RE: [asa] Yes -- the YECs are still winning

Hi John- I disagree strongly.

If the ASA was simply a Christian group, you'd be correct. However, it is much more than that; it is also a group dedicated and focused on science.

As such, it has to go much farther than a religious-only or science-only group. It should be a clearinghouse for both Christian and science memes. If a doctrinal meme is outside the evangelical Christian stance, it should be rejected (that's why there's a statement of faith to join). Likewise, for science. If a scientific meme is outside of science, it should also be repudiated... such as a young earth.

Can one fellowship with YEC's? It depends on what you mean. In some respects, we can fellowship with everyone, even atheists... if by that, we mean hang-out and be friends. Maybe your point is more towards worship- who we can worship with. People draw different lines there; some Protestants could worship with a Catholic or Mormon, while others couldn't. It may also depend on your surroundings; maybe you would never worship with a Mormon here, but would if you were both POW's in Afghanistan amongst no one else but Muslims.

Bottom line- if this is a science group- then why tolerate those who reject the obvious science of an ancient earth? It is a travesty to science, just as accepting a Mormon would violate the Christian aspect. Why is the Christian aspect being upheld so dutifully but not the science side?

I think the ASA may be maturing to now take this step. It is experience in the ASA dealing with these issues as well as new DNA evidence that can now make the ASA secure in a wholesale rejection of a young earth. (When ASA was new and younger, it had to "find itself." Now a lot of water has traveled under the bridge and things are better known.) If the ASA were to reject a young earth, it could send shock waves through the church- but that would be good. The corresponding rubble is deserved. Churches will be slapped-in-the-face (or have cold-water thrown on them) to wake them up.

...Bernie

-----Original Message-----
From: John Burgeson (ASA member) [mailto:hossradbourne@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 6:52 AM
To: Dehler, Bernie
Cc: asa@calvin.edu
Subject: Re: [asa] Yes -- the YECs are still winning

On 2/5/09, Dehler, Bernie <bernie.dehler@intel.com> wrote:
>
> A question: Why not have a position against YEC since this is a group of
> scientists who reject a young earth because it goes against science? Their
> name alone disqualifies them in science- "young earth" (unlike 'old earth'
> or titles with 'evolutionist' in it).

I understand the argument here. But I will argue against it.

I am personally uncomfortable with the ASA taking such a position. In
all Christian groups there are "fence builders" and "bridge builders."
I think the former do a disservice to the faith, regardless of their
stated motivations.

I am reminded of the Christmas card we got last December from an old
friend who proudly stated that he and his wife had left their
denomination "to affiliate with those who say "Jesus is the Way"
rather than "Jesus is a way." If our fellowship depends on doctrinal
orthodoxy -- or on anything except a devotion to Christ -- it may not
be worth very much.

Finally, there are some YECs who hold that position while admitting
the scientific data does not support it. I presume some are
scientists, and therefore eligible as anyone else to be ASA members. I
don't have to agree with their thinking to have fellowship with them!

Even such persons as Henry Morris and Duane Gish, who continue to
argue YEC on the basis of bad science, I count as friends (I know --
Henry has gone on). Our common bond in Christ trumps all.

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Received on Fri Feb 6 15:56:19 2009