I respectfully disagree. Any hopes we have for this or eternity hang on the trustworthiness of God's Word. As declared at the beginning of the Gospel of John - God's Word is Jesus.
The claim, therefore, by sincere Bible-believing, Spirit-filled followers of Christ is that the entire Bible - from "In the beginning God created..." to "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." - is all about Jesus.
So, is Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life as He claims? If so, He cannot lie. Nor does any portion of His written Word lie or misrepresent.
And we ALL know that that is what is at stake in all of our debates.
Macro-evolutionary theory, as stated most popularly, not only flies in the face of *observable* science, but in stark defiance against the claims of Holy Scripture. God's entire intent in all of His creation is to prompt man to seek to *know Him* and find eternal life.
For those who have done so by faith, who subsequently receive spiritual eyes and ears to see and hear - evidence of not only a supremely Intelligent Designer but also of Who He is - could not possibly be more abundant. That His Word is Truth trumps every conceivable imagination of mere man. He says His intent is to walk with us and talk with us - He has and is keeping His promise beyond all that we could hope or imagine - even to those of us enduring the most intense trials and tribulations around the world. We declare His goodness beyond all circumstances - because we know Him - and He has proven He knows us - and continues to love us despite our unworthiness.
There is no wiggle room or compromise allowed in interpreting what is presented plainly in Holy Scripture - unchanged going on ~ 6000 and 2000 years respectively now:
○ 6 days creation - either the truth or a lie.
○ Origins of mankind beginning with two fully formed human beings - either the truth or a lie.
○ According to the genealogies presented in the Bible, the heavens and the earth and all of its inhabitants trace back ~ 6000 years - either the truth or a lie.
○ The fact that the evidence of God is clearly perceived in His creation by ALL - either the truth or a lie.
○ The remarkable historical reliability and the true miracles of prophecies fulfilled - either the truth or a lie.
○ Our need for salvation and the Door through Whom we find it - either the truth or a lie.
From the witness of our own lives, and that of our brethren, we who follow Jesus are walking testimonies that God's greatest miracle is changing a human heart.
Speaking the universe into existence in 6 days, arks, floods, pillars of fire, parting seas, walking on water, instantaneous healing, raising the dead... easy to accept on its plain face by comparison.
Frankly, clinging to Genesis 1 or any "dubious" claims of Scripture will not excuse a man from accountability to a moral God. How tragic that the majority of mankind, in open rebellion against their own Creator, may never seek God - Truth Himself - to the degree as to discover that He is both Judge *and* Redeemer - to those who place their full faith in His Son. And that the establishment and exercise of that relationship reveals to a greater and greater degree throughout our walk here - that His Word is most certainly divinely inspired and living - what is seen through faith - itself His gift to us.
What an immense joy it is therefore to satisfy man's inherent curiousity by studying all aspects of His creation - there are no greater lovers of science who give glory to The Architect!
Thus is all God's Plan in its fullness in *everything* He has done and said since before He declared, "Let there be Light".
Hardly academic. Except to those who will forever worship only head knowledge, and harden their hearts toward God - when both are required to find Him. That is mankind's *true* objection to Him.
The most obvious scientific truth that none of us can avoid or pretend away - is that we all are under the sentence of death - as is everything on this earth that should be a paradise - and we know in our innermost being that it shouldn't be so. The source of this curse is either God - or ourselves.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is Good News for those who conclude it is ourselves and receive the gift of His Son for eternal life. It is tragic news, based on reality, for those who persist in blaming a Holy and Righteous God and reject the clearest demonstration of His Love for us, irregardless of our wretchedness, ever presented. Especially mournful as God declares His Plan for *each of us* as clearly as He can, in this and throughout Scripture:
Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
I would like to invite you, in light of pitting what you apparently deem to be representitives of the Church Universal - the Body of Christ - against demonstrable science - to devote serious study as to whether the Roman Catholic church *as an institution and its authorities* are indeed faithful to the testimony of Jesus Christ. And have and are conducting themselves in obedience to His teachings.
I will agree categorically that their fruits do not reflect a true devotion to Who Christ really is. No more apparent is it than to those abused by said institution throughout history.
Specifically in reference to the persecution of Galileo, first a broader look at the abuses done in the Name of God during this sad chapter:
From:
Galileo affair - Wikipedia
"The Roman Inquisition, formally Suprema Congregatio Sanctae Romanae et Universalis Inquisitionis (Latin for 'the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition'), was a system of partisan tribunals developed by the Holy See of the Catholic Church, during the second half of the 16th century, responsible for prosecuting individuals accused of a wide array of crimes according to Catholic law and doctrine, relating to Catholic religious life or alternative religious or secular beliefs. It was established in 1542 by the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Paul III. In the period after the Medieval Inquisition, it was one of three different manifestations of the wider Catholic Inquisition, the other two being the Spanish Inquisition and Portuguese Inquisition."
Note what is in particular the charge against opponents to the RCC:
"... responsible for prosecuting individuals accused of a wide array of crimes according to *Catholic law and doctrine*, relating to *Catholic religious life or alternative religious or secular beliefs."*
Holy Scripture is available here:
biblegateway.com
As a serious seeker of Truth, I would again invite you to compare the teachings of Holy Scripture against the *demonstrated* tenets and doctrines of the RCC - and to consider whether it is fair to broadbrush the remnant of the true Church - witnesses who proclaim and *live* the Gospel of Jesus Christ - with evidence of a personal relationship - thusly preserved throughout history in the midst of false prophets and teachers, wolves in sheep's clothing, tares amongst wheat, and goats amongst sheep. Just a few goodies:
According to the last pope - all religions lead to the same God.
The pope is the mouthpiece of God.
The pope is Christ's representative head - not Christ Himself.
The RCC has authority to promote violence, war, persecution of the citizenry, and subversion in the affairs of all nations.
A human priest actually has the authority to absolve sins!
The purchase of indulgences permits sin.
A single repetitive prayer - like a superstitious mantra - carries any weight with God.
The worship of statues, images and icons.
The need for ANY intermediary, whether blessed human mother or departed saint - to be allowed access to the ONLY High Priest and Advocate Jesus - or to bypass Him completely.
The derision of evangelism - which just so happens to be the Great Commission commanded by Jesus Himself.
Absence of any testimony of a personal relationship to Jesus Christ or the *only* Holy Father through the indwelling Holy Spirit- which is precisely what Jesus says is His whole intent - to purchase back for the Father an eternal family.
"You shall know them by their fruits." - Jesus
Man's purpose is to glorify God. Ignoring, opposing, doubting, mocking, spitting upon, and crucifying His Word and Person is evidence of man's sinful desire to glorify himself above Him - just like that ancient deceived and deceiving spirit who inspires the world - and is already defeated and condemned.
Our need for the Savior, as He is, could not be more apparent. His victory is ours if we claim His offer of enduring grace through faith.
God bless us all do, and shall, believe and obey!
John 14:21 NKJV
"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
