I think that if the data is overwhelming in favor, in favor of evolution, to deny that reality will make us a cult, some odd group that’s not really interacting with the real world – Bruce Waltke
I admit to being asleep at the wheel as far as the Bruce Waltke/ evolution controversy goes. In fact, it was just yesterday that I received an email from a friend about this issue. After getting myself up to speed by reading a transcript of Waltke’s comments here and what others had written about his comments here and here, I was struck by how this purported conservative Evangelical scholar was tripped up by his low view of the Scriptures.
Waltke’s association with the NIV and TNIV mis-translations indicate a low view of Scripture. Commenting in his article on Waltke, Paul Eliott wrote,
Waltke’s attitude toward the Bible itself belies orthodoxy. Waltke served on the translation committee of the New International Version of the Bible, and later on the translation committee of the gender-inclusive Today’s New International Version. In 2007, Waltke delivered the W. H. Griffith Thomas Memorial Lectures at Dallas Theological Seminary. He said that all Bible translations (the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ New World Translation excepted) “are faithful and adequate.” He clarified this by saying that “all translations lead their audience to faith in Jesus Christ, into sound doctrine, and never into heresy.” He then stated that he thinks the best available English translation is Today’s New International Version! A more sensible commentator once accurately described TNIV as a “bastard child of political correctness.”
Had Waltke a proper Biblical understanding of the doctrine of Scripture, he would have had nothing to do with the NIV or TNIV. Neither of these translations is based on a sound Greek New Testament text, and neither employs sound translation principles.
Apart from the issue of translations, there is another problem with Waltke’s understanding of the doctrine of Scripture: he fails to understand that the Bible alone is truth. The opinions of scientists are not truth. The opinions of historians are not truth. The views of secular philosophers are not truth. The Bible calls these things “foolishness” and “empty deceit.” But Waltke makes the mistake of thinking that these things are true, that the [scientific] data for evolution is such that it cannot be denied. But Christ tells us where we may find truth. He said, “Your word is truth” (Jn.17:17). And God’s word tells us how he made the world: out of nothing, in the space of six literal days, and all very good.
We do not judge the veracity of the Bible by what scientists say, we judge the veracity of what the scientists say by the Bible. If scientists do not speak according to Scripture, we know their science is wrong. Or as Isaiah would put it, “there is no light in them.” God’s truth is all truth. There is no other.
Here’s the April 16, 2010 ABC News account of the Waltke controversy.
By the way, it’s true that in the wake of his leaving Reformed Seminary Orlando, Dr. Waltke has a new job: giving prosepctive seminary students another good reason to avoid Knox Theological Seminary.
Wow! It’s enough to make a faithful man weep. I’m not much for end times analysis but I’m beginning to wonder if the great apostasy is upon us as I see how many prominent men from the Reform camp are proving themselves to be unfaithful to the faith. A Calvin or a Spurgeon or an Edwards would be worth their weight in gold nowadays.
These are dark times, Frank. But for all that, God still has his 7,000 who have not bowed the knee to Baal.
The problem, or at least a major problem, with Waltke and others of his ilk is that they have a faulty theory of knowledge. They believe that science furnishes us with truth. And because of this, they’re embarrassed by Christians who proclaim God’s word where it contradicts prevailing scientific opinion. Of course, Christ tells us that he himself will be embarrassed by such men on Judgment Day.
i always thought that ABC news is even better than CNN when delivering up to date news,-‘
I was surprised the story actually made it to the network news.
I had contacted Bruce a couple of years back when I was teaching through Genesis about comments in his commentary on Genesis. He refused to tell me what or where the “chaos” came from “in the beginning.” After reading through Genesis 1 and 2 it became apparent that he rejected in toto the idea of 7 literal day’s.
I have to admit that, while I knew of Walke by reputation, I had not read that much of his stuff. So when his coments came out, they were a real shock to me. Apparently he’s been developing his aberrant ideas about creation for some time.
It’s a very helpful article! I am so excited I found your article. Keep up the great work. Have a great day!