Reviving Faith: Discovering Hope Amidst the Abandoned Evolution Theory
Published: 23 June 2024
Evolution Abandoned
A Talk with Physical Anthropologist Dr. Neil Huber
Dr. Neil Huber, a former evolutionary anthropologist at Wisconsin State University, is now a whole-hearted creationist. His journey from teaching evolution to embracing a literal Genesis viewpoint is a fascinating one. Growing up in a family opposed to Christianity, Dr. Huber was introduced to the historical trustworthiness of the New Testament by his students challenging him to read the Bible.
As he delved into the Bible, Dr. Huber began to recognize the problems and lack of testability in evolutionary theory. This realization led him to become more skeptical about evolution and eventually resign from his position at the university. It was during this time that his wife, who had already become a Christian, encouraged him to attend church. While his conversion was not instantaneous, he gradually started wrestling with various challenges, including the age of the Earth.
Dr. Huber had grown up believing in an old Earth and fossils as evidence of this age. However, his study of the Old Testament, particularly Genesis, led him to question this perspective. He realized that if he trusted the New Testament as historically reliable, he couldn't hold onto a metaphorical interpretation of Genesis 1-11. The foundational doctrines of Christianity, such as Creation, Adam and Eve, and Original Sin, all relied on a literal understanding of these passages. Embracing evolutionary theory would be inconsistent with the Biblical God.
For the past 20 years, Dr. Huber has been teaching others about the consistency and trustworthiness of the Old Testament. He uses captivating biblical illustrations to highlight how biblical revelation outweighs human science. One example he provides is Eve's role as the first scientist when she studied the forbidden tree and made observations that aligned with God's observations. However, she made a mistake when she doubted God's word due to the influence of a talking snake.
Another illustration Dr. Huber shares is the story of Abraham and Isaac. Despite their knowledge of fire and what it does to burnt offerings, they trusted God's promise and obeyed His command to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. This highlights the importance of trusting God's word over human scientific knowledge.
As a physical anthropologist, Dr. Huber has handled famous fossils, including the Steinheim skull, which some believe to be from an extinct variant of modern humans. However, he points out that many of these fossils are in questionable condition, often contorted or put together arbitrarily. He emphasizes that the entire framework of evolutionary theory is built on inferences and fallible interpretations by scientists.
When it comes to witnessing to evolutionists, Dr. Huber suggests starting with the assumption of the authority of the Bible and examining the evidence it presents. Rather than trying to prove the Bible with science, he encourages building scientific understanding based on the truth of the Bible and demonstrating how the weight of evidence aligns with the biblical account of history.
Why This Matters
Dr. Neil Huber's journey from an evolutionary anthropologist to a creationist highlights the conflict between evolutionary theory and a literal interpretation of Genesis. By examining his story, we can understand the importance of trusting God's word over human theories and interpretations.
Think About It
- How does Dr. Huber's experience challenge your understanding of the relationship between science and faith?
- In what ways can you apply Dr. Huber's approach to witnessing to evolutionists in your own life?
- Consider how your understanding of creation impacts your understanding of foundational Christian doctrines such as Original Sin and the Fall.
