Where I and Creationists differ is on what to do when observed reality and scriptural INTERPRETATION differ. The Creationist assumes that it is reality that must give way to their particular Scriptural interpretation. I, as a scientist and a Christian, am inclined to assume that it is the interpretation of Scripture that is in error.
If one interprets “And HE set the foundations of the Earth so that it should not be moved, forever” to mean that the Earth doesn't move; it is not Scripture that is in error (because the Earth does indeed move), it is that interpretation of Scripture that insists that the Earth is immobile that is in error.
Thus we see how a fundamentalist literalist ‘my interpretation is “God's Word”’ mindset leads to the intellectual suicide of Creationism.
So because you dislike someone's INTERPRETATION of Scripture, your attack and fallback positions are conjured up from naturalistic science?
Don't forget that an INTERPRETATION that you find unacceptable still very much belongs to the domain of "observed reality." The problem is, not everything in observed/observable reality reduces to the techniques of scientific analysis (e.g., direct observation, replicable experiments, etc.), and this would be an example. Get used to it! :^)
Lots of folks INTERPRET the Holy Scriptures differently than I do. That doesn't mean that I think they're all jerks. The call of the Holy Spirit is answered differently by different souls, according to the light and grace that the good Lord has conferred on us. We are not one-size-fits-all "cookie-cutter Christians." Plus it's absolutely obvious that God LOVES diversity — He made so much of it....
Personally, I think it unwise to be making judgments about what other people do and think in their spiritual understandings and experiences. What unites all believing Christians despite our differences is the shared belief that there is no salvation outside of Christ. He, Son of God, is the Logos — the Father's express Will and Truth — of both the earthly and spiritual creation; our Savior; Redeemer; and Final Judge.
Thanks for the clarification, allmendream RE: the inerrancy of Scripture — "My quite well examined presupposition at work here is that reality and the truth of Scripture cannot be at odds."
We both agree on that. But does that give either of us a license to tell other people that they are "in error?"
Be careful: For as the Holy Scriptures tell us, As we judge, so shall we be judged: The good Lord may say the same thing to you and/or me some day.
Only God is the measure — never man, individually or collectively.
Just some thoughts, FWIW.
Thanks so much for writing allmendream!