RE: [asa] Youth leaving churches because of old earth

If people are leaving the church because of "old earth" according to the
subject line, then think about it -- they are not leaving church because of
being taught old earth creationism by thoughtful Christians, but it's
because they have been confronted with the scientific evidence of old earth
and can't reconcile their faith to scientific discovery. If there is truth
to Ken Ham's statement, it's more likely because their faith has been built
a false gospel of scientific creationism. I believe the fact of an old
earth didn't take God by surprise, and the truth of the gospel of Jesus
Christ is not threatened by truths from the physical world.

However, as you imply, I think this proposition needs to be seriously
questioned, because youth are surely leaving YEC churches just the same as
others, for reasons not having to do with old earth or even evolution, but
for a variety of reasons. It may be spiritual rebellion (manifest in drugs,
illicit relationships, worldliness, etc.), and it may also be because the
church is seen as disengaged from the reality of the world around us
(science denial might play a part in that?). Maybe their spiritual needs
just aren't being met.

Jon Tandy

-----Original Message-----
From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On
Behalf Of Ted Davis
Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 2:44 PM
To: asa@lists.calvin.edu
Subject: [asa] Youth leaving churches because of old earth

You read that subject line correctly. According to Ken Ham (surprise?),
this is the bottom line reason why young people are leaving churches in
droves. Amazing. But true -- that is, it's true that Ham thinks this is
the reason.

http://blogs.answersingenesis.org/aroundtheworld/2009/05/19/a-shock-to-the-c
hurch/

I saw a copy of this book today, browsed it a bit, and that's the bottom
line for him.

I guess the youth just don't leave those churches where they're taught the
YEC view. That's certainly what Ham wants you to think. He's not about to
admit that his rigidity on this issue is one of the reasons why people won't
give Christianity a second look -- not those on the inside, but those on the
outside looking in, who might otherwise go further with their spiritual
curiosity.

Ted

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Received on Wed Aug 5 17:44:46 2009