This is from a recent thread, and I think it is important to define the scope of the discussion:
Agreed, Tim, and it is important to maintain this simple fact in mind: we ALL believe God did it ALL. As you say, it is just a matter of how and when. Which, in my mind, is not a crucial issue.
The problem arises partly out of a misunderstanding of the true scope of the dispute. What it IS and, more particularly, what it ISN'T.
It is NOT about God's ability to do anything: He is omnipotent.
It is NOT about faith in God: we all have faith in God's power and grace.
It is NOT about the validity of Scripture: we all believe it is valid, we just think it is telling us different things.
It is NOT about placing Man's knowledge over God's Scripture: since that presupposes that we all agree what God's Scripture says, and some of us are just letting Man's knowledge override that meaning.
It is NOT about compromising with the World: TE's disagree with the world on the very basic point of Christ's redemption, so we have no desire to conform or make anyone "happy". As a very conservative Christian who shares my faith with the unbeliever regularly, I am not shy at all about being "different" or seeming strange in their eyes.
It is NOT about who is properly led by the Spirit: TE's are as open to the Spirit's guidance as any other Scripture and the Spirit will not lead any astray.
It is these issues and areas that distract from the true areas for discussion and, yes, debate. It too often seems like these are "fall-back" positions for the YEC's when they hit a wall in the exegesis or the science. Not all, and not all the time, but enough to become very annoying.
Agreed, Tim, and it is important to maintain this simple fact in mind: we ALL believe God did it ALL. As you say, it is just a matter of how and when. Which, in my mind, is not a crucial issue.
The problem arises partly out of a misunderstanding of the true scope of the dispute. What it IS and, more particularly, what it ISN'T.
It is NOT about God's ability to do anything: He is omnipotent.
It is NOT about faith in God: we all have faith in God's power and grace.
It is NOT about the validity of Scripture: we all believe it is valid, we just think it is telling us different things.
It is NOT about placing Man's knowledge over God's Scripture: since that presupposes that we all agree what God's Scripture says, and some of us are just letting Man's knowledge override that meaning.
It is NOT about compromising with the World: TE's disagree with the world on the very basic point of Christ's redemption, so we have no desire to conform or make anyone "happy". As a very conservative Christian who shares my faith with the unbeliever regularly, I am not shy at all about being "different" or seeming strange in their eyes.
It is NOT about who is properly led by the Spirit: TE's are as open to the Spirit's guidance as any other Scripture and the Spirit will not lead any astray.
It is these issues and areas that distract from the true areas for discussion and, yes, debate. It too often seems like these are "fall-back" positions for the YEC's when they hit a wall in the exegesis or the science. Not all, and not all the time, but enough to become very annoying.
