@B. Gene: As I commented earlier,we …

Comment on GYC Q&A addresses universities who hire and protect evolutionists by Lydian Belknap.

@B. Gene:

As I commented earlier,we need to start teaching these things in our own church schools! When a senior in one of our Adventist academys (who had attended one of our church schools since grade 1)was taking a course in Daniel and was amazed to learn that that the story of Daniel in the lions den really happened and was a not a fairy tale like Cinderella we have a real problem that goes a lot deeper than something presented in college.
Yes, we need to trim the “branches” on our educational tree but we, even more, need to work on the “roots” of that tree! We need to bring back some of those old Bible books like “God’s Great Plan” which were used when I was in church school MANY years ago. Yes, adding color and using some of our modern beautiful Bible pictures would be a great idea and some of the language could be updated a bit but the general theme and message of that wonderful book–which still plays a role in my life at 85+ years–should be not only kept but emphasized!

Lydian Belknap Also Commented

GYC Q&A addresses universities who hire and protect evolutionists
4-16-10

I THOUGHT I had kept up with all of the entries posted on this web site since I first discovered it., but apparently that wasn’t the case because I just ran across this one (quoted below in case someone else hasn’t read it either.) My questions follows the copy.
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Ken Lytle says: (entered 1-10-10):

“I attended an Adventist college in Mid-America where I came across anti-Adventist ideas brought about by two full-time professors.

One professor (English) taught that God has female breast and male genitals… that when He created male and female, He gave man the genitals and woman the breast. This same professor also taught that the flood was an isolated event.

The second professor (Theology) taught the JEDP Theory. “In brief, the JEDP theory states that the first five books of the Bible, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, were not written entirely by Moses, who died in 1451 B.C., but also by different authors/compilers after Moses.” This THEORY is dangerous if taught to young minds that are not grounded in truth. The professor also had other anti-Adventist ideas he presented. I made 2-3 trips to the Academic Dean’s office in one year and the problem was never taken care of. After years of teaching at this college… poisoning many young minds, the professor studied himself right out of the church (did his Ph D studies at a Catholic university). He is now a minister at a first-day church.

I also attended an Adventist college on the West Coast where the Psychology professor promoted the homosexual agenda in class. This professor has been allowed to teach in our school full-time for many years.

How long will we allow the devil to poison our young people? I don’t know about you, but I believe we need zero to very little tolerance when it comes to theological poison. Our schools should be spiritually safe for my kids and your kids. If we don’t want to hurt our school (and church) leader’s feelings, then we had better do a better job screening each and everyone before we hire them and follow-up with regular evaluations. There is HOPE!!!
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My question is this:
HOW DO THESE PEOPLE GET INTO OUR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE FIRST PLACE? IS THERE NO “SCREENING BODY” AROUND ANYWHERE THAT DECIDES WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE IS QUALIFIED TO TEACH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE?

There are just too many of instances such as this now coming to light for it to be “accidental.” Either we don’t have such a screening process, the people who do the screening are terribly inept or else nobody “screened” them before putting them in that position. Either the “screeners “ weren’t screened in the first place or the folks that “screened” them didn’t do a very good job. How far up the chain of command does this responsibility go? Is it a case of “too many foxes guarding the chicken coop?”

And where do we go now in getting things really cleaned up (or have things gone so far that it is now about impossible for humans to correct the situation) ??? I don’t mean to be critical or unbelieving but sometimes I truly wonder if that is the case. It sort of makes me feel that “home schooling” is the only option for parents who truly want their children to grow up genuine Adventists.

I am cheered, howver, to see so many of our youth standing up for the truth as demonstrated by the GYC 2009 “Unashamed” conference and those who have had the courage to stand up against their teachers who are teaching heresy in our class rooms. Also for some of our laity and ministers who are making their influence felt at this time. (God does still have some “Daniel and his three friends” among us and I am thankful for that!)

My only remaining question (at this point) is what can the rest of us do to help the situation–except pray? Surely there must be something and some way we can help besides just voicing our concerns on this website–as much as I am grateful to be able to do this.

And how do we go about “doing a better job screening each and everyone before we hire them and follow-up with regular evaluations.” Frankly, (and I really hate to say this) I’ve pretty much lost my confidence in “studies” and “committees to study…” set up by the folks in the leadership positions (with the exception of a very few–but thank God for the “few!”) May their tribe increase at the coming GC in Atlanta! (I don’t know much about Wilson–who is said to be “in line” for the job of president of the GC but my choice at this point would be Findley (sp?).


GYC Q&A addresses universities who hire and protect evolutionists
4-16-10

I just read Nic Samojulk’s article of 1-7-10 (which some others may not have read.) I will quote the entire article before giving my response:

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“The church has several options in dealing with this chronic and seemingly intractable problem. Here are some of them:
1. Require that the LSU stop presenting the theory of evolution as the only credible explanation of origins and balance it with the creation alternative, including the presentation of the serious weaknesses which beset the Darwinian views.
2. Abandon our Adventist fundamental belief in a literal six days creation as a credible explanation for origins, and replace it with a naturalistic view of what happened at the beginning.
3. Cut our financial and denominational connection with La Sierra University and transform it into an independent ministry similar to 3ABN and The Quiet Hour. This will allow LSU to do their own thing without any interference from those who believe in the story of creation found in Genesis.

I vote for either solution # 1 or # 3. Actually, I am more inclined towards the last solution. The problem is rather chronic and probably hopeless. The roots of the Darwinian deception are rather deep, and this cancer has spread to even the religious department of the school.
There is no known treatment able to eradicate this type of cancer; not even a proton cure will be able to produce a miraculous cure! Any effort to solve the problem will serve only to prolong the agony. If LSU is interested in supporting any other facet of the church’s work, let it do so as an independent ministry.”

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I respectfully disagree with both points 2 and – especially – 3.

As I see it, there is simply no way to make LSU “an independent ministry similar to 3ABN and The Quiet Hour.” These ministries stand 100% staunchly for Adventist beliefs and teachings. Evolution is NOT “just another option” for us. With all due respect to the people involved, the “beliefs” they are teaching are diametrically opposed to our most fundamental belief–that God created our world in six literal days. Remove THAT PILLAR from our message and everything else we believe evaporates–the Sabbath, prophecy, the second coming–in fact, the whole Bible crumbles. God either did what he said he did in the opening statements of the Bible or he is a liar and we just throw the whole Bible out the window. If the very first words of the Bible are untrue, how can anyone put any confidence in any of it?

Also, as I see it, the only solution is to either clean up the science AND the religion departments–as well as any other places this poison is hiding or else completely break all ties to LSU and let it survive as best it can as an independent institution (not an “independent ministry”of the church) without the slightest ties to the Adventist church body. Our pioneers certainly did not make Kellogg’s theory an “independent ministry” (nor did we make Des Ford one) they completely broke ties with him and his “theology.” Regardless of the very real consequences–and there will be many–we can do no less with LSU and it’s teachers if we want to remain true to our God-given message.


GYC Q&A addresses universities who hire and protect evolutionists
To me, it all boils down to ONE THING: Who do I trust?

To start with, Who and what Books have been around the longest and have stood the test of time? I don’t think anyone can question the fact that the Bible has been around for centuries longer than any other book. It has been burned, hidden, reviled and scoffed at for centuries but so far nothing has been able to destroy it or successfully contradict what it says. Men have devised many plans to destroy it, or dispute its message. There is no other Book on planet earth that has gone through so many attacks, so many disasters, so much ridicule as has the Bible. At the same time, no other book has been so loved, so trusted, so died for than the Bible. There is just something about this Book that defies mans’ every attempt to destroy it.

What other book has lasted this long–and done this much good in the world? Whether you love it or hate it you have to admit that there is something supernatural about it–it has a kind of “protection” no other book in the history of mankind can claim. And not another one can even approach it’s “staying power.” And it’s messages have never changed or been equaled. Every place it goes people’s lives are changed for the better.

That says something profound about it’s real Author! Yes, it was actually written by human beings–but all attest to the fact that they were only able to “write” what a Being called God had given them. It was written over centuries of time by men–many of whom who lived centuries apart, in different parts of the world and never knew each other–yet never contradict each other. There is “something about this Book” that no other book in the history of mankind has ever even come close to being it’s equal.

Millions of books have been written by human authors–the vast majority of which are no longer around–and many that are still around have been discredited by other authors who came along later. And the vast majority were written by someone whose names no one even recognizes today.

The Bible never “corrects” itself . It’s message today about how our world came to be is just as it was centuries ago while even among today’s most brilliant scientists there is no completely agreed upon understanding of every detail of how our world came to be. Even Darwin’s ideas have been ‘tweaked’ a bit here and there over the years. This has never been done with the Bible. Yes, additional details have been added here and there but they all agree with the Genesis account –and none have ever been contradicted by other Biblical writers.

And there is no way modern scientists can read into the Genesis account vast amounts of time for each “day.” And the weekly cycle–established by God during creation week–is still with us. The moons determine the monthly cycle, the sun determines the length of days, but only the Genesis account gives us the seven-day week–still recognized around the world!

And “academic freedom” as is being tossed around so freely by many –and sounds so noble–in this debate I believe is seen by God as “Treason against the Most High.” We are living closer to the end of time than any previous generation and I, for one, believe that event is approaching far more rapidly than we have any concept of. The most important question any of us can ask ourselves is, “Am I ready for Jesus to come?” At that time the wheat and tares will forever be separated. “Which side will I be on?” is the paramount question we should be asking ourselves today. And the choices we are making TODAY on this and other questions will determine whether we will be among the “wheat” or among the “tares” when Jesus comes. “Choose you THIS DAY whom you will serve!” After all, Tomorrow may well be too late because none of us have the assurance of a “tomorrow!”


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:
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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.
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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.

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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.