Hi Wendee, thanks for writing.
I see a number of dilemmas facing evolutionary creationists like yourself and,
if I may, will introduce a few more following my answer to your specific
question.
The matter I raised in an earlier post was this: "Is it reasonable for the
Christian to believe that Our Creator - Jesus Christ - the 'King of
Love' (as we
frequently sing) would slowly bring all things into being by a dog-eat-dog
process - the latter stages of which would most certainly have involved human
conflict - the antithesis of love?" I suggest it is most unreasonable [surely
confirmed by His response to Cain's killing of Abel(Gen.4)]. Is it really
possible that from the Mind of the One whose essential teaching was based on
love, and who Himself was the supreme example of substitutionary sacrifice, has
also come such a loveless and bizarre means of creation?!
The second dilemma that confronts the thinking Christian evolutionist concerns
the termination of the creation process. As far as the Scriptures are
concerned,
we are left in no doubt: all was accomplished in 6 days (however we care to
interpret 'day').
Gen.2:1 and Ex.20:11 are the relevant verses. On an evolutionary understanding
of course the process is _interminably ongoing_.
The third dilemma again arises as a rider to the first. In the Bible's closing
chapters we are given a glimpse of the promised _new creation_. It is natural
that we enquire whether this is also to be accomplished by a process of
evolution. But, clearly not! It is described as an immediate and finished work.
The fourth dilemma concerns the Flood. Evolutionists must believe it was
_local_. However, if that be true it is pertinent that we ask why God required
Noah to build so massive a sea-going structure to save himself, his immediate
family, and representatives of all the created animal kinds, when there would
have been ample time available for a much simpler escape to higher ground by
foot! And, anyway, how are we able to reconcile the notion of a local
flood with
such verses as "And behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the
earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven."
(Gen.6:17)?
And if one is still not convinced that the Flood was most certainly
_global_ (in
every way), then consider the events attending its sequel - God's covenant with
Noah. The rainbow was given as a sign that God would never again send
a flood to
destroy _all flesh_(Gen.9:15). Clearly, there have been many local floods
worldwide since the days of Noah. It must surely follow that the
_mabbul_ was no
local flood. Indeed, scripturally, this Hebrew word is only used of Noah's
flood.
The New Testament references (Mt.24:37-39, Lk.17:26-27, 2Pe.2:5) serve to put
the final nails into the coffin of this _pillar_ of evolutionary dogma.
Sincerely,
Vernon
Wendee Holtcamp wrote:
> Vernon Jenkins wrote:
>
> > You appear to have ignored the point I was making regarding
> > the Christian
> > evolutionist's dilemma, viz that
> > He who said 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself' also
> > happens to be Our
> > Creator, and if evolution indeed
> > be a reality, then how is He to be trusted when claiming to be 'the
> > way, the truth,
> > and the life...' (Jn.14:6)?!
> > Christianity and evolution are thus mutually exclusive.
>
> Can you explain why you believe that "love your neighbor as yourself"
> contradicts with evolution? I am interested in your meaning behind that
> because I didn't understand. You mention a dog-eat-dog idea of evolution --
> is that what you mean? If so, are you considering animals and plants to be
> our neighbors? Because if you're referring to humanity, evolutionary
> creationists (like myself) can believe that God imbued a spirit into humans
> at some point that differentiates us from the rest of created beings. It is
> this Spirit that allows us to transcend the dog-eat-dog nature that we
> indeed do see even among humans (look at the fundamentalists Muslims hating
> the Jews and murdering themselves to kill them, or the fighting between the
> Indian Hindus and Muslim Pakistanis right now, or the murders at Columbine).
> It requires transcending our human nature to grow into our spiritual nature.
> We can be 100% human and 100% spiritual beings, just as Jesus was. We are
> not God but we have His Holy Spirit within us, and are His sons and
> daughters.
>
> Just my thoughts. Would be curious what others think of them.
>
> Wendee
>
> %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
> Wendee Holtcamp -- wendee@greendzn.com
> Environmental Journalist ~~ www.greendzn.com
> Adjunct Instructor of Biology, Kingwood College
> %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
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