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May 11, 2008
Schloss on Expelled
Jeffrey Schloss of Westmont College wrote one of the most balanced reviews of the movie Expelled that I've read. It is also the longest review I have read: twenty six pages of text along with ninety five endnotes. Schloss, a biologist, writes from a self-conscious Christian perspective. Here are a few paragraphs from his conclusion.
I’m confused. [I’m sure this is evident – and it may be the only factual claim on which polemical supporters and critics of Expelled are likely to agree!] But the film’s argument for supporting ID in the name of academic freedom, to the meager extent it exists, just seems incoherent. And yet, the conflation of science with scientism (the view that only science is knowledge), the exaggerated assertions of what science can presently explain coupled with claims that it disproves God, and the American academy’s hostility toward biblical faith in particular – all of which relate to the film’s theme - are real and worthy of concern. However, an incoherent assessment of a worthy concern is exactly “the trumpet” we should be very loathe to have call us to action. [p23]
Unarguably, the ID crowd has no monopoly on the rhetoric of loathing and abhorrence. In fact, ever looking for a voice on this issue that will “speak the truth in love” - my own reading of scores of reviews, commentaries, and responses suggests that the rhetoric of Expelled’s critics is more often wanting in love, Expelled’s advocates more often wanting in truth. [p.25]
While both are important, earning the “right to be heard,” as Ross emphasizes, is surely not the same as demanding the “right to speak,” as Expelled focuses on. Expelled never ends up convincingly demonstrating that the latter is in any real jeopardy, but sadly, it does much to jeopardize the former. . . . Sadly, the film contributes to an approach that has raised rather than lowered walls between Christians and the surrounding culture. Sadly, it raises the already growing walls of suspicion about any scholarly attempts to explore the relationship between science and faith. Sadly, it raises walls that don’t protect but constrain the spiritual growth of our students, if they are driven to believe they must choose between God and evolution. And most sadly, it is raising all these walls unnecessarily, along a border that is never demonstrated to have been accurately surveyed, much less to be in need of defending. [p. 26]
While I think a consistent epistemology is antithetical to theism (or science), science itself need not be antithetical to religion. Some science is, of course, antithetical to some doctrinal claims but theologians have long known how to patch up those little problems (at least to their own satisfaction). So at several levels I am in agreement with much that Schloss has to say. The most important things he says can be said without such a direct tie to Schloss' Christian faith, but not by Schloss. And that may well be the most important point. Schloss has considerable sympathy for some of the concerns Expelled toys with even if I do not. As such, his voice is extremely authoritative with those who share his sympathies. And when all twenty six pages and ninety five endnotes are done, he has nothing positive to say about Ben Stein's movie.
Do I have concerns about some of his review? Sure, but they are not as important as his overall discussion. I do think it easier to understand the lack of love shown by those who have been lied to and about than it is to understand those who lie and lie knowingly than he seems to. One of the problems with trying to be evenhanded is that one tends to be (how shall I say?) evenhanded. And I'm not particularly interested in "lower(ing) walls between Christians and the surrounding culture" or in "the spiritual growth of our students" as is Schloss. But Schloss sure is correct that Expelled does harm to those causes that are dear to his own heart.
Via Panda's Thumb where you'll find links to a number of other recent reviews.
Posted by Duane Smith at May 11, 2008 12:25 PM | Read more on Evolution |
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