“Sean Says” “In other words, science and empirical reasoning are not …

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

“Sean Says”

“In other words, science and empirical reasoning are not enemies of true religion–but it’s base. These are gifts of God which, rightly used with sincere motives and an earnest heart, are the only rational options we have to appreciate God and worship Him in the “intelligent” and thoughtful manner that He wants us to realize–a religion that goes beyond mere emotions.”

I really appreciate you putting this back on this web site again. I didn’t get involved at the beginning because I didn’t know anything about it until one of my daughters sent it to me after it had been up for a while. I have
really appreciated knowing about it and have enjoyed following the information you and others have provided.

As I have said many times, though I am a college graduate I am not a scientist. My field of interest was just along a different line so much of the scientific discussion simply goes over my head–especially when two of you scientist get to sharing your different points of view! However, I am a firm believer in Scripture and have learned a lot from the creation discussion.

Yes, I do believe that true science and the Bible are fully compatible and that the honest seeker for truth can find plenty of proof for creation in true science. However, this is also an area in which Satan has been allowed to bring in a lot of confusion and error and it takes a person who has a truly converted “scientific mind” (which my husband had before his death) to intelligently dialog with another “scientific mind” along this line. (Meanwhile the rest of us peons sort of get “lost in the shuffle!”)
I may be wrong but I question that the average “man/woman on the street” has the educational background to really understand the science behind it.

So, I’m sorry but I can’t fully agree with you when you say, “These are gifts of God…which are the ONLY rational options we have to appreciate God and worship Him in the “intelligent” and thoughtful manner that He wants us to realize–a religion that goes beyond mere emotion.”

To me anyway, Bible prophecy is the best answer to the confusion about origins as well other issues we are confronted with today–you don’t need a college education to understand it–and it certainly goes beyond “mere emotions!” Rightly presented, it can be understood and believed in a much shorter time by folks like me that can get completely lost in the scientific creation-evolution discussions. (Amazingly enough–even by people with very little education.)

This is not to say that scientific discussions between scientists who understand it cannot be productive and soul saving. It surely can be,but even they need the Bible and the Bible prophecies to go along with it–at least that is the way I see it.

For this reason (among others)I am so grateful that God included prophecy in the Bible! This is something no other so called “Holy Book” can duplicate and one of the few things Satan cannot touch with his outright lies. To me it gives irrefutable evidence that God IS God and that His Word can be absolutely trusted and believed! When a person really learns and believe this the subject of origins is forever settled regardless of what evolution may or may not do or say. We need to get back to being the “people of the Book!”

Sean, Science IS important–but Bible knowledge is even more important. Science is NOT “the only rational option we have to appreciate God and worship him in the “intelligent” and thoughtful manner that He wants us to realize–a religion that goes beyond mere emotion.” Bible study–including prophecy–is a very vital necessity for everyone–and I seriously doubt that any of us will go though successfully until Jesus comes back for His people without a clear understanding of it.

I wish there was someway this point was being brought out on this site but so far I have seen nothing along this line presented. I’m not sure how to go about doing it myself because prophecy just isn’t something you can fully present in a few paragraphs. (And I guess that’s not really the “theme” of this site anyway is it.)

(Thanks for listening!)

Lydian

Lydian Also Commented

Educate Truth’s purpose and goals
I think I need to add just a bit more about Bible prophecy–of which there is a lot of in the Bible.

The Bible claims that God has given chosen individuals (prophets) glimpses of real future events that will take place here on earth–some are thousands of years in the future. So far, every prophecy that He has given (and the time has come for their fulfillment) has been fulfilled down to the tiniest detail. To me, that says that the God who gave these predictions is truly “God” and you can trust Him completely regardless of what any human,or groups of humans, may say to the contrary–and regardless of how many degrees they may have behind their names. (Yes, God has given us minds–and He does expect us to use them. And He has also given us many evidences of His divine wisdom–which we ignore to our own peril.)

The prophecies in the Bible have, so far, been absolutely fulfilled down to the most minute detail and there is, in my mind, not the slightest doubt but what the still unfilled ones will also come to pass in their time. Not another book in the whole world has this “track record.” For this reason, to me anyway, if God says it we can put complete confidence in every word He has seen fit to send us by His prophets.

And He warns us to be careful what we accept and believe. In Isaiah 8:20 He says this: “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” This is the “yardstick” by which I measure everything that I accept and believe. For me, it is the only safe guide through this world of sin and suffering.

And when God says He created the world and everything then on it in six days (just like the 24 hour days we now have) and rested on the seventh I have no question but what that is truth! And I also have no question but what there is ample evidence out there to confirm it–even if I’m not smart enough to find it for myself.

Believe me–I am NOT against true science–but when “science” denies what God has said in His Word I simply reject it out of hand. Call Me an “ignorant old lady’ if you want to but there is where I stand and there is nothing on this earth that can budge me from that position!

Lydian


Recent Comments by Lydian

Louie Bishop Testifies, Again, about His Experience at La Sierra University
@Larry:
Larry, don’t throw out the baby with the bath water. Just get rid of those who teach and and support that which is contrary to the 28 SDA fundamental beliefs.


The reality of creation is the basis of our name
This is a wonderful sermon. Due to problems with my Hope Chanel system I was unable to listen to it so was delighted to see it printed on your website. I was able to make a printed copies of it to share with some friends who also were not able to hear it. Thanks so much!


LSU graduate comments on LSU conflict
11-12-10

A short while back a dear friend sent me an email with lots of beautiful pictures showing a garden (somehow I lost the site) in which every bush had been transformed into a bird, an animal–even a child. It was absolutely magnificent!

As I looked at one of the amazing displays I started wondering what would happen if I was actually in that garden and approached a group of people who were also enjoying the beauty it held. And if after a few moments I said something like this:

“This is so beautiful–and to think Nature did it all on her own! It is truly amazing of what she can do if people will just back off and let her do her own thing.”

What would their reaction have been? (I suspect they would have thought I was somewhat deranged and slowly backed away and left before I became violent!)

Obviously that garden had a lot of very talented hands (and minds) behind all of that beauty and I suspect they were there every day clipping away the stray twigs and leaves that started appearing here and there.)

But is my disbelief in evolution unreasonable, and show my lack of knowledge (as some scientists contend), when I question that this beautiful world just “evolved” from chaos with no intelligent mind behind it? Why can’t we see it happening today? Who turned off the switch? And why?

I’m not a scientist but if this isn’t a case of “The Emperor Has No Clothes” I don’t know what one would be. We are often overwhelmed with the many wonderful and useful things humans have come up with that makes our lives more livable but every new invention or other things ALWAYS have a creative mind behind them. Why is it so difficult to recognize that the wonderful world we live in HAD to have an intelligent mind behind it? What ever happened to common sense?

Lydian


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.


LSU graduate comments on LSU conflict
When Man’s wisdom–however intelligent it may sound, or how many “letters” there are behind someone’s name (or even a lot of “someones”) that proclaim it–if it contradicts a single plain “Thus saith the Lord” it is NOT “present truth!” however much it may appeal to the liberal minds of millions who may wish an easier way to get to heaven.

I fear we are a long way from being the “people of the Book” we once were! But, guess what!–God knew this would happen and He called the last of the seven churches “Laodicea.” Truly, we are saying, “I am rich…and have need of nothing.” (After all, folks didn’t have the brilliant scientists such as we have today when You told Moses–and even our Adventist pioneers
–You did it is six literal days and rested the seventh!)

I am NOT against true science or scientists! There definitely is a real place for it (and them) and I truly believe it is “God given.” I have a LOT of respect for true science and true scientists but when someone–anyone–goes against a plain “Thus saith the Lord” they lose me. (Not that these folks really care if a very “ignorant”, very “old lady” doesn’t believe them!) But God does and that’s enough for me!

As Bob said–“All have free will. To each his own.” I agree! (But I still tremble for those who believe ideas contrary to what God says–even if it comes from the mouth of a renowned scientist, an “Adventist” teacher or an “Adventist” preacher. (Please forgive me if I have misunderstood or misjudged anyone.)