Vernon wrote:
<< I find no evidence to
suggest that it was anything less than a wholehearted acceptance of His
Being and Sovereignty, accompanied by a ready obedience to do His will.
Is it really conceivable that such a God would have the Apostle Paul
instruct Timothy thus, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2Tim.3:16,17), if this were
untrue? For me, this one verse ratifies the whole of the Bible and
vindicates the YEC position. Those who wilfully ignore such a clear
message - or seek to 'interpret' it to their own advantage - are merely
providing further confirmation (as if any more were needed) of man's
sorry condition. On the other hand, if we believe it to be true, we are
on a collision course with modern ideas concerning origins. >>
Your interpretation of 2Tim 3:16 is not a straight forward reading of the
text. Look for yourself. You are reading into the text an idea which is not
there. The text says the inspiration of Scripture has a purpose, namely,
"that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good
works." The verse says absolutely nothing about science. In fact, scientific
knowledge is irrelevant to its purpose. People with all sorts of different
scientific views have been and will continue to be men of God.
Did the living Word of God while on earth indicate in any way whatsoever that
people with incorrect views of science could not become men of God? Did he
ever attempt in any way whatsoever to correct the mistaken scientific views
of his own day? Did he or any apostle ever attempt to use the Scriptures to
correct the scientific views of their own day? They showed no such interest.
The Scriptures reveal that God created and controls the universe; but, no
Scripture teaches that biblical revelation is not accommodated to the science
of the day. No Scripture even implies that biblical revelation is not
accommodated to the science of the day. Science qua science lies outside of
the purview of 2Tim 3:16. Reading in the doctrine that inspiration guarantees
that the science in the Bible is God's view and not an accommodation to the
science of the day is ADDING a human tradition to the Word of God.
Using the Bible to find scientific truth as such is a misuse of the Word of
God. God never intended for it to be used that way; and, whenever the Church
has used the Bible in that way--whether with Augustine to show that the stars
were as small as they appear or with Luther against Copernicus or with any
other Church leader who has done this, it has brought disgrace to the Church,
to the Bible, and to the name of Christ. The deep-seated sinfulness of man is
seen clearly in the practice of YEC's as they know this sad history of the
Church and yet insist on repeating it---until irrevocable damage has been
done to the cause of Christ. And, what will _you_tell your Lord?
Paul
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