RE: [asa] Advice for conversing with YECs

Transition? That may be wishful thinking, sorry.

Be sure to be a Christian toward them, in loving spirit and works, too, if
possible. This builds their respect. Without respect, you have little or
no chance to sway them.

Many YEC feel they have to defend their position because they are convinced
they are defending God's Word, when they are really defending only one
interpretation of it. Some YEC folks become a little more comfortable when
you can demonstrate that other literal interpretations exist, and some of
these are not in discord with science. This gives them hope for a pathway
out of their corner that they have put themselves into, not that many are
looking for hope to get out.

I sometimes will share my view of the Galileo affair, where the Church
suffered much in their unwillingness to reinterpret certain passages that
suggested the Earth was the center of the universe. [It seems to be the
Protestant's turn in the eyes of unbelievers. ]

These are only seeds that will likely not fall on fertile soil.

"Coope"

From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On
Behalf Of Dennis Venema
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2008 4:00 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 17:55:11 2008