Walter Hicks wrote:
> How many people who believe in evolution are seeking a different answer?
>
>
You have a point. However, consider that there are
considerable incentives for raising interesting and
unorthodox conclusions. I cannot predict the response
of atheists who actually _believe_ that material decides
all the rules of the universe but for folk with even the
slightest theistic bend, I think they would _eventually_
yield to the most convincing evidence.
Make no mistake. It does not mean that there is no uphill
climb for unorthodox ideas, and there is a lot of bitterness
and carnage along the way, but the truth does eventually win.
I think there comes a point where you have to decide if
it reasonable to hang onto a belief or not. To Christ
and his claim on my life, I see no issue. If I am wrong
and it was all some big hoax, well then the fool am I, but,
if I have lived out a life of obedience to the gospel, I
cannot see that I would bring harm onto anyone.
On the other hand, I may bring harm to others if I insist
on enforcing only _my_ version of what _I_ think is true.
What if Wayne Dawson's theory of everything is wrong?
The book of Kings at some length examines the question of
whether God's promise was still to be taken seriously. The
author contends that it was Israel's sin that brought about
their exile. The book of Chronicles examines at some length
the role of God's grace and the role of repentance in the
restoration of God's people. (see notes in NIV study bible,
or a commentary on the OT: e.g., I checked Lasor, Hubbard and
Bush, "Old Testament survey", Eerdmans, Grand Rapids 1996).
So why then is it wrong in the face of scientific evidence
that strongly contradicts my expectations of a six 24 hour
day creation, to simply try to reexamine how the Bible should
be read? If I find some reconciliation, maybe then I have
even more reason to walk in faith than before.
It is sad to see that former Christians I meet in biology
have simply thrown it all out the window. When the foundations
of the six day creation crumbled, the rest of the faith
gradually died with it. It is times of trial that obedience
to the Lord is the narrow way. May we all be blessed with
uneventful times, but if He stands at the door and knocks,
then God help me if I turn my back to Him.
by Grace alone do we proceed,
Wayne
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