A few more times, apparently. This issue has become so polarized that to even
suggest evolution is believable seems to imply that one is preparing to abandon
the God of Scripture to in favor of godless atheistic humanism.
The problem, as I see it, is not that the people in the pews are comparing and
contrasting "God's creative activity" vs. "a progressive organic history", but
that they are comparing and contrasting "progressive organic history" with their
view of "what the Bible plainly says". To suggest that there might be a "circle
of freedom" in interpreting Genesis 1-11 is tantamount to suggesting that the
Jesus Seminar has a correct understanding of our Lord and Savior. The mere
suggestion that the "days" recorded in those chapters *might* represent
something other than the common American English understanding of a literal 24
hour period of time seems to open up all of Scripture to doubt!
> Many evangelical Christians, both scientists and theologians, see no inherent
> conflict. Even B.B. Warfield the author of the doctrine of inerrancy and
> several authors of the "Fundamentals" saw no inherrent conflict between
> creation and some form of evolution.
Is there a good resource that convincingly demonstrates in lay terms (none of
that fancy seminary mumbo jumbo, mind you...) that _legitimate_ _conservative_
Scripture interpretation can allow for "no inherent conflict"? If there isn't,
can someone write one? I'm serious. No matter how overwhelming *we* consider
the evidence to be, this issue is always going to be reduced to "trusting
science" vs. "trusting God's Word" in the minds of most conservative Christians.
What do you all find helpful in declaring your faith to other Christians?
> I am an evangelical Christian who, like many others on this
> forum, finds the evidence for evolution simply overhwleming. I am grieved
> that Christians are so good at consuming their own!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott Oakman Graduate Program in Neuroscience
University of Minnesota MD/PhD Program
oakma001@maroon.tc.umn.edu
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly.
The rich have always objected to being governed at all.
--G.K. Chesterton.