Christianity... and the fact of evolution

[RedPonyDriver]

Once you toss "biblical inerrancy", things start making sense.

 

[W2L]

Once you realize Nothing matters but Christ in God, and you in Christ, then things make sense.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

If evolution is one of the strongest explanatory theories in any academic field, I mean, the evidence is simply overwhelming, how do Christians reconcile this?

What about the Biblical scholars that generally dismiss Genesis as a "historical" representation... but rather "myth" (however you want to define that)?

I understand I'm courting "controversy" here, but I'd genuinely like to hear this, supposedly, untouchable theological answer.

A better question to ask is:

What evidence can disapprove evolution?

1. No real Transitional Fossils found. Only loose connections made.
2. No new genetic information forming or being added to the species.
3. Evolutionary Scientists repeatedly written that they have no real evidence.
4. Insects lose genetic code when adapting to pesticides (They don't gain any DNA).
5. We don't see observable proof of one species turning into another species.
6. Fossil records have been misrepresented in museums just to support Evolution.
7. Life has never been observed to come from non-life.
8. Examine a bird's feather and a reptile scale under a microscope. They are nothing like each other at all. Yet the Reptile was supposed to have formed into a bird at some point. Where are the transitional feather like scales? There isn't even one of these babies preserved in mud somewhere? I mean, a feather and a scale is about as similar to a chocolate bar would be to a silver bullet.

As for Having a Relationship with the Lord and His Holy Word: Well, the Bible is tied to scientific facts. You can't ignore these types of facts, unless you want to ignore science. In fact, the Bible is supported in many different categories of evidences.

In fact, the Bible is not a mere book as many will have you believe. The Bible was God breathed and is perfect and without error. Veritably, the Bible is one of the top most translated and best selling books in the world. It is also the #1 historical book within history that has remained the most accurate and true to it's original more than any other historical book.

Here are a couple of my favorite evidences that back up God's Word.

The Discovery of Mount Sinai, the Cleft Rock, and the Crossing Path of the Red Sea:

In the Scriptures we learn that the Lord literally burned the top of Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19) (Deuteronomy 5). In fact, today, people have witnessed the burned top of Mt. Sinai. A Mountain that is now called "Jabal al Lawz" in Saudi Arabia. A mountain that you can see that is burned at the top.

Exodus 19:18
"And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly."​

There is even evidence that confirms the Red Sea crossing, too. A great video to check out these evidences (That is also available on DVD if you do not like the video quality) can be watched here:



Just Click on Play Button at the following YouTube Video.

In addition, I would also recommend watching the following video here, as well. This video reveals more of the discoveries made at Mt. Sinai. Such as Elijah's cave, certain artifacts, and the split rock.

Psalms 105:41
"He opened the rock, and waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river."​

Again, if you don't like the resolution of the video at YouTube, I do believe the DVD is still available on Amazon or other select sites.

We All Come From Adam and Eve:

There are also Biblical Evidences in Genetics, too. For...



In fact, to prove genetically outwardly that all races come from Adam and Eve, here are two photos that show black couples giving birth to black and white twins.




Anyways, a good (but lengthy) Christian article to read on this topic would be here:

Table of Nations by Tim Osterholm.


The Perfect Life Condtions of the Earth:
(That is fine tuned for life):


Today there are more than two hundred known parameters required for a planet to support life; For every one of these parameters must be met exactly, or there would be no life on Earth

Here are just 20 of them.

1. Earth is at the perfect distance from the sun.
(Too close and we burn up; Too far away and we would freeze).

2. Earth is in a habitable zone of galaxy where there is no radiation and wandering planetoids.

3. Earth's orbit of the sun does not take us too close to the sun.

4. Earth has the right amount of magnetic fields generated from it's core to protect us from harmful rays of the sun.

5. Earth has the right kind of star (i.e. the sun) which gives off the right amount of output that is not too strong (that would burn us up).

6. Earth is spinning at a rate that makes life possible.

7. Earth is tilted at the right axis for life.

8. Earth's moon as at the right size and distance so as to provide the perfect kind of tides for life.

9. Earth's two gas giants (i.e. Jupiter and Saturn) prevent wandering astroids from hitting the Earth.

10. Earth has the right amount of oxygen or air for life to thrive.

11. Earth has the right kind of gravity for life to thrive.

12. Earth has enough useable water so as to sustain life.

13. Earth has enough minerals, plant, and animal life so as to provide for humans.

14. Earth's atmosphere is at just the right level to protect life.

15. Earth's tectonic processes which recycle the crust are just right so as to maintain life on our planet by recycling minerals and nutrients that we need.

16. Earth's right amount of gases in the atmosphere making life suitable.

17. Earth has the right amount of carbon dioxide.

18. Earth is just the right size.

19. Earth has right amount of Nitogen that makes life possible.

20. Earth is at the right age to support life.​

Taking all these factors into account, it seem like a miracle that we are even here at all. For if even one of the above variables did not exist, then we would not exist.

The Beauty of Creation:
(That leaves us in awe and wonder):


In addition, besides the Earth's existence being miracle in and of itself, then there is the beauty that we can observe with things here on this planet Earth with our five senses, too.

• For the beauty of a sunset or a mountain side or the ocean can leave you in awe just by gazing upon them with your own two eyes.
• Then there is the beauty of taking in the fragrance of a rose that makes you think romantically to taking in the fragance of a handful of coffee beans that refreshes you.
• There is the beauty in listening to a song with your ears and how it can move your soul and emotions to great lengths.
• There is the beauty of feeling warm clean water cleanse you of dirt to the beauty of feeling the touch of the one you love.
• There is the beauty in the taste of a bunch of sweet strawberries to the taste of freshly salted cooked potatoes.

Why are there so many beautiful things within the universe?

There are many beautiful animals, trees, flowers, rivers, mountains, clouds, and stars in the heavens. Many pleasureable foods, smells, tastes, emotions, sounds, and things to touch. It seems that things are not just a random accident. It appears that there are many good and wonderful things that an Intelligent Creator has designed specifically for us so as to make us happy and to take joy in.

The Sea Worthiness of the Ark:



Another good piece of evidence that backs up God's Word is the Sea Worthiness of the Ark.

Here is a quote from a good article that talks about that.

"Noah’s Ark was the focus of a major 1993 scientific study headed by Dr. Seon Hong at the world-class ship research center KRISO, based in Daejeon, South Korea. Dr. Hong’s team compared twelve hulls of different proportions to discover which design was most practical. No hull shape was found to significantly outperform the 4,300-year-old biblical design. In fact, the Ark’s careful balance is easily lost if the proportions are modified, rendering the vessel either unstable, prone to fracture, or dangerously uncomfortable.

The research team found that the proportions of Noah’s Ark carefully balanced the conflicting demands of stability (resistance to capsizing), comfort (“seakeeping”), and strength. In fact, the Ark has the same proportions as a modern cargo ship.

The study also confirmed that the Ark could handle waves as high as 100 ft (30 m). Dr. Hong is now director general of the facility and claims “life came from the sea,” obviously not the words of a creationist on a mission to promote the worldwide Flood. Endorsing the seaworthiness of Noah’s Ark obviously did not damage Dr. Hong’s credibility.



Dr. Seon Won Hong was principal research scientist when he headed up the Noah’s Ark investigation. In May 2005 Dr. Hong was appointed director general of MOERI (formerly KRISO). Dr. Hong earned a B.S. degree in naval architecture from Seoul National University and a Ph.D. degree in applied mechanics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor."​

Noah's Ark is at the maximum size that is currently within man's knowledge to be possible for a wooden sea vessel.




Article Source:
https://answersingenesis.org/noahs-ark/thinking-outside-the-box/
(Please take note that I do not believe everything AIG teaches or does, I am merely in agreement with this particular article here).

Man Was Formed Out of the Dust of the Ground:

In 1982, NASA ames research had made a discovery that the same elements that are within our body are found within the soil.

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
~ (Genesis 2:7)​

Now, the chances of Moses (The author of Genesis) making such a lucky guess about a modern day scientific truth is pretty darn amazing to say the least. Granted, Moses might have been able to make one or maybe two lucky guesses or truths as we know them today, but he would not have been able to account for all of the time tested truths in all of the five books he had written in the Bible. For we could have been formed out of gold, silver, rubber trees, castor beans, actinides, or lanthanides, (all of which have different properties than clay (soil). It is also interesting to point out that Christians were criticized for believing in Genesis 2:7 before this discovery was made, too.


...

 

[Bible Highlighter]

For the Bible has been internally verified, historically verified, and scientifically it has been verified.

For there are many great Biblical evidences that back up the Bible. Such as...

The Hidden code in the Hebrew Scriptures:

The Cross found in Israelite Camp Arrangement:



http://www.ldolphin.org/camp.html

Biblical Numerics:



More evidence that God's Word is divine is the very text itself. I have mentioned before about how numbers glorify God's Word. This is not numerology, or trying to gain special visions or prophecies from numbers or anything like that. This is just looking at the meaning of the numbers in the Bible based on how they are used repeatedly thru out it. For example, Christ was in the wilderness 40 days and 40 nights. This was like a trial. Noah was also in a trial, too. He was in the Ark for 40 days and 40 nights. In other words, the number 40 in the Bible is simply telling us that it relates to a trial or testing.

Anyways, please check out this video here on the amazing occurences on the number 8 in the King James Bible.

Watch the video until the very end. it has information taken from the Bible itself that will blow your mind (Especially towards the end of the video).

Also, here are some other links you should check out:

http://www.hiddenhillssgbaptistchurch.org/images/Articles by Subject/Books/G. E. Jones/That Ye May Marvel or The Significance of Bible Numbers.pdf

http://bibleprophecy-abeginnersguide.blogspot.com/2012/01/does-god-leave-fingerprints.html

The Bible Found in the Chinese Language:



http://students.washington.edu/cbsf/cool/Chinese.swf

(Note: The above web link requires "Flash"; So either download "Flash" on your computer or if you have a mobile device: Download a "Flash" viewing browser).

Jesus is real and the Bible is real and they can change your life if you just repent of your sins and accept Christ as your personal Savior.

Anyways, after doing an exhaustive search for the truth (objectively) if you are ready at any point to accept the Lord, then please check out one of two links here (that will then help to begin your journey or walk with the Lord in love):

For Men:

This Was Your Life.

For Women:

You Have a Date.


....

 

[aiki]

If evolution is one of the strongest explanatory theories in any academic field, I mean, the evidence is simply overwhelming, how do Christians reconcile this?

The evidence for the ToE is "overwhelming"? I think the theory has significant cultural inertia and in this sense it may be "overwhelming," but as an explanation of the development of the species of this planet it has some very serious problems that make it, in my opinion, quite underwhelming as a theory. Here's a link laying out some of the many reasons to be very skeptical of the ToE.

What about the Biblical scholars that generally dismiss Genesis as a "historical" representation... but rather "myth" (however you want to define that)?

What about them? Right from the start, the "Did God say?" question was being asked. And it's remained a frequently asked question all through the millenia of human history. That many liberal "biblical" scholars answer that question today with a "no" is not very remarkable or interesting.

I understand I'm courting "controversy" here, but I'd genuinely like to hear this, supposedly, untouchable theological answer.

Which "theological" answer is that, exactly? That the Genesis account is myth? It sounds like you've already heard it...

Selah.

 

[Winken]

A better question to ask is:

What evidence can disapprove evolution?

1. No real Transitional Fossils found. Only loose connections made.
2. No new genetic information forming or being added to the species.
3. Evolutionary Scientists repeatedly written that they have no real evidence.
4. Insects lose genetic code when adapting to pesticides (They don't gain any DNA).
5. We don't see observable proof of one species turning into another species.
6. Fossil records have been misrepresented in museums just to support Evolution.
7. Life has never been observed to come from non-life.
8. Examine a bird's feather and a reptile scale under a microscope. They are nothing like each other at all. Yet the Reptile was supposed to have formed into a bird at some point. Where are the transitional feather like scales? There isn't even one of these babies preserved in mud somewhere? I mean, a feather and a scale is about as similar to a chocolate bar would be to a silver bullet.

As for Having a Relationship with the Lord and His Holy Word: Well, the Bible is tied to scientific facts. You can't ignore these types of facts, unless you want to ignore science. In fact, the Bible is supported in many different categories of evidences.

In fact, the Bible is not a mere book as many will have you believe. The Bible was God breathed and is perfect and without error. Veritably, the Bible is one of the top most translated and best selling books in the world. It is also the #1 historical book within history that has remained the most accurate and true to it's original more than any other historical book.

Here are a couple of my favorite evidences that back up God's Word.

The Discovery of Mount Sinai, the Cleft Rock, and the Crossing Path of the Red Sea:

In the Scriptures we learn that the Lord literally burned the top of Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19) (Deuteronomy 5). In fact, today, people have witnessed the burned top of Mt. Sinai. A Mountain that is now called "Jabal al Lawz" in Saudi Arabia. A mountain that you can see that is burned at the top.

Exodus 19:18
"And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly."​

There is even evidence that confirms the Red Sea crossing, too. A great video to check out these evidences (That is also available on DVD if you do not like the video quality) can be watched here:



Just Click on Play Button at the following YouTube Video.

In addition, I would also recommend watching the following video here, as well. This video reveals more of the discoveries made at Mt. Sinai. Such as Elijah's cave, certain artifacts, and the split rock.

Psalms 105:41
"He opened the rock, and waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river."​

Again, if you don't like the resolution of the video at YouTube, I do believe the DVD is still available on Amazon or other select sites.

We All Come From Adam and Eve:

There are also Biblical Evidences in Genetics, too. For...



In fact, to prove genetically outwardly that all races come from Adam and Eve, here are two photos that show black couples giving birth to black and white twins.




Anyways, a good (but lengthy) Christian article to read on this topic would be here:

Table of Nations by Tim Osterholm.


The Perfect Life Condtions of the Earth:
(That is fine tuned for life):


Today there are more than two hundred known parameters required for a planet to support life; For every one of these parameters must be met exactly, or there would be no life on Earth

Here are just 20 of them.

1. Earth is at the perfect distance from the sun.
(Too close and we burn up; Too far away and we would freeze).

2. Earth is in a habitable zone of galaxy where there is no radiation and wandering planetoids.

3. Earth's orbit of the sun does not take us too close to the sun.

4. Earth has the right amount of magnetic fields generated from it's core to protect us from harmful rays of the sun.

5. Earth has the right kind of star (i.e. the sun) which gives off the right amount of output that is not too strong (that would burn us up).

6. Earth is spinning at a rate that makes life possible.

7. Earth is tilted at the right axis for life.

8. Earth's moon as at the right size and distance so as to provide the perfect kind of tides for life.

9. Earth's two gas giants (i.e. Jupiter and Saturn) prevent wandering astroids from hitting the Earth.

10. Earth has the right amount of oxygen or air for life to thrive.

11. Earth has the right kind of gravity for life to thrive.

12. Earth has enough useable water so as to sustain life.

13. Earth has enough minerals, plant, and animal life so as to provide for humans.

14. Earth's atmosphere is at just the right level to protect life.

15. Earth's tectonic processes which recycle the crust are just right so as to maintain life on our planet by recycling minerals and nutrients that we need.

16. Earth's right amount of gases in the atmosphere making life suitable.

17. Earth has the right amount of carbon dioxide.

18. Earth is just the right size.

19. Earth has right amount of Nitogen that makes life possible.

20. Earth is at the right age to support life.​

Taking all these factors into account, it seem like a miracle that we are even here at all. For if even one of the above variables did not exist, then we would not exist.

The Beauty of Creation:
(That leaves us in awe and wonder):


In addition, besides the Earth's existence being miracle in and of itself, then there is the beauty that we can observe with things here on this planet Earth with our five senses, too.

• For the beauty of a sunset or a mountain side or the ocean can leave you in awe just by gazing upon them with your own two eyes.
• Then there is the beauty of taking in the fragrance of a rose that makes you think romantically to taking in the fragance of a handful of coffee beans that refreshes you.
• There is the beauty in listening to a song with your ears and how it can move your soul and emotions to great lengths.
• There is the beauty of feeling warm clean water cleanse you of dirt to the beauty of feeling the touch of the one you love.
• There is the beauty in the taste of a bunch of sweet strawberries to the taste of freshly salted cooked potatoes.

Why are there so many beautiful things within the universe?

There are many beautiful animals, trees, flowers, rivers, mountains, clouds, and stars in the heavens. Many pleasureable foods, smells, tastes, emotions, sounds, and things to touch. It seems that things are not just a random accident. It appears that there are many good and wonderful things that an Intelligent Creator has designed specifically for us so as to make us happy and to take joy in.

The Sea Worthiness of the Ark:



Another good piece of evidence that backs up God's Word is the Sea Worthiness of the Ark.

Here is a quote from a good article that talks about that.

"Noah’s Ark was the focus of a major 1993 scientific study headed by Dr. Seon Hong at the world-class ship research center KRISO, based in Daejeon, South Korea. Dr. Hong’s team compared twelve hulls of different proportions to discover which design was most practical. No hull shape was found to significantly outperform the 4,300-year-old biblical design. In fact, the Ark’s careful balance is easily lost if the proportions are modified, rendering the vessel either unstable, prone to fracture, or dangerously uncomfortable.

The research team found that the proportions of Noah’s Ark carefully balanced the conflicting demands of stability (resistance to capsizing), comfort (“seakeeping”), and strength. In fact, the Ark has the same proportions as a modern cargo ship.

The study also confirmed that the Ark could handle waves as high as 100 ft (30 m). Dr. Hong is now director general of the facility and claims “life came from the sea,” obviously not the words of a creationist on a mission to promote the worldwide Flood. Endorsing the seaworthiness of Noah’s Ark obviously did not damage Dr. Hong’s credibility.



Dr. Seon Won Hong was principal research scientist when he headed up the Noah’s Ark investigation. In May 2005 Dr. Hong was appointed director general of MOERI (formerly KRISO). Dr. Hong earned a B.S. degree in naval architecture from Seoul National University and a Ph.D. degree in applied mechanics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor."​

Noah's Ark is at the maximum size that is currently within man's knowledge to be possible for a wooden sea vessel.




Article Source:
https://answersingenesis.org/noahs-ark/thinking-outside-the-box/
(Please take note that I do not believe everything AIG teaches or does, I am merely in agreement with this particular article here).

Man Was Formed Out of the Dust of the Ground:

In 1982, NASA ames research had made a discovery that the same elements that are within our body are found within the soil.

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
~ (Genesis 2:7)​

Now, the chances of Moses (The author of Genesis) making such a lucky guess about a modern day scientific truth is pretty darn amazing to say the least. Granted, Moses might have been able to make one or maybe two lucky guesses or truths as we know them today, but he would not have been able to account for all of the time tested truths in all of the five books he had written in the Bible. For we could have been formed out of gold, silver, rubber trees, castor beans, actinides, or lanthanides, (all of which have different properties than clay (soil). It is also interesting to point out that Christians were criticized for believing in Genesis 2:7 before this discovery was made, too.


...

WOW, Jason!!! I'll set aside tomorrow to study this and your following posts!!! WOW!!!

 

[Indent]

I’m hearing a lot of “objections” here—the erection of a straw man, and embodied by a poor cultural understanding of evolution. Gosh. I even broke a smile at the quote mining of Stephen Hawkins.

The Whack-a-Mole is the perfect conceptual tool to express what evangelical “apologetics” often looks like today. It’d be wasteful to respond to most of these posts, as all the “arguments” against evolution have been soundly answered. You just need to look them up.

“It’s just a theory”, just won’t stay down.

The so-called “Biblical” Christians aren’t interested in evidence. So why bother asking for it? Its kind of silliness, isn’t it? If Christians are starting with the conclusions, the non-negotiable dogmas, asking the questions their culture is telling them to ask, there is little point.

I am, however, waiting for that vigorous theological position (from the evangelical/fundamentalist) that drives a conclusion that evolution is incompatible with Christianity. There are a lot more challenges, critical questions, to Christianity than the "slippery slope" argument, I suspect some people here have never bothered to challenge those easy assumption... comfortable and familiar ways of thinking.

The way I see it, there's a strong argument to be made that inerrancy is unfaithful to the texts.

 

[RedPonyDriver]

last few posts...tl;dr

If you're going to reference Answers in Genesis and other pseudo-scholarly baloney, then I can't take you seriously.

No wonder it's called "the dumbing down of America"

 

[Winken]

Once you realize Nothing matters but Christ in God, and you in Christ, then things make sense.

THANKS!!!

 

[Winken]

And I'm going to highly recommend digesting this:

http://biologos.org/blogs/archive/the-cosmogonic-form-of-genesis-1

GO FOR IT!!!

 

[W2L]

THANKS!!!

You're most welcome.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

last few posts...tl;dr

If you're going to reference Answers in Genesis and other pseudo-scholarly baloney, then I can't take you seriously.

No wonder it's called "the dumbing down of America"

I don't believe everything Answers in Genesis believes, but the article I quoted is sound. But their belief on a young Earth is correct.


...

 

[Neogaia777]

A lot of problems with the ToE are described in this:

God Bless!

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I’m hearing a lot of “objections” here—the erection of a straw man, and embodied by a poor cultural understanding of evolution. Gosh. I even broke a smile at the quote mining of Stephen Hawkins.

The Whack-a-Mole is the perfect conceptual tool to express what evangelical “apologetics” often looks like today. It’d be wasteful to respond to most of these posts, as all the “arguments” against evolution have been soundly answered. You just need to look them up.

“It’s just a theory”, just won’t stay down.

The so-called “Biblical” Christians aren’t interested in evidence. So why bother asking for it? Its kind of silliness, isn’t it? If Christians are starting with the conclusions, the non-negotiable dogmas, asking the questions their culture is telling them to ask, there is little point.

I am, however, waiting for that vigorous theological position (from the evangelical/fundamentalist) that drives a conclusion that evolution is incompatible with Christianity. There are a lot more challenges, critical questions, to Christianity than the "slippery slope" argument, I suspect some people here have never bothered to challenge those easy assumption... comfortable and familiar ways of thinking.

The way I see it, there's a strong argument to be made that inerrancy is unfaithful to the texts.

Why would we want supposed evidences for Evolution if we know it is false?


...

 

[Bethany311]

Evolution remains a theory, not a fact.

Everyone has a choice.
Either believe God's explanation of creation and life issues.
Or don't believe.

It is a choice.
That is why God told us to choose life that we and our seed may live.

Setting aside one's choice, there is also truth, isn't there? But I suppose that is technically not the question being asked here by Indent...

 

[Neogaia777]

A lot of problems with the ToE are described in this:

God Bless!

Someone in another thread stated this about the video when I posted it there:

They said: "I sometimes wonder exactly what motivates people to produce such deliberately misleading and dishonest material in the name of religion."


And I replied:

Do you even know what the video is saying in it...?

I admit there may be some things in it that might be trying to mislead people toward their point of view towards a religious belief, but the very exact same, (and pretty equally and just as much, I believe), the same kind of video's and productions produced by others from an opposing viewpoint are just as guilty of the same with theirs, in my opinion...

I would like to take info from both sides with that in mind, and then, then draw a conclusion...

You, if you would watch it with this in mind, you wouldn't be able to deny (I do not think), (with this in mind), that it creates some problems for the "theory of evolution", theory, not fact, yet, if your being honest, that it (ToE) can and does answer a lot of things, but not everything, even Darwin himself knew and admitted that, and the video points out what these are pretty clearly...

I'm not asking you to buy into all the conclusions drawn by them in the video, but I would like if you would admit and address the problems with believing the fact that the theory of evolution is "flawless" and "perfect" and "solves everything", cause, if your honest, you know it doesn't...

If you'd watch it, and just extract that alone from it, and address them (the problems with (ToE), instead of just slanderously accusing it all, "all" of it, (which isn't true), all of all of it, the whole of it, of being all "deliberately misleading and dishonest material"... Anyways, if you'd do that much with it...?

Because, the exact same could be said of almost anything else, especially ones that are "deliberately misleading and dishonest material in the name of mostly "theoretic" science or beliefs, that promote that what they have as the "be all and end all" of accurately being totally "perfect" and "flawless", (without any flaws) and being able to explain away "anything and everything" Cause that is definitely not the truth either...

Look, I love religion, or more accurately Christianity... And, I love science probably just as much... But, I am very careful and very cautious with them both... And I try to look at both of them with lenses of honesty and truth, being very careful and extremely cautious with what both and/or either one of them has to say...

I just wish you, or ones like you, would do the same...

God Bless!

 

[aiki]

I am, however, waiting for that vigorous theological position (from the evangelical/fundamentalist) that drives a conclusion that evolution is incompatible with Christianity. There are a lot more challenges, critical questions, to Christianity than the "slippery slope" argument, I suspect some people here have never bothered to challenge those easy assumption... comfortable and familiar ways of thinking.

The way I see it, there's a strong argument to be made that inerrancy is unfaithful to the texts.

Insofar as the ToE is not a sound theory, mounting a "vigorous theological position" against it seems rather unnecessary. Intelligent Design proponents are increasingly challenging - and challenging very effectively - the ToE. They are doing this quite apart from any theological arguments.

https://www.youtube.com/user/AccessResearch/videos?sort=dd&view=0&shelf_id=3

Given your obvious liberal bent, it's quite natural that you would argue against biblical inerrancy. Those who have a more conservative perspective, however, have answered the "strong argument" liberals make in an effort to dissolve the Bible's authority quite exhaustively. If hearing the very best arguments from the conservative side for biblical inerrancy is your goal, this is not the place you should expect to find them. There are many scholarly books written on this head that more thoroughly treat the subject of inerrancy than any here have the time or inclination to do. Have you read them?

Selah.

 

[Bethany311]

Dear Indent:

I used to be an atheist, so I know how you feel. You believe you are correct. But yet it bothers you that others believe in God. However, ask yourself, if God was not real, then why I am bothered by others believing in God? For does it bother you that people today believe in a flat Earth?


...

I could be wrong, but it seems like you may be projecting. Indent didn't say it bothers him that others believe in God, nor did he say that God doesn't exist. I think he's simply asking for an explanation and valid argument as to how Christianity and evolution can be reconciled. I personally haven't heard much of a decent explanation yet.

 

[Received]

If evolution is one of the strongest explanatory theories in any academic field, I mean, the evidence is simply overwhelming, how do Christians reconcile this?

What about the Biblical scholars that generally dismiss Genesis as a "historical" representation... but rather "myth" (however you want to define that)?

I understand I'm courting "controversy" here, but I'd genuinely like to hear this, supposedly, untouchable theological answer.

You reconcile it by doing what everyone did before the fundamentalists took the scene in the early 20th century by interpreting the first few chapters metaphorically. If it's good enough for Augustine, it's good enough for me.

 

[Indent]

I could be wrong, but it seems like you may be projecting. Indent didn't say it bothers him that others believe in God, nor did he say that God doesn't exist. I think he's simply asking for an explanation and valid argument as to how Christianity and evolution can be reconciled. I personally haven't heard much of a decent explanation yet.

I'm a Christian.

I believe in God, and even believe God created us. I just don't view Genesis as a journalistic account of material origins.

But some Christians conflate literalism with inerrancy, and literalism with "true" Christianity.

I spend a lot of time with Christians that tell me there a "controversy", and that evolution is "easily" disproved (on numerous occasions). On occasion, Christians make much more offensive comments on the matter.