Tuesday, May 18, 2010

A Letter from the Persecuted Church; END ENDA!

The World Missions department of the Free Methodist Church has a Facebook page to inform the church--so I got this in my email from them--a "creative access" country is one where Christianity is officially discouraged if not outright forbidden--probably a place where they want all the churches "registered" and controlled in their preaching, teaching:

Subject: Urgent request for prayer from FM pastor in creative access country
Dear brothers and sisters.

For a long period of the time, constantly I myself and the church have been threatened, bothered and invited by the authorities for many times ... the Sunday before last Sunday, when we were worshipping our Lord, suddenly they came in, with threatening words and then write a paper for what they call "illigal meeting." And this morning many policemen and a truck divided into many groups stood along the road near my house. Then one group came into my house, they did the same trick. Then they withdrew waiting outside in order to stop any motorbike which came out from my house. One of our brothers fell down when they tried to stop his motorbike, but thank God he got no injury. Finally they took away two motorbikes and confiscated the driver's license of another motorbike. We think that our brother will face threat and will be fined when they go to the police station to take their motorbike and paper back. I don't know what will happen to the church next, but it seems that they are intensifying persecutions on the church here. So please pray for the Lord 's divine protection and peace on his church.
Brother in the Lord Jesus Christ
________
I can see this starting here, with financial penalties, over the issue of sexuality. As soon as you have the majority of the younger generation convinced that it's an issue like race, and that all who teach and preach against sexual immorality involving gender confusion are racists and bigots, we may see persecution. Already, a photographer was fined 6600 in fees and costs for not photographing a gay wedding. And higher court would not hear the appeal.

There is no exception for a Biblically informed conscience in the new ENDA law being proposed in congress.

The AMERICAN CHURCH should RISE now to demand JUSTICE and FREEDOM of CONSCIENCE for the photographer. We need an ENDA law, alright --to END discrimination against people with Biblically-informed consciences influencing their business decisions.



"God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and have eternal life."--the Bible

41 comments:

mud_rake said...

Do you ever get the feeling, Barb, that no one cares what you write?

Barb said...

Maybe they just don't disagree!

And why are YOU always popping up here?? Need me to stop in at your blog, do you?

I still have page loads and visits from all over the world, according to stat counter.

I like to write; doesn't matter who or how many read.

Barb said...

I had 69 unique visitors last Wednesday --and 82 page loads. That's enough.

I had hits from all over the US, 4 in Africa, 2 in Australia, 1 in phillippines, 1 in Pakistan, 1 in India, 1 in France, Germany, Ukraine, 3 in Gt Britain, there's one marker that recurs on the equator in the ocean under Nigeria-and it says it's military.

Writers have kept journals which were only read by them. My blog is my journal.

I see your still curious!

mud_rake said...

May 18- Mudrake
May 17 - 0
May 13- 0
May 12- 0
May 9- Jeanette, Steve
May 8- Steve
May 6- Jeanette, Steve

And why are YOU always popping up here??

I just figured you were lonely and depressed with no one reading your crap. Just trying to be kind, like Jesus said.

Barb said...

Well, that's sweet, Mudly. I always DO write with you at the back of my mind, of course.

there you go --counting again--keeping records --

truth is, I really like to participate on other people's blogs --I enjoy discussion of controversial issues and seek them out --not everyone shares that interest.

You and I both know that blogging elsewhere is where we get readers.

I haven't done a lot of blogging lately, since you shut down the Religion Clause with your vitriol. I'm not really interested in going to places just for friendship and mutual agreement.

there are certain other regular blogger friends of mine who have cut down on their blogging lately --

And how is your blog doing?

mud_rake said...

I haven't done a lot of blogging lately, since you shut down the Religion Clause with your vitriol.

I see that you are still floating around in your World of Delusion.

And how is your blog doing?

Swell, real swell.

steve said...

Hey did you all read yesterdays science news? Craig Venter and his team of scientists have created for the first time synthetic DNA that they then implanted into a bacteria host shell. This is the first creation of artificial life. The implications of this event are earth shattering. If they can do it with a bacterium, they can do it with a human. They could potentially create mRNA that are programmed in a lab to go in and fix failing DNA in the body. Or they could create a synthetic man - a superman - with a flawless set of chromosomes that have been inhanced for certain traits. They could even repair the epigenetic anomoly that predesposes one to homesexuality (if that person so chose to have this repair).

Maybe that's what the Bible means in a metaphorical sense, when it says that we will be reborn with "glofified bodies". It also points to the warning discussed between the Trinity in Genesis about mankind taking hold the fruit of everlasting life.

Gen 3:22
And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

Maybe we are almost at a point where we can be allowed to take hold the fruit.

Barb said...

They could even repair the epigenetic anomoly that predesposes one to homesexuality (if that person so chose to have this repair).

If the problem were genetic in cause, which has not been proven.

They theorize that it could be like left-handedness found with right-handed twin --but as I understand it, they have not identified any genetic marker for homosexuality --and have they found one for left-handedness? There may be a "likes music theater" or an "actor" marker however --shared by many gays and some straights. ; D

Interesting view of Genesis, Steve.
I remember when they said they had created life in a lab before --but they didn't. yet, it appeared in the h.s. textbooks that they had replicated the life conditions when the first amoeba slithered from the primordial pond and thus had also created life. But they did not.

we may find we can create monsters who turn on us.

Wow --glofified bodies??

mud_rake said...

Wow --glofified bodies??

Yes, glorified, Barb as opposed to the crappy bodies that your 'deity' made.

Barb said...

Most of what's wrong with our bodies is self-inflicted, Mudrake.

Certainly afflicted since the willful Fall of man.

I think science is a LONG way off from enabling our bodies to go through solid walls --as Jesus did after his resurrection. I've no doubt there are scientific principles behind everything that we call supernatural --there is KNOWLEDGE behind it all. One of the reasons for faith in God is the intelligent design behind all of nature --all the natural. That we can unlock secrets is part of our being made in His image.

mud_rake said...

I think science is a LONG way off from enabling our bodies to go through solid walls --as Jesus did after his resurrection.

So when science get to the point of enabling us to 'walk through solid walls' then our bodies will have become 'glorified?' Is that the only think holding mankind back?

What about 'lift-off' too? You know, an anti-gravity, levitation ability as in 'ascending through the clouds'? Would that also prove that our bodies have been 'glorified?'

You do have a great sense of humor, Barb. And you don't get dizzy with all of that apologist spin you do daily. Amazing. Perhaps 'spin' is another component of 'glorified bodies'.

Barb said...

You do have a great sense of humor, Barb. And you don't get dizzy with all of that apologist spin you do daily.

HA! I'm going to pretend that was a compliment!

Jeanette said...

Steve, the questionable believer says: "Gen 3:22
And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

Maybe we are almost at a point where we can be allowed to take hold the fruit."


As I said, Steve seems to be a questionable believer, but let's pretend we all agree the Genesis account.

If God would not allow Adam, Eve or Satan the powers to make man from scratch, what makes you believe He will allow modern scientists to do it? God doesn't change and all the prophetic signs point to the end being near. How near I cannot tell you, but my understanding is the clock started on May 14, 1948, when Israel was once again brought together as a nation after being scattered for two thousand years.

Steve, surely you remember that from when you read the Bible and believed. He also said the generation that sees this come to pass would not pass away before He returns.

That generation is in its sixties now. There will still be someone from that generation alive when He returns and destroys the enemies of Israel and passes judgment on the sheep and the goats.

The question for you is whether you are a sheep or a goat.

Of course, I believe that if you were sincere and really saved you'll get to heaven, even if by the skin of your teeth, but you will be judged by your works to advance the Kingdom of God.

You think I'm a nut. I've seen your comments on Mudrake's blog. OK, I'd rather be a nut for Jesus than go to hell. I'll take my lumps at the judgment seat too, but my salvation cannot be taken away.

Maybe I'll live on the top floor of the condo in heaven but I'll still be in heaven.

You are so easily led by those who are unbelievers and yet claimed to have been a believer at some point in your life.

If you're not saved are you going to take the mark of the beast as Mudrake will and thereby doom yourself to hell for eternity.

Yes, Mudrake will take it because he likes his cushy lifestyle and it seems his heart is made of stone now. As will Microdot and all the others you seem to like to hang around with.

You may be a nursing student but that doesn't make you anything in the eyes of God if you are helping Satan. May you get back to Him before it is too late for you, or will you have to endure the tribulation to remember what you learned before and now reject?

What will your sociology and science books do to help you then?

I pray for your soul because I fear you are now in the clutches of Satan. Yes, you are probably an honorable man, but as you know, you cannot get to heaven by your good works, but will be judged according to your works after you are saved. Works intended to bring more people into the Kingdom of God.

What have you done lately for your Savior, or do you denounce Him? I hope not, but these side trips saying things are fictional are very bothersome to me because God covets your soul and I want you in heaven without having to go through what people like Mudrake will have to endure during the tribulation, and I fully believe that although no man knows the day or the hour of Jesus' return, if they don't die of natural causes first they will be alive for all that goes on in the tribulation.

Laugh all you want. I won't get the last laugh though, because my heart will be broken that we could not reach you or Mudrake or the others.

Barb said...

Hi Jeanette --may the Lord bless your day!

mud_rake said...

but let's pretend we all agree the Genesis account.

Pretend, indeed! I liked to play that childhood game, 'Let's Pretend!'

Obviously some of you never gave up that silly stuff when your body grew up.

mud_rake said...

The question for you is whether you are a sheep or a goat.

How about neither! We walk on two legs, not four. And, many of us have a well-developed cerebrum as opposed to either of those farm animals.

You really are STUCK, Jeanette, just like Barb. Stuck in an odd, scary place- a place in which some spying, note-taking deity watches every action, every thought, every deed that you make.

I lived such a life until I was about 12, then I grew up. Too bad that the two of you are still stuck in that childish prison.

Try to reach for a window, if you can, and open it and let the sun and fresh air in! It will be the beginning of a whole, new era of real personhood and you will be on your way to becoming fully-functioning adult women, rather than cowering children.

Barb said...

I hadn't noticed Jeanette or me cowering, Mudrake. ARe you sure about that?

It's just too bad that God seemed too harsh to you such that you had to hope He did not exist.

It's so important to teach children that God loves and only wants what's best for us in warning us against "sins."

The emphasis should be on what John wrote, "God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world, through Him, might be saved."

When we feel overloaded with guilt, it's because we are guilty --even at 12 -but Jesus paid for the sin and lifts the guilt --we abide in Him and He abides in Hus and our sins are covered by His blood. We still need to repent and strive with the help of the Holy Spirit to choose God's ways instead of sin. But He knows our weaknesses. We are to "flee temptation," lest we lose our faith, growing to resent God for our failures. It's not our sin that will make us lose our souls in the end; it's our unbelief. We are saved "by faith alone."

steve said...

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

mud_rake said...

Baaa!

Jeanette said...

Steve and Mudrake,

When the day of reckoning comes you won't be laughing or making fun of us. When you are told to go to the left of Jesus where the goats are instead of the right where the sheep will be you will be so full of remorse and guilt and trying to bargain, but it will be too late.

And you know it. That's the sad part.

Jesus is depicted as the Lamb of God. A lamb was the preferred animal for a burnt offering to God. A goat was after a sheep and other animals below the goat.

You are a poor substitute for lambs, both of you, but perfect examples of goats.

mud_rake said...

Actually, Jeanette, goats are much more intelligent than sheep and quite a bit more useful as well. They are sure-footed and can easily walk up hillsides to explore what is over the mountain top.

Damned dumb sheep never know much more than the grass they eat.

Baaa.

Barb said...

But even the black sheep and the ones who stray really know where the grass for life is, Mudrake. found in the Word of God.

Why do you think Republicans are the Party of the Right --in more ways than one? heh heh (granted, exceptions)

113 page loads and 86 unique visitors was my highest day in the last 2 weeks. I'm giving you a chance to brag now, Mudrake. What are YOUR stat counter/ site meter numbers?

mud_rake said...

Good. Now stay here and tend to your blog and leave the people at PP alone. They don't want nor do they need your stupid comments.

steve said...

I still enjoy reading the Bible. It's a wonderful work of wisdom and literature. The Bible is a great view of how mankind has related to one another and related to the mysteries of the physical world from a period of about 4500 BC thru to the ministry of Paul.

...Then it all stops, Yet science and mankind's curiosity never stopped and much of the mysteries of the ancient are now knowable by scientific explanation.

Some scholars believe that the Biblical Character Enoch was a merging of Mesopotamian myth and ancient Jewish Mysticism. In fact, I believe Abraham was thought to be a prominent citizen of the Sumerian city of Ur. The people of Mesopotamia were the first people to form a culture based on writing -the cuneiform, and they had a diverse religious tradition of worshiping many gods. So the idea of pleasing the gods in order to avoid punishment is as old as the written word. I just personally don't believe that if there were a creator as magnificent as his creation, that this Creator would be petty enough to demand from his creation "a blood sacrifice". I may be wrong, and I probably am, but I'm humble enough to say that "I just don't know". If I am wrong, at least I was honest with myself and my doubts and skepticism. I don't feel superior or anything because I have doubts, but you seem to feel very superior because of your faith. I'm glad that I can be here for you to provide you a boost to your self esteem.

Barb said...

steve writes I don't feel superior or anything because I have doubts, but you seem to feel very superior because of your faith. I'm glad that I can be here for you to provide you a boost to your self esteem.

Who, me? Are you talking to ME? I'm just CONFIDENT in the One in Whom I believe. I may razz Mudrake who asks for my attention, but I don't think in terms of my superiority and his inferiority --and certainly not yours --even if I say Republicans tend to be on the RIGHT side which is the direction for the sheep.

Sheep are easily herded and misled --and Jesus said "we all like sheep have gone astray," and the OT likens God to a Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep. Jesus comes along and says "I am the good shepherd who cares for His sheep," and says He will go out and seek the lost one out of 100 in the fold. John the Baptist calls him the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

You are both lost lambs rather than goats, perhaps. Once in the fold as children --but you've both lost your way.

It's interesting what we know about laminin (sp?) --have you looked it up on Google? It's the cell adhesion molecule that holds all our cells together. It's amazing! I don't know why God would choose this way of salvation that involved sacrifice of His Son. I don't know why His blood covers our sins. It's interesting that some pagans also had this notion that being washed in blood would appease the gods.

you can't regard the beauty of the planet and the marvels of existance and life, nature, and the universe and not suspect intelligence behind it all. It occurs to our fabulous minds that we should "worship" and need to "appease" a God of nature and the universe. The Christian story is that JESUS did the appeasing for us. We need to accept the free gift of grace.

Jeanette said...

The beauty and magnificence of this world is nothing compared to the heaven God promises us for eternity.

Steve, you're wrong about the Bible stopping at Paul. Paul was long-dead when the Apostle John had his revelation written about in the Book of Revelation.

In that book the future is foretold, and if you read it without a cynical eye you will actually be able to see things happening today that should make sense to any believer. Others will be blinded by the foolishness of not believing.

I do not believe I am superior to anyone, but I am certain in Whom I believe and it's not any scientist trying to convince me he can perform the miracle of creating a human being from scratch as you suggested earlier. I do not believe God will allow it even if such scientist exists.

The intelligence of sheep vs goats has nothing to do with it, Mudrake. You always try a human explanation for what is not human. You claim to be someone who questions. You're in your seventh decade and like me, over half your life is finished. Probably most of our lives are finished.

How absolutely certain are you that God does not exist and Jesus did not die for your salvation? Are you willing to be so proud and mocking as to risk your own soul for eternity for a few laughs and applause from your followers at your blog?

Jesus called people who refused to believe fools. The Bible says only a fool in his mind says there is no God. Are you a fool as defined by God, who is much brighter than you or anyone else who has ever lived except His Son Jesus?

If you died today are you absolutely positive you would just take a dirt nap for eternity and that would be it?

If the Catholic Church treated you badly maybe you should visit some Protestant churches and hear the word of God preached and taught and not just repetitious words said by everyone by rote.

This is serious business. I'm not superior. I'm just saved. That's the difference between us and you refuse to even seek the real answers. And it's not politics or where Barb decides to spend her online time that matter in the least to God, so why should you care?

Barb said...

Preach it, Sister --though I do think where I spend my blog time is a concern to God--those topics about which I have a lot of reading background and a lot of concern culturally/religiously--and I think He has His hand --one way or another--in politics, too, and expects us to advocate for justice and righteousness and fight evil with gov't --to a point. As he called Israel to do. To preserve a place to rear children away from the Philistine influence. But inner holiness can shine and remain righteous anywhere --but it still should impact culture/nation. People are still weak when overrun by licentious culture --(Like the Bourbon St. Evangelist who eventually succumbed to the temptations of women in the bars where he meant to witness for Christ.)

The Christian's primary mission is the Great Commission of evangelism--but some are called to the salt role in the culture (to implement the results of a converted people voting and running a nation) --a nation of Christians should result in righteous gov't --at least, self-examining and humble gov't trying to be fair to all and restraining evil.

It is a concern that our people's income (acc'g to Glenn Beck and USA Today) recently was said to be 42% (?) from American business and 68%(?) (approx. from my memory) from gov't.

The 42% pays the 68% their incomes. My husband is in on that when his office revenue and nursing home income comes from Medicare/Medicaid. Teachers --all gov't employees -all recipients of disability,etc. --all relying on business to SELL goods and services to pay gov't's bill to the over 60 per cent of us.

BTW Why don't the teachers in Sylvania and Springfield agree to freeze their wages so they don't have to lay so many people off here locally? or even take cuts. Eh, Mudly? Instead they just angrily march on their school boards who are helpless to manufacture money.

mud_rake said...

How absolutely certain are you that God does not exist and Jesus did not die for your salvation?

Extremely.


Are you willing to be so proud and mocking as to risk your own soul for eternity for a few laughs and applause from your followers at your blog?

Yes, but not for applause or praise, but for the sake of separating myth from fact.

If you died today are you absolutely positive you would just take a dirt nap for eternity and that would be it?

Yes, for certain unless you have 'proof' otherwise.

This is serious business. I'm not superior. I'm just saved. That's the difference between us and you refuse to even seek the real answers.

No you're not saved at all. You WISH that you are 'saved' from that dirt nap, but you have no assurance that your mythical wish is anything more than that- a wish.

I refuse to seek the REAL answers? Oh, please. There is nothing REAL about ghosts, the undead, angels, and mystical 'places' somewhere just above the clouds.

Reality is here on the surface of this planet. The 'reality' of which you speak is found inside of your head.

Poof!

And by the way, Jeanette, YES you are arrogant and haughty [as Steve stated] regarding your place in the scheme of 'things'.

Barb said...

Open your blog, Mudrake, or leave here. That's the deal.

mud_rake said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Barb said...

The resurrection of Jesus Christ changed the world --convinced the disciples and the first century Jews who made up the Christian Church in the 1st century --who spread the news throughout the region --whose followers have never stopped.

"His Spirit bears witness with our Spirits."

Mudrake, I take it on faith--and it is a "knowing" that our God created, loves, saves for ETernity. Tje universe declares the existance and the Glory of Divine Intelligence in the world --OUR bodies and brains tell us we are not accidents of an evolutionary process. The Bible is consistent. Those descendents of Abraham kept the prophecies and the records --sometimes a sorry record --of their views and their deeds. Bit Jesus makes all things clear about what the Father wants of His family--those who believe.

You are taking a costly gamble --yet I bet you'll have the priest administer "last rites" when the time comes. I hope it's enough.

mud_rake said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
steve said...

"OUR bodies and brains tell us we are not accidents of an evolutionary process."

I think that we are part of an evolutionary process and I have no problem with that - and neither should you - here's why: I think the creator chose this path because it is a way to point back to the creator. Science is very specific about the complex processes of energy and entropy. In most systems entropy is usually the final and dominating process - Entropy says that complex and concentrated processes devolve into less complex and less concentrated systems - or diffusion. Biologic processes are also slaves to the laws of entropy.. that's why we break down and die eventually - entropy takes over and our body systems can't keep up. We rust out like cars due to the oxidizing nature of our metabolic processes. EVOLUTION is a GREAT ARGUEMENT that you can make to SUPPORT A CREATOR.

Evolution is the Opposite of Entropy!

Our genes are mutating like crazy.. but they are MUTATING in the OPPOSITE direction of ENTROPY. And you cannot explain these mutations by "survival of the fittest".. these mutations are random. Survival of the fittest can create a better organism via mutation (think of antibiotic resistant bacteria) in specific environments, but the mutation generally hurts the organism in other ways. Antibiotic resistant mutant organisms are usually not very hardy. They can be easily killed by competing "normal" bacteria.

So these little interesting scientific tidbits are what keeps me hoping for a Creator.. So Christians should stop trying to take Genesis literally - which is really a mythical story that was handed down from the Sumarian / Mesopotamians anyway, and embrace the creator's true mechanism of creation, the entropy defeating mechanisms of evolution. Know science.. and maybe one day we will know God.

Maybe there is a natural reason why our human genome is mutating opposite entropy.. And when we find it.. it will be another reason to doubt a creator.. But for now, I hold out hope that there is a creator, and his greatest creation is human evolution.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/4585582/human_evolution_or_human_entropy_dr_john_sanford/

http://faculty.gvsu.edu/websterm/SumerianMyth.htm

Barb said...

Steve writes EVOLUTION is a GREAT ARGUEMENT that you can make to SUPPORT A CREATOR.

Huh? I would say ENTROPY is a great argument used to support the idea of a Creator. Without a Creator, entropy dictates the universe, the earth, all of existance should become such a mess as to cease. You see evolution as the process competing with entropy--I see entropy as a process that would take over were it not for evolution?? no--were it not for DIVINE INTELLIGENCE behind all that is.

Barb said...

But aren't you making progress, Steve, to say you DO believe in a Creator behind evolution? Have you always had that much faith at least?

I just think God is faster and better than evolution's claimed evolutions. He doesn't need that process.

steve said...

Well my belief in a creator waxes and wanes. I keep an open mind. But I think that a creator would exist outside the bounderies of time, so therefore time would be meaningless to the creator. And you can think about it mathmatically. E=mc^2.. Time is a function of matter and energy. We exist in a corporial world that has a cause and effect relationship with matter. If I hit a baseball it will sail through the air and the huge mass of the earth will attract it and bring it back down at some point in the future.. I can count off the seconds. But if I hit the ball hard enough and it travels at, or faster than the speed of light.. then as the ball observes me.. it will appear that time has contracted.. or stopped.. but time goes on for the ball. That's how I see the creator existing - outside the bounds of time because a creator would most likely command pure energy - the state of the universe before the big bang.. So a creator outside the bounds of time would see "Time" all at once. So therefore, the creator doesn't need to be concerned with "just zapping things into existence", because time, for the creator, has no meaning. A billion years of evolutionary processes are meaningless to the creator, because it's as if it's a millisecond to the creator.

steve said...

Oh.. I have to add that for me to hit a ball at the speed of Light, I would need to harness an infinate amount of energy behind my swing.. I would need to be a God...

Barb said...

A creator can design DNA in his celestial lab--and he may have started with one celled amoeba and tinkered and experimented to end up with humans --but I don't see anything slow and happenstance or random about the process as described in evolutionary theory--which is a theory of how it happened without a designer and REQUIRED millions of years of gradual natural selection--and so it is a fundamentally flawed theory at the outset --leading to much foolishness in the minds of men who "professing themselves to be wise, they became as fools" "the fool has said in his heart, "there is no God'"

steve said...

Like I say, a clock to the creator is meaningless, but a clock within the creation is a function of the process.. E=mc^2.. The "C" being the speed of light.. the universal clock.. We live in a universe - the creator created - that functions by "cause and effect".. We see this in real time. Astronomers can point their telescope at any number of celestial processes and observe dust clouds coalescing into masses and then the masses igniting as new suns.. that's a real time ongoing process that is observable this second. Evolution is a similar time vs material process - a process that occurs throughout the universe as stated in the example above. Scientists can watch evolution occurring in real time via mutation and survival of the fittest - say with bacterial resistance to antibacterials. The creator.. if there is one.. has stamped his creation with an observable dynamism. Why the creator chose this system of creation.. I don't know.. but that's the way it is. Theologians have to accommodate new scientific law. Galileo was proven right - the church was proven wrong. Evolution (and genetic cause of homosexuality) are things that science is steamrolling over old ossified beliefs with juggernaut power. So theology has a choice to make.. stand in front of the steamroller and get crushed into obscurity, or accommodate the theology to the scientific facts.

steve said...

I didn't even get to my point in the above.. LOL.. The universe is dynamic.. Stars explode into supernova - heavier elements are released, heavier elements are the ingredients for life. But a supernova is incredibly violent. The marks of the supernova are within our cells.. heavy elements. We need supernova for life. Maybe evolution is a means to help the creator time the rise of life with that of celestial events.. events that are at once creative.. but also destructive to life. It's all in the timing. Like leading a symphony. The idea that God just poofed things into existence has no "creativity" too it.. It has no music. But life occurring in a balance with destructive celestial processes - that has music! Why can't fuddy duddy literalists see that and open their minds? Geez o Petes!

It's like looking at a Picasso painting and not seeing the art. "Oh, I could do that with a 'paint by numbers'.."; It's an etch a sketch mentality walking through an art museum.

Barb said...

The problem: no observeable transitioning from one kind of creature to another --no one disputes natural selection within a "kind" of creature. Each seems to reproduce "after its own kind," just as the Bible says. The "seeds" are designed --the DNA is like a language. No evidence of genetic cause for homosexuality --lots of observeable suggestion within a child's/adolescent's environment during impressionable, developmental years, however.

And those pesky little mutations? That might even be divine tinkering as retribution for the sins of the fathers -- cruel? Our Creator doesn't have to always be kind to the human race now, does He? We are under the curse from our sin nature inherited from the Fall. But He is merciful and grace-ful to the repentant. We have an escape hatch into a better existance --Jesus said so. And He rose from the grave and said He was going to prepare a place for His followers --where they would be with Him.