@Sean Pitman: Sean Pitman: @Kip Coleman: The issue in play here is …

Comment on Walla Walla University: The Collegian Debates Evolution vs. Creation by Kip Coleman.

@Sean Pitman:

Sean Pitman:
@Kip Coleman:

The issue in play here is one of credibility.If the Bible can’t get a few very basic concepts right, how can it be trusted in those things that are more complex or metaphysical? – statements of realities that cannot be directly tested at all?
Sean Pitman
http://www.DetectingDesign.com

I think that the issue is that you appear to be looking to an ancient religious text in search of scientific truths.

The question is not whether you believe everything in the Bible is literally true. The question is: Why do you read the Bible?

If you read the Bible to become a better person, then great. If you read the Bible to discover the details of the geological formation of our planet… then I would suggest other reading.

I don’t tend to put much stock in the scientific credibility of an author whose idea of the universe consists of at most 4 elements.

Kip Coleman Also Commented

Walla Walla University: The Collegian Debates Evolution vs. Creation
Let me make a clarifying statement.

My intent was not to come here and debate the individual points of specific texts.

Nor was it to debate whether or not God exists.

My point was to say that Walla Walla University, and other SDA institutions, should recognize that the knowledge we impart to our scientific students should be based on the scientific method.

If we allow religion– whatever that religion may be– to distort the truths that have been observed, tested, and utilized through the scientific method, then we are not teaching true science, and the degree holds less worth.


Walla Walla University: The Collegian Debates Evolution vs. Creation
@Holly Pham:

Holly Pham: I’m disagreeing with you, since you seem to think there can be no “day” without a sun. There can be. The creation of the sun should have no impact on whether the earth had a “day” before the sun was created, seen, etc. since a “day” is based on the earth’s rotational spinning time.

No, I’m saying that you and I know that one Earth day is one rotation around the Earth’s axis.

No one prior to Galileo even knew that the Earth was round. So, now, what is the definition of a day in Genesis Chapter 1?


Walla Walla University: The Collegian Debates Evolution vs. Creation

Holly Pham: Yes!Doesn’t the “day” refer to the rotation of the EARTH? Suppose the earth rotated around for about 24 hours, and we couldn’t see the sun, like on a cloudy day. Would there be no “day?”

Isn’t a “day” on Mars the length of its rotational time? Same with other planetary bodies, correct?

I can see where there wouldn’t be a “day” if there were no earth, but not because there isn’t a sun, moon, or other celestial body.

I guess I can’t tell if you’re agreeing with me or disagreeing with me.

I would assume that since the author had no knowledge that the earth is round… their understanding of a day would be vastly different than our own.