From: George Murphy (gmurphy@raex.com)
Date: Thu Aug 21 2003 - 11:46:22 EDT
Josh Bembenek wrote:
.....................
> (Soap Box: My opinion is that those of you who have decided
> that evolution is true would be better suited to pursue an attitude of
> weaker/stronger brother towards young earth people rather than the
> mockery/hostile approach often expressed here.) .....................
Treating another Christian as a weaker brother or sister and avoiding offence is
the right response - until that Christian insists that his or her scruples are normative
and that the "weak" way is the only way to be a Christian. If another Christian
believes that drinking alcohol is wrong and I have reason to think that drinking in
their presence might lead them to sin, then I shouldn't drink when that person is
around. But if that person insists that a real Christian _can't_ drink then the
appropriate response is to pop open a can. Cf. Gal.5:2. The same principle can be
applied to certain situations in evolution-creation discussions.
However, those who actively promote anti-evolution under the banner of Christian
truth, or who insist that a Christian can't accept evolution, are doing a great deal of
damage to the church. They make the Christian faith look stupid to knowledgeable
outsiders and they set young people up for a loss of faith when they do find out that
there's a lot of evidence for evolution. Jesus words in Mt.18:6 are germane here. Such
teachers have to be opposed actively - & of course honestly - & if they're "offended,"
tough.
Shalom,
George
George L. Murphy
gmurphy@raex.com
http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/
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