by Cowboy Bob Sorensen
When presenting the gospel, one thing that I emphasize the importance of biblical creation. Not for its own sake, but because of the importance of the authority of the Bible for the Christian. In my Weblogs and at The Question Evolution Project (as well as the Google Plus version), I post not only science supporting special creation and refuting evolution, but warnings about atheism's useful idiots who use atheistic interpretations of scientific evidence and elevate "science" into a magisterial position above Scripture. Theistic evolutionists and Old Earth Creationists (OECs) are compromisers who will call creationists "liars" and enemies of Christianity (it is interesting to be called a liar by a liar) — and still claim to believe the Bible.
Atheists, OECs and theistic evolutionists are not the only dangers to a proper understanding of Scripture. Elsewhere, I wrote about how cults will use issues like the creation-evolution controversy to lure people into their deceptions. To add to that, Jehovah's Witnesses and others will say things that we can agree with ("Jesus is the only way to Heaven"), but they have different meanings for their words. I have three articles to recommend on this topic. First, "Creation and a Cult". Second, "How to Talk Creation with a Jehovah's Witness". Third, "A Cult on Facebook Claiming to be Creationist". For further information on cults, I refer you to CARM.
Giving you warnings and articles will only take you so far. Christians need to learn how to think. Not only critically (thinking with their minds instead of their emotions, examining the evidence, being aware of the logical fallacies used to manipulate people, and so on), but also to be knowledgeable about the Bible (2 Tim. 2.15, Acts 17.10-11, Col. 1.28).
I do not want to cause confusion or contribute to someone going astray because I endorsed material from bad sources. If I was going to refute evolution just for its own sake, I would post material from cults (and Mohammedans, who consider themselves creationists).
I saw anti-evolution material posted on Facebook by creationists that was ultimately from the Christadelphian cult. When I pointed this out, the reply was that the source had not been checked — and they left it up anyway! The Intelligent Design people have done some excellent work refuting evolution, but their members come from diverse perspectives, so I seldom use them for reference. Some people seem to be so interested in "doing apologetics" that they not only ignore preparation, but they will use sources that deny the authority of Scripture and may even be denying who Jesus Christ really is.
What this comes down to is that we all need to be discerning. How do you know you can trust me? Really? Although I am responsible before almighty God to present the best material that I can, you do not know whether or not I take that responsibility seriously. Indeed, theological matters (not including side issues, we all have different views on those) should be checked with Scripture; believe the Bible, not what someone tells you. (For that matter, there have been articles from my favorite sources that I have been uncomfortable with, and have not passed along to my readers.)
Edit: This paragraph needs to be inserted. I am not saying that every author needs to be vetted to make sure he or she lines up with your theology, but refuting evolution with anti-biblical and anti-creationist sources can be harmful. Citing, say, William Lane Craig (who disparages presuppositional apologetics and young earth creation) in an article about militant atheism can be helpful. Personally, I tend to use disclaimers at times.
My advice is to be careful, be discerning, be skeptical (with a healthy skepticism), be thoughtful, be Scripturally minded, be prayerful. Am I asking too much? That depends on how much you value your spiritual life. These concepts transcend the creation-evolution issue. They apply to Christian living in general.
When presenting the gospel, one thing that I emphasize the importance of biblical creation. Not for its own sake, but because of the importance of the authority of the Bible for the Christian. In my Weblogs and at The Question Evolution Project (as well as the Google Plus version), I post not only science supporting special creation and refuting evolution, but warnings about atheism's useful idiots who use atheistic interpretations of scientific evidence and elevate "science" into a magisterial position above Scripture. Theistic evolutionists and Old Earth Creationists (OECs) are compromisers who will call creationists "liars" and enemies of Christianity (it is interesting to be called a liar by a liar) — and still claim to believe the Bible.
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| Jehovah's Witnesses use creation and evolution to distort the truth |
Giving you warnings and articles will only take you so far. Christians need to learn how to think. Not only critically (thinking with their minds instead of their emotions, examining the evidence, being aware of the logical fallacies used to manipulate people, and so on), but also to be knowledgeable about the Bible (2 Tim. 2.15, Acts 17.10-11, Col. 1.28).
I do not want to cause confusion or contribute to someone going astray because I endorsed material from bad sources. If I was going to refute evolution just for its own sake, I would post material from cults (and Mohammedans, who consider themselves creationists).
I saw anti-evolution material posted on Facebook by creationists that was ultimately from the Christadelphian cult. When I pointed this out, the reply was that the source had not been checked — and they left it up anyway! The Intelligent Design people have done some excellent work refuting evolution, but their members come from diverse perspectives, so I seldom use them for reference. Some people seem to be so interested in "doing apologetics" that they not only ignore preparation, but they will use sources that deny the authority of Scripture and may even be denying who Jesus Christ really is.
What this comes down to is that we all need to be discerning. How do you know you can trust me? Really? Although I am responsible before almighty God to present the best material that I can, you do not know whether or not I take that responsibility seriously. Indeed, theological matters (not including side issues, we all have different views on those) should be checked with Scripture; believe the Bible, not what someone tells you. (For that matter, there have been articles from my favorite sources that I have been uncomfortable with, and have not passed along to my readers.)
Edit: This paragraph needs to be inserted. I am not saying that every author needs to be vetted to make sure he or she lines up with your theology, but refuting evolution with anti-biblical and anti-creationist sources can be harmful. Citing, say, William Lane Craig (who disparages presuppositional apologetics and young earth creation) in an article about militant atheism can be helpful. Personally, I tend to use disclaimers at times.
My advice is to be careful, be discerning, be skeptical (with a healthy skepticism), be thoughtful, be Scripturally minded, be prayerful. Am I asking too much? That depends on how much you value your spiritual life. These concepts transcend the creation-evolution issue. They apply to Christian living in general.