From: Howard J. Van Till (hvantill@chartermi.net)
Date: Tue Jul 01 2003 - 07:27:11 EDT
From: "Vernon Jenkins" <vernon.jenkins@virgin.net>
> In claiming that I have a 'low regard for the empirical sciences', you are
> mistaken; indeed, my entire thesis is built upon empirical observation -
With only minor (and religiously driven) exceptions, the entire scientific
community has been convinced by the empirical data that the history of the
universe spans approximately 14 billion years, earth history spans 4.6
billion years, etc., etc., etc.. Your YEC stance simply disregards that
judgment made by persons who know the data far better than you do.
> ... and the fact that, among this particular body of scientists and
Christians,
> I am unable to stimulate interest in the numero-geometrical properties of
> the Bible's first verse is almost as great a wonder to me as the phenomena
> themselves.
Rather than expressing pious and self-righteous wonder at it, why not
recognize the fact that Christian people fully aware of what good scientific
reasoning is all about find your case without merit, period. That's the
message
> Howard, there can be little doubt that I've stumbled upon something
> significant
No, there is more than a little doubt, doubt that I find to be fully
warranted. This "there can be little doubt" rhetoric of yours is typical of
your style -- huge and hopelessly unwarranted assumptions &idiosyncratic
personal judgments sprinkle your posts. We simply do not buy your
assumptions and judgments.
- something, I suggest, that a scientist and Christian should
> be prepared to examine most carefully
Please, no more free tickets for another guilt trip. You have made your
numerical enterprise fully known to the scientists and Christians on this
list and it is time for you to show some respect for their judgment of its
merit.
> - for if I am correct in my
> assessment, the implications are immense. It would be most appropriate and
> helpful, therefore, if someone of your stature were to take a lead here;
> either to lay the matter to rest by offering a naturalistic explanation of
> the phenomena, or by confirming them as clear evidence of supernatural
> design - and a basis for urgent discussion among Christian intellectuals.
I have no interest in crafting any "naturalistic explanation" of what you
claim to be a product of "supernatural design." This are NOT the only two
options. I will spend no more time dealing with your assumptions and
claims.
Howard Van Till
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