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Am I really an Old Earth Creationist?

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rglencheek

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I believe that God created the universe, life and mankind, and He has a purpose to each.

I believe that He took billions of years to do these things because time is of no concern to Him, as space is of no concern.

He used a guided evolutionary process to develop life, and when things were appropriate, He made mankind.

I think of myself as an Old Earth Creationist since I insist that the universe, life and mankind are of Gods design and making.

Am I wrong for using this title for myself?

 

Biarien

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IMO, you may be wrong for using this title. It really depends on your answer to the question I have about the bolded portion of your post.

Question: Did God create man through evolution?

If yes, you are a theistic evolutionist, which is still an OEC, but more specific.

If no, you are an OEC but not a theistic evolutionist, so you're right in calling yourself that.

That is my understanding of the issue. My apologies if I am unclear (or just wrong!) on anything. Hopefully someone will confirm or correct this post.
 
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rglencheek

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Yes, I think God used an evolutionary process to bring about a suitable physical form, and then ensouled the human race. Archeological evidence suggests, IIRC, that there was an explosion of technological advancement about the time they think human beings gained speech capability, and my suspicion is that marks the time of ensoulment.

But, at the same time, I think it is critical to emphasize GOD DID IT, and it was not a result of an impersonal random process.

Could God have done it exactly the way it is described in Genesis? Yes.

I just dont think He did.
 
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rmwilliamsll

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there are several interesting lists of positions in the creation evolution design debate. here is my personal favorite:

i still haven't passed the magical 15 posts so i can't post the link to this, it is NOT my work, so google a phrase for its location.

if you note, the evolutionary creationist position has a series of rather interesting nuances.

the division is far more complex than just the age of the earth which by definition is the dividing line between YEC and OEC. a lot of it revolves around how you believe God does operate within the creation.
 
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Bulldog

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You sound liek a theistic evolutionist. Old Earth Creationists do not believe in biological evolution.
 
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rglencheek

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ThePhoenix said:
Why does that so sound like the opening to a militant atheist attacking christianity? "You are an old earth creationist. Creationism is proven invalid. Therefore you can't believe God created anything and still be respected."
Yes, that does sound very militant to me - who said it?
 
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OEC - Someone who believes that God created man without evolution, but did it many billions of years ago.

YEC - Someone who believes that God created man without evolution, and took the amount of time described in the OT.

TEVO - (Theistic evolutionist) Someone who believe that God guided evolution to form the earth.

rglencheek, you are a TEVO. OEC's do not believe evolution.
 
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MagusAlbertus

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rglencheek said:
Yes, that does sound very militant to me - who said it?


Standard form from an atheist.



I'm an OEC, I believe that God created man through evolution, and I believe that the bible is 100% literally correct.



People have trouble with authority coming from the bible... it makes them uncomfortable that they aren’t following the heart of Christ, or that they can't take on faith the will of God as written.. So they come up with things like evolution to dismiss belief in the bible.
 
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mark kennedy

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I am inclined to think that Old earth creationist is an impossible compromise with naturalistic assumptions. Must Christians now abandon the time held belief that God created the world, the living creatures, and man in an instant to be considered sensible? Because that is exactly what it has come down to and I for one find it as about as appealing as worshiping a graven image.

While parts of evolution, radiometric dating, and fossil evidence are compelling they are far from conclusive. I do respect the modern evolutionists for one thing, they are systematic and disciplined in their approach to natural science. However, it is completely unwarranted for me to discard my faith in the incomperable power of God to speak the universe and everyliving creature into existance.

Do I have a problem with someone calling themself an old earth creationist? Absolutly not. I don't have a problem with people that say that the Pope is the Vicar of Christ or that you can't be 'saved' without water baptism, but I don't believe them either. If OEC thinking is the best you can do to reconcile God's providance in the natural world then that's your buisness and you have only God and your own conscious to consider. If you have imbraced both the Gospel and the reasoning of modern science and it does not hinder you in your Christain walk or personal faith I have no problem with it.

Grace and peace,
Mark

I just wanted to share my thoughts on the subject and in no way should it be considered a rebuke.
 
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