Editor:

Robert Nunz, in his 9/1/96 letter, objects to my description of evolution as atheist dogma because he; as a sincere Christian, believes evolution is "our current best explanation" of how we got here. He argues that all that really matters from a theological standpoint is a belief that God "is responsible for keeping all things in history in existence ontologically." The methods He chooses, Mr. Nunz asserts, are not important.

Let me begin by acknowledging that large number of Christians indeed view the issue from this perspective. But Jesus, when asked about the greatest commandment of all, included in his answer, "You shall love the Lord your God ... with all your mind." In no way did Jesus commend an attitude of intellectual carelessness or indifference. He commends us to an earnest, even radical, lifestyle. And this includes the realm of the intellect.

Today, just as has been the case for the last 2,000 years, there is tension between what Jesus taught and the surrounding culture, whatever that might be. The apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians writes of an ongoing spiritual struggle, which is, in reality, not against flesh and blood. Almost without exception, this struggle involves ideas and truth claims and implies use of the mental faculties.

As should be evident from the exchange of views in the Monitor, the subject of biological origins is a lightning rod for spiritual reaction in our day. It is noteworthy that the most emotionally charged attacks on my proposal that the evolution hypothesis no longer be off-limits to scientific critique in the classroom are coming from deeply committed atheists. This is because evolution is an essential pillar in their belief system. Questioning this central tenet of their metaphysical framework is probably as close one can come to committing blasphemy to an atheist.

As a Christian, then, should not one be just a little bit suspicious about a doctrine with such evident anti-God connections?

I contend if one really does get serious intellectually and goes to the trouble to investigate the scientific underpinnings of evolution, they are in truth woefully lacking. I attempted to outline these deficiencies as clearly as I could in my recent letter to the state Board of Education. Even though some of the concepts are difficult, they are not that difficult for the average person to deal with. I find it noteworthy that no evolutionist has stepped forward to debate these issues at a scientific level.

I therefore encourage Mr. Nunz and other fellow Christians who have not yet seriously delved into these matters to do so. A book I recommend as a starting point is Darwin on Trial by Phillip E. Johnson. Professor Johnson has been a professor of law at the University-of California-Berkeley for, over 25 years and spoke at the laboratory, to a packed house about two years ago. He is a Presbyterian (as opposed to one of those fanatical, wild-eyed, frothing-at-the-mouth, Bible-waving, right-wing Fundamentalists you have heard about), if that is important to you. I believe you will find exploring these topics an exciting spiritual adventure.

John Baumgardner