Re: [asa] Wells and traditional Christianity

Ted wrote in part;

> First, if Wells presents himself as a defender of traditional
> Christianity,
> that would be news. Anyone familiar with the facts knows that he
> is not a
> Christian, and that he joined the anti-evolution movement b/c of his
> particular religious commitment.
>
> Funny that Wells, like some other non-Christians (Dawkins would be
> another
> person in this category, though obviously for very different
> reasons than
> those that pertain to Wells), would be able to comment (apparently)
> on what
> a traditional Christian should/can believe, relative to evolution. I
> imagine he's had some help from his Christian friends in ID on this
> point.

Two points of interest here --

Several years ago, when I first became aware of Wells religious
views, I raised the issue of Wells full membership in the ASA. That
full membership requires that people agree with the ASA statement of
faith which includes: "We confess the Triune God affirmed in the
Nicene and Apostles' creeds which we accept as brief, faithful
statements of Christian doctrine based upon Scripture." Wells was
questioned about this and responded that he did accept the above
statement. I do not see how this is possible given his written
statements of his religious belief. Nonetheless he remains a full
member of the ASA.

Secondly, the National Council of Churches of Christ (not exactly a
hyperconservative theological body) authored a paper that concluded
that the Unification Church is not a Christian Church, and that its
claims to Christian identity cannot be recognized. Wells wrote a
rebuttal to this paper which he calls a "witch hunt." In that paper
he argues that Unification theology is consistent with traditional
Christian theology. The paper can be found on the Unification
Theological Seminary website at <http://www.uts.edu/index.php?
option=com_content&task=view&id=59&Itemid=46>.

Wells really does argue that he is a Christian and a does not
contradict traditional theology! Wells does present himself as a
defender of traditional Christianity. The mental gymnastics involved
are rather extraordinary. Wells is a member of a heretical sect,
whose leader Moon has proclaimed himself the second coming of the
Messiah. To call that consistent with traditional Christianity is to
deny the meaning of any theology whatsoever.

Keith

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Received on Tue Aug 29 12:01:24 2006