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Biology (6th ed.) Biblical Worldview Scope

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Biblical Worldview Scope for Biology, 6th Edition

Introduction: This document is an attempt to answer the question, “What must a high school student comprehend and value in order to think about biology in a biblical way?” What follows is a list of the themes that we believe are essential for students to understand and internalize. These are organized under a Creation, Fall, and Redemption paradigm. We anticipate that early in the course students will be asked to recall and explain these themes. However, as these themes recur, students will also evaluate ideas, formulate a Christian understanding, and apply what they have learned to real-life situations. High levels of internalization result when students apply their learning. Sample objectives are listed in this order of increasing complexity.

1. Foundations

Creation: Like all scientific disciplines, biology requires a narrative to contextualize observations, models, experiments, theories, and conclusions.

Scientific facts, regardless of their validity, are useless without a foundation. Such facts are like drips of paint outside the confines of an artist’s canvas. A framework is needed for facts to be connected in meaningful ways and to contribute to scientific progress. Postulating hypotheses, developing theories, and creating models all depend on a metanarrative, which is also an essential aspect of a worldview. God has provided this basis for biology in Scripture, describing where life comes from, what it is, what its purpose is, and how to distinguish living things from one another. Fruitful efforts in biological study are maximized when acting in accord with God’s created order as described in His Word.

Fall: The narrative of evolution in scientific work excludes God and refuses to give Him praise.

Secular biology replaces a biblical framework with evolutionary theory, providing a nearly antithetical setting for understanding biology. This is often considered a necessary step toward objectivity, as belief systems are considered intrusions in scientific work. Submitting to naturalism, and more specifically evolutionary theory, is thought to be more scientific than admitting to the existence of the supernatural. Yet a commitment to evolutionary theory is a subjective belief intruding upon scientific assumptions and models, one that is intrinsically hostile to the Bible. Many are completely blind to the subjective assumptions undergirding their entire understanding of biology. But others are openly hostile to God and use evolutionary theory to attack the Creator and His Word. Whatever the motivation, building on a bad foundation leads to poor results, and evolutionary biology is regularly stymied by difficulties and a lack of progress.

Redemption: Christians must build scientific knowledge on the foundation provided by Scripture.

Because those who approach biology with a biblical foundation are often ostracized or belittled as poor scientists, there is a temptation for Christians to accept evolutionary theory or to compromise or minimize biblical commitments. But believers must hold fast to the scientific foundation provided by God in Scripture, fearing God rather than man (Acts 5:29). They can insist on certain biblical concepts and reject any findings that suggest otherwise. However, they should be careful not to put interpretations of Scripture on this level; the Bible is never wrong, but interpretations of it can be mistaken. Further, scientific understanding is constantly changing, but God’s Word remains the same (Matt. 24:35). This alone is a worthy foundation for understanding creation.

As Christians faithfully address biology according to God’s truth, their work will often pay great scientific dividends. And as they do this work, they can also expose the absurdity of evolutionary thought and its implications. For instance, one cannot accept a narrative in which impersonal objects have brought about human existence and then assert that human existence is meaningful.

Sample Objectives

7.1.2 Give examples for exercising dominion using the process of photosynthesis.
1.1.2 Compare how naturalists and Christians view biology.
19.2.6 Formulate a position on the use of evolutionary ecological studies.
11.2.4 Create a plan for engaging others in a discussion about evolution.

2. Modeling

Creation: Models in biology are workable if they help explain complex ideas with the available data.

Like foundations, models provide shape and direction to scientific observation. Models are extremely useful systems for organizing and synthesizing knowledge, helping people to explain why nature operates as it does. God designed humanity with an innate desire to know why things are the way they are, and He gave people the tools to articulate such explanations through modeling.

Modeling is a useful tool to help people subdue and rule over the earth (Gen. 1:28), but no model is perfect. Even the best models entail much trial and error as future experimentation is undertaken. By their nature, models can only approximate reality. People will never understand creation as completely as God does (Isa. 55:8; Job 38–41). Further, new discoveries often require alterations to models or replacing models altogether. This is not disastrous for those who realize that God and His Word provide a suitable foundation for knowledge. On the contrary, they recognize that replacing models with new ones better matching His created order is part of accomplishing God’s purpose for humanity.

Fall: Models are often presented as giving final answers about the physical world.

Those who reject the existence of God are left without a source of absolute truth, thus they must invent their own. Many in science turn to models to fill this void, though only in part. The idea of truth is downgraded to workability, and what is “true” is subject to change, depending on available data. Models are considered sources of truth, albeit imperfect (and sometimes competing) ones.

Scientists assume that their senses and observations are totally objective and true, thus anything that follows must also be true. But this fallacy overlooks the fallen nature of man, a depravity that affects every thought (Gen. 6:5). Nevertheless, models are often deemed worthy to define reality and even morality. Despite many models having failed and been replaced in history, current models are hailed as truth in a display of chronological snobbery. Human depravity is also shown in the way scientists often stubbornly cling to increasingly unworkable models because of a high level of personal investment. This betrays a commitment to self-preservation rather than a relentless pursuit of truth.

Redemption: Models should be scrutinized for validity yet utilized as imperfect tools.

Because models are as flawed and biased as the people who construct them, Christians must balance appreciation for their usefulness and skepticism regarding their claims. They should learn to evaluate each model, considering their governing purposes and logical constructions. Believers must ask questions: Does this model help to accomplish the Creation Mandate? Does this model have imbedded assumptions that are unbiblical? If there are unbiblical assumptions, are there aspects of the model that remain useful to Christians?

Because every word that God has revealed about the world is true (John 17:17), the Bible is the Christian’s foundation for knowledge and should be used to evaluate a model’s claims. Rather than eliminating the need for biblical truth, good models help humans to apply Scripture’s commands and to rule God’s world effectively. Therefore, a Christian scientist should accept the models that best describe nature while also agreeing with God’s Word.

Additionally, knowing that human knowledge and senses are flawed, a Christian should not dogmatically insist on specific models. The humility to adopt a new model when data reveals such a need is an important trait. God’s people must be fully committed to following the truth, regardless of where it leads.

Sample Objectives

1.2.1 Explain the role of modeling in biology.
9.1.4 Evaluate the models of genetic change.
12.2.6 Evaluate responses to the spread of COVID 19.
10.4.4 Defend the special status of man within the biblical creation model.

3. Design

Creation: Design in creation reveals the attributes of God.

Creation testifies of its Designer, one who is eternal, wise, powerful, and good. Indeed, the universe was designed for this very purpose (Ps. 119:1–6). People cannot escape the knowledge that God exists or even the knowledge of His attributes when they view natural revelation (Rom. 1:19–20). Design is evident from the vast expanse of stars to the microscopic operation of cellular life. Thus, biology also has much to teach about its Creator. Living things are designed with incredible intricacy and for specific functions within complex systems.

God is the source of all life. He breathed into Adam the breath of life (Gen. 2:7) and gave all living things their life (Gen.1:30). Further, He has designed His creation to thrive. The intricacies of life defy coincidence and indisputably prove the wisdom of its Maker, who declared all things “very good” (Gen. 1:31).

Fall: Death reigns while design is twisted to support assumptions that do not include God.

Though people know God as they explore His creation, they refuse to honor Him or thank Him, instead descending into darkness and vain speculation (Rom. 1:21). This speculation is at the center of secular scientific explanations of biology. It is often claimed that the universe merely appears to be designed and that billions of years afford random evolutionary processes enough time to accomplish unthinkable complexity in life.

Also, because of sin (first in Adam and inherited by the rest), the beauty of life has been marred by death, which now reigns (Rom. 5:14). Death is not good in a perfect world, but it has an important purpose in a fallen world. As the penalty for sin, death is sophisticated, complex, and yes, designed. The penalty (or curse) is as much designed as any other part of creation. Death is pervasive and there are now many routes that lead to it.

Redemption: Christians must defend the truth of design and give God glory in response to His handiwork.

Christians must use Scripture to critique secular views of (non)design and their assumptions. Nature appears designed because it is designed (John 1:3). The Bible teaches that God, from the beginning, made the world to function beautifully (Jer. 31:35–36). Believers must also guard against compromise that accepts some assumptions of secular thinking while adding the notion of design (e.g., theistic evolution). As students develop a more comprehensive biblical and biological understanding of God’s design in creation, the only fitting response is to praise Him.

Sample Objectives

3.1.2 Explain how biotic and abiotic factors work together to sustain life.
25.1.3 Explain how the Fall has affected the culture’s view of love and human sexuality.
9.2.6 Refute the claim that mutation-based diseases are a challenge to the existence of God.
7.2.6 Reflect on how God’s care for creation is seen in cell processes.

4. Ethics

Creation: The knowledge of God and His commands are not merely theoretical but apply specifically to disciplines like biology.

God’s commands are never burdensome or arbitrary. They are expressions of His love for us, and our obedient response is an expression of our love for God and for others. Even before the Fall, God expected people to obey His laws in specific and even scientific ways. Adam had to avoid the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, name the animals, and care for the garden of Eden. These early commands were predominantly focused on what is now considered the realm of biology. Because all life is valuable and belongs to God (Ezek. 18:4), biology affords many opportunities to serve our neighbors as we honor our God.

Fall: In a fallen world, ethical considerations in biology are based on secular assumptions and the shifting will of society.

Today’s modern, secular society cannot regulate or develop meaningful ethical principles because it has no moral foundation. A secular view of medical ethics is guided by the principles of autonomy, justice, beneficence, and non-maleficence. Autonomy seeks to respect a patient’s freedom of decision over health-care procedures, an unhealthy freedom that knows no limits. Justice requires that treatments be equally accessible to all societal groups, even though there is no objective basis for this assertion. Beneficence requires good intentions toward the patient, but there is no definition of what is good, making this a subjective concept that often defers to whoever is allotted the most “autonomy” (e.g., as in abortion). Non-maleficence aims to avoid harming the patient or others. Yet again, without a biblical definition of “harm,” this becomes a moving target that cannot provide clear answers. Relying on these principles often leads to dangerous situations and disastrous results, allowing and affirming many practices that directly contradict God’s Word.

Redemption: Scripture provides the solution for ethical dilemmas in biology.

Because of the ever-shifting nature of the world’s moral code, Christian students of biology cannot conform to it. Rather, they must rely entirely on Scripture. All creation must conform to God’s Word, no matter the cultural norms. Christians need to be taught how to use their knowledge of biology in ways that contribute to human flourishing, but also how to regulate its use with the Word of God. This will bring shame and degrading critiques from the secular culture, but such offense will one day be rewarded (Matt. 5:11–12).

Students need to know how to use Scripture as their standard to answer complex ethical questions in biology. To help students with this skill, we plan to use John Frame’s three perspectives as a method for making ethical decisions: (1) biblical principles, (2) biblical outcomes, and (3) biblical motives.

Sample Objectives

1.3.2. Explain a scientist’s obligation to others and the environment.
20.3.6 Analyze the use of puberty blockers using the principles of bioethics.
6.2.5 Formulate a position on CRISPR technology using the biblical ethics triad.
25.3.6 Compare and contrast the conclusions, foundation, and logical consequences of the two frameworks of ethics for this issue.

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- employ misleading email or IP addresses, or forged headers, or otherwise manipulated identifiers in order to disguise the origin of content transmitted through the Service;

 

- attempt to gain unauthorized access to Teacher Tools Online®’s computer systems or engage in any activity that disrupts, diminishes the quality of, interferes with the performance of, or impairs the functionality of, the Service;

 

- attempt to regain access to Teacher Tools Online® following a ban or account termination, including without limitation by means of opening or attempting to open a new account under the same or different Username;

 

- “stalk” or otherwise harass anyone on or through the Service;

 

- collect any personally identifying data about Members or visitors for commercial or unlawful purposes; or

 

- use automated means, including spiders, robots, crawlers, data mining tools, or the like to download data from the Service-except for internet search engines (e.g., Google or Yahoo!) and non-commercial public archives (e.g., archive.org) that comply with our robots.txt file, or that are “well-behaved” web services/RSS/Atom clients. We reserve the right to define what we mean by “well-behaved,” and to develop, invoke, or utilize any means to disrupt, diminish the quality of, interfere with the performance of, or impair the functionality of any automated means you may use to access the Service.

4. User Behavior:

You are fully responsible for your behavior on Teacher Tools Online®, which includes the way that you utilize any aspect of the Teacher Tools Online® service.

1. You are completely and solely responsible for the content you post on Teacher Tools Online®, which includes, but is not limited to, photos, messages, chat, personal profiles, community posts, broadcasts, blogs, events, audio and video clips. Unauthorized or illegal content includes, but is not limited to:

(a) the display of sexually explicit material

(b) the display of abusive, harmful, racially or religiously offensive or bigoted, obscene, or libelous material.

(c) the use of flaming or trolling

(d) the display of material that encourages criminal behavior that violates any local, state, national, or international law or regulation.

(e) the use of the Service for unauthorized advertising, which includes MLM/pyramid schemes, spam, chain letters, sweepstakes or contests.

(f) the transmission of viruses, worms, or Trojan horses to destroy or limit any functionality of the software or hardware of Teacher Tools Online® and its users.

(g) the display of information about another person without their express consent, or the posting of any copyrighted material that you do not have legal authorization to use.

BJU Press has the right, in its sole discretion, to determine whether content is unauthorized, offensive, harmful, illegal, or in violation of the rights of others.

2. You agree and understand that BJU Press can delete any content that is offensive, illegal, harmful, or in violation of the rights of other.

3. You understand and agree that you can only use Teacher Tools Online® for academic use. You cannot use Teacher Tools Online® for any commercial or business purposes.

4. Any member who demonstrably harasses or abuses another member will be removed from Teacher Tools Online®.

5. Other unauthorized or illegal behaviors include, but are not limited to:

(a) the display of false information about yourself or anyone else

(b) changing, in any manner at all, or reverse engineering any aspect of Teacher Tools Online®. You may not attempt to derive source code from the Teacher Tools Online® service.

(c) the use of any search/retrieval application (e.g., robot, spider) to index any aspect of Teacher Tools Online®

(d) the posting of information that implicitly or explicitly implies that it is endorsed by Teacher Tools Online®

 

5. Inappropriate User-Submitted Content.

 

Teacher Tools Online® prohibits certain user conduct and content described above and, without obligation, will use reasonable efforts to eliminate such conduct and content from the Service. Nevertheless, you acknowledge and agree that (i) Teacher Tools Online® is not and cannot be responsible for any content, information, or materials posted by users on the Service, (ii) you may be exposed to any such materials, information, or content, and (iii) you must bear all risks associated with the exposure to and/or use of any such materials, information, or content, including without limitation any reliance on the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of such materials, information, or content. Without limitation of the foregoing, Teacher Tools Online® has the right to, but may or may not, pre-screen and/or monitor content posted on the Service, and without limiting any remedies, may remove, edit, move, or close, in whole or in part, any content, information or materials, or thread or posting in any chat room and/or similar feature on the Service, at any time for any reason, in Teacher Tools Online®’s sole discretion.

 

6. Links to Other Sites and Resources.

 

The Service contains links to other websites or resources. Teacher Tools Online® has no control over such external sites and resources. You agree that (i) Teacher Tools Online® is not responsible for the availability or accuracy of such external sites and resources, and (ii) Teacher Tools Online® does not endorse nor is it responsible or liable for any content, advertising, products, services or materials on or available from such external sites and resources. Any reliance on the contents or services of such an external website or resource is done at your own risk and you assume all responsibilities and consequences resulting from such reliance.

 

7. Copyright Infringement:

BJU Press respects copyright and other laws. BJU Press requires all users to comply with copyright and other laws.

BJU Press does not provide you with file-sharing ability so that you can violate the copyright of third parties.

As a member of Teacher Tools Online®, you agree that you must not use Teacher Tools Online® to infringe the intellectual property of others in any way. The unauthorized reproduction, distribution, modification, or posting of copyrighted work is a violation of copyright law.

You are responsible for your behavior on Teacher Tools Online® and for making sure that it does not violate any copyright laws. If you violate copyright laws, then you may be exposed to civil and criminal liability, including possible fines and jail time.

We respect the intellectual property rights of others, and we ask that our Members and users do the same. It is our policy to disable access to or remove material that we believe in good faith to be infringing on a copyrighted work. We also disable and/or terminate the accounts of users who we believe in good faith are repeatedly infringing copyrighted works. Our Copyright Policy has been developed in accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), and other applicable laws. By accepting these Terms of Service, you agree to be bound by our Copyright Policy, which is by this reference expressly incorporated into this Agreement.

 

8. Privacy Policy

 

We take the privacy of our users’ and Members’ information very seriously. Our Privacy Policy is available at www.TeacherToolsOnline.com/Privacy-Policy. By accepting these Terms of Service, you agree to be bound by our Privacy Policy, which is by this reference expressly incorporated into this Agreement.

 

9. Indemnity

 

By accepting this Agreement, you agree, at your expense, to indemnify, defend, and hold BJU PRESS and its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, agents, employees, partners, and licensors harmless from and against any and all loss, cost, damages, claims, demands, liabilities, expenses, or tax assessments, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of any claim made by any third party or any action taken by any governmental or regulatory body (including, without limitation, the Federal Trade Commission or any state attorney general), due to, arising out of, or relating to actions or allegations of infringement based on information, data or content you submitted in connection with the service, (i) any fraud or manipulation, or other breach of this agreement by you, or (ii) third party claims, actions or allegations brought against BJU Press arising out of your use of the service or software, (iii) any product, content, information, or materials that you submit, purchase, post, transmit, provide, or otherwise make available through the Service, (iv) your use of the Service, (v) your connection to the Service, (vi) your actual or alleged breach of this Agreement (including our Copyright Policy and Privacy Policy), (vii) your actual or alleged infringement of any third party intellectual property or proprietary rights, or (viii) your actual or alleged violation of any applicable laws, rules, regulations, or rights of another.

 

 

10. Warranty Disclaimers

 

YOU AGREE THAT THE SITE AND THE SERVICE ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS, AND THAT YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE PROVIDED BY BJU PRESS SHALL BE AT YOUR SOLE RISK. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, BJU PRESS, ITS AFFILIATES, AND ITS AND THEIR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN CONNECTION WITH THE WEBSITE, THE SERVICE, AND YOUR ACCESS TO AND USE THEREOF, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY ARISING FROM COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE. BJU PRESS MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE CREDIBILITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SERVICE; THAT MEMBERS WILL PERFORM AS PROMISED; ABOUT THE TRUTHFULNESS, ACCURACY, OR COMPLETENESS OF THE SERVICE’S CONTENT OR THE CONTENT OF ANY SITES LINKED TO THIS SERVICE; ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY, QUALITY, CHARACTERISTICS, LEGITIMACY, FUNCTIONALITY, PRICING, SHIPPING, DELIVERY, SECURITY, OR SAFETY OF ANY PRODUCTS OR CONTENT LISTED FOR SALE ON THIS SERVICE; OR ABOUT ANY PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS OR PRODUCT LITERATURE. BJU PRESS ALSO MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE SERVICE OR ANY PRODUCTS LISTED FOR SALE ON THE SERVICE ARE FIT FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR WILL MEET ANY USER’S REQUIREMENTS, AND ASSUMES NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY (I) ERRORS, MISTAKES, OR INACCURACIES OF CONTENT, (II) PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER, RESULTING FROM YOUR ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE SERVICE, (III) ANY UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR USE OF OUR SECURE SERVERS AND/OR ANY AND ALL PERSONAL INFORMATION AND/OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION STORED THEREIN, (IV) ANY INTERRUPTION OR CESSATION OF TRANSMISSION TO OR FROM THE SERVICE, (IV) ANY BUGS, VIRUSES, TROJAN HORSES, OR THE LIKE, WHICH MAY BE TRANSMITTED TO OR THROUGH THE SERVICE BY ANY THIRD PARTY, AND/OR (V) ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN ANY CONTENT, OR FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF ANY PRODUCT OR CONTENT POSTED, EMAILED, TRANSMITTED, SOLD, OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE VIA THE SERVICE. BJU PRESS DOES NOT WARRANT, ENDORSE, GUARANTEE, OR ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE ADVERTISED OR OFFERED BY A THIRD PARTY THROUGH THE SERVICE OR ANY HYPERLINKED WEBSITE, OR FEATURED IN ANY BANNER OR OTHER ADVERTISING, AND BJU PRESS WILL NOT BE A PARTY TO OR IN ANY WAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING ANY TRANSACTION BETWEEN YOU AND THIRD-PARTY PROVIDERS OF PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. AS WITH THE PURCHASE OF A PRODUCT OR SERVICE THROUGH ANY MEDIUM OR IN ANY ENVIRONMENT, YOU SHOULD USE YOUR BEST JUDGMENT AND EXERCISE CAUTION WHERE APPROPRIATE. ADDITIONALLY, BJU PRESS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOST PROFITS THAT RESULT FROM MEMBERS DIRECTLY CONTACTING OTHER MEMBERS OR FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOST PROFITS RESULTING FROM TRANSACTIONS CONDUCTED OUTSIDE OF THE SERVICE, INCLUDING TRANSACTIONS THAT MAY ORIGINATE THROUGH THE SERVICE BUT ARE TAKEN OFFLINE OR OUTSIDE OF THE SERVICE. BJU PRESS AND ITS AFFILIATES, PARTNERS, AND CONSULTANTS DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR THE CONTENT, COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, LEGALITY, RELIABILITY, OR AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION OR MATERIALS DISPLAYED ON TEACHER TOOLS ONLINE®. YOU AGREE THAT THE USE OF THE SERVICE AND ANYTHING THING THAT YOU DOWNLOAD FROM TEACHER TOOLS ONLINE® SITE IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK, DISCRETION, AND RESPONSIBILITY. YOU WILL BE WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT RESULTS FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE OR THE DOWNLOADING OF INFORMATION. TEACHER TOOLS ONLINE® DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR THE CONDUCT OF ANY MEMBER. TEACHER TOOLS ONLINE® WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY INTERACTIONS YOU HAVE WITH OTHER INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH THE LMS. YOU AGREE THAT BJU PRESS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR LOSS THAT OCCURS AS A RESULT OF SUCH INTERACTIONS AND THAT BJU PRESS _ HAS NO OBLIGATION TO BECOME INVOLVED IN ANY SUCH DISPUTES; FURTHER, YOU RELEASE BJU PRESS FROM DAMAGES OF ANY KIND THAT ARISE FROM SUCH DISPUTES. TEACHER TOOLS ONLINE® OFFERS ALL OF ITS SERVICE ON AN "AS IS" BASIS, WITH NO WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER. TEACHER TOOLS ONLINE® EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW ALL EXPRESS, IMPLIED, AND STATUTORY WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT OF PROPRIETARY RIGHTS.

 

 

11. Limitation of Liability

IN NO EVENT, SITUATION, OR CIRCUMSTANCE WILL BJU PRESS BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OR RESULTING FROM YOUR USE OF TEACHER TOOLS ONLINE®, WHETHER OR NOT BJU PRESS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THIS INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES FROM UPLOADED OR DOWNLOADED THIRD PARTY CONTENT, AND DAMAGES FROM THE INTERRUPTION OR TERMINATION OF THE TEACHER TOOLS ONLINE® SERVICES. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OF EXCLUSION OF LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. IN NO EVENT, SITUATION, OR CIRCUMSTANCE WILL BJU PRESS BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR AN AMOUNT EXCEEDING FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00).

YOU AGREE THAT BJU PRESS, ITS AFFILIATES, AND ITS AND THEIR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND/OR AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, REPUTATION, USE, OR DATA OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, RESULTING FROM: (I) THE ACCESS TO, USE, OR THE INABILITY TO ACCESS OR USE THE SERVICE; (II) THE COST OF PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS AND SERVICES RESULTING FROM ANY GOODS, DATA, INFORMATION, OR SERVICES PURCHASED OR OBTAINED OR MESSAGES RECEIVED OR TRANSACTIONS ENTERED INTO, THROUGH OR FROM THE SERVICE; (III) UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR DATA; (IV) STATEMENTS OR CONDUCT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ON THE SERVICE; OR (V) ANY OTHER MATTER RELATING TO THE SERVICE. SOME STATES OR OTHER JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. BJU PRESS’ LIABILITY TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY SHALL IN NO EVENT BE, IN THE AGGREGATE, GREATER THAN THE LESSER OF (A) THE TOTAL AMOUNTS PAID BY YOU TO BJU PRESS DURING THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CLAIM OR ACTION ALLEGEDLY GIVING RISE TO SUCH LIABILITY, OR (B) ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00).

 

YOU HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THAT BY ACCESSING AND USING THE SERVICE AND AGREEING TO THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, YOU MAY BE WAIVING RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO CLAIMS THAT ARE AT THIS TIME UNKNOWN OR UNSUSPECTED. IF YOU ARE A CALIFORNIA RESIDENT, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD, AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVE, THE SECTION 1542 OF THE CIVIL CODE OF CALIFORNIA, WHICH PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS: “A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.” FURTHERMORE, IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT OF ANOTHER STATE OR JURISDICTION, YOU AGREE TO WAIVE IN ADVANCE ANY SIMILAR LAWS OF SUCH OTHER STATE OR JURISDICTION.

 

12. Termination

 

BJU Press can refuse membership to anyone at its sole discretion. In addition, Teacher Tools Online® can terminate the membership and delete any related information of any member at any time for any reason. If BJU Press terminates your membership, then you can no longer use the Teacher Tools Online® service or the services of any of its affiliates.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate, or take any other action or remedy that we deem reasonable, appropriate, or necessary, in our sole discretion, with respect to your Member Account immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason. If we terminate your account, your right to use the Service will immediately cease. You may terminate your Member Account at any time and for any reason, and we will make available through the Service reasonable means for you to do so. When these terms come to an end, those terms that by their nature are intended to continue indefinitely will continue to apply, including but not limited to, ownership provisions, licenses, warranty disclaimers, indemnity, and limitations of liability.

 

13. Miscellaneous Provisions

 

- Ownership of Site. This site, the Service, and all text, graphics, user interfaces, visual interfaces, photographs, trademarks, logos, sounds, music, artwork, content, and computer code therein (collectively, the “Teacher Tools Online® Content”), including without limitation the design, structure, selection, coordination, expression, “look and feel,” and arrangement of such Content is owned, controlled, or licensed by or to Teacher Tools Online®, and is protected by trade dress, trade secret, copyright, patent, and trademark laws, and various other intellectual property rights.

 

Except as expressly provided in this Agreement or otherwise permitted by law, no Teacher Tools Online® Content may be used, copied, reproduced, modified, republished, disassembled, reverse engineered, uploaded, posted, publicly displayed, publicly performed, publicly performed by means of a digital audio transmission, encoded, translated, transmitted, or distributed in any way to any other person, computer, server, website, or in any other medium for any purpose, without Teacher Tools Online®’s express prior written consent.

 

- Entire Agreement. The Terms of Service, including Teacher Tools Online®’s Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference above, constitute the entire agreement between you and Teacher Tools Online® and governs your use of the Service.

 

- No Agency. Teacher Tools Online® is not the agent or representative of any site users, nor does it operate under their authority for any purpose.

- Governing and Applicable Law. This Terms of Service Agreement is governed in all respects by the laws of the State of South Carolina, USA without regard to its conflict of law provisions. In the event of any dispute related to this Agreement, the parties will attempt resolution pursuant to biblical principles utilizing negotiation and mediation. If this is unsuccessful for any reason, disputes arising hereunder shall be submitted to state or federal courts in Greenville, South Carolina, and you agree to and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts. The Service is operated by BJU Education Group, Inc. from its offices in South Carolina, in the United States of America. BJU PRESS makes no representation that materials or content on the Service are appropriate or available for use in other locations. Those who choose to access the Service from other locations do so on their own initiative and are responsible for compliance with local laws, if and to the extent local laws are applicable. Software from this site is further subject to United States export controls. No software from www.TeacherToolsOnline.com may be downloaded or otherwise exported or re-exported (i) into (or to a national or resident of) Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Syria or any other country to which the United States has embargoed goods; (ii) to anyone on the U.S. Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals or the U.S. Commerce Department’s Table of Deny Orders; or (iii) in any other manner that violates U.S. law. By downloading or using any software, you represent and warrant that you are not located in, under the control of, or a national or resident of any such country or on any such list.

 

- Dispute Resolution_: Any dispute arising out of or relating to these terms or the Service shall be submitted exclusively to confidential binding arbitration in Greenville, SC, except that to the extent you have in any manner violated or threatened to violate BJU PRESS’s intellectual property rights, we may seek injunctive or other appropriate relief in any state or federal court in the State of South Carolina. You hereby consent to, and waive all defenses of lack of personal jurisdiction and forum non conveniens with respect to venue and jurisdiction in the state and federal courts of South Carolina. Arbitration under these Terms of Use shall be conducted pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules then prevailing at the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator's award shall be final and binding and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no arbitration under this Agreement shall be joined to an arbitration involving any other party subject to this Agreement, whether through class action proceedings or otherwise. If a suit, action, arbitration or other proceeding of any nature whatsoever is instituted in connection with any dispute or controversy arising out of or related to the subject matter of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the non-prevailing party, in addition to any other available remedy, all reasonable costs, including without limitation court costs, attorneys’ fees, and other expenses incurred in such proceeding.

 

- Waiver and Severability. The failure of BJU PRESS to exercise or enforce any right or provision of the Terms of Service shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. If any provision of this Terms of Service shall be held unlawful, void, or unenforceable for any reason, then that provision shall be deemed severed from this Terms of Service and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions. The severed provision shall be deemed modified so that its purpose can be lawfully effectuated and enforced.

 

- Notices. Teacher Tools Online® may provide you with notices, including, without limitation, those regarding changes to the Terms of Service, product updates, teacher conferences, and other service-related announcements, by email or postings on the Service.

 

- BJU PRESS may change or amend these Terms. If we make material changes, we will notify you, either through the user interface, in an email notification, or through other reasonable means. Your use of the Service after the date such change(s) become effective will constitute consent to the changed terms. If you do not agree to the changes, you must immediately stop using the Service. Otherwise the new terms will apply to you.

 

- Future Changes in the Service. BJU Press reserves the right at any time (and from time to time) to modify, suspend, or discontinue providing the Service or any part thereof with or without notice. BJU Press will not be liable to you or to any third party for any modification, suspension, or discontinuance of the Service.

 

- Assignment. BJU Press may assign this agreement to any successor or purchaser of BJU PRESS or all or substantially all of its assets.

 

- Headings. Section titles and headings in this Agreement are for convenience only, and have no legal or contractual effect.

 

- Trademarks. BJU Press, the BJU Press logo, Teacher Tools Online®, Shop Talk, and other BJU Press logos and names are trademarks of BJU Education Group, Inc. You agree not to display or use these trademarks in any manner without prior, written consent of BJU Education Group, Inc.

 

- If any aspect of this agreement is deemed invalid, then the remaining provisions shall still be enforced.

You may not assign or transfer this Agreement or any of your rights or obligations hereunder, and any attempt to the contrary is void.

BJU Press is not responsible for any delay or failure in performance resulting directly or indirectly from causes beyond BJU Press's reasonable control.

Any correspondence about this Agreement will be sent to you via the email that you provided during registration.

14. International Use:

If you are not a resident of the United States of America, then you agree to follow all applicable laws and local rules regarding the transmission of data from the United States or the country in which you live.

We hope that you enjoy your use of Teacher Tools Online®. These Terms of Service are necessary and allow us to offer this Service to you – our valued user. Official correspondence must be sent through postal mail to:

BJU Press Customer Service
1700 Wade Hampton, Blvd.
Greenville, SC 29614

This Terms of Service represents the complete, entire, and exclusive understanding and agreement between you and Teacher Tools Online®. It supersedes all prior, written or oral, understandings or agreements. You understand and agree that you have read these Terms of Service and that amendments can be posted to this Terms of Service. You agree and understand that your continued use of the Service represents your consent to such amended terms.