When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the State to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result. GC88 445.1

West Virginia’s House Joint Resolution 31 died in the House Judiciary Committee when a deadline for bills to pass committee expired. If adopted, the resolution would have asked the state’s voters to ratify or reject the following amendment to the state constitution:

The state of West Virginia recognizes the Holy Bible, complete with the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, as the divinely inspired, inerrant foundational document for our society and government, an accurate historical record of human and natural history, and the utmost authority for human moral behavior. As such, the Holy Bible and its precepts shall be given a place of prominence and reverence in the public buildings, laws, policies, and schools of the state of West Virginia.

The references to “natural history” and “public … schools” together suggest that the amendment might have been intended or invoked to undermine the teaching of evolution and related topics, such as the Big Bang, in West Virginia’s public schools.

God has permitted a flood of light to be poured upon the  world in the discoveries of science and art; but when professedly scientific men reason upon these subjects from a merely human point of view, they are sure to err. The greatest minds, if not guided by the word of God, become bewildered in their attempts to investigate the relations of science and revelation. The Creator and His works are beyond their comprehension; and because these cannot be explained by natural laws, Bible history is pronounced unreliable. 8T 257.4

Solomon took an especial interest in natural history, but his researches were not confined to any one branch of learning. Through a diligent study of all created things, both animate and inanimate, he gained a clear conception of the Creator. In the forces of nature, in the mineral and the animal world, and in every tree and shrub and flower, he saw a revelation of God’s wisdom; and as he sought to learn more and more, his knowledge of God and his love for Him constantly increased. PK 33.2

For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

Psalm 69 : 9

The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
Matthew 12 : 42

Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.

Zechariah 8 : 3

The queen of Sheba came to Solomon to obtain knowledge from him. She talked with him of the things of nature. Solomon was a true student of natural history. He had studied the inanimate creation, the shrubs and flowers, and had acquired a better understanding of God’s wisdom. His love for God and his knowledge of God increased as he recognized Him as the God of nature. He had also studied the things of the animate creation.
From many lands people came to hear Solomon, and he taught them of God as the Creator of all things. These people carried away with them impressions of the living God that were new and wonderful to them. They began to look at the things of nature as their instructor. 11LtMs, Lt 30, 1896, par. 11 – 11LtMs, Lt 30, 1896, par. 12

Human knowledge of both material and spiritual things is partial and imperfect; therefore many are unable to harmonize their views of science with Scripture statements. Many accept mere theories and speculations as scientific facts, and they think that God’s Word is to be tested by the teachings of “science falsely so called.” The Creator and his works are beyond their comprehension; and because they cannot explain these by natural laws, Bible history is regarded as unreliable. Those who doubt the reliability of the records of the Old and New Testaments too often go a step farther, and doubt the existence of God, and attribute infinite power to nature. Having let go their anchor, they are left to beat about upon the rocks of infidelity. GC88 522.3

Israel’s Home 🏡 School System

Israel’s School System—To learn the plan of ancient Israel read Deuteronomy 6:7-10 where instruction is given on the home school. All the teachers of the secondary and higher schools were to  be Levites, and were paid from the tithes. To show that they had a school in every church, read 2 Chronicles 17:7-9.
We learn that they had a school in which workers were trained, called a “College” or “School of the Prophets,” by reading 2 Chronicles 34:22; 1 Samuel 10:9-13; 2 Kings 4:38-44; 6:1-7. This plan of education, when strictly followed out, placed the Israelites at the head of learning, and it is said that they were regarded by the pagan nations round about, thus: “For this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” Deuteronomy 4:6. Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the East country and all the wisdom of Egypt, for he was wiser than all men. His fame was in all nations roundabout. 1 Kings 4:29-34. The Bible was the basis of their principal studies, which were the natural sciences (1 Kings 4:33), the study of the law, sacred history, sacred music, poetry, agriculture, and horticulture. “The Lord Himself directed the education of Israel,” and he wishes to direct our education today. PH081 34.3 – PH081 35.1

Short Bio

Glenn Branch is Deputy Director of NCSE.

branch@ncse.ngo