RE: RATE Vol. II

The Catholic Church indicated to Galileo that Copernican theories ran contrary to Scriptures and that they may only be presented as hypotheses and not truth. This allowed Galileo to publish his works. I do not see why we cannot continue in this tradition.
 
One must make a sensible balance between one's interpretation of Scripture and scientific data. To some, the age of the earth as being older than four billion years is a fact, whereas to others the appearance of life and evolution from simple life forms to more complex is a hypothesis and not established fact. The latter, of course, may be more a historical rather than a scientific question.
 
Should we establish a scientific test of what Christians ought to qualify for membership of ASA? Are some afraid that some "sect" may takeover ASA leadership? Please do not attempt to "derive" where I stand vis-à-vis my comments on these issues. If you do reach a "derivation" of my position, please surprise me by letting me know.
 
Moorad

________________________________

From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu on behalf of Dick Fischer
Sent: Sun 5/21/2006 11:19 AM
To: 'Randy Isaac'; asa@calvin.edu
Subject: RE: RATE Vol. II

Let me second George's comment and throw this out for discussion and revision:
 
"The ASA attests and affirms that certain matters within the realm of science can be established beyond reasonable doubt. One of these is the age of the earth which can be calculated presently to beyond 4 billion years. A preponderance of data and evidence has been established from many areas of science that substantiate earth age. As to the manner of creation, the appearance of life, and the mechanics of life processes, these can be items of continual discussion and lively debate within the organization until such time as these too may become settled."
 
Dick Fischer
Dick Fischer, Genesis Proclaimed Association
Finding Harmony in Bible, Science, and History
www.genesisproclaimed.org <http://www.genesisproclaimed.org/>
 
IMO we've reached a point with the age of the earth at which ASA's position
of not taking an official stance on disputed matters no longer applies. There is no scientific dispute about the order of magnitude of the age of the earth. The ASA should take the stance - & take it forcefully - that the earth is billions of years old,
and that supposedly scientific claims to the contrary are without merit. Of course
this does not mean that a position would be taken on biological evolution.
 
We might lose a few members if we did this. That would be unfortunate but
the alternative is for the organization to do nothing effective about this cancer.
 
Shalom
George
http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/
Received on Sun May 21 12:33:09 2006