From: douglas.hayworth@perbio.com
Date: Fri Oct 24 2003 - 17:41:55 EDT
John W Burgeson
<jwburgeson@juno To: asa@calvin.edu
.com> cc:
Sent by: Subject: Academics who actively support Young Earth Creationism
asa-owner@lists.
calvin.edu
10/24/03 03:49
PM
Maybe I'm wrong. maybe the YECers are NOT winning. But I've asserted such
on this list (and elsewhere) many times; I don't recall a rebuttal. So
what happens when (or if) they do win?
Doug's response:
If they win, we suffer persecution from many sides. Just maybe that will
refine our character and faith all the more, and we are the ultimate
winners in that scenario. Nevertheless, how much will we weep for those who
are led astray to belief in a small God. Perhaps we should start
interceding more specifically in prayer for those who would be so falsely
led, as well as for the teachers of YEC.
We run up against YEC-type "literalism" in so many places. For example, I'm
currently leading a group bible study here at work, going through Rick
Warren's _Purpose-Driven Life_. Although I agree with the _overall_
theology of the book, there are snippets of poor interpretation. For
example, in describing the story of Noah as an illustration of one who
pleased God because he believed and obeyed him, Warren writes the
following:
"There were three problems that could have caused Noah to doubt. First,
Noah had never seen rain, because prior to the Flood, God irrigated the
earth from the ground up (Genesis 2:5-6)."
How should I respond to encounters with such drivel? To say anything about
how unnecessary this point is to Warren's message would merely detract from
the main point of the Bible study. And yet, it is very hard to ignore this
kind of thing when it is so pervasive. In this case, I did actually address
it in an e-mail to the bible study group, but many times it is difficult to
make the correct call. God help me be brave and full of love!
Doug
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