Comment on If the Creation Account Isn’t True… by Jon S. Klingbeil.
Faith, I am glad we agree too. 🙂
Jon S. Klingbeil Also Commented
If the Creation Account Isn’t True…
“God never asks us to believe, without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith. His existence, His character, the truthfulness of His Word, are all established by testimony that appeals to our reason and this testimony is abundant. Yet God has never removed the possibility of doubt. Our faith must rest upon evidence, not demonstration. Those who wish to doubt will have opportunity; while those who really desire to know the truth, will find plenty of evidence on which to rest their faith.” STC p. 105
Remove doubt, remove choice.
If the Creation Account Isn’t True…
@ Faith, if God removed all doubt from our thinking there would be no reason to doubt anything. There would be no argument here. There would be no disagreements. This web site would not exist. No one would say evolution is the way we came into existence. If the possibility of doubt were removed, we would be robots whose one job is to obey what the master controller says. Kinda like an inanimate object. But God did not do this. He gave us the freedom of choice. I can choose to believe Him or I can choose to believe Him not. I can even choose something or someone else’s idea and theology if I wish. This is why this website is in existence, because I can choose. If doubt were removed, so would my choice. Remove doubt [Gods part], remove choice [our part].
Now we have the choice to like or dislike this statement, to love or hate it. Its our choice. Place your judgement into the green or red box. Kinda daft really.
If the Creation Account Isn’t True…
@ Faith. God did not give us doubt as you have suggested. Nor have I suggested it. He allows room for the possibility of it. Re-read the quote. Better yet, go pick up the book Steps to Christ and read the whole chapter on “What to Do With Doubt.” Statements taken in context can be understood more easily.
Recent Comments by Jon S. Klingbeil
Another Student’s Perspective of La Sierra University
A valid question has been raised and that is “what do you want to be taught in science classes in a Christian institution?” LSU, last I checked, is not only representing a Christian education, but teaching an understanding of Seventh-day Adventist values and principles.
As a Seventh-day Adventist I believe that Ellen G. White passed the test of a prophet, and that she received direct visions, instructions, and messages from God. If you choose not to believe in her inspiration, then I would recommend another church or organization for affiliation.
If you do, she makes some very pointed remarks and provides direction in how to present science and geology in our “Christian” institutions. With a partial 3rd grade education she was not a “scientist,” not peer-reviewed, and did not undertake an advanced degree or education in this field. If she was however writing under the spirit of direct inspiration, possibly those of us who are Adventists, and are performing as instructors, faculty members, administrators and purporting to be upholding the 28 fundamental doctrines of the church in performing our duties, should be paying a modicum of interest in her recommendations.
In some other schools they teach geology on the evolution basis. We can teach geology and show that evolution is false. {LLM 427.3}
The warnings of the Word of God regarding the perils surrounding the Christian church belong to us today. As in the days of the apostles men tried by tradition and philosophy to destroy faith in the Scriptures, so today, by the pleasing sentiments of higher criticism, evolution, spiritualism, theosophy, and pantheism, the enemy of righteousness is seeking to lead souls into forbidden paths. To many the Bible is as a lamp without oil, because they have turned their minds into channels of speculative belief that bring misunderstanding and confusion. {RC 344.5}
The Bible record is in harmony with itself and with the teaching of nature. Of the first day employed in the work of creation is given the record, “The evening and the morning were the first day.” Genesis 1:5. And the same in substance is said of each of the first six days of creation week. Each of these periods Inspiration declares to have been a day consisting of evening and morning, like every other day since that time. In regard to the work of creation itself the divine testimony is, “He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” Psalm 33:9. With Him who could thus call into existence unnumbered worlds, how long a time would be required for the evolution of the earth from chaos? In order to account for His works, must we do violence to His word? {Ed 129.1}
Akin to the theory concerning the evolution of the earth is that which attributes to an ascending line of germs, mollusks, and quadrupeds the evolution of man, the crowning glory of the creation. {Ed 130.1}
When consideration is given to man’s opportunities for research; how brief his life; how limited his sphere of action; how restricted his vision; how frequent and how great the errors in his conclusions, especially as concerns the events thought to antedate Bible history; how often the supposed deductions of science are revised or cast aside; with what readiness the assumed period of the earth’s development is from time to time increased or diminished by millions of years; and how the theories advanced by different scientists conflict with one another,–considering all this, shall we, for the privilege of tracing our descent from germs and mollusks and apes, consent to cast away that statement of Holy Writ, so grand in its simplicity, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him”? Genesis 1:27. Shall we reject that genealogical record,–prouder than any treasured in the courts of kings,–“which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God”? Luke 3:38. {Ed 130.2}
Rightly understood, both the revelations of science and the experiences of life are in harmony with the testimony of Scripture to the constant working of God in nature. {Ed 130.3}
In summary, have we wandered so far from our roots, our unique message, and the additional light that has been granted our movement that we have to ask the question, “How should we be presenting the theory of evolution in a Seventh-day Adventist School? Really?
Former LSU student letter reveals professor’s agenda
Why are there few true Bible believing Adventists in leadership? Because most have either never believed in the first place or sold out.
“The greatest want of the world IS the want of MEN-men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will STAND for the RIGHT though the heavens fall.” (Education, p. 57)
“God never asks us to believe without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith. His existence, His character, the truthfulness of His Word, are all established by testimony that appeals to our reason; and this testimony is abundant. Yet God has never removed the possibility of doubt. Our faith must rest upon evidence, not demonstration. Those who wish to doubt will have opportunity; while those who really desire to know the truth, will find plenty of evidence on which to rest their faith.” (Steps to Christ, p. 105)
“Bible believing” Adventists believe without a shadow of doubt in the 7 ‘literal’ day creation process, for there IS plenty of evidence to support it. While the those who do not, are allowed that choice by God Himself. Now, those who believe that evolution is the only ‘truth’ or ‘real science’ should not be allowed to teach this corrupt worldly view in our Adventist institutions-ever!
One thing still remains, “God has not removed the possibility of doubt.”
Remove doubt, remove the freedom of choice.
Creeds and Fundamental Beliefs
“People who think that the Scriptures should be the sole authority, should logically become Seventh Day Adventists and keep Saturday holy” (Saint Catherine Catholic Church Sentinel, Vol. 30, Nov. 22, May 31, 1995)
Academic Freedom Strikes Again!
Well said, and probably a more readable recap. Let’s take a stand on a Biblical foundation.