(In fanfic, there’s this thing called “slash” — gay erotica fanfics “shipping” any two same-sex leads in a book, movie, or TV show: Kirk-slash-Spock (which originated the name), Cagney-slash-Lacey, Starsky-slash-Hutch, Luke-slash-Han, Frodo-slash-Sam, you name it. They say if you have two male characters in the same story, some fanboy (usually a fangirl) will try to Slash it. WHY DO THEY INSIST ON MAKING IT EASY FOR THE SLASHIES? RAY COMFORT’S BANANA ACT JUST SCREAMS “SLASH ME!”)

As I was listening to your podcast- what came to my mind after a while is that you hold strong feelings towards YEC-ists for a plethora of reasons, some founded, some maybe not. But is it not true with the example you gave towards the end of the podcast that the fault does not lie necessarily with the concept of a ‘literal creation’ but the lack of “love” shown by those individuals…by them not listening and honestly dealing with the scientific questions reasonably and for not properly judging a person as a christian if they believe only this, this, and this, instead of believing that fundamentally it is a condition of the heart that God in Jesus by His Spirit gave/ and will teach the individual and keep him from falling? And not hold over him ” your not one of us if you do not etc…” because periphery things may not always be agreed upon but it is a proper, biblical, coherent view of the gospel that is our life blood?

Myself- I am philosophically a Creationist because I need a few questions answered before I can accept an old earth…I am not approaching it scientifically…I have a great respect for reasonable science. But it would not be coherent for me philosophically to abandon Η Εξαήμερος Δημιουργία just yet…because of the way I am reading Scripture…if it can be reasonably and coherently shown different, without bastardizing the text, I am willing to change! I do not believe that in order for one to be a christian that they need to accept a young earth creation in order to be a brother or sister with me that would be absurd….one time I did believe the opposite but that was my foolish sin…to inform you!

Thank you!

Sincerely,
Reid

I do not accept every theory of Creation Science as true. For I recognize that all theories are not facts but systems based upon hypothesizes of facts. However, I put more credence in a theory beginning with the Bible than the imagination and propaganda of secular atheists with an agenda to convince everyone that there is no God who created everything nor an accountability to that God.

I believe we have much more to gain in telling others about what has been clearly revealed in Christ than speculating or debating on what has not. From what I’ve seen of Ray Comfort on youtube, it seems he keeps the gospel at the forefront and creationism secondary (on the defensive).

Finally, what did Jesus do when the majority of His culture rejected Him? I believe He allowed them to freely choose that course. There were consequences of course, and the rejectors suffered but they could not say that they had turned from an angry, coercive, manipulating or domineering Jesus. The only impression I can see them having would be of the humble, loving, inviting Jesus. He and His followers did not “make war” for or against a culture. They didn’t run for office or legislate this or that, or out-media blitz anyone. They just lived a counter-culture and that was enough to turn things upside-down.

Are you familiar with the ministry of Reasons to Believe? They’re old-Earth creationists with a whole mess of scientists with Ph.D’s in various scientific disciplines who do look at both the Bible and nature to provide a model of creation that is both consistant with Scripture and science. I’ve been enjoying the podcasts by their lead scientist (an astronomer who’s name escapes me right now) called “More than a Theory.”

I got an uber-gnarly case of poison ivy while mountain biking in Chattanooga a few years ago. I searched the web for remedies and the best I found was the lowly hot air hair dryer. After showering, turn the blow dryer on maximum hot and hold it as close to the rash spots for as long as you can stand. This dries out the blemishes and feels amazingly soothing. Then apply a topical analgesic. Hey, it worked for me. As someone said concerning poison ivy, “Do nothing and it’ll take about 10 days to get over it. Treat it with your best remedies and count on about a week and a half until its gone”. Almost as irritating are the ongoing antics of the YEC crowd to make their theology part of the membership requirements to The Redeemed. I’ll bet the Comfort/Cameron edition of “The Origin of Species” will sell a ton (to other YECs). Oh, well.

great points, Michael, and my prediction is: there will EITHER be a “raucous conversation” , or at least the beginnings of one, OR folks will slowly vote with their feet, and their time/wallet. Not reject their faith, but a top-down dominated form of it. The times, they are a changin’…..maybe if they’d been a changin’ a little faster, Mr.Dylan wouldn’t have chosen the Kaballah over the bible.

Greg R