Dick,
Having read the Introduction and Chapters 3 and 4 of your book "The
Origins Solution" the following matters are now clear to me:
(1) You are convinced (as are many on this list) that the findings of
science confirm beyond doubt the fact of evolution - and it is with
considerable zeal that you have set out to impart this 'truth' to
others.
(2) You appear to honour the Word of God as special revelation (as do
many on this list) for you say "we can learn the specific things of God
from His Word we could not know from observing nature alone..." , but
then you appear to _unsay_ this with "God's written Word can adapt to
whatever we learn, whenever we learn it." This approach inevitably
allows you to align what you refer to as 'The Book of Words' (the
Judeo-Christian Scriptures) with the 'book of works' (the natural world
and universe).
What troubles me with this whole agenda is your manipulation of the
concept of 'special revelation'. Surely, by definition, this is a fixed
and inviolable body of information that the Creator has graciously
provided for our edification - information that we could obtain in no
other way. So the logic of the situation for the Christian is that it is
science that must yield to this revealed truth - and not vice-versa!
But how then are the inconsistencies arising from a comparison of these
records to be settled in favour of God's Word? Quite simply, in my view.
Scientists need to seriously address the fundamental assumption that
their observations - together with what is observed - are immune to
supernatural influence. The fact is that no guarantee of such immunity
has ever been given! Indeed, God's revelation is replete with examples
of supernatural interference in the affairs of mankind. Three notable -
and, for our purposes, particularly helpful - instances may be found in
1Kings 22:19-22, Job 1:6-12 and Job 2:1-7. In each case we are given a
rare glimpse of decisions and activities taking place in the 'courts of
heaven' which have a direct bearing on earthly events.
It is instructive to observe God's role in these matters. In the first,
he is intent on finding the means by which he might engineer the
destruction of his enemy, Ahab; the agreed stratagem involving the use
of evil spirits. Job's case is somewhat different. Here is a man loved
by God who, despite that (or should it be, because of that?), is allowed
to suffer at Satan's hands. Clearly, the Lord has an agenda, and it is
highly likely that such events have been repeated throughout history as
he gradually brings his grand plan to fruition. It is appropriate in
this context that we remember the Lord's stated intent to 'destroy the
wisdom of the wise' (eg Isaiah 29:14). That being so, is it reasonable
to suppose he would allow atheistic scientists - intent on proving he
doesn't exist! - to proceed unmolested?
Another feature of special revelation that is germane to the present
discussion is God's 'giving over' of his enemies to their own devices
(eg Ps.81:12, Ro.1:28}. In other words, he allows them to indulge the
fancies that must lead to their eventual downfall. Indeed, more than
that, he has promised to send them 'strong delusion that they should
believe a lie' (2Thess.2:11). It is interesting that the fulfilment of
this prophecy is timed to coincide with a great apostasy (our own time
comes to mind!). What gives the prophecy particular relevance to this
discussion is its reference to 'satanic power, signs and lying wonders.'
(v9). Since there can be little doubt that the integrity of God's
revelation to man is seriously challenged by the doctrine of evolution
and its demands for a large time-scale, we might well conclude that this
indeed is the 'lie' alluded to in the foregoing prophesy.
Finally, let me point to my own numerical discoveries in the original
Hebrew of the Bible's opening verse as tangible evidence of the being
and sovereignty of God, the reality of the supernatural, and the strong
likelihood of my views, as expressed here and elsewhere, being true. To
parody the words of one of our current generation of sages: "The simple
acceptance of God's revelation enables one to be an
intellectually-fulfilled Christian and YEC."
Vernon
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