insight. Like you have said in the Truth Project, they go out of their way not to see what is “plain”. I am finding I do listen and read to some small extent now in a worldview fashion but need much more discernment because it is very confusing. God bless you Del and thank you!
Dr. Tackett,
May the Lord speed your recovery and bless your days and labors.
Re “‘Resistance to Science’ has early roots,” the first thing to notice was the title itself. Implied is that science should not be resisted, and that this resistance should be subjected to scientific analysis and methodology to hasten its elimination/melioration.
Exhuming the Scopes Trial and historical persecution of scientists at the hands of the Roman Catholic Church tends to paint all resistance to “science” as originating from ignorance and error, as if to say “Look those religious folks are wrongfully opposing science again.” The comment about “not tossing scientists on bonfires” today evidences the linkage.
The assertion that the fossil record is supportive of evolution is dragged out again, despite the still-persistent absence of transitional forms that Darwin insisted would be later found. That 42% of adults are resistant to evolutionary theory when the fossil record doesn’t support it as clearly as the writer insists is not surprising. Yet the writer implies that this resistance, once more, is borne of ignorance.
Scientists affirm the monistic nature of man but most religions affirm the dualistic nature (body and spirit). Noted too is man’s “promiscuous teleology,” a natural tendency to see purpose and design in things. This is noted because science holds that there is no purpose or design (there is no Designer, hence there can be no purpose or design definitionally).
The conclusion was forgone from the title - resistance to science is a malady fueled by “a clash of experimental or observational evidence with childhood intuition about the world, coupled with that political or religious community we embrace.” (Note another implication of this - that science is pure and reasonable, but our thoughts of things can become corrupted by religion, politics, etc., which historically impeded and still do impede scientific progress.)
In closing, Dan Vergano quotes Yale psychologist Paul Bloom who stated, “We have to understand the idea that the supernatural or religious ideas are not the product of stupidity or malice, but are in fact, normal human nature.”
This is in apparent contrast to Mr. Vergano’s earlier invocation of the Scopes Trial and historical injustices meted out to scientists by the Roman Catholic Church to color religious objections to scientific findings as orginating in ignorance or malice.
David Gilmore
P.S. Shall I hold my breath waiting for the “scientific” explanation for the observation that supernatural or religious ideas are “normal human nature?” It’s obviously an aberrant tendency in need of a scientific cure. (TTIC - totally-tongue-in-cheek :))
The ‘Resistance to Science’ article is truly frightening. It seems that not only are many scientists operating from false assumptions and standards (e.g. “there is no god”), but the tone of the article implies an ‘us vs. them’ mentality. They have circled the wagons - so to speak - and in the process have reduced the possibility for open debate and discussion.
As a Christian educator I LOVE teaching science to my students. The exploration of the world and its’ mysteries, and the discovery of truth is an excellent way to confirm God’s truth, as revealed in the Bible.
Hi Del,
While you did not formally assign this type of homework during the Truth Project, it is occurring in many of the people I’ve been through small groups with, by the very nature of the Truth altering our wordviews. Perhaps this represents a powerful form of “assumptive homework assignment”?
An example from this week involves two articles I’ve stumbled across on the freedom being achieved in the growing awareness and support for transgender identities. Rueters publishes a set of news snippets called “24 hours in pictures” with stunning photography from around the globe this day. This wedding photo stuck me http://i.today.reuters.com/pictures/galleries/Stories/633152709204062500/Previews/15.JPG
The reason it made the news wire is because the bride used to be a man. More on this story in related China Daily article: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-05/11/content_329755.htm
Here’s a “fact” from the article that is sure to evoke conviction on the topic:
“Experts say a sex change operation is the only way to save many transsexuals’ lives, because neither medical nor psychological therapies can help them. Besides, 90 percent of transsexuals are likely to commit suicide when their requests for sex change are turned down.”
In more mainstream news I picked up a copy of Newsweek last night whose cover reads “The Mystery of Gender”. You’ll find an on-line version of the article in the Health section of Newsweek Online http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18618970/site/newsweek/ . This article is rich with worldview slant. One of my favorites is scientific reasoning for how culture (in this case parents) program gender into their children, perhaps against the truth of the child’s “inner gender”.
“Male or female, we all start life looking pretty much the same. Genes determine whether a particular human embryo will develop as male or female. But each individual embryo is equipped to be either one—each possesses the Mullerian ducts that become the female reproductive system as well as the Wolffian ducts that become the male one…
Here’s where culture comes in. Studies have shown that parents treat boys and girls very differently—breast-feeding boys longer but talking more to girls. That’s going on while the baby’s brain is engaged in a massive growth spurt. “The brain doubles in size in the first five years after birth, and the connectivity between the cells goes up hundreds of orders of magnitude,” says Anne Fausto-Sterling, a biologist and feminist at Brown University who is currently investigating whether subtle differences in parental behavior could influence gender identity in very young children. “The brain is interacting with culture from day one.”
Let me check my worldview algebra… A dog is a pig, is a rat, is a boy, is a man, is an ape, is a woman. The world is making more sense to me all the time…
Courage and Godspeed,
D!
We need God’s Truth, His Word, applied to all of life. No Christian should ever be, first, a cheerleader for the Republican Party, or any political party. John Lofton, Editor, TheAmericanView.com
Dr. Tackett,
I thank God for you and your burden for the Christian world view. We have met on a couple occasions at Focus’ Institute while my son Brad Allen was a student there. As I related to you in one of our conversations there, I applaud you and thank God for your uncompromising stance on the truth. Our society has been so long fed the constant diet of lies and untruths that the lines have been blurred to even the most sincere Christians. Our family was privileged to complete the Truth Project under the direction of Brad as the leader. I can’t express to you how appreciative I am of how you and The Institute have positively impacted Brad’s life and now others through his continued ministry. It is so true that we can never understand God until we gaze into His face. My daily prayer to God is that I might live and move under the direction of the Holy Spirit in every thing I say and do. The challenge of the Truth Project has been soul searching but so rewarding. I pray for your continued recovery and for strength to execute the charge that God has so uniquely and solemnly given you. It truly is timely and needed in todays world. God Bless!
Del,
Thanks so much for your work. Soli Deo Gloria! My wife and I have led three ‘tours’ through TTP and have started #4 with the local Youth for Christ staff and will be starting #5 with another church group in September. It has been such a blessing to us and I know of at least three couples that are now leading their own bible studies with the material.
Our youth pastor has as his mission to ‘make it hard for someone to go to hell in Kankakee’. I believe TTP is helping in that endeavor.
Lastly, so glad to hear you are on the mend. Will continue to pray for you and your ministry. God Bless!
John Schimmel
It would seem from the USA TODAY article that the old chestnuts of the Scopes Trial, and the churches persecution of some early scientists are the base for our resistance and we must be re-educated to defer to authority–scientists(?).
Scientists, educators & policymakers are concerned about adults’ resistance and scientific ignorance of theories propounded as ‘facts’ whether or not evidence is available or has been manufactured. This article is so shallow and biased that I confess I would have passed it by except that I have recently begun (thanks to The Truth Project) to be aware of the nonsense in seemingly ’straight up’ news & articles. )
Babies have a pretty good sense of ‘reality’, solid objects are solid and fall down, but they must be re-educated to ignore what is plain to them. I think Romans 1 has something to say about what is plain. I wonder what thoughts the brain would generate if there was no data input. We, according to this article, are childish, rebellious, “promiscuous teleologically” (is there such a word?) because we tend to see purpose & design in nature.
The final paragraph says it all.
I, too, am inexperienced at blogging and will have to learn to brief.