Re: Kansas munchkins (as Gould will call them)

>>> "D. F. Siemens, Jr." <dfsiemensjr@juno.com> 5/19/2005 2:24:25 PM
>>>writes:
Michael,
You apparently don't understand that this Concordia is Wisconsin Synod,
more extremely YEC than Missouri Synod. Since it is part of their
doctrinal commitment, it is true, and anyone who does not agree is wrong
and confused. The proof is straightforward. And you have no right to
dispute premises that are beyond dispute. Ipse dixit!

Ted comments:
Angus Menuge is a bright, competent and honest scholar, trained as a
philosopher (I think) partly or entirely prior to his conversion to
Christian faith. He's also a YEC, in keeping with his denominational
affiliation.

I also take issue with his view that I'm "confused," but it isn't
necessarily his YEC position per se that motivates this. Philip Johnson has
long referred to TEs as "mushy accommodationists," I think that's what Angus
means by that comment. IDs (including Angus, he is one) usually think of
TEs as not having thought the issues through carefully enough. In their
opinion, TEs usually go for process theology and/or panentheism; they
believe those views are unacceptable (I agree with them, incidentally).
Most of them *also* however have major problems with open theism-- a vital
part of process theism, but one that can be endorsed/accepted/believed
without also accepting the more radical aspect of process theism (IMO),
namely the denial of divine omnipotence with the radical form of divine
immanence that comes with it. (Namely, making God coeval with the world and
not really the creator in any meaningful sense that I acknowledge.)

So, here's how it works for most IDs:
If you fully accept evolution, you have to have an open theism or else a
process theism. This surrenders too much of the classical doctrine of God.
Christianity (with Incarnation, resurrection as traditionally understood)
requires the classical doctrine of God. Therefore, TEs who profess
Christianity are "confused," or "mushy accommodationists."

Now frankly, from talking with many IDs at length about these things, I
believe it is they who are confused about the range of opinion within the TE
camp; and I don't believe that enough of them have thought hard enough about
things like quantum uncertainty and divine providence, an issue independent
of "darwinism" but one that can affect how one views evolution. My charge
to them, is to be more theologically discerning. Their charge to us, is to
be more honest (as they see it) about the shortcomings of the standard
evolutionary model.

Ted
Received on Thu May 19 16:34:36 2005