In The Fool and the Heretic, Rob Barrett carefully guides an informed conversation between and among Todd Charles Wood and Darrell R. Falk that results in helpful and constructive dialogue. I learned much from Barrett, Wood, and Falk, and I am sure the same will be true for other readers as well as we all seek to learn how to maintain biblical conviction while practicing genuine kindness toward those with whom we have disagreements about the important theological and ethical issues of our day.
D R . D AVID S. D OCKERY , president, Trinity International University/Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
This book is a rare gem. Nowhere else will you read a conversation like thisan honest dialogue between two Christian biologists who disagree about evolution. They have opposing views on an issue that is deeply important to them, yet they choose to keep talkingbecause of Christ. This book shows the hard work needed to love ones enemy and seek the unity of believers. This is the authentic dialogue that our churches need today.
D R . D EBORAH H AARSMA , president, BioLogos
In an increasingly polarized world, the Christian community often seems as riven with fractious debates as society at large. This wonderful book offers a refreshingly different model of respectful dialogue and a vision of what really matters in these discussions. To those struggling with issues of creation and evolution, it is a godsend.
D R . P ETER H ARRISON , director, Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, University of Queensland
This book is not going to help you decide whether evolution is true. It does something far better! Jesus calls us to a cruciform life, and with vulnerability and candor, Wood and Falk model for us how to be Christlike in the face of serious differences that really matter. While contemporary society knows only polarity and conflict, this book points to a countercultural way of being together in Christ.
D R . J OHN W. H ILBER , professor of Old Testament, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary
I came to this book with much trepidation, even suspicion, and, indeed, reading it was an unsettling experience. But I also found that the stories unfolding within its pages were compelling, fascinating, and often deeply moving. And perhaps I was able also to discern the Holy Spirit of God at work in the lives of these two men, who, despite their profound, seemingly intractable differences on origins, were willing to make themselves vulnerable to engage with one another at more than a superficial level. Reading this book certainly didnt change my mind about origins, but perhaps that was never the point.
P AUL G ARNER , researcher and lecturer, Biblical Creation Trust
I remember how often in my childhood I relished listening to a good, solid debate among my elders. The sort that looked hard into a matter, took its time to develop, and evaluated the consequences of each position. Standing at opposite ends of the current debate in evangelicalism, Todd and Darrel present us with their take on this vital and, at times, difficult debate. They do so with conviction and forcefulness coupled with humility, love, and a commitment to the Lord and his Word. The result is a serious (and very personal) dialog among respected leaders in this field. Gather round, kids. The adults are talking.
D R . M ARCUS R. R OSS , professor of geology; director, Center for Creation Studies, Liberty University
ZONDERVAN
The Fool and the Heretic
Copyright 2019 by Darrel R. Falk, Todd Charles Wood, and The Colossian Forum
ePub Edition December 2018: ISBN 978-0-310-59544-1
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The authors and The Colossian Forum express their deep gratitude to Lyn Cryderman for his listening ear and thoughtful engagement, which played a crucial role in helping us share our story.
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Interior design: Denise Froehlich
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PREFACE
WHAT DOES OUR FIGHTING SAY ABOUT US?
Rob Barrett, The Colossian Forum
T his is the story of a disagreement. We seem to be surrounded by increasing numbers of disagreements. Todays disagreements go beyond simple differences of opinion. Theyre increasingly marked by breakdowns in relationships. When I learn you voted for that candidate, I instantly conclude there must be something wrong with you. And you think the same about me for voting for the other one. We look at each other and ask ourselves, How could he possibly think that way? We cant comprehend how someone could get things so wrong. And the feeling is mutual.
As we stare at each other in baffled confusion, walls go up between us. And new walls are rising up all around us. Blacks and whites cant understand each other. Its the same with men and women, liberals and conservatives, gun owners and gun banners, mainline Christians and evangelicals, gays and straights. We try to correct the other side, but they argue or refuse to listen. We get angry, and outrage feels good (for a moment). As they continue to refuse to get it, we write them off as stupidor evil. This sort of reactionary wall-building is the new normal. We see it every day on the news and live it out on social media and around the Thanksgiving dinner table.
Once weve written off those on the other side, weve really set ourselves up. Its only a small step from confidence in our position to self-satisfied smugness and ultimately full-blown arrogance. In anger, we call them fools, and so grant ourselves permission to belittle their intellect and then their honesty. As we dehumanize them, it becomes easy to bully them for our pleasure. My snarky jabs increase my stature among those dwelling on my side of the wall. Before long were competing for who can create the cleverest put-downs. It escalates naturally. But its okay because, after all, those other folks are the real arrogant bullies, not us. We start telling half-truths that favor our side, and justify them because of the huge lies the other person is telling. And they started it anyway.