"The major problem with those who hang their entire faith on the idea that God simply MUST HAVE made all of Eternity in seven 24-hour calendar days is that gripping like a bulldog to this idea causes scientific people who might actually accept Jesus in their hearts given time and persuasion about His love to decide that Christians are a bunch of know-nothing Luddite morons who don't believe in gravity. Seriously.""I am more impressed that God made a billion stars than by the idea that God had to do it all a week, despite a rather elaborate geological and astrophysical record to the contrary. I am amazed that God could take a steady-state mass at the beginning of the entire timeline, force his will on it and cause Big Bang, because even the most severe of physical scientists can't tell me, in a universe of cause and effect, what caused that reaction to occur. I am impressed that God formed man and the animals around him from lifeless dust, and don't think the time frame really important, for the end result is my thinking mind and the heritage of Jesus' sacrifice."
"The only thing funnier than watching the Godless Scientists make Creation dance and twist to prove that God had no hand in it is watching the God-full Creationists try and make that same cosmos dance and twist to prove it happened in their timeframe."
I would much rather be testifying -- to God's greatness, the wonders of His Creation that I've been privileged to observe, and about His gracious love that sent my Saviour to rescue me from the condemnation of my sin -- than trying to defend both my Christianity and my scientific professionalism from those who make careers of attacking them.
In fact, if you folks on this thread will bear with me and allow me to testify without attacks, I would like to begin a series of comments sharing my personal testimony.
OK with everyone?
Sure.
FWIW, I also like Gerald Schroder’s explanation for the discrepancy between Scripture and observations.
The Age of the Universe
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1576941/posts
That might be something folks like Dallas Mike could bounce off non-believers who are scientists and would like something to chew on, if they’re willing to read something like that.
He’s right, BTW, that unbelieving scientists will never be convinced about changing their opinion abut the age of the universe BEFORE they become believers. I’d hazard a guess what not even likely after. That would only happen IF God convicted them of it.
A scientist is not going to become a believer based on being convinced that his view on the age of the earth is wrong, if he were able to be convinced of that in the first place.
Our salvation is based on what we do concerning Christ. Nobody has perfect doctrine and beliefs when they get saved and it often takes time to correct ones that are in error.
Considering the moral, mental, psychological, social, etc, baggage that most people come with, I’d say correcting one’s opinion about the age of the universe is rather low on the list of things to straighten out.
Mind you, I understand where fellow believers are coming from on the inerrancy of Scripture and their concern about believing and teaching error and I share those concerns as well. However, with all I have to deal with on a daily basis, worrying about how old the earth is, is not high on my priority list.
Sounds GREAT to me, TXnMA!!!
You cited 50sdad as follows: "I am impressed that God formed man and the animals around him from lifeless dust, and don't think the time frame really important, for the end result is my thinking mind and the heritage of Jesus' sacrifice."
Amen! All Glory be to God!
For God had to make the very "lifeless dust" — next after the very origin of space and time — out of which His Creation was made, according to His Will and Purpose.
Which is the Act which made science possible in the first place.
Speak to that issue, dear TXnMA!
Thank you ever so much for your excellent essay/post!
I would love to hear your testimony. Go right ahead!
And please do post your personal testimony, dear TXnMA! I would love to read it.