Re: Phil Johnson on Focus on the Family

William A. Wetzel (n6rky@pacbell.net)
Wed, 05 May 1999 00:39:45 -0700

Dear Moorad:

Unity of Knowledge and Unified Theory are different subjects. Unification
of Forces was Werner Heisneberg's and Albert Einstein's dream. I'm sure a
unification there will eventually happen.

As for Unified Knowledge? Not in this life or the next. Monotheism cannot
have Unity of Knowledge except for God Himself. Even Christ in scripture:
"Does not know the day nor the hour of the end".

Many theologians claim that Man can achieve this unity or consilience. It
cannot be as long as we are confined in both finiteness and in time. That
is a sad but realistic picture of Man's reason.

Now as for your problem with macro-evolution? It does not invalidate what
scripture has to say any more than taking Revelation symbolically. That's
a bunch of HOG WASH propaganda from the Fundamentalist/Creationist camp.

Now... I've seen another post in reply to your problem with evolution. It
may serve you well to study the issue well. I will take a moment to help,
if you wish to carry this on with me.

Best Wishes,
William - N6RKY

Moorad Alexanian wrote:
>
> Dear William,
>
> We all advocate unity of knowledge. The question is that we must unify ALL
> knowledge, viz.., the sciences, theology, the social sciences, etc. The
> process of integration of knowledge should not lead to nihilism--no
> knowledge should be, a priori, eliminated.
>
> That God sustains the creation can be viewed as a continuous creative
> process. But the latter does not imply that theistic evolution is the
> logical conclusion of God sustaining the creation.
>
> I do believe in the inerrancy of Scripture. If such is not the case then we
> can pick and choose--the Bible becomes a smorgasbord. What is changing with
> time is our interpretation of Scripture. Much like in science where the
> underlying laws of nature do not change but our interpretations of these
> laws does change.
>
> Does theistic evolution involves macroevolution as well as microevolution? I
> have often said that the Fall of Man is a problem for theistic evolution.
> Wherein comes the will of man to fall in theistic evolution?
>
> I am a firm believer that all true knowledge is One. In fact, it was Werner
> Heisenberg who said that the unification of all forces in nature had to do
> with monotheism. Both are appealing to the mind of man---a manifestation of
> the image of God in man.
>
> I do not believe that man can prove the existence of God. Man is imperfect,
> God is perfect. God can only be known as a limiting being from imperfect
> being. We know that the integers are either odd or even, but is infinity odd
> or even?
>
> Take care,
>
> Moorad
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: William A. Wetzel <n6rky@pacbell.net>
> To: Moorad Alexanian <alexanian@uncwil.edu>
> Cc: Brian D Harper <bharper@postbox.acs.ohio-state.edu>;
> asa@udomo3.calvin.edu <asa@udomo3.calvin.edu>
> Date: Monday, May 03, 1999 5:44 PM
> Subject: Re: Phil Johnson on Focus on the Family
>
> >Dear Moorad:
> >
> >Theistic Evolutionists do not necessarily advocate Unity of Knowledge. It
> >is held more frequently among theorists than practical science. Yes, I am
> >a theoritician. At least you have me pegged -- but not Theistic Evolution
> >itself. Most people in this camp agree that Man's Reason is insufficient.
> >
> >But... We do have enough knowledge to realize that evolution is a part of
> >the creative process. And if one also believes in theism; then LOGICALLY,
> >Theistic Evolution is unavoidable. Any other conclusion would deny what's
> >known to science today. I pingeoned holed your comments because it seemed
> >typical of a fundamentalist/creationist point of view.
> >
> >Now let's get into a little philosophy here: How can a monotheist deny it
> >to be true that there is no unity of knowledge (in this life or the next)
> >is beyond me! All knowledge is of God -- period.
> >
> >Now let's do a little theology here: St. Thomas Aguinas's proofs for God,
> >he employs Ontological, Cosmological, and Teleological proofs. Because he
> >employed these methods (and more) it is certain that theologians have and
> >do subscribe to "some form of" Unity of Knowledge.
> >
> >Is there enough to prove the case?? The answer is no. Theology like Unity
> >of Knowledge and Unified Theory still needs research and discovery. But a
> >case does exist and most theorists are heading in this direction as noted
> >in your original post. Even Stephen Hawking is relenting on his rhetorics
> >against God and Unified Theory.
> >
> >Best Wishes,
> >William - N6RKY

-- 
William A. Wetzel
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