Re: One for Hugh Ross

Steven H. Schimmrich (sschimmr@calvin.edu)
Sun, 20 Sep 1998 13:10:32 -0400

At 05:11 PM 9/19/98 -0500, Glenn Morton wrote:
>Many know that I have been critical of Hugh Ross' views on anthropology.
>I wanted to commend him for one thing. He wrote in his latest newsletter:
>
>"A scientific misstatement in the science news article 'Earth Design
>Update: Sulfur in the Core' (v 12:2, 1998, pp 4-5) must be corrected, and I
>hope you will forgive me for the confusion and loss of credibility it
>caused." ~ Hugh Ross, "Repairs," Facts & Faith, 12(1998):3, p. 7
>
>The only problem with the above is that correcting mistakes does not cause
>a loss of credibility but enhances it. If more Christians would realize
>that getting the facts correct, even if it means altering one's views and
>correcting what was written, we would be much further along in our efforts
>to harmonize science and Christianity.
>
>I applaud Hugh for his public retraction of erroneous data.

I strongly second Glenn's statement about correcting mistakes enhancing one's
credibility. Often the YEC critique science because it is constantly being
revised and corrected but I think most people who do science see that as one of
it's strengths - it tends to be self-correcting.

It's also an honorable thing to do, a Christian thing to do, to admit that you're
wrong. This is almost never seen in the YEC community and usually only very quietly
(like their partial withdrawal of support for the Paluxy man tracks).

- Steve.

--
   Steven H. Schimmrich, Assistant Professor of Geology
   Department of Geology, Geography, and Environmental Studies
   Calvin College, 2301 Burton Street SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546
   sschimmr@calvin.edu (office), schimmri@earthlink.net (home)
   616-957-7053 (voice mail), 616-957-6501 (fax) 
   http://home.earthlink.net/~schimmrich/