So far it seems most of the Lay Education discussion has been
analytical and critical, which is to be expected from
professional thinkers keen on keeping this positive. For a
change of pace, here's an optimistic (ignorant??) layperson's
perspective. ..which MAY risk offering nothing new or useful..
--- george murphy <gmurphy@raex.com> wrote:
> [...]
> 3. Make it as widely known as possible that there
> are [LOTS] of committed Christians who accept evolution.
> [...]
[emphasis mine]
Could THIS be more significant to the proposal than yet
mentioned?
Jack states the purpose is to determine whether and how it would
be best to propagate non-YEC views, so one of its first
determinations could easily be "How many committed Christians
are already hungry, if not already aware, of compatible non-YEC
perspectives on evolution?"
I'm an 'explorative' but committed Christian layperson, who with
few exceptions has always been surrounded by Christian (and
science) lay-people. I've tried to build a reasonable albeit
un-scientific sense of the acceptance and receptiveness of
people in my Christian micro-circles to 'evolution in general'.
If --IF-- I'm not too isolated from the norm within the US (in
spite of being in the Midwest) it's clear to me that a
significant fraction -perhaps even a modest majority- of
committed Christians are eager to resolve the tension between
their paradigm-shifting RESPECT for Science, despite so much
atheistic browbeating for evolution, and their DEVOTION (no
matter how poorly or well formed) to the Bible and to their
relationships with Christ and the church body of Christ. Church
leaders and bold evangelists may tend more to propagate the
rigid and 'highly publicized' YEC views, and suffer (threaten?)
more crises of faith due to science, atheism, and modern
culture, but otherwise I know VERY FEW Christians who are "true
YEC believers" or otherwise threatened by evolution. [Perhaps
being less studious their 'average faith' can easily afford to
wait until all the heated academic debates separate the fanatics
from the open-minded and more enlightening moderates.]
Not only did I recently hear a radio-vangelist on a popular
program (I forget, perhaps through Dobson's ministry?)
eloquently, elegantly, and powerfully imply OEC is well within
God's sovereignty (yay), a small Hugh Ross-based session passed
through our large church body last year which generated enough
interest to start some isolated but healthy dialogue. ..and *I*
heard about it second hand (which is why I searched for and
found this great forum)! If controversial-Hugh can generate this
interest, why couldn't any other organized but courteous non-YEC
effort? What I found most interesting, though, is the genuine
sense of RELIEF from this group's attendees that credible
scientists "ARE FINALLY" organizing efforts to publicly
reconcile the discomforting YEC stance with our modern
'scientific realities'.
Therefore, I have a Compelling Hunch there's enough 'OEC
Potential' throughout many US Christian congregations that any
respectful 'YEC dilution process' would quickly reach (or
contribute to) the modest but critical momentum it needs. To
some degree it's already growing, hopefully faster than any YEC
fringe movement.
The most fertile ground may be the growing, contemporary praise
& worship churches with middle-upper-class/educated
congregations, strong small group programs, and effective local
and world ministry efforts (more well-placed Christian media
'endorsements for dialogue' would obviously help too). Even if
many church leaders remain threatened by non-YEC views,
eventually, as some realize the faith of their sometimes timid
but open-minded congregations can be strengthened by inclusive
views rather than weakened, the need for more respectful and
healthy dialogues will become obvious, thus encouraging more
much-needed maturing and education.
Some rifts are bound to erupt, hopefully where they're bound to
anyway, but especially when handled prayerfully and obediently,
He can make all things good.
I did say "optimistic", but in my biased opinion SOME new effort
will permit more long-lasting 'blessings' than what little
effort I'm aware of now.
Eager to participate, in Christ!
Jim B
Ohio
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