>>"Picking up on this, I would like to pose a question. Can we >Christians
>who hold to a TE or PE position (or some close variation of these) >agree on
the following points, or something like these?:
>
>1. The biblical data, by itself, does not settle which of these two
>interpretations is correct - or incorrect (possibly both).
>
>2. The means of distinguishing between the two, or rejecting the two,
>depends on observation and interpretation - in the same way science
>normally operates.
>
>3. In agreeing to this, we allow each other the latitude to be influenced
>by our peculiar understanding of how God operates - while recognizing >that
this is an expression of personal perspective, and not something >that
follows as a "proper understanding of the God revealed in the >Bible".
I agree with all three of Gordon's points. Each believer must be granted the
respect to go where he thinks the Lord is leading him. That does not mean
that we can not or should not vigourously debate the implications of the
observational data which science is collecting. Nor should we be shy about
attempting to persuade each other. But when the day is done, we are after
all brothers and sisters in Christ each following what they percieve as their
responsibility before their Lord and Master.
glenn