@Ken ‘..Of course the problem arises when competing holy books claim …

Comment on Educate Truth’s purpose and goals by Aaron.

@Ken
‘..Of course the problem arises when competing holy books claim they are right to the exclusion of others..’

The Bible is the only document that contains multiple prophetic statements, spanning thousands of years, upon which to base its accuracy upon–these are not subjective. Jesus and the apostles emphasized that it wasn’t the supernatural physical occurrences that should be the foundation of one’s faith in the veracity of God’s word, but that everything corresponding to the life and death of Jesus and the larger picture of what is happening upon this earth, was and is the fulfilment of ancient prophetic writings–even down to the time when Jesus was to perform his ministry upon earth. There is too much specific prophetic material to attribute it to ‘chance’ or just some good guessing. Humans just aren’t that smart.

Isaiah 42:8-9
I am the LORD, that is My name;
And My glory I will not give to another,
Nor My praise to carved images.
9 Behold, the former things have come to pass,
And new things I declare;
Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
NKJV

Aaron Also Commented

Educate Truth’s purpose and goals
Our oldest daughter graduated from one of our colleges with a degree in elementary education. She came out of the process thinking that to teach the biblical, creationist, principles to elementary students too strongly in her schools would jeopardize her job, for if students at a young age were taught these principles too strongly, they would RUN INTO TROUBLE WHEN THEY GOT INTO OUR HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM, not being politically correct. She also had to design her own curriculum for teaching this unit in the multi grade format she was working in. During that time we had many long discussions about these issues. She was clearly distressed at the position she was in as a Seventh-day Adventist educator, trying to balance her belief in the scriptures with what she felt she needed to do to keep her job, for one expectation of her was to prepare the students to excel in the current secular educational environment. She could find little help or materials from Adventist sources for her elementary environnement.

Let me say here we have home schooled all three of our children. Two are successful professionals, the other is still in the training phase. Our older children came out of their experience with Adventist higher education with their faith in the Bible in tact, but with a somewhat diminished respect for our educational system.

I agree that we have the brain-power and the mandate to fix some of these things. If we will, we could be leaders in promoting true advanced science in this technotronic dark age the world has hurling itself into.

Currently our daughter is not teaching, I don’t know if she will return to Adventist education or not. How much room is there these days for serious Bible believing people within our education system? [edit] The issues being debated here are central to our very existence as a church/movement.


Recent Comments by Aaron

Last Thursdayism
Psalms 116:1-2
I love the LORD, because He has heard
My voice and my supplications.
Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.
NKJV

Psalms 28:7
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him.
NKJV

If these were just hopeful poetic sentiments made as a statement of philosophic theory I suppose they wouldn’t be worth much—but not only were these sentiments the result of the life experience of the author, but express the tested and proven experience of millions who have lived since they were written thousands of years ago. They are certainly true in my life. I was agnostic as a youth and young adult, until I took God up on HIs offer and asked for help. How do you ignore continuous, systematic and ongoing results that span almost half a century? I know, I’m just another religious fanatic, but it sure is fun to see supernatural things happening all the time and have the Creator of the universe as your best Friend.


Jay Gallimore comments on evolution conflict

Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?  (Quote)

Ricky–Good question.

Here lies the foundation for this ‘Great Controversy’ we find ourselves in. Really you have highlighted one of the central factors of Who God Is–that He gives free will to His beings. History clearly teaches us the results of free will mis used. Love can only be founded on a free will choice, and the fundamental principle that holds the universe together is love. If this principle is not upheld than you have nihilism and anarchy–the principles we see taking over on this earth.

By analyzing earths history we see where rejecting God’s law of love has taken us, and we can agree with Him that those who choose to live outside of this law cannot be allowed to continue. God has allowed enough time for the facts to be presented and assessed by all, when He does act, there will be no question as to the ultimate justice and goodness of His purpose.

Nahum 1:9
What do you conspire against the LORD?
He will make an utter end of it.
Affliction will not rise up a second time.
NKJV


Last Thursdayism
The first thing Adam saw when he opened his eyes was Jesus. When he opened his eyes again, Jesus was giving him the most beautiful creature on planet earth to be his wife. Everywhere humanity turned their eyes they saw the handiwork of their Creator (And it was better than an all expense paid vacation to Hawaii), Who created a special day just to be with them in person.

Then there was the serpent:

‘Just believe me. Just have blind faith, I know what I’m talking about…’

Rom 1:18-21

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, FOR GOD HAS SHOWN IT TO THEM. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
NKJV

John 1:14

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
NKJV

Friends, we have a real God, not a system or theory. Can I tell you about what I have seen and personally experienced in my short life? Is that reality? Or are the Buddhists right? I’ve seen the sick healed, demons cast out and physical circumstances changed in answer to prayer and the intervention of powers that operate outside of the realm of nature. These things are tangible, I have handled and interacted with them. I didn’t make any of it up. What is true science anyway? I’m not very smart, but I’ve looked through a microscope and a telescope. I’ve felt my pulse and tasted food. I’ve been involved procreation and child birth. My heart has been changed by a Power completely outside of anything that nature could offer me. So what are we dealing with anyway? How much more proof can we be given?

1 John 1:1-4
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life — the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us — that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
NKJV


Last Thursdayism
Mark 8:13-21

And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have no bread.”

But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?”

They said to Him, “Twelve.”

“Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?”

And they said, “Seven.”

So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?” NKJV


Adventist Review: Pastors Who Don’t Believe
As I read down this thread I couldn’t help but remember the scene when Paul was presented before the council:

Acts 23:6
But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!” NKJV

Actually, in the days of Christ there was a third group–those filled with the Spirit (I’m not judging Paul’s methods or motives, just commenting in a reflective kind of way). It’s a wonder what happenes to the heart when any of us surrender to the leading and work of the Spirit. After all, He’s creative-and isn’t that what the issue under consideration here is?

I’m in Europe and it’s getting late here so I’ll wish all sweet dreams. Jesus is better than any of us understand, and the most wonderful thing is, He’s not like us, but we can become like Him!