Hi to my Forum Friends,
In the discussion begun by DarkAngel titled "Why Do Many Evangelicals Get Science From a Creationist?" -- I responded with, "Simple answer. When the Creator, God, '. . . created the heavens and the earth' (Genesis 1:1) -- part of that creation was all the sciences and all the laws governing all those sciences. So, who better to ask about the sciences -- than one with an indepth knowledge of God's Creation? See how simple that is -- and how true?"
And, Dark replied, "I know you meant for your answer to be cute and flippant. However, I am sincere and want to know why do some Christians choose to believe (Ken) Ham and (Dr. James) Dobson -- who are not qualified in the sciences -- over a very brilliant and Christian scientist like (Dr. Francis S.) Collins?"
Dark, my Friend, I am sorry you misunderstood my intent. In no way was my response meant to be flippant. What I wrote, I believe with all my being.
It is true that Dr. James Dobson's academic credentials are in psychology (he has a Ph.D. in Psychology) -- and his life work has been in Biblical studies and work applied to creating solid foundations for the Biblical family. So, he would not play a major role in any discussions of Creation and Science.
However, Ken Ham’s degree is in applied science (with an emphasis on environmental biology) from the Queensland Institute of Technology in Australia. He also holds a diploma of education from the University of Queensland -- a graduate qualification necessary for Ken to begin his initial career as a science teacher in the public schools in Australia.
But, keep in mind that Ken Ham is only the founder and president of Answers In Genesis. There are many other highly qualified people associated with Answers In Genesis.
1. Dr. Don DeYoung: Chairs the Mathematics/Science Department at Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana. He has taught at Grace since since 1972 with sabbatical leaves in California, Europe, and the South Pacific. He is currently president of the Creation Research Society with 1,700 members worldwide. Don speaks on many creation topics including astronomy, the Genesis Flood, design, and dinosaurs.
2. Professor Stuart Burgess: BSc(Eng), PhD, CEng, FIMechE, FRAeS has taught engineering design at Cambridge University and Bristol University in the UK.
3. Dr Donald Chittick: A highly effective and experienced speaker on the topics of origins and Earth history, with a special interest in the first eleven chapters of Genesis. Dr Chittick earned his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Oregon State University. For many years, he served as chairman of the division of Natural Sciences at George Fox University in Oregon. Since 1988, he has been an adjunct professor of chemistry at the Institute for Creation Research in the San Diego area.
4. Dr. Andrew Snelling: Joined Answers in Genesis in 2007 as the organization’s Director of Research and also as a speaker for lay person and technical audiences. He also serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Answers Research Journal. Dr. Snelling earned a bachelor of science degree in applied geology at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, graduating with first class honors in 1975. His PhD in geology was awarded by the University of Sydney, Australia, in 1982. As a result of his research endeavors, he has been involved in writing numerous scientific reports and scientific papers that were published in international science journals.
Andrew was founding editor in 1984, and served as editor for almost 15 years, of the Creation Ex Nihilo Technical Journal (now Journal of Creation). In late 1998 Andrew joined the Institute for Creation Research near San Diego, as a professor of geology. His responsibilities included teaching master’s level geology courses in ICR’s Graduate School; . . . and research and writing projects.
And, there are many more equally qualified people associated with Answers In Genesis. Also, if you will visit the following URL link you will find an extensive list of modern scientists who have accepted the Biblical account of creation:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/bios/
Another great source of Creation Science material can be found at the Institute For Creation Research web site:
The Institute For Creation Research also has a staff of highly qualified individuals with advanced degrees and research work in Creation Sciences. ICR's "Acts & Facts" monthly magazine contains articles and information of current interest dealing with creation, evolution, and related topics. Current and past issues can be read online, and you can sign up to receive future issues in the mail, all for free. Personally, I highly recommend this magazine to all who have an interest in Biblical Creation and Creation Science. I have been receiving and reading this magazine for years.
http://www.icr.org/subscriptio...nup&f_country=US
So, Dark, my Friend -- believe me, there was no flippancy whatsoever intended in my earlier post.
In your post, you hold as your champion Dr. Francis S. Collins, an American physician-geneticist, noted for his discoveries of disease genes and his leadership of the Human Genome Project (HGP) -- who currently serves as Director of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Prior to being appointed Director of NIH, he founded and was president of the BioLogos Foundation.
He tells us he is a devout Christian, which I will not question. However, when I visited his web site for the BioLogos Foundation -- I found this statement posted on their web site:
"Given the diverse theological backgrounds of our staff and of the BioLogos community in general, we have chosen not to adopt a specific statement of faith." http://biologos.org/about
Whoa! A Christian organization which will NOT adopt a Statement of Faith? Why not? All one has to do is to study the Bible to know what one believes -- based upon God's Word. How can anyone, or any organization, be Christian -- and not know what he/she believes about God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, salvation, and Creation?
Personally, any Christian ministry that will not tell us what Biblical truths they believe and teach -- is very suspect in my mind. As the apostle Paul tells us in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. . ." So, to me, when a ministry, or a person, will not declare a Statement of Faith or a Statement of Beliefs -- I have to wonder if they are truly Christian.
As I have often written, there are Christians who are so caught up in the secular world that they feel obligated to find a compromise between God's Written Word and their secular society -- so, they compromise with Secular Evolution. This we call Theistic Evolution, i.e., adapting God's Word to fit into modern society's teachings. Instead of adapting our society to fit God's Word; they want to adapt God's Word to fit their societal norms, teachings, and desires. Dr. Collins has fallen into this trap.
Another who supports such a compromise is Dr. Hugh Ross, Reasons To Believe ministry. With a Ph.D in astronomy and astrophysics, he promotes progressive and day-age forms of old Earth creationism.
While getting an education, some can become so enamored with the teachings of the secular world, modern society's mores, and secular education -- that they can be sucked into the abyss of compromise -- believing that secular man can be more knowledgeable than the God who created them.
This brings us to one of the greatest gaps between Christians following Liberal Theology -- and those of us who follow the Biblically Conservative Theology. Liberal Theology proponents deny that the Bible is the literal Written Word of God -- claiming that it is only a guidebook, a book of stories designed to be good examples of Christian living.
While they will accede to the Bible's inspiration; they refuse to believe that it is inerrant and they refuse to believe it is the literal Written Word of God. Why? To accept a literal interpretation of the Bible -- they will have to deny their secular based "Theistic Evolution" or their "Billion Year Old Creation" which has allowed them to compromise with modern society.
Yet, we who follow Conservative Theology KNOW that all sixty-six books of the Bible, starting with Genesis and ending with Revelation -- are the Holy Spirit inspired, Holy Spirit inerrant, literal Written Word of God.
Is every verse of the Bible to be read literally? No. There are some which are meant to be read with a symbolic meaning, some with a metaphorical meaning.
However, proper Bible interpretation, Biblical hermeneutics, calls for us to first read the verse or passage literally. If the shoe fits, that is the proper interpretation. If not, then look for a symbolic or metaphorical meaning. If the meaning is symbolic -- you will find the interpretation of this symbolism elsewhere in the Bible.
An example of this is found in the first chapter of Revelation. Verses 12-16 speak of One like a Son of Man standing among seven golden lampstands, holding seven stars in His right hand. Symbolism. Verse 20 explains that the seven lampstands are the seven churches -- and the seven stars are the angels of those seven churches. Interpretation.
This is why it so important for Christian believers to be studying the Word of God daily -- that we might have a fuller understanding and a greater knowledge of His Written Word. And, doing so, we will be better equipped to find those often elusive interpretations of Biblical symbolism that may confuse those less mature in knowledge of God's Word.
So, Dark, again, I was not being flippant. I believe with my whole being the Genesis story of God's Creation.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill