Comment on Adventist Review examines LSU conflict by Lydian Belknap.
@George:
(Are you really surprised?)
Lydian Belknap Also Commented
Adventist Review examines LSU conflict
@thomas: Thomas, I think you are downright rude! I can’t imagine Jesus responding to anyone in this manner! I don’t agree with his views but he has a right to express them–and he did it in a very nice way. I just checked the dislike button on your comment.
Adventist Review examines LSU conflict
It looks as though a lot of folks much more scientifically smarter than me already have the answers to David’s email–and I’m sure there are a lot of others who will comment further. That’s fine with me because, as I said, that’s not an area I know very much about. (Nobody can know everything–esp. me!) So, while I may look into it more for my own satisfaction I probably will refrain from making any more comments on the subject.
But I will ALWAYS take the Bible’s word for my personal beliefs regardless of what science (so called) comes up with that disagrees with God–and regardless of how many degrees the writer or writers may have following their names. “The wisdom of the world is foolishness with God.â€
Adventist Review examines LSU conflict
Even though I am a college graduate I am not a scientist–my interests were in foods and nutrition and early childhood training. However, I am following each new development in this discussion with a great deal of interest.
I was reared as a Seventh Day Adventist and am still one today. One thing that was drilled into my head and heart was that the Bible was the Word of GOD and the ONLY source of true wisdom. I was taught that the nearer we came to the end of all things God would let Satan bring out all kinds of “lying wonders†that, if possible, would deceive even the “very elect.†I still believe that today. My Bible, the divinely given Word of God, is still the Volume I bring “every wind of doctrine†up to and if it contradicts that Word then it is false–regardless of where it comes from or how logical it may sound.
I, personally, cannot bring forth any evidence to contradict that which David Jacobson has presented–and I do appreciate the kind, gentlemanly way in which he presented it. It is certainly something we need to deal with–and deal with it in a way that will show where it’s “flaw†is. And that is something I am going to spend a lot of time looking into. It will take some time (remember, I am NOT a scientist so don’t expect to hear anything more on this topic until I settle it in my own mind–and also remember–I will soon be 86 years old and “my steps ARE growing a bit slow†so bear with me! (I’m in good health but one never knows when their “time will come†but hopefully I will be able to get this settled in a way that will bring honor and glory to Him before that “time” comes to me.)
Meanwhile, I have no question but that God has the answer and my faith in His Word hasn’t wavered one bit! Remember, the closer we come to the end of time the more strongly we need to put our trust in HIM and HIS WORD–no matter how strong the “evidence” seems to be that points in a different direction. Finite man never has had–and never will have–the wisdom of our Creator and we must learn to “walk by faith and not by sight†if we ever hope to be ready for that‘golden moment’ which, I firmly believe, is a lot closer than any of us realize!
Meanwhile, HANG ON TO YOUR FAITH, it is the only sure thing we can depend on in this world!
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.