> In many other discussions I find a curious reluctance among YECers
> to continue into substantive issues. It seems to be a "God diddit"
> mind set at work!
I am a YECer. I am a scientist. I am a YECer BECAUSE I am a
scientist. I am actually getting tired of listening to and writing
to this listserv because I am tired of hearing YEC bashing. I have
attempted to listen to both sides of the arguments and compared them
to what I know from scientific work and my readings. In truth, the
scientific philosophy of the YEC proponents make as much sense and
have as many problems as the philosophy all of you are drumming from
your pulpits.
> My God, as you say, "invented" philosophy; I find it fascinating, even
> though I am not very good at it. I wonder what biblical basis the speaker
> had for us to avoid it?
Funny, did your God invent philosophy, or did Satan, or did human
beings? God is truth and is reality - philosophy, at least in terms
of the courses I have had in it, is a human undertaking to understand
the universe around them. God, in that sense, didn't invent
philosophy. God IS reality; He created the universe that exists
(whether you believe it or not) and, according to the Scriptures, it
will dissolve when He decides it will (matter cannot be created or
destroyed be hanged!).
Philosophy is a human invention, an invention by human beings using a
fallen intellect, somewhat based on observations by fallen eyes
(although not all philosophy is based on observation - "I think,
therefore I am" is self-awareness, not based an objective reality).
Hence, philosophy is not a divine creation, any more than you can
claim the atom bomb is a divine creation. God understands it, but He
didn't "create" it in the sense that He created light.
Science is philosophy, in a matter of speaking. As someone rightly
pointed out on this listserv, science is _not_ the objective reality
of observations, science is the _philosophical interpretation_ of those
observations. In that regard, one person's philosophy is another's
junk. The question of right and wrong is based on the underlying
presupposition and the conclusions based on persons' logic, whether
right or wrong. As I have said, I have found gaps in your
reasonings, I have found gaps in the reasonings of the YEC
proponents; I have found sensibilities in some of your statements and
in some of theirs. In my opinion (which to some is biased, to others
objective - objectivity is in the eye of the beholder or, to put it
another way, that which is evil lies in the opinion of the victor),
both of your "science" is balanced by the other camp. Hence, what I
believe comes down to that - faith. And I choose to believe in the
Bible.
Finally, yes, I have a belief that God "diddit". God created the
heavens and the earth. As a scientist, I have a desire to understand
how God "diddit", _if_ He permits me to do so. After all, God tells
us in Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong to the LORD our
God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever,
that we may observe all the words of this law." (NAS) Why does God
reveal anything to us (and we will NOT _know_ the truth about
creation/evolution unless God reveals it to us since NONE OF US WAS
THERE) except that we should glorify Him?
What I have against the theological evolutionists is their pride and
arrogance. The truth is that God may NOT desire for us to
understand how he "diddit" - your attitudes that you can do so, even
if God doesn't desire for you to know how, is arrogance of the
highest sort.
Funny, the Bible tells us that God reveals His secrets to those who
fear Him (Ps 25:14) and that He is opposed to the proud. Maybe
humility in the face of the Scriptures is the best way to learn how
God "diddit".
William M. Frix
Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering
Box 3021
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
Phone: (501) 524-7466
FAX: (501) 524-7499
EMAIL: wfrix@engr.jbu.edu