Comment on A big reason why so many people are leaving the church by Shane Hilde.
Professor Kent: I am appalled that the first passage from Ellen White has been misapplied by Sean Pitman and EducateTruth to elevate the “candid rational intelligent mind” above a simple “Thus saith the Lord,” and to declare evidence as the basis of our faith.
You miss the point Jeff. How do you go about leading someone to the point where they trust the Bible enough to abide by a “Thus saith the Lord.” You’re preaching to the choir. No is arguing this. The point is simple, God never asks us to believe without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith.
The truthfulness of God’s Word is established by testimony that appeals to our reason, and God has given ample evidence for faith in His Word. The evidence God gives us must be carefully investigated with a humble mind and a teachable spirit; and all should decide from the weight of evidence.
Since the book of nature and the book of revelation bear the impress of the same master mind, they cannot but speak in harmony.
Science brings from her research nothing that, rightly understood, conflicts with divine revelation. The book of nature and the written word shed light upon each other. They make us acquainted with God by teaching us something of the laws through which He works.
Those who really desire to know the truth will find plenty of evidence on which to rest their faith, because the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16:13).
God requires of His people faith that rests upon the weight of evidence, not upon perfect knowledge.
We should know for ourselves what constitutes Christianity, what is truth, what is the faith that we have received, what are the Bible rules–the rules given us from the highest authority. There are many who believe, without a reason on which to base their faith, without sufficient evidence as to the truth of the matter. If an idea is presented that harmonizes with their own preconceived opinions, they are all ready to accept it. They do not reason from cause to effect. Their faith has no genuine foundation, and in the time of trial they will find that they have built upon the sand. (MR Vol. 9, No. 724; Education, chapter 14 “Science and the Bible”; Mind, Character, and Personality 536)
Professor Kent: Ellen White makes unmistakably clear that we are to accept the word of God much as a child does–not “blind,” but willing to accept what God tells us at face value.
But why should we accept God’s Word? You’re arguing from the standpoint of already assumed biblical authority. How do you arrive at that point? What did you rest your faith on? Why is the Bible true?
God always appeals to our reason. This is how he communicates with us. This is how we arrive at the conclusion that the Bible is God’s Word. Even a child has empirical evidence on which to base their trust.
Shane Hilde Also Commented
A big reason why so many people are leaving the church
Isn’t empiricism (that all knowledge must be obtained by experience), self refuting? How can empiricism be proven empirically?
Also, perhaps it would be helpful to differientate between rationalism and reason.
Reason – the faculty or process of drawing logical inferences
Rationalism – the philosophical view that regards reason as the chief source and test of knowledge.
One refers to a tool we use to make decisions, the other references to that tool as the primary source and test of knowledge.
A big reason why so many people are leaving the church
@Professor Kent: I don’t believe this comment is contradictory to her many statements regarding faith and evidence. Notice she says we should be settled in our belief of the divine authority of God’s Word. We must have good reason to settle first.
In the same paragraph quoted, she says, “All truth, whether in nature or in revelation, is consistent with itself in all its manifestations.” This is why she was able to say, “Moses wrote under the guidance of the Spirit of God, and a correct theory of geology will never claim discoveries that cannot be reconciled with his statements.”
Human reasoning is a necessary tool for detecting truth; however, human reasoning has its limitations. She says the Bible should not be tested by “man’s ideas of science.” What does she mean by this?
First she makes the point that there are things we cannot understand because we are finite. She gives some examples of what men of science think:
Yet men of science think that they can comprehend the wisdom of God, that which He has done or can do. The idea largely prevails that He is restricted by His own laws. Men either deny or ignore His existence, or think to explain everything, even the operation of His Spirit upon the human heart.
She’s not saying Bible shouldn’t be tested at all, but it shouldn’t be tested by man’s ideas of science. She’s talking about a faulting knowledge base. While our ability to reason is by no means perfect, it’s all we have to use to detect truth. She says, “All true science is in harmony with His works” (PP 115).
If they contradict each other, one of them has to be wrong. How do we determine that? God has given us the ability to judge and weigh evidence, and most of all he has given us the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.
“Faith rests on evidence,” she says (T5 68). Of the Bible she says:
In order to arrive at truth, we must have a sincere desire to know the truth and a willingness of heart to obey it. And all who come in this spirit to the study of the Bible will find abundant evidence that it is God’s word, and they may gain an understanding of its truths that will make them wise unto salvation. (SC 111)
In the end there is a difference between man’s ideas of science and true science.
A big reason why so many people are leaving the church
Professor Kent: I’m speaking to evidence that arises solely from scripture and the influence it has on one’s mind through the Holy Spirit.
If I understand you correctly, I don’t see how one could confirm the truth of the Bible unless it made claims that were testable. Listen, I’m not arguing that someone can’t come to believe in the Bible in the situation you described.
All I’ve been saying is that God never asks us to believe without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith. This evidence can come from a number of sources: archeology, history, testimony, prophecy, fruition of God’s promises, a changed life, etc.
Ellen White said:
The greatest evidence of the power of Christianity that can be presented to the world is a well-ordered, well-disciplined family. This will recommend the truth as nothing else can, for it is a living witness of its practical power upon the heart. {AH 32.2}
A well-ordered, well-disciplined family is something we can see for ourselves. It confirms the claims and promises of the Bible. If I asked you why you believed the Bible was trustworthy and the Word of God, and all you said was because it says so, that means nothing to the person who does not know God.
If we can show nothing for our faith in God’s words, then our faith is nothing and useless. We essentially deny the power we claim it has. A changed life is empirical data. If a particular physical or mental exercise leads to a manifest change that is consistent and lasting, we can look at that and say, “Wow, there must be something to that Bible for it to produce a change like that in someone.” Even that kind of evidence is external.
I think we’re more in agreement than you may think.
Recent Comments by Shane Hilde
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Ron Stone M.D.: then he “accidentally” recorded the private meeting, right?
That’s exactly right. He must have not bothered to play it back. I think the meeting was a couple hours according to the LSU news release. But basically he didn’t know he had recorded him and the others and then posted it without checking his recording.
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Eddie: Doesn’t LSU’s administration deserve at least a little bit of credit?
I think so. There are some very dedicated individuals on the board.I have no doubt they’re doing everything they can to address this issue.
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@Ron Stone M.D.: I agree. LSU has not been a shining light for our church. That’s unfortunate. That might be the case for other schools as well.
Former board member never talked with biology faculty
@Alexander Carpenter: I would readily agree since Educate Truth supports the biblical account of creation and disagrees with the handling of the topic in the biology department. This was a political move by Wisbey to gain power on the board. He now has three less who oppose him.
Former board member never talked with biology faculty
@David Read: Board members and even former board members are not allowed to discuss what has happened in board meetings. The only thing I confirmed with Tooma was whether she had conversed with the biology faculty and she made it very clear she never had. She was only presented with the joint statement and wanted to support it. This statement was seen as a big step for the biology department because Wisbey had been keeping them silent for over two years and they were now making constructive advances to dialogue with the church. I disagree with what they said, but I think it’s great their talking now. I suspect Wisbey isn’t happy with the biology department. It wouldn’t make any sense for him to only be upset with the board members since he allegedly embraces what they are doing. Doubtful though given his reaction and double standard.
