To the group:
After more than 18 months on the reflector, I feel it is time to sign
off. The cost to benefit ratio for participation has risen to
unacceptably high levels. I have enjoyed the dialogue, primarily
as an observer rather than a participant. I have been impressed
with the considerable knowledge of those participating in the
debate, and with their skill in presenting their views. I wish each
of you well, and hope that your walk with the Lord will grow
closer each day.
The history of the world is full of mysteries for which I have seen
no answers, either here on this reflector or in other places. I have
chosen to accept the scriptures as authoritative in earth history, not
because I am forced to by my own reason, but because I am
convicted they are God's word. This means I accept the record of
a six-day creation of the life on this planet and the immediate
environment required for life to exist. I also accept the biblical
description of a year-long, probably very complex, catastrophe,
commonly referred to as "Noah's flood."
I don't understand the processes producing creation and the flood,
but the Bible clearly teaches that they happened. I find that the
entire message of the Bible (salvation from sin and restoration) is
based on the presupposition of the truthfulness of all of Genesis.
I haven't seen any historical or scientific explanation that answers
all the questions, but I am satisfied that the scriptures, read as real
history, provide the best known record of origins. I hope that
each of us will grow in grace and find our answers together in the
newly re-created world of Revelation 21, 22.
With best wishes,
Jim Gibson
Geoscience Research Institute
Loma Linda, CA 92350