Christian School Teacher

Editorial - Math and Science Questions

Dan Beerens | April 2009

Sometimes as teachers or administrators, it seems easier to just avoid the “problem questions.” Often “problem questions” become lightning rods for heated arguments that don’t settle anything, but leave people unsettled. Creation/evolution is such an issue. Within the Christian community there is no disagreement about who created the universe, but how it was done. As image bearers of God, and seekers of the truth, he has revealed and hidden in creation; let us continue to explore the mystery of God’s creation. I fully expect that learning will be a major part of the new heavens and earth – we will continue, unabated by our current limitations, to discover and say “Wow – what a great God we serve!”

The intent of this issue is to share some thinking around the areas of math and science in ways that are practical and easily understood. Here are some questions/responses that may be helpful in the classroom as we seek to understand God’s truth.

How can we get better in K-12 instruction at revealing God’s truth through the teaching of math?

Chris Van Slooten uses Essential Questions and blogging – check out how his students have engaged around these concepts.
Check out this excellent speech on teaching math Christianly given by Cal Jongsma at the 2006 B.J. Haan conference at Dordt College by clicking here.
When I was working at Holland Christian Schools, I invited Jim Bradley (formerly at Calvin College, now at the Templeton Foundation) to address teaching math from a Christian perspective with our teachers. He recounts his experience in this article (click here to read) and how he was motivated to help produce as a result the Kuyers Math project (which can also be accessed from this site.) I believe the introduction to the project is worth the download by itself.
Going deeper – great thinking and questions by Bradley in the ACMS journal (click here to read) , and an excellent article on an (click here to read) Augustinian perspective on the philosophy of mathematics.

What are the current views surrounding creation/evolution?

Tim Eimer, one of the authors of CSI’s current science series, gives us a helpful article in layman’s language about three existing views on creation.
There has been a spate of new books out recently on this topic and related topics. A book that I would recommend highly is the recent book Origins: A Reformed Look at Creation, Design, and Evolution by Deborah B. Haarsma and Loren D. Haarsma, published by Faith Alive, 2007. It is very readable and explores the range of views Christians hold about creation and evolution. There are helpful questions for reflection and discussion at the end of each chapter and it also contains a plethora of book and online references for further exploration. You can read more about the authors in this interview by clicking here.
I am grateful for the work of Marjorie Sutherland, Rick Guetter, and Robbert Bakker in providing reviews of some current book titles in the sciences and you will find those under the Book Reviews category – some very interesting reading – even if you aren’t a science teacher.
CSI produced a document entitled “God’s Great Creation” that lays out the thinking around CSI’s approach to our science curriculum and topics such as the Big Bang model, age of the earth, evolution, and Christianity and science. If you would like to request a copy of this for examination or further study, you can email me at .

Getting practical:

David Mulder recommends the adventure of inquiry-infused science teaching in our classrooms, and as usual lays out very helpful steps for moving forward.
Shannon Marcus concludes her article on international students and gives practical advice as to how to make this a successful experience for all involved.
Please consider contributing your thoughts to Christian School Teacher. I am looking for these type of articles:

Practical or philosophical in nature, helpful for advancing thinking and practice in the Christian school
Related to curriculum, classroom, or community with emphasis on a distinctively Christian approach to teaching
1500 words or less
Poems and short stories are also welcome!

Submissions for fall 2009 articles are being accepted now through August 15. The theme will be around building a positive school community with students, parents, and staff. What do you do to help acclimate students, promote parent understanding of your school’s mission and build a partnership, and to provide meaningful encouragement to new and returning teachers? Let’s share our best ideas!

This is your last issue for the year – we will be back again in the fall. Thanks for reading and for making the online transition with us during this year!

May God richly bless your work in the remaining weeks of this school year.

Dan