The Old Testament and Christian Spirituality - International Voices in ...

160 The Old Testament and Christian Spirituality
message is carried. Titled “Men in white” (the ironic allusion to a
popular motion picture should not escape one), two angels, Mike
and Gabe (a thoroughly American abbreviation of angelic names),
in one such triple-screened video presentation in a mid-sized
movie theatre, debate God’s role in the universe. With vibrating
cinema-house chairs and light water spouts in viewers’ faces, the
experience is most entertaining. Both this and the rhetoric of the
film dialogue intend clearly to warn against what children in
particular are taught, specifically at school, namely evolution. 55
In another such presentation, Mr. Carl Kerby, a very dynamic
speaker, argues with much humour the case for creationism. Part of
his presentation includes recounting how he had recently been
refused the pulpit in a congregation where he had been invited to
preach, when it was realised by his hosts that his wife is Japanese.
Mr. Kerby’s firm rejection of such racism had for sceptics in the
audience the rhetorical effect of strengthening a great deal his
credibility as a trustworthy source.
The latter is further fortified by his strategy of communication
against evolutionism. A series of beautiful slides are shown of
perplexing occurrences in plant and animal life, with each
occurrence briefly described. The question is then posed by Mr.
Kerby whether such cases can be explained by mere happenstance
(implying evolution), leaving open the inference (a typical
intelligent design oratory technique) that there must be a Higher
Power behind all things. However, in each instance a subsequent
question is posed, on whether this on its own is enough proof for
God creating these things directly, to which the audience is then
prompted to respond, “Not even close!” After a number of
repetitions of this rhetorical circle, the final answer is given.
55 For an overview of the South African situation in this regard, cf. J. J. F.
Durand, “The Influence of Religion and Politics on the Teaching of Evolution in
South Africa,” Ekklesiastikos Pharos, New Series 13/85, no. 1 and 2 (2003):
203–23.