I’ve been reading all the comments from those of us …

Comment on Board requests progress reports from LSU administration by Lydian Belknap.

I’ve been reading all the comments from those of us “in the pews” but nothing from the “powers that be” to indicate they’ve heard a word we have said–or that they really care how we feel about what is going on at LSU or any other of our institutions. Am I missing something? Are some real reforms taking place and I just haven’t heard about them or is it just a case of “business as usual”? Are there so many layers of protection built in between “them” and “us” that they feel secure in their positions so they just shrug off anything we say?

No one wants to see any action on our part that would bring disrepute on God’s cause but to sit idly by (an just talk..and talk and talk some more…) and see evil continue to grow and prosper in our midst doesn’t seem to be a good option either. What is the holdup? Where do we go from here? What do we do to get some concrete action take place?

It seems to me–(and, of course, I could be wrong) that someway, somehow there must be some recourse that can force the administrations to get in there and DO something instead of just writing flowery ‘IMMEDIATE RELEASES” that have absolutely no “teeth” in them.

I do not claim to be “without sin” myself. None of us are perfect. Neither was David when he struck down the Philistine Giant, and neither were Paul or Peter, James, and John. Neither were any of the other disciples or the great Reformers of the middle ages–but they saw something needed to be done for the cause of God and they courageously stepped in and did what needed to be done–often at the risk of their lives. Does God expect less of us in this very real crisis? Pray more, of course, but is that ALL we can do or need to do?

Where do we go from here? What can we DO to help bring this disgraceful situation to an end in a way that brings glory to God does the least damage to the cause of God?

Shall we sit with folded hands and do nothing in this crisis?….God help us to arouse from this stupor that has hung over us for years.” Review and Herald, Dec. 18,1888″. Of course this was not witten for this particular situation but the counsel is just as valid now as it was in 1888.

Lydian Belknap Also Commented

Board requests progress reports from LSU administration
In the “News update” section I notice that the accreditation board told LSU if they messed with the way teachers taught in their classrooms they could lose their accreditation. I tried to find the information itself but somehow lost the connection. When I tried to find it again there was nothing listed under the “News Updates”. I would appreciate someone showing me how I can see the article itself or at least tell all of us what is going on. Thanks.


Board requests progress reports from LSU administration
@BobRyan: @BobRyan: BobRyan says:
February 23, 2010

“….still we need some formal set of statements (Fundamental Beliefs) making it clear just where we stand in our understanding of God’s Word at this point in time.”

Bob,

I was not for one moment suggesting that we did not need a statement of our “Fundamental Beliefs” because we do–otherwise we would end up in utter confusion. My point–which must have been badly made–was that this was not only against what we believe as a people but but against the plain Words of God–which we as a people solidly support. (I may have made bad matters worse by what I just said but you must accept the fact that I AM a “very old lady” and I mean well!)

I’d like to add here that I am really grateful to Shane Hilde, Sean Pitman and David Asscherick for having the courage to make this situation public and giving “very old ladies” like me a chance to (hopeully) lend some support to what they are trying to do. And I hope I haven’t “muddied the waters” too much!

Lydian


Board requests progress reports from LSU administration
I am “a very old woman” of over 85 years–will be 86 this July. While I am a college graduate (that was a long time ago!) I don’t have a string of other degrees after my name. I suppose a lot of folks would consider me ignorant for I am not an “expert” in any field of higher learning. But I am delighted to state that I have a Heavenly Father who knows more than all the combined wisdom of all the combined “experts” in any and every field of learning since time began.

As far as I am concerned I think these discussions are getting sort of “carried away” and introducing other issues that are not really relevant to this situation.

Not one soul who has ever lived was “there” when our world began–only God was. He is the only One who really knows what and how things happened. He is the only One who truly knows whether there were rocks scattered around some place or not. He says, “The earth was without form and void” I take Him at His word and go on from there.

The real issue here, as I see it, is whether or not we belive what He has plainly stated. He said, “The evening and the morning were the first, second, third. forth, fifth, sixth, an seventh day”–and that is the ONLY REASON we have the weekly cycle! The sun gives us the year, the moon gives us the months–and God gave us the week–which has never been changed. There is nothing in nature that calls for a weekly cycle! (Yes, the sun also defines the length of the day as well as the length of the year–but it does NOT define the weekly cycle.)

God has been around forever–and “He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. As for man his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone; and its place remembers it no more.” Ps. 103:14-16 NKJV. (Some wise person once said, “If you truly want to know how important you are in the overall scheme of things just take a bucket and fill it with water and put your arm in it. Then pull it back out–the hole that is left shows how important you really have been.” True, we’ve had some truly great individuals who have left a real legacy–some good, some bad–for which we remember them, but the vast majority of us fade away and eventually leave no record that we have ever lived.) But GOD never “passes away!” He, and He alone has always “been” and will always “be”!

To me, the real issue here goes far beyond our “fundamental beliefs.” We claim to be a “Bible based” church where what GOD says is supreme and all issues should stand or fall on what SCRIPTURE says. “Academic Freedom” isn’t an option where it strays from what the Bible says on a subject and anyone who teaches anything contrary to the plain Word of God (not necessarly our “fundamental beliefs”) has no place anywhere in our ranks as far as leaders and teachers are concerned. (Whose “voice” are we listening to–God’s or the devils?) There is simply too much at stake to tolerate any swerving from this basic rule.

All of these conversations back and forth that wander into all sorts of issues are simply “mudding the water” and filling the devil’s heart with glee.

To paraphrase Ellen White:

“What astonishing deception and fearful blindness (has), like a dark cloud, (covered modern) Israel! This blindness and apostasy (has) not closed upon (us) suddenly, it (has) come upon (us) gradually as (we have) not heeded the word of reproof and warning which the Lord (has) sent to (us) because of (our) pride and (our) sins. And now, in this fearful crisis, in the presence of idolatrous (teachers and leaders), (we) remain neutral. If God abhors one sin above another, of which His people are guilty, it is doing nothing in case of an emergency. Indifference and neutrality in a religious crisis is regarded of God as a grievous crime equal to the worst type of hostility against God.” Testimonies, Vol.3, pg. 280

“And if it seem evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve; whether the gods (of science-so called or the Creator of the universe)… but as for me …(I) will serve the LORD.” (My family is long-since grown and gone so they must choose for themelves.) Joshua 24:15 (NKJV Paraphrased)

“Shall we (continue to) sit with folded hands and do nothing in this crisis?….God help us to arouse from this stupor that has hung over us for years.” Review and Herald, Dec. 18,1888″. (Again–paraphrased) Of course this was not witten for this particular situation but the counsel is just as valid now as it was in 1888.


Recent Comments by Lydian Belknap

A New Endowment Program for Adventist Education
So here I sit–a “very old lady”–totally confused and not having a clue as to whether to donate or not–or where to donate if I should.

As things stand now I think I will just continue putting my own little amount to my current “missionary out reach” of buying “Steps to Christ” and “Who Do You Think You Are?” and passing them on to the clerks in the stores where I shop or other people I meet that I think would like them.

If and when you folks decide on what, how and where to help in this very worthy project let me know and I’ll do what I can then.


A New Endowment Program for Adventist Education
I just noticed that there is such a program in place in northern California but I would want one that is nation wide. After all, if our kids aren’t already in danger here in the southern union also (as well the rest of the US) it’s most likely only a short matter of time till they will be.


A New Endowment Program for Adventist Education
I am far from a wealthy person who could and gladly would donate large sums of money to such a program but I could and would gladly donate some if such assurances were solidly in place. I’m sure there are many “old folks” like me “out there” who feel the same way. (Is there already such a program in place? If so please post all needed information.)


The God of the Gaps
While browsing my rather voluminous file of articles to “save” I ran across this jewel—I think it is worth saving and thinking about–especially the last statement by Darwin himself:
**************************
Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

While Darwin’s Theory of Evolution is a relatively young archetype, the evolutionary worldview itself is as old as antiquity. Ancient Greek philosophers such as Anaximander postulated the development of life from non-life and the evolutionary descent of man from animal. Charles Darwin simply brought something new to the old philosophy — a plausible mechanism called “natural selection.” Natural selection acts to preserve and accumulate minor advantageous genetic mutations. Suppose a member of a species developed a functional advantage (it grew wings and learned to fly). Its offspring would inherit that advantage and pass it on to their offspring. The inferior (disadvantaged) members of the same species would gradually die out, leaving only the superior (advantaged) members of the species. Natural selection is the preservation of a functional advantage that enables a species to compete better in the wild. Natural selection is the naturalistic equivalent to domestic breeding. Over the centuries, human breeders have produced dramatic changes in domestic animal populations by selecting individuals to breed. Breeders eliminate undesirable traits gradually over time. Similarly, natural selection eliminates inferior species gradually over time.
\
Darwin’s Theory of Evolution – Slowly But Surely…

Darwin’s Theory of Evolution is a slow gradual process. Darwin wrote, “…Natural selection acts only by taking advantage of slight successive variations; she can never take a great and sudden leap, but must advance by short and sure, though slow steps.” [1] Thus, Darwin conceded that, “If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed, which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down.” [2] Such a complex organ would be known as an “irreducibly complex system”. An irreducibly complex system is one composed of multiple parts, all of which are necessary for the system to function. If even one part is missing, the entire system will fail to function. Every individual part is integral. [3] Thus, such a system could not have evolved slowly, piece by piece. The common mousetrap is an everyday non-biological example of irreducible complexity. It is composed of five basic parts: a catch (to hold the bait), a powerful spring, a thin rod called “the hammer,” a holding bar to secure the hammer in place, and a platform to mount the trap. If any one of these parts is missing, the mechanism will not work. Each individual part is integral. The mousetrap is irreducibly complex. [4]

Darwin’s Theory of Evolution is a theory in crisis in light of the tremendous advances we’ve made in molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics over the past fifty years. We now know that there are in fact tens of thousands of irreducibly complex systems on the cellular level. Specified complexity pervades the microscopic biological world. Molecular biologist

Michael Denton wrote, “Although the tiniest bacterial cells are incredibly small, weighing less than 10-12 grams, each is in effect a veritable micro-miniaturized factory containing thousands of exquisitely designed pieces of intricate molecular machinery, made up altogether of one hundred thousand million atoms, far more complicated than any machinery built by man and absolutely without parallel in the non-living world.” [5]

And we don’t need a microscope to observe irreducible complexity. The eye, the ear and the heart are all examples of irreducible complexity, though they were not recognized as such in Darwin’s day. Nevertheless, Darwin confessed, “To suppose that the eye with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting the focus to different distances, for admitting different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical and chromatic aberration, could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest degree.” [6]

Footnotes:
1. Charles Darwin, “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life,” 1859, p. 162.
2. Ibid. p. 158.
3. Michael Behe, “Darwin’s Black Box,” 1996.
4. “Unlocking the Mystery of Life,” documentary by Illustra Media, 2002.
5. Michael Denton, “Evolution: A Theory in Crisis,” 1986, p. 250.
6. Charles Darwin, “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life,” 1859, p. 155.

****************
I don’t think Sean could have said it better himself!


Walla Walla University: The Collegian Debates Evolution vs. Creation
Sean, I guess I “bit off more than I can chew” when I subscribed to some of your other options.
All I can handle is the ^way it used to be”–like this column still is. Please put me back to this mode of information and I will be very happy. Thanks.