Re: Phil Johnson

From: Vernon Jenkins (vernon.jenkins@virgin.net)
Date: Wed Oct 03 2001 - 18:07:36 EDT

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    Dick,

    Thanks for responding. However, I observe you have ducked a number of
    the issues raised. Let me deal with these in order:

    1) Following your suggestion, I am currently studying Chapter 3 of your
    book "The Origins Solution" where you lead me to expect to find an
    answer to my charge that in recent posts you appear to conflate
    evolution with the gospel.

    2) I requested some instances of PJ's 'opportunism' and
    'misinformation'. In reply you suggest I embark on an extensive
    programme of reading to unearth examples of these alleged misdemeanours.
    This is hardly satisfactory since I am no mind reader! Having made the
    charge it is surely your responsibility to provide clear instances.

    3) Concerning your response to the extract from 'The Wedge of Truth',
    I fail to understand why you evade my questions and, instead, raise the
    matter of PJ's paper qualifications! Does one really need a science
    degree to put together a reasonable statement of this kind? I again ask,
    Don't you think PJ should be applauded for drawing attention to some of
    the more unsavoury tactics of those of your persuasion?

    I observe you have a masters degree in theology. When I have studied
    your writings in more detail I shall contact you again with some
    comments and questions.

    Vernon
         
    http://www.otherbiblecode.com

    Dick Fischer wrote:
    >
    > Vernon Jenkins wrote:
    >
    > While every Christian must share your concern regarding
    > those who are either ignorant of, or refuse to accept, the
    > gospel of Christ, I believe your approach to the matter is
    > seriously flawed.
    >
    > First, you appear to be claiming some kind of divine
    > authority for evolution. Indeed, it seems you regard it as
    > an integral and essential part of the gospel! Whilst I believe
    > this notion to be complete nonsense, I am nevertheless
    > intrigued by the claim, and invite you to substantiate it.
    >
    > I wrote a chapter on exactly that. Go to my web site and click on
    > Chapter 3.
    >
    > Then there is the matter of the closing paragraph of your
    > last email in which you say of Phillip Johnson, "... at the very
    > least he is an opportunist. He takes uninformed Christians and
    > makes them misinformed Christians. Armed with misinformation,
    > they muddy the waters, obscuring the truth from those who might
    > otherwise seek it."
    >
    > I really think you should explain what you have in mind here.
    > Some examples of his 'opportunism' and 'misinformation' would
    > help.
    >
    > Read his stuff and draw your own conclusions. Read my stuff and do
    > the same.
    >
    > When I last wrote to you I quoted a few lines from his 'The
    > Wedge of Truth'(pp.128-129). Here's how it opens, "Science should
    > never fear honest intellectual tools such as precise use of
    > terms, unbiased investigation of evidence and refusal to accept
    > unjustified extrapolations."
    >
    > If PJ comments on jurisprudence, where he has a doctorate degree, then
    > I would consider him an authority. I am unaware of any formal
    > scientific or theological training. My masters degree is in theology,
    > for example. I don't see how he is qualified to make statements about
    > either of those subjects. As for "unbiased investigation." How has
    > he investigated the mechanics of genetic change, for example? I have.
    > How has he studied the phyletic tree of life that indicates mutual
    > shared common ancestry as Glenn Morton has? How has he studied
    > biological evolution as Keith Miller has? In short, he exhorts others
    > to do what he, as far as I know, has not.
    >
    > Dick Fischer - The Origins Solution - www.orisol.com
    > "The answer we should have known about 150 years ago"



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