© 2006 David A. DeWitt 6/9/2016 Comparison of Worldview Learning Outcomes in DLP vs. Residential Creation Course David A. DeWitt Center for Creation Studies

© 2006 David A. DeWitt

What is meant by ‘Worldview’? A typical definition: “A set of assumptions about how the world is and how it is organized.”

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Working definition of ‘Worldview’ “…a commitment, a fundamental orientation of the heart, that can be expressed as a story or in a set of presuppositions (assumptions which may be true, partially true or entirely false) which we hold (consciously or subconsciously, consistently or inconsistently) about the basic constitution of reality, and that provides the foundation on which we live and move and have our being.” Sire, James W. Naming the Elephant Intervarsity Press 2004 p. 161

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Recent USAToday/Gallup Poll Creationism, that is, the idea that God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years Definitely True 39% Probably True 27% Probably False 16% Definitely false 15% 66% Definitely or probably true

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Recent USAToday/Gallup Poll Evolution, that is the idea that human beings developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life Definitely True 18% Probably True 35% Probably False 16% Definitely false 28% 53% Definitely or probably true

© 2006 David A. DeWitt t “And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.” 1 Kings 18:21

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Learning Outcomes for CRST 290 The goal of the Center for Creation Studies is that students who complete CRST 290 will have a consistent, Biblical worldview in regards to origins.

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Key Components of a Biblical View of Origins God created different kinds of creatures Man was created separately from animals Adam and Eve were real people God made everything in six ~24 hr days The earth and everything in it is young (<10,000) Genesis provides a historically accurate account Noah’s Flood was global in extent and effect

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Model for Worldview Change t People often have conflicting beliefs t Some beliefs are more tightly held than others t When belief conflicts are exposed, the more tightly held belief will be maintained t Effective teaching for worldview change includes exposing worldview conflicts

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Topics in CRST 290 course t Worldview t Scientific Method t Biblical Issues t Creation Compromises t Age of the Earth t Genetics & Natural Selection t Astronomy/Big Bang t Fossil Record t Human Origins t Cell complexity

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Format in Residential Course t Text: Unraveling the Origins Controversy t 2 Lectures per week (26 total) t 4 Exams (T/F and multiple choice) t Grading scale A, B, C, F t Worldview pretest and posttest assessment t N = 179

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Format in DLP t Text: Unraveling the Origins Controversy t Same lectures distributed over 8 weeks t 7 exams with a comprehensive final t 6 weekly discussion boards t Short interview paper t N = 195

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Confusion???? t All humans are descendants of Adam and Eve 95.9% agree t All living things share the same ancestor 80% disagree t Christ was involved in the creation of the universe 92.3% agree

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Confusion t Dinosaurs and man lived at the same time t 64.8% agree t Dinosaurs died millions of years before there were people 87.8% disagree

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Pretest differences Resident/DLP All items within +/-3% except: There is scientific evidence to support the creation account in Genesis 88.8%/72.5% All living things share the same common ancestor 85%/80% Christ was involved in the creation of the universe 84%/92.3% Plants were on earth before the sun was made 88.7%/82.7%

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Major shifts on Posttest t There is scientific evidence supporting the creation account in Genesis 73%  93% t All living things share the same common ancestor 80%  89% t The age of the earth is less than 10,000 years 65%  93% t The order of creation in Genesis conflicts with the order proposed by evolutionary theory 70%  89%

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Major shifts on Posttest t Living things look essentially the same today as when life first appeared on earth 58%  85% t The order of creation in Genesis conflicts with the order proposed by evolutionary theory 67%  91%

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Major shifts on Posttest t All things in the universe were made by God in six ~24 hr days 75%  96% t Dinosaurs and man lived at the same time 65%  93% The rock layers of the Grand Canyon show evidence of being rapidly laid down 56%  93%

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Posttest differences Resident/DLP t Living things look essentially the same today as when life first appeared on earth72.1%/85.3% t The days in Genesis could be long periods of time such as a thousand years 86.1%/ 92.8 % t Plants were on earth before the sun was made 54.5%/67.9% t Dinosaurs and man lived at the same time 87.7%/92.3% t Creation could have occurred millions of years ago 90.9%/95.9%

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Posttest differences Resident/DLP t Christ was involved in the creation of the universe 92.6%/97 t The order of creation in Genesis conflicts with the order proposed by evolution 84.4%/89.3% t Small changes in organisms in short periods of time is evidence that large changes can occur over long periods of time 85.2%/90.8%

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Pretest to Posttest shifts t Both residential and DLP students show a strong shift toward a consistent young earth creation perspective following the CRST 290 course

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Resident vs. DLP t The shift in worldview outcomes for Residential and DLP students is quite similar

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Reasons for Similar Outcomes t Previous studies demonstrated no significant differences resulting from different instructors t Similar starting point on pretest assessment t High degree of content overlap

© 2006 David A. DeWitt Acknowledgements Steve Deckard, Ed. D. R. Terry Spohn, Ph.D. Marcus Ross, Ph.D. J. Doug Oliver, Ph.D. Tim Brophy, Ph.D. Mark Blais, M.D. Gene Sattler, Ph.D. Steve Perry, M.S.