Hi everyone,
I haven't posted here for a while; I hope everyone is well
. After a lot of thought regarding the evolution/creation issue, I am currently in the process of compiling a Powerpoint presentation which I aim to present at an upcoming church youth camp. As such, I would greatly appreciate any help that you guys could give me in preparing the resources for the presentation. At the moment, I am presenting this from the "Genesis as myth" angle, but I am certainly open to suggestions from those with a more historical outlook.
My basic outline of the presentation would be as follows:
If any of you are willing to help out with the presentation, with links to essays, etc., I would be most grateful. I have posted a sister thread to this in the Open Creation/Evolution forum too, so feel free to post at either thread (perhaps theology here, science there?). Perhaps the elders of the church will not be keen for me to present this at the camp, but if it could happen, I think everyone would benefit.
Thank you all for your help.
Peace and God bless,
Nick
I haven't posted here for a while; I hope everyone is well
. After a lot of thought regarding the evolution/creation issue, I am currently in the process of compiling a Powerpoint presentation which I aim to present at an upcoming church youth camp. As such, I would greatly appreciate any help that you guys could give me in preparing the resources for the presentation. At the moment, I am presenting this from the "Genesis as myth" angle, but I am certainly open to suggestions from those with a more historical outlook.My basic outline of the presentation would be as follows:
- The Debate
This section will give a basic overview of the history, and current state of the creation/evolution debate. Excerpts from print media, and quotes from both extremes of the debate (e.g. Hovind vs. Dawkins) will be provided, in order to demonstrate the popular dichotomy between Christianity and evolution.
- But there are Christians who accept evolution?
- Quotes from Christian evolutionists (e.g. Pope)
- Statistics regarding Christian evolutionists
This section will show that there are Christians who accept evolution, showing a problem with the dichotomy created in the previous section. The question raised is why Christians accept evolution, are they part of the EAC, or have YECists missed something?
- Theology of Creation
- The dogma of literalism
- But does it work? (1): Psalms
- But does it work? (2): Parables
- But does it work? (3): Galileo vs. the RCC
- Skewed perspective: The problems of literalism in exegesis
- Why myth ≠ false: Pre-scientific perspectives
This section is intended to demonstrate the problems with a text-wide literal approach to Biblical interpretation, demonstrating examples of different genres (history, poetry, narrative) in the Bible. The case of geocentricism will be used, to highlight why YECists already use science in interpreting the Bible. Also, the concept of myth will be discussed, and the argument will be made that YECist literalism, as a product of post-Enlightenment Western thought, is a poor hermeneutic approach to Genesis.
- Science of Evolution
- What is evolution?
- Mutations and natural selection
- Creationists accept this, but?
- Common objections refuted (1): Evolution has never been observed
- Common objections refuted (2): The Flood caused the fossils...
- Common objections refuted (3): Carbon-dating disproves an old earth
- Common objections refuted (4): The Big Bang hypothesis is flawed
- Common objections refuted (5): Abiogenesis
- Common objections refuted (6): Organisms are irreducibly complex
This section will deal with science of evolution, and related scientific disciplines. It will detail the basics of evolutionary theory, and demonstrate that YECists, for the most part, actually completely accept these basic principles, but reject them for other reasons. Next, common "scientific" objections to evolution will be refuted, starting with YEC, but also dealing with OEC and ID arguments, such as red-shift and irreducible complexity.
- Theology of Evolution
- Spiritual vs. Physical death
- Nature in Genesis
- Why evolution is not atheistic
This section will address common theological concerns regarding theistic evolution, such as the issue of death before the Fall, and man being created in the "image" of God. The role of nature in creation will be discussed, especially with reference to the grammar of Genesis 1, which suggested a natural creation. Also, the philosophy of science will be discussed, to show that evolution is neither atheistic, or necessarily without a purpose - though a purpose cannot be proven.
- What's the big deal?
- Statistics regarding level of education vs. religious beliefs
- Testimonies from ex-Christian evolutionists
- Putting God back into religion: The dangers of a science-based faith
This section discusses the importance of the creation debate to Christians, and why it is an issue that needs addressing. The dangers of YECism to Christianity will be addressed, and testimonies of ex-Christians who have been affected by YECism will be presented. The (rhetorical) question will be asked: is YECism destructive to the Christian faith?
- The Majesty of Creation
- Photo gallery
This section is designed as a photo gallery of the wonders of space, and natural phenomena. It is wholly unscientific, but intended to remind Christians that one does not require scientific proof something is complicated to appreciate something's beauty.
If any of you are willing to help out with the presentation, with links to essays, etc., I would be most grateful. I have posted a sister thread to this in the Open Creation/Evolution forum too, so feel free to post at either thread (perhaps theology here, science there?). Perhaps the elders of the church will not be keen for me to present this at the camp, but if it could happen, I think everyone would benefit.
Thank you all for your help
.Peace and God bless,
Nick
