RE: [asa] Advice for conversing with YECs

Hi Dennis-

I'm went from YEC- through old earth- to now evolutionary creationism.

My suggestion- don't try to teach or preach to them. They already know your opinion. Instead, ask them why they accept YEC by way of scientific evidence. Then dismantle their false understanding of science. In other words, your job may be to demonstrate to them why "creation science" isn't really science.

If it were me, I'd impress upon him the importance of this to evangelism. Why work to evangelize grade school kids if they will walk away from the faith in college when they learn the truth about science?

I wouldn't argue Biblical interpretation with him- meaning of yom, etc. The only reason to really doubt YEC is the scientific evidence. If it wasn't for the scientific evidence, there would be nothing wrong with YEC at all. God could have done it the YEC way. The problem is science disproves it, and the kids will learn that in college if not highschool or even earlier. My 2nd grader is learning about dinosaurs now- that lived millions of years ago!

...Bernie

________________________________
From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On Behalf Of Dennis Venema
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2008 2:00 PM
To: asa@calvin.edu
Subject: [asa] Advice for conversing with YECs

I seem to be something of a lightning rod for YECs in my local church sphere. At present I am discussing these issues with a gentleman from my congregation, but I am not making much progress in having him try to understand my point of view. We can't even get past the age-of-the-earth issue. He is not interested in looking at any evidence, either.

I am interested in what advice folks might have - I am especially interested in hearing from those of you who used to be YECs but now accept an old earth. What was useful to you as you made the transition?

Thanks, all.

Dennis

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Received on Fri Oct 24 17:48:40 2008