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[Administrator: Because this has been transferred from a Baptist Only section of the board, only registered Baptist Board Baptists will be allowed to continue in this thread.]
MASSDAK
is it possible that a person can believe in evolution and still be a Christian?
i have doubts about this one. doesn't someone have a non biblical view of who God is if they do not ascribe to the biblical account of adam and eve? can liberal religionist believe in metaphors on these type of issues and still be saved?
or are they accepting another Jesus?
i have met a methodist minister, who is pro abortion, and believes in evolution, he believes in gay special rights, and believes that satan, and hell, are a figurative of speech and mainly allegory in nature. this minister votes democratic and preaches always a social gospel instead of Christ.
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DON
Does the Bible say anything against any of those issues? If not specifically, then in principle?
If yes, then it's possible this methodist minister you're talking about is a Christian who is simply misguided.
On the other hand, he might be putting his own personal views ahead of the Bible, and thus calls into question his "fruits."
If no, well, we've got a lot more discussing to do before we get onto the subject of this particular minister.
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DR. BOB GRIFFIN
Personal op/ed - The Bible speaks about Jesus being the Creator in clear and absolute terms.
They are wrong. They are believing a false teaching if they deny Jesus is the Creator (which evolution inherently does, although some of the BB "evolutionists" DO believe Jesus is the first cause). That has NOTHING to do with their personal repenance and faith in Christ for salvation.
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JOHNV
Is it possible that a person can believe in evolution and be a Christian?
Yes. This board is full of people who accept evolution as a credible theory and are faithful Christians. I am one.
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REV. JOSHUA
Me too.
Massdak, I know several baptist ministers who hold to the views you describe and have strong, personal testimonies of their salvation.
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NEAL4CHRIST
I think that creation is not a litmus test for salvation, but I would have serious concerns about someone who faithfully believes in evolution. Especially when there is so little evidence for it and it is mainly a hypothesis, not even a theory. Also, there is just as much evidence (if not far more, see ICR, Answers in Genesis, etc.) for creation. Even some secular scientists recognize the intricate design of the simplest life forms and see that there has to be more to it than simple blind chance. The way I look at is that in either case you are putting your faith somewhere...either in God as creator, or in chance and probability that life arose from nothing. And that is what evolution teaches, not that it is a mechanism of God, but there is no God and material is all there is. I personally do not understand how someone can believe evolution and be a Christian, but that is not my place to judge that person, only the Creator of all things can!
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REV. G
They can believe in evolution and still be a Christian, but that goes to show that they are:
1) In need of taking the Scriptures more seriously; and
2) In need of taking science more seriously (especially the laws of thermodynamics).
Evolution is a philosophy and it is a religion, it is far from being a science. After all, it is the "theory" of evolution.
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JOHNV
The question was not what evolution was, the question was if someone can believe in evolution and still be a Christian (A discussion of what evolution is would be better suited for the creation/evolution forum). The answer is "yes". As for taking scripture more seriously, I take scripture very seriously. As far as taking science seriously, trying passing science through some biblical filter is unproductive and comromises not only science but also the Bible, since it uses the Bible in a manner for which it was not written.
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HOMEBOUND
Christian and Evolution. Now that is a contradiction of terms. A Christian believes in a Creator while evolutionist do not. One or the other, you choose.
As far as the minister goes, well, this passage comes to mind. 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
If you are a Christian that agrees with evolution, then God is waiting for you to repent of your sin.
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JOHNV
Agreeing with the idea that all life may be decended from a common ancestor is not a sin.
It's amusing how those opposed to evolution say that evolutionists don't believe in God, yet those Christians who don't dismiss evolution know better.
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REV. G
First, I answered the primary question.
Second, I did not make a long detailed statement about evolution, except to point out that it is both philosophical and RELIGIOUS. Doesn't it seem like that is an important aspect of this question?
Third, evolution (apart from a "biblical filter") isn't good science. In fact, it isn't scientific!
Fourth, the Christian's complete worldview must be filtered through the Scriptures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Bible isn't a science textbook, but that doesn't mean that it isn't true and accurate in all that it teaches (including creation).
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BRO. CURTIS
[in response to Johnv]
The Bible is a filter ? Why can't we use the Bible for science ? To me, the Bible is the sum of all history, and to question one part of it, makes the whole thing impotent.
Which do you take more seriously, the Bible, or "science" ?
If you question the creation, do you also question the Garden of Eden, the Flood, the Tower of Babel ? Do you believe Balaam's ass spoke, with a man's voice ? Do you believe the "Fourth man in the Fire" story in Daniel ?
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NEAL4CHRIST
I agree with you wholeheartedly, Rev. G and Bro. Curtis. To not take your worldview from Scripture is extremely dangerous if you are a Christian. Your faith is not separated from everything else.
And also:
As far as taking science seriously
Just because someone believes in evolution and not creation doesn't mean that they are taking science seriously. In fact, they aren't, I think. But that is another issue. As I stated previously there is a very active and vibrant field of creation science, headed by Institute for Creation Research and Answers In Genesis. These guys are scientists, not theologians! And I am familiar with science, so I am not just talking about something I have never looked into or seen the evolutionist perspective. I majored in engineering at a major state university, and the science department was not exactly creation friendly! However, as Rev. G stated, evolution is a religion or a philosophy, and it requires faith to believe it because there is no proof, just ideas. As for me, I will put my faith in the Creator of the universe!
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FEARNOT
without haveing read any replys I suggest you read the book, "It Couldn't Just Happen." This is a very good book and will answer alot of scientific questions.
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MATTHEW 16:24
Hell a figurative of speech and evolution is two of Satans biggest lies.
The Bible is true once again,
Re:12:9: And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world : he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
How can a Christian believe that we came from apes is ridiculous!
They are not Christian! I believe Homebound listed an appropirate scripture for this.
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DHK
It was Julian Huxley the great proponent of evolution after Darwin, that said: "I do not believe in evolution because it is credible, rather I believe in evolution because belief in God is far too incredible." Does not that sum it up? Even the originators of the "theory/hypothesis" of evolution come to a point where they must admit that their belief in evolution is simply because they do not want to bow down before the great Creator of the universe and own Him as their Master. That would be an admission of subservience and a logical outcome would be if Christ/God is my master, then I must obey His commandments--which the natural or unsaved man is unwilling to do. Thus the theory of evolution was devised as an alternative to belief in God Almighty.
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BAPTIST BELIEVER
Yes. Many believers are theistic evolutionists.
Many believers subscribe to the biblical account of Adam and Eve, but don't interpret it in as literal a fashion as you apparently do.
Certainly. Salvation is not about having a perfect or complete theology, it is about trusting God through Christ.
The question of accepting another Jesus is more related to one's theology of Jesus than theology of the process of origins. Theistic evolutionists affirm that God is the Creator and evolution is the creative process that God chose to create the cosmos.
Lots of Methodists believe this way. Some of them clearly leave the orbit of the Christian faith like Fort Worth's Barry Bailey (former pastor of First United Methodist) preached that Jesus was not resurrected physically -- only "spiritually" in our hearts
. I was stunned to her him preach that anti-Christ message on Easter Sunday morning (I was watching on television) without anyone in his congregation getting up to leave.
I didn't realize that voting straight-ticket Republican was the hallmark of Christian discipleship
. Personally, I'm voting for a few Democrats tomorrow because some of our Republican candidates here in Texas have been incredibly dishonest in their campaign commercials. If they lie to me when they are running for office, what will they do when they have power?
Baptists have had a poor history of preaching social justice, so I'm probably a little more open than you to hearing this kind of message. But to preach only social justice is unbalanced.
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MASSDAK
i agree with you matthew, when Gods word is distorted in a way such as evolution and other aspects, it at this point molds Jesus into a different Jesus then that of the bible. can we all agree on this? is the fact that adam and eve and the fall of man at issue here also? if we evolved then how did sin enter and death? how does this view coincide with the real biblical Jesus? this is not a post about evolution, but it is a post about a minister that has a belief in a different gospel.
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BAPTIST BELIEVER
No.
They don't have to be.
I'm not really a believer in traditional evolutionary theory, but my guess is that one might say that "adam" and "eve" were the first humans who became conscious of God in the evolutionary process. (Adam and Eve would not necessarily be literal people here, but the early men and women of humankind.) Sin and spiritual death entered when they rejected God.
A better question would be, why do you believe that a belief in theistic evolution is incompatible with trusting the real Jesus.
Not necessarily a different gospel, but at least a different view of origins.
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NEAL4CHRIST
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DHK
Jonah being three days and three nights in the belly of the whale,
The creation of Adam and Eve:
Mat.19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
Abraham as an historical figure. (John 8:58)
Noah and the Flood (As in the days of Noah...
He referred to the entire Old Testament in Luke 24:44 divided into the typical three parts as the Hebrews did: "in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms."
If one cannot believe Jesus that the Old Testament was a historical book, not meant to be taken as an allegory, but taken literally, as Jesus himself understood it to be, then who can we trust?
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BAPTIST BELIEVER
The story of Jonah is not at question here. This is irrelevant to our discussion of origins.
The story of Abraham is not at question here. This is irrelevant to our discussion of origins.
The story of Noah is not at question here. This is irrelevant to our discussion of origins.
You have failed to demonstrate that Jesus intended all of the Old Testament to be interpreted as literal historical events. Jesus used stories that were likely *historically* fictional (the parables) to make theological points, why do you believe that the same thing is impossible in the Old Testament?
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JOHNV
Since Jesus referenced Jonah, it should be noted that and in Hebrew, Jonah was not in a whale's belly, but a big fish's belly (in other OT references, whales are referred to as such).
Now, since Jesus referred to Jonah as being in the belly of the whale (in greek, the word ketos, not ichthus is used), was Jesus "wrong", or was the importance not on the animal, but in the 3 day analogy?
Likewise, I'd infer than the importance of Geneses is not how we were created, but who created us. Whether humankind is 6000 years old, 60,000 years old, or 6 million years old is irrelevant to the simple fact that God created.
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MASSDAK
baptist believer
baptist beleaver
you may want to review your thinking on this, and trust that God made man as His word says, trust in the biblical Jesus and watch the foolish evolution stumbling block disappear
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NEAL4CHRIST
Pure evolution is not compatible with Christianity. If a Christian says that God used evolution, they are simply coming up with their own opinion and placing their faith in that. My Bible says God created, not rolled the dice, and that His creation was very good, not death and struggle to arrive at man, which is what evolution proposes. And by the way, ketos is a "great fish", not necessarily a whale, as the KJV translates it. So Jesus' reference to Jonah was correct, he used the same terminology as was used in Jonah.
He did not change terms or interpret. So no, He was not wrong, and He was taking the Jonah account literal.
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JOHNV
evolution assumes there is no God and that we came from nothing by chance
NO NO NO NO NO...
Evolution simply asserts all life evolved from a common ancestor. Typically, evolutionary change would have occurred when life forms are acted upon by an outside force. That change could be anything: climatic change, ecological change, etc. We see climate changes today, yet we don't describe them as being chance events. Evolution also need not happen by chance.
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BAPTIST BELIEVER
I'm not even sure what you mean by "evolutionary host"...
As stated before, this is not my view.
All that the Bible says about the *way* man was made tells us that he was made from the clay. That leaves a lot of room for interpretation if we are going to try to impose some sort of system on that statement.
Lots of theistic evolutionists do trust in the biblical Jesus -- and they still believe in theistic evolution. It's not a matter of intensity of faith, but theological and scientific understanding.
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NEAL4CHRIST
Johnv, what about death and struggle? How was God's creation very good then if the survival of the fittest was going on? And to say that evolution does not negate God is wrong. As has been stated over and over, it is a philosophy with NO FACTS!!!! Why does a Christian want to willingly believe it but not the Bible? And when Genesis says God created wouldn't that be logical that it was there before, so God spoke it into being? To me, evolution, even if it were a mechanism, makes our God small and limited in power. I prefer to have faith in one who simply speaks and it happens!
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JOHNV
How was God's creation very good then if the survival of the fittest was going on?
Considering you look at nature today, and see survival of the fittest take place on different scales, I guess you'd have to ask God that questions.
And to say that evolution does not negate God is wrong. As has been stated over and over, it is a philosophy with NO FACTS!!!!
As one who accepts the possibility that life may have evolved in an evolutionary manner, I can tell you that my position is not a pholisiphical one. As to your second fact, there is ample evidence to suggest it.
Why does a Christian want to willingly believe it but not the Bible?
Having disagreements about how parts of the Bible should be interpreted is a far cry from accusing someone in not believing in the Bible.
And when Genesis says God created wouldn't that be logical that it was there before, so God spoke it into being?
No one on this board denies that God is the creator of all.
To me, evolution, even if it were a mechanism, makes our God small and limited in power. I prefer to have faith in one who simply speaks and it happens!
We're also told that a minute to God is as a thousand years. Millions of years is nothing to an almighty God. Something happenning over a long period of time is no less "God speaking and it happening" than something happenning in a minute.
[ November 11, 2002, 05:57 PM: Message edited by: Administrator ]
MASSDAK
is it possible that a person can believe in evolution and still be a Christian?
i have doubts about this one. doesn't someone have a non biblical view of who God is if they do not ascribe to the biblical account of adam and eve? can liberal religionist believe in metaphors on these type of issues and still be saved?
or are they accepting another Jesus?
i have met a methodist minister, who is pro abortion, and believes in evolution, he believes in gay special rights, and believes that satan, and hell, are a figurative of speech and mainly allegory in nature. this minister votes democratic and preaches always a social gospel instead of Christ.
* * *
DON
Does the Bible say anything against any of those issues? If not specifically, then in principle?
If yes, then it's possible this methodist minister you're talking about is a Christian who is simply misguided.
On the other hand, he might be putting his own personal views ahead of the Bible, and thus calls into question his "fruits."
If no, well, we've got a lot more discussing to do before we get onto the subject of this particular minister.
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DR. BOB GRIFFIN
Personal op/ed - The Bible speaks about Jesus being the Creator in clear and absolute terms.
Does NOT believing that preclude that such a person does not believe in faith that He is the Savior? I fail to see a connection.Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever.
Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
They are wrong. They are believing a false teaching if they deny Jesus is the Creator (which evolution inherently does, although some of the BB "evolutionists" DO believe Jesus is the first cause). That has NOTHING to do with their personal repenance and faith in Christ for salvation.
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JOHNV
Is it possible that a person can believe in evolution and be a Christian?
Yes. This board is full of people who accept evolution as a credible theory and are faithful Christians. I am one.
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REV. JOSHUA
Me too.
Massdak, I know several baptist ministers who hold to the views you describe and have strong, personal testimonies of their salvation.
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NEAL4CHRIST
I think that creation is not a litmus test for salvation, but I would have serious concerns about someone who faithfully believes in evolution. Especially when there is so little evidence for it and it is mainly a hypothesis, not even a theory. Also, there is just as much evidence (if not far more, see ICR, Answers in Genesis, etc.) for creation. Even some secular scientists recognize the intricate design of the simplest life forms and see that there has to be more to it than simple blind chance. The way I look at is that in either case you are putting your faith somewhere...either in God as creator, or in chance and probability that life arose from nothing. And that is what evolution teaches, not that it is a mechanism of God, but there is no God and material is all there is. I personally do not understand how someone can believe evolution and be a Christian, but that is not my place to judge that person, only the Creator of all things can!
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REV. G
They can believe in evolution and still be a Christian, but that goes to show that they are:
1) In need of taking the Scriptures more seriously; and
2) In need of taking science more seriously (especially the laws of thermodynamics).
Evolution is a philosophy and it is a religion, it is far from being a science. After all, it is the "theory" of evolution.
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JOHNV
The question was not what evolution was, the question was if someone can believe in evolution and still be a Christian (A discussion of what evolution is would be better suited for the creation/evolution forum). The answer is "yes". As for taking scripture more seriously, I take scripture very seriously. As far as taking science seriously, trying passing science through some biblical filter is unproductive and comromises not only science but also the Bible, since it uses the Bible in a manner for which it was not written.
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HOMEBOUND
Christian and Evolution. Now that is a contradiction of terms. A Christian believes in a Creator while evolutionist do not. One or the other, you choose.
As far as the minister goes, well, this passage comes to mind. 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
If you are a Christian that agrees with evolution, then God is waiting for you to repent of your sin.
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JOHNV
Agreeing with the idea that all life may be decended from a common ancestor is not a sin.
It's amusing how those opposed to evolution say that evolutionists don't believe in God, yet those Christians who don't dismiss evolution know better.
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REV. G
First, I answered the primary question.
Second, I did not make a long detailed statement about evolution, except to point out that it is both philosophical and RELIGIOUS. Doesn't it seem like that is an important aspect of this question?
Third, evolution (apart from a "biblical filter") isn't good science. In fact, it isn't scientific!
Fourth, the Christian's complete worldview must be filtered through the Scriptures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Bible isn't a science textbook, but that doesn't mean that it isn't true and accurate in all that it teaches (including creation).
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BRO. CURTIS
[in response to Johnv]
The Bible is a filter ? Why can't we use the Bible for science ? To me, the Bible is the sum of all history, and to question one part of it, makes the whole thing impotent.
Which do you take more seriously, the Bible, or "science" ?
If you question the creation, do you also question the Garden of Eden, the Flood, the Tower of Babel ? Do you believe Balaam's ass spoke, with a man's voice ? Do you believe the "Fourth man in the Fire" story in Daniel ?
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NEAL4CHRIST
I agree with you wholeheartedly, Rev. G and Bro. Curtis. To not take your worldview from Scripture is extremely dangerous if you are a Christian. Your faith is not separated from everything else.
And also:
As far as taking science seriously
Just because someone believes in evolution and not creation doesn't mean that they are taking science seriously. In fact, they aren't, I think. But that is another issue. As I stated previously there is a very active and vibrant field of creation science, headed by Institute for Creation Research and Answers In Genesis. These guys are scientists, not theologians! And I am familiar with science, so I am not just talking about something I have never looked into or seen the evolutionist perspective. I majored in engineering at a major state university, and the science department was not exactly creation friendly! However, as Rev. G stated, evolution is a religion or a philosophy, and it requires faith to believe it because there is no proof, just ideas. As for me, I will put my faith in the Creator of the universe!
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FEARNOT
without haveing read any replys I suggest you read the book, "It Couldn't Just Happen." This is a very good book and will answer alot of scientific questions.
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MATTHEW 16:24
This poor Minister, I and the Bible would consider him one of the lost people out there who does NOT have their salvation and needs to repent of his sins.i have met a methodist minister, who is pro abortion, and believes in evolution, he believes in gay special rights, and believes that satan, and hell, are a figurative of speech and mainly allegory in nature. this minister votes democratic and preaches always a social gospel instead of Christ.
Hell a figurative of speech and evolution is two of Satans biggest lies.
The Bible is true once again,
Re:12:9: And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world : he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
How can a Christian believe that we came from apes is ridiculous!
They are not Christian! I believe Homebound listed an appropirate scripture for this.
* * *
DHK
It was Julian Huxley the great proponent of evolution after Darwin, that said: "I do not believe in evolution because it is credible, rather I believe in evolution because belief in God is far too incredible." Does not that sum it up? Even the originators of the "theory/hypothesis" of evolution come to a point where they must admit that their belief in evolution is simply because they do not want to bow down before the great Creator of the universe and own Him as their Master. That would be an admission of subservience and a logical outcome would be if Christ/God is my master, then I must obey His commandments--which the natural or unsaved man is unwilling to do. Thus the theory of evolution was devised as an alternative to belief in God Almighty.
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BAPTIST BELIEVER
Originally posted by massdak:
and still be a Christian?
Yes. Many believers are theistic evolutionists.
i have doubts about this one. doesn't someone have a non biblical view of who God is if they do not ascribe to the biblical account of adam and eve?
Many believers subscribe to the biblical account of Adam and Eve, but don't interpret it in as literal a fashion as you apparently do.
can liberal religionist believe in metaphors on these type of issues and still be saved?
Certainly. Salvation is not about having a perfect or complete theology, it is about trusting God through Christ.
or are they accepting another Jesus?
The question of accepting another Jesus is more related to one's theology of Jesus than theology of the process of origins. Theistic evolutionists affirm that God is the Creator and evolution is the creative process that God chose to create the cosmos.
i have met a methodist minister, who is pro abortion, and believes in evolution, he believes in gay special rights, and believes that satan, and hell, are a figurative of speech and mainly allegory in nature.
Lots of Methodists believe this way. Some of them clearly leave the orbit of the Christian faith like Fort Worth's Barry Bailey (former pastor of First United Methodist) preached that Jesus was not resurrected physically -- only "spiritually" in our hearts
this minister votes democratic
I didn't realize that voting straight-ticket Republican was the hallmark of Christian discipleship
and preaches always a social gospel instead of Christ.
Baptists have had a poor history of preaching social justice, so I'm probably a little more open than you to hearing this kind of message. But to preach only social justice is unbalanced.
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MASSDAK
i agree with you matthew, when Gods word is distorted in a way such as evolution and other aspects, it at this point molds Jesus into a different Jesus then that of the bible. can we all agree on this? is the fact that adam and eve and the fall of man at issue here also? if we evolved then how did sin enter and death? how does this view coincide with the real biblical Jesus? this is not a post about evolution, but it is a post about a minister that has a belief in a different gospel.
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BAPTIST BELIEVER
Originally posted by massdak:
i agree with you matthew, when Gods word is distorted in a way such as evolution and other aspects, it at this point molds Jesus into a different Jesus then that of the bible. can we all agree on this?
No.
is the fact that adam and eve and the fall of man at issue here also?
They don't have to be.
if we evolved then how did sin enter and death?
I'm not really a believer in traditional evolutionary theory, but my guess is that one might say that "adam" and "eve" were the first humans who became conscious of God in the evolutionary process. (Adam and Eve would not necessarily be literal people here, but the early men and women of humankind.) Sin and spiritual death entered when they rejected God.
how does this view coincide with the real biblical Jesus?
A better question would be, why do you believe that a belief in theistic evolution is incompatible with trusting the real Jesus.
this is not a post about evolution, but it is a post about a minister that has a belief in a different gospel.
Not necessarily a different gospel, but at least a different view of origins.
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NEAL4CHRIST
Was Noah real? Abraham? Daniel? Moses? David? Solomon? Was Jesus' crucifixion literal? This is the problem of comprimising the creation account with evolution. There is nothing to say that Adam and Eve were not real, but rather they are presented as very real, especially when you think of them having relations and children with individual names. Once you establish that you can allegorize the Bible from the opening chapter, there is no stopping it. You may say that it would be ludicrous to say that Jesus' death was allegory and not literal, but you have no way to support that, because you have already established that being a viable interpretation with your allegorizing of the creation account.(Adam and Eve would not necessarily be literal people here, but the early men and women of humankind.)
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DHK
That is a good question? Do you have a good answer? Jesus referred to many events in the Old Testament as actual historical events, events such as:Originally posted by Baptist Believer:
A better question would be, why do you believe that a belief in theistic evolution is incompatible with trusting the real Jesus.
Jonah being three days and three nights in the belly of the whale,
The creation of Adam and Eve:
Mat.19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
Abraham as an historical figure. (John 8:58)
Noah and the Flood (As in the days of Noah...
He referred to the entire Old Testament in Luke 24:44 divided into the typical three parts as the Hebrews did: "in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms."
If one cannot believe Jesus that the Old Testament was a historical book, not meant to be taken as an allegory, but taken literally, as Jesus himself understood it to be, then who can we trust?
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BAPTIST BELIEVER
The story of Jonah is not at question here. This is irrelevant to our discussion of origins.
Jesus is referencing the scriptures which tell the story of Adam and Eve. Jesus is emphasizing the implications of the story, not tackling the question of the literalness of the story.Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
The story of Abraham is not at question here. This is irrelevant to our discussion of origins.
The story of Noah is not at question here. This is irrelevant to our discussion of origins.
What point are you trying to make here? How does this have implications toward our understanding of human origins?He referred to the entire Old Testament in Luke 24:44 divided into the typical three parts as the Hebrews did: "in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms."
You have failed to demonstrate that Jesus intended all of the Old Testament to be interpreted as literal historical events. Jesus used stories that were likely *historically* fictional (the parables) to make theological points, why do you believe that the same thing is impossible in the Old Testament?
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JOHNV
Since Jesus referenced Jonah, it should be noted that and in Hebrew, Jonah was not in a whale's belly, but a big fish's belly (in other OT references, whales are referred to as such).
Now, since Jesus referred to Jonah as being in the belly of the whale (in greek, the word ketos, not ichthus is used), was Jesus "wrong", or was the importance not on the animal, but in the 3 day analogy?
Likewise, I'd infer than the importance of Geneses is not how we were created, but who created us. Whether humankind is 6000 years old, 60,000 years old, or 6 million years old is irrelevant to the simple fact that God created.
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MASSDAK
baptist believer
baptist believer, you have me somewhat worried about you here, you need to know that adam and eve are not part of an primortal soup in which they were the first evolved human to know that God exist. do you really want to believe that Christ was part of the davidic line of an evolutionary host?I'm not really a believer in traditional evolutionary theory, but my guess is that one might say that "adam" and "eve" were the first humans who became conscious of God in the evolutionary process. (Adam and Eve would not necessarily be literal people here, but the early men and women of humankind.) Sin and spiritual death entered when they rejected God.
baptist beleaver
you may want to review your thinking on this, and trust that God made man as His word says, trust in the biblical Jesus and watch the foolish evolution stumbling block disappear
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NEAL4CHRIST
I would agree that age is not as big a factor (I am a literal six day creationist), but that is not the issue at hand. Evolution is the issue. And like it or not, evolution assumes there is no God and that we came from nothing by chance. Whether you believe creation/evolution, either way it is a step of faith. I just don't understand why so many Christians want to trust that Jesus will save them yet deny that He is their Creator.Likewise, I'd infer than the importance of Geneses is not how we were created, but who created us. Whether humankind is 6000 years old, 60,000 years old, or 6 million years old is irrelevant to the simple fact that God created.
He did not change terms or interpret. So no, He was not wrong, and He was taking the Jonah account literal.
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JOHNV
evolution assumes there is no God and that we came from nothing by chance
NO NO NO NO NO...
Evolution simply asserts all life evolved from a common ancestor. Typically, evolutionary change would have occurred when life forms are acted upon by an outside force. That change could be anything: climatic change, ecological change, etc. We see climate changes today, yet we don't describe them as being chance events. Evolution also need not happen by chance.
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BAPTIST BELIEVER
</font>[/QUOTE]As I mentioned in the section you quoted, this is not my personal view of the issue. It is simply one way that some people address the issue. I am not trying to make a case for evolution (theistic or otherwise), but to address the issue of whether or not people who believe in a theistic evolutionary understanding of origins can truly be Christian. I firmly believe the answer is yes.Originally posted by massdak:
baptist believer </font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr /> I'm not really a believer in traditional evolutionary theory, but my guess is that one might say that "adam" and "eve" were the first humans who became conscious of God in the evolutionary process. (Adam and Eve would not necessarily be literal people here, but the early men and women of humankind.) Sin and spiritual death entered when they rejected God.
baptist believer, you have me somewhat worried about you here, you need to know that adam and eve are not part of an primortal soup in which they were the first evolved human to know that God exist.
do you really want to believe that Christ was part of the davidic line of an evolutionary host?
I'm not even sure what you mean by "evolutionary host"...

baptist beleaver
you may want to review your thinking on this,
As stated before, this is not my view.
and trust that God made man as His word says,
All that the Bible says about the *way* man was made tells us that he was made from the clay. That leaves a lot of room for interpretation if we are going to try to impose some sort of system on that statement.
trust in the biblical Jesus and watch the foolish evolution stumbling block disappear
Lots of theistic evolutionists do trust in the biblical Jesus -- and they still believe in theistic evolution. It's not a matter of intensity of faith, but theological and scientific understanding.
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NEAL4CHRIST
Johnv, what about death and struggle? How was God's creation very good then if the survival of the fittest was going on? And to say that evolution does not negate God is wrong. As has been stated over and over, it is a philosophy with NO FACTS!!!! Why does a Christian want to willingly believe it but not the Bible? And when Genesis says God created wouldn't that be logical that it was there before, so God spoke it into being? To me, evolution, even if it were a mechanism, makes our God small and limited in power. I prefer to have faith in one who simply speaks and it happens!
I believe it is from a messed up theology of an omnipotent Creator because of little faithed based on a very poor scientific understanding!It's not a matter of intensity of faith, but theological and scientific understanding.
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JOHNV
How was God's creation very good then if the survival of the fittest was going on?
Considering you look at nature today, and see survival of the fittest take place on different scales, I guess you'd have to ask God that questions.
And to say that evolution does not negate God is wrong. As has been stated over and over, it is a philosophy with NO FACTS!!!!
As one who accepts the possibility that life may have evolved in an evolutionary manner, I can tell you that my position is not a pholisiphical one. As to your second fact, there is ample evidence to suggest it.
Why does a Christian want to willingly believe it but not the Bible?
Having disagreements about how parts of the Bible should be interpreted is a far cry from accusing someone in not believing in the Bible.
And when Genesis says God created wouldn't that be logical that it was there before, so God spoke it into being?
No one on this board denies that God is the creator of all.
To me, evolution, even if it were a mechanism, makes our God small and limited in power. I prefer to have faith in one who simply speaks and it happens!
We're also told that a minute to God is as a thousand years. Millions of years is nothing to an almighty God. Something happenning over a long period of time is no less "God speaking and it happening" than something happenning in a minute.
[ November 11, 2002, 05:57 PM: Message edited by: Administrator ]