on 4/8/01 8:56 PM, psiigii at psiigii@home.com wrote:
It encourages me to hear this resonates with others here. The one thing
that I get the most from here is reading the thoughts of those who take the
Word of God seriously. What is discussed here is very important: scientific
integrity does matter. Open discourse is an essential part of this process.
The whats, whens and hows of creation is not the key issue, however, and
that we remember this--especially approaching Easter--is good. We have been
sent into the world to glorify Him in doing what He's called us to do
(endeavors in science and science education for many here) SECOND-- we are
to bear witness to Him FIRST. It encourages me greatly to see this in so
many of you here.
Howard
----- Original Message -----
From: Jonathan Clarke <mailto:jdac@alphalink.com.au>
Cc: asa@calvin.edu
Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2001 6:23 PM
Subject: Re: Answersingenesis
Hi Howard
Something you wrote struck a strong chord with me.
In the movie "Chariots of Fire", Eric Little told his sister, "When I run,
I feel His pleasure." Likewise, I feel that when we use the capabilities He
has given us as scientists to do the things He's called us to do (including
anthropology, paleontology, physics, geology, biology, etc.) and we do those
things seeking the truth for His glory, we feel His pleasure and can
experience the awe of grasping-- though just in thimbles-full -- the
excellence of His knowledge and wisdom. I, as most who subscribe here,
believe God gave me a mind to use for His glory. In saying this I thus
admit that having used that mind, I see a totally inadequate epistemological
basis for YEC. I
This has always been my favourite part of "Chariots of Fire". Perhaps
participation in the historical sciences is as controversial for evangelical
Christians in our day as participation in sport was in the 1920's.
Faith involves (or should involve) a transfer of focus from the "I" to
"Thou". Much of what passes as science-faith discussion seems to focus on
the "I" and the "It". However personally some of the times I have felt
closest to God is when I have been not the rocks, contemplating the history
of of a mountain range of a region. I have very much experienced a
consciousness of "Thinking God's thoughts after Him" (is that Bacon's
phrase?). Contemplation of creation should lead to awe and then to worship
of the creator. This was the experience of the psalmists based on their
limited knowledge, we, who know so much more, should be able respond
similarly.
Respectfully Jon
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The embolded portions of the above concern me in how
humans truly experience the presence of God.
How can we separate our personal experience of pleasure
from that of God's pleasure?
If we feel God's pleasure when we run, are we projecting our
pleasure upon God?
When we experience sexual pleasure, can we feel God's pleasure in
that act? I thought sexuality was
separated from spirituality. Are the tantric experiences of Eastern
followers feeling the pleasure of
God in their acts? All mortal life experiences sex and death, but
immortals do not experience death.
Since God is immortal, God is beyond sex. Is God also beyond our
experience of sexual pleasure?
Thus, separating sexuality from spirituality. Or can we project any
of our feelings upon God?
For me to experience the presence of God, I must focus on or be aware
of God's presence during an act, be it prayer
or a meditative searching for truth or a moment of awe. Is a choice
to focus on God a necessary condition for God to feel
our pleasure or sense of gratitude?
Jim stark
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