From: Keith Miller (kbmill@ksu.edu)
Date: Mon Dec 16 2002 - 09:48:14 EST
> what is the general concensus here? do you all believe in evolution
> and are
> you trying to interpret the Bible from a Darwinian perspective (which
> would
> be the next logical step) or do you embrace creationism or something
> else?
> rich
>
I don't have the time to respond in detail. However, the question
above has a number of false assumptions and sets out the issue in
conflict metaphor from the start.
The proper questions to ask are: What is the best theological
scholarship available regarding the hermenutics of the relevant
biblical passages. How do we best interpret the scripture taken on its
own authority? What do the Biblical passages actually say? How would
they have been understood by the original hearers, in their particular
linguistic, cultural and historical context? What was the message that
God was intending to communicate through the authors?
A second set of appropriate questions center on: What is the reality
of the physical universe in which we dwell? What is the current state
of the physical universe and what are the processes by which it
operates? What is the history of this physical universe that can be
reconstructed from the evidence accessible to our senses?
There is nothing in the above that places the Bible and evolution (or
any other scientific conception of the world) in necessary conflict.
As God's image bearers I believe that God has given us the tools to
understand his Creation, and thus to excercise proper stewardship over
it. Science is an expression of this God given commission to rule
Creation as His appointed representatives.
Keith
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