Re: Apologetic Value of PC/TE
Bill Hamilton (hamilton@predator.cs.gmr.com)
Tue, 19 Dec 1995 16:37:23 -0500>I would be interested in the responses of those on either side of the
>PC/TE debate to the following question:
>
>What are the apologetic merits of your position over the other; i.e.,
>what in your position would compel an unbeliever to believe in an
>intelligent Creator?
>
Absolutely nothing in my position, or in anyone else's position, will
compel an unbeliever to believe in an intelligent creator. Jesus taught
that only those who are drawn by the Holy Spirit can come to Him. So
evangelism is not a matter of arguing with an individual until he runs out
of arguments for not accepting Christ. That's somewhat like continuing to
ask a woman you like but who is not interested in you for a date time after
time on the theory that eventually she will run out of excuses for not
seeing you. Evangelism _is_ a process in which we respond to the prompting
of the Holy Spirit and make ourselves available to tell unbelievers what He
has done for us. The rest is up to God. So I don't consider either side
of this argument to have any particular advantage in apologetics. There
are disadvantages, of course. If your approach offends unbelievers, and
the offense is anything other than "the offense of the cross" then your
evangelistic approach is counterproductive -- it is hindering people from
coming to Christ. I would submit that the fact that quite a few
nonbelieving scientists and intellectuals seem to believe that in order to
become a Christian they must accept the young-earth view falls in that
category.
Bill Hamilton | Vehicle Systems Research
GM R&D Center | Warren, MI 48090-9055
810 986 1474 (voice) | 810 986 3003 (FAX)
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