Re: Biblical Interpretation Reconsidered

Michael Roberts wrote:
>
> I agree with what George says. You cannot say that belief in a young earth
> is heretical as the bible is not unequivocal on the age of the earth
>
> BUT BUT BUT
>
> YEC is heretical for a variety of reasons;
> 1. It causes division among Christains
> 2. tends to demonise those who dont accept YEC
> 3 Uses a plethora of subchristian methods to make its case -
> misrepresentation etc etc.
> 4 Uses bad philosophical and scientific argument so that it is
> pseudo-science in the common sense of the word.
> 5 totally unwilling to listen to counter-arguments
> 6 Claims that it is the only possible interpreetation for a Christian.
>
> Now there are many on this list I disagree with quite strongly e.g. Glenn's
> view of the Flood, forms of concordism which I consider too forced just to
> mention two. However they are always presented with a desire for truth and
> with integrity so I can respect them even when I disagree. I share a common
> aim and purpose with those concerned and that is to present Christ in a
> scientific age.
>
> And then we have liberal theological approaches to science and religion.
> Peacocke is a fine example. I have known him for years and like and respect
> him. Again there is a transparent honesty, even though I oppose his view of
> revelation and the person of Christ among other things. He criticises
> members of the CIS for being too biblical - too our faces of course and with
> a twinkle in his eye! There is again much common purpose.
>
> With YEC there should be much common purpose and on paper there is, but
> coutesy of their approach it always degenerates into a shouting match as any
> who espouses an old earth is soon dismissed as a heretic or something else.
> Exceptions are hard to come by especially among the active YEC as opposed to
> the average church member who follows it because they think they ought

......................
        There are differences between heresy, schism, & just bad behavior like bearing
false witness. YEC isn't in itself heretical. _Some_ YECs (the qualification is
important) are schismatic, misrepresent facts &c.

                                                        Shalom,
                                                        George
                                                                

George L. Murphy
gmurphy@raex.com
http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/
Received on Tue Dec 23 16:27:58 2003