I am a convinced OEC, and have published in PSCF from that perspective; and I share the frustration and concern of the ASA member who wishes to counteract the success of YECs in swinging much of the evangelical church to their position (a "success" that, tragically, leads to the loss of too many thoughtful evangelical young people when they encounter facts pointing in another direction).
Nevertheless, I don't think it is a good idea for the ASA to undertake the kind of effort he proposes. No doubt the great majority of members are OECs, but neither the stated goals of the association nor the Statement of Faith to which all members subscribe is that restrictive. One of the things that I appreciate about ASA is that Christians in science of all stripes-YECs, progressive creationists, theistic evolutionists, and ID advocates-can meet together under the lordship of Christ. If ASA sponsors an explicityly OEC education project, we would de facto commit ASA to a position that some of its members cannot accept and did not expect to support when they joined.
I think a better approach would be for the ASA member who wants to underwrite such a project to create a non-profit think tank organizationally separate from the ASA. No doubt many ASA members would support the project-I would, for one-but ASA qua ASA would not be the sponsoring organization.
If ASA chooses to become involved, the directors ought to propose an addendum to the Statement of Faith committing the association to an old-earth perspective and submit it to the membership for a vote. That would be the straightforward way to take a position.
Bob Rogland
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