Augustine on science.

[seebs]

http://home.austarnet.com.au/stear/saintaugustine.htm

"It is also frequently asked what our belief must be about the form and shape of heaven according to Sacred Scripture. Many scholars engage in lengthy discussions on these matters, but the sacred writers with their deeper wisdom have omitted them. Such subjects are of no profit for those who seek beatitude, and, what is worse, they take up very precious time that ought to be given to what is spiritually beneficial."

This also reproduces his observation that it is dangerous at best for believers to try to use Scripture to show their knowledge of the physical nature of things.

 

[Didaskomenos]

I like it, seebs. Unfortunately, the Evangelicals who become steadfast YEC's (biblical literalists and inerrantists) have phobias about "Catholic" Church fathers that would cause them to disregard Augustine's comments. Perhaps, though, there are those who really want to know the truth, whatever it is, even if it differs from the fundie party line.

Of course the OT wasn't meant to be scientifically accurate - nothing was at that time and location in history! They simply didn't care about the scientific methodologies that give us true history and science. And if modern Christians would heed Augustine's advice about not "proving" the Bible by showing its scientific accuracy, and adopt his faith in God's sovereignty over faith in a certain way of reading Scripture, all these "evilutionists" wouldn't find it necessary to hang out at this Christian website and make them look so ignorant.

 

[Chris H]

Augustine had a lot on the ball. I would encourage Christians here to read more of his thoughts.

Chris

 

[jon1101]

Originally posted by Didaskomenos
I like it, seebs. Unfortunately, the Evangelicals who become steadfast YEC's (biblical literalists and inerrantists) have phobias about "Catholic" Church fathers that would cause them to disregard Augustine's comments.

Woah, wait a minute. That is quite a hasty generalization: I know many conservative YECs who really respect Augustine.

-jon

 

[Chris H]

I now a lot of YEC's who respect augustine also.

Chris

 

[Didaskomenos]

Too true. Sorry for the blanket statement, which is certainly more true with extremists than with YEC's as a whole. That was a bad generalization based on frustration.

It's just that I get so tired of beating my head against the wall trying to get those who are too conservative to realize that sometimes the Truth is actually outside their box of beliefs handed to them as gospel truth - and YEC's often fit in that category. But not always. My apologies.

 

[jon1101]

Originally posted by Didaskomenos
It's just that I get so tired of beating my head against the wall trying to get those who are too conservative to realize that sometimes the Truth is actually outside their box of beliefs handed to them as gospel truth - and YEC's often fit in that category. But not always. My apologies.

I completely understand. As part of the homeschool community in my area, I see 'too conservative' quite often, but not always.

-jon