SummaTheologica--Values are one thing. Holding fast to ideas in the face of evidence of it not being correct is hardheadedness. I know some who will claim not to believe in evolution, simply so as not to have to defend themselves in certain circles. I know others who use the term inerrancy just to avoid a battle. When it comes to someone who must review conflicting intelligence reports as the ...more

SummaTheologica--Values are one thing. Holding fast to ideas in the face of evidence of it not being correct is hardheadedness. I know some who will claim not to believe in evolution, simply so as not to have to defend themselves in certain circles. I know others who use the term inerrancy just to avoid a battle. When it comes to someone who must review conflicting intelligence reports as the rationale for waging a way, I want to know they can assess reality while laying aside as much bias as possible. I want to know that what they say is what they believe to the absolute best of their knowledge.
The problem is that I don't really trust ANY politician to tell me exactly what they believe and with what degree of uncertainty.less

"Evolution continues to be a theory" ... sounds like the superintendent of schools need to go back to Science 101 (http://www.nebscience.org/theory.html). By definition, theory is not an unproven hypothesis, which is what he is trying to say. It has substantial evidentiary support. For all practical purposes, it has been proven to the extent that our theories of gravity, relativity, a...more

"Evolution continues to be a theory" ... sounds like the superintendent of schools need to go back to Science 101 (http://www.nebscience.org/theory.html). By definition, theory is not an unproven hypothesis, which is what he is trying to say. It has substantial evidentiary support. For all practical purposes, it has been proven to the extent that our theories of gravity, relativity, and thermodynamics.
If you need more compelling evidence that evolution needs to be taught, listen to the superintendent who does not understand what a theory actually is. I learned that much by 8th grade in a substandard science class.less

Maranatha-- Try http://www.mainstreambaptists.org/mob4/missionary_terminations.htm for starters. No, denominations are all composed of human beings who are prone to seek power, especially as we grow larger. We all have our problems and when we gather together, it is easy to become distracted from the goal of following Christ Jesus wholeheartedly. Power corrupts, and it is too simple to sit bac...more

Maranatha-- Try http://www.mainstreambaptists.org/mob4/missionary_terminations.htm for starters. No, denominations are all composed of human beings who are prone to seek power, especially as we grow larger. We all have our problems and when we gather together, it is easy to become distracted from the goal of following Christ Jesus wholeheartedly. Power corrupts, and it is too simple to sit back and do nothing about it.less

kc95819--Does it take backbone to shift from supporting women in ministry to joining the growing power structure in the SBC that was growing adamant against women in ministry? Backbone normally refers to standing against the tide of power, not joining forces with whoever is most likely to win the battle.

John14-6:Thanks for the correction! That is certainly the case in his latter ministry and in the resurrection.

Maranatha7593--Do a search for "missionary terminations" and tell me if there is much difference between Clinton's moral failure and the failure of morality in the way missionaries were falsely accused and mistreated by the SBC mission agency.

JHS--Sorry to hear of your own tragedy from SBC sources. I keep trying to remind myself that not all SBC churches and members are like those in leadership. While I no longer associate as SBC, I try to cooperate with churches and individuals with whom I can relate under the non-political cause of Christ.

Maranatha7593--If only it had been a stand for the Bible and truth. The tactics used to wrest control of the convention were anything but Godly. Mohler has been characterized by many who knew him in seminary as an opportunist seeking power. Whether or not that is true, the overall attitude of SBC convention life has shifted to the use of intimidation, force, and coercion. Tapes were spliced of...more

Maranatha7593--If only it had been a stand for the Bible and truth. The tactics used to wrest control of the convention were anything but Godly. Mohler has been characterized by many who knew him in seminary as an opportunist seeking power. Whether or not that is true, the overall attitude of SBC convention life has shifted to the use of intimidation, force, and coercion. Tapes were spliced of seminary classes in order to frame professors of heresy. That is not a stand for the truth. It is the promotion of an ideology at any cost.less

JHS--Sorry to hear of your own experience with the SBC. I have to keep reminding myself that the SBC is still not a homogeneous denomination. There are still many churches and member with whom I can identify, even if I can no longer hold to the convention's direction. Peace to you!

John 14-6 -- No, Jesus did give people options. He forced no one to accept his words, claims, teaching, or deeds. He allowed his detractors to crucify him. He offered justification for his words and claims with actions that backed them up. He offered further justification in the resurrection. It is important that we remember that salvation and gospel are "offered," not forced upon o...more

John 14-6 -- No, Jesus did give people options. He forced no one to accept his words, claims, teaching, or deeds. He allowed his detractors to crucify him. He offered justification for his words and claims with actions that backed them up. He offered further justification in the resurrection. It is important that we remember that salvation and gospel are "offered," not forced upon others. The approach of dialog between Christians and Muslims is in the spirit of Jesus' manner of addressing people in his own day. Dialog can build relationship and initiate discussion. This is the way Jesus himself interacted.less

In regards to faith and superstition, a good read follows: http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=692

HAWK49--Discovery Institute has a predefined agenda. "The leading minds on the subject matter" you refer to are focused not on discovering truth, but discrediting evolution theory. If you want true debate, the book would need to be dialog between Discovery Institute and working evolution theorists.

didymus--Paul definitely used a lot more flexibility in quoting scripture than we are accustomed to today. We somehow forget in using the Bible as our authority for faith and theology that its own writers looked to God's active revelation, as well as the written record of revelation. I like the solidity of Biblical witness as a canon for theological discussion, but have to wrestle with the...more

didymus--Paul definitely used a lot more flexibility in quoting scripture than we are accustomed to today. We somehow forget in using the Bible as our authority for faith and theology that its own writers looked to God's active revelation, as well as the written record of revelation. I like the solidity of Biblical witness as a canon for theological discussion, but have to wrestle with the fact that God still is in the process of active revelation today.less

infidel57--Sorry you have been exposed mainly to the concept of inspiration as God dictating every jot and tittle of the Biblical text. Inspiration has been interpreted in many ways. I understand the Bible as inspired, but that does not mean that I see no human participation in that process of recording God's revelation. Beyond some of the historical inaccuracies, the message of God's...more

infidel57--Sorry you have been exposed mainly to the concept of inspiration as God dictating every jot and tittle of the Biblical text. Inspiration has been interpreted in many ways. I understand the Bible as inspired, but that does not mean that I see no human participation in that process of recording God's revelation.
Beyond some of the historical inaccuracies, the message of God's revelation through the Bible has changed the lives of generations in significant ways.

John Claypool has some interesting comments:
http://www.explorefaith.org/LentenHomily03.10.00.html
I hope you would read them.less

ProfessorX--Your claim that the "talkorigins.org Darwinist website” is filled with ambiguous language" does not seem to measure up to what I read on the site. Looks sufficiently supported with recent information in articles that I read last night. It is brief, but comprehensive.

Ifeelfine--Thanks for posting the http://www.talkorigins.org/ link. Lots of great information in one place!

tgender--As to the number of fossils available, see the following: http://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/CC/CC200_1.html

tgender-- Back to the fossil record's "missing links", see the following link on transitional fossils: http://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/CC/CC200.html

Quecat--I wish it were always as clear to know when a Biblical text is historical-factual, and when it is something else. What do you do with Genesis 2, where God creates man, then goes on to figure out what to do with him, plants a garden, then places him in it? There were no plants, yet, and nothing to eat. Yet in Genesis 1, man is created as the culmination of God's creative work. Eith...more

Quecat--I wish it were always as clear to know when a Biblical text is historical-factual, and when it is something else. What do you do with Genesis 2, where God creates man, then goes on to figure out what to do with him, plants a garden, then places him in it? There were no plants, yet, and nothing to eat. Yet in Genesis 1, man is created as the culmination of God's creative work. Either 1) one passage is wrong; 2) neither passage truly intends to describe the process of creation; 3) one passage is figurative; or 4) both passages are wrong.

How about this: the Bible teaches about God (issues of theology and faith) and science has as its purpose to study the workings of God's created order. The church took Galileo to task years back for going against the Bible in proclaiming that the earth revolved around the sun. Shall we turn back to that way of thinking?less

Oglefam--While an institution is not necessary to define church, be careful quoting from Matthew 18 for rationale of "two or three." If you read that passage carefully in its context, Jesus is talking about reconciliation, saying that where it occurs between two or three previously at odds, He is the glue binding them together. I know many who have given up on the institution of the ...more

Oglefam--While an institution is not necessary to define church, be careful quoting from Matthew 18 for rationale of "two or three." If you read that passage carefully in its context, Jesus is talking about reconciliation, saying that where it occurs between two or three previously at odds, He is the glue binding them together.

I know many who have given up on the institution of the church. I know many who worship the institution and its structures instead of following Christ. Both make me sad. We need a vital walk with God in a visible setting that makes a difference to others as well as to ourselves.less