Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Thinking
The past week and a half I've been in a geography class in which the teacher has regularly talked about the earth being really old. It got me thinking.
- Why wouldn't God create the Earth with features that make it look very old. If he made the Earth, He would also be able to as he pleases.
- It seems that some people cling to Evolution so that their responsibility on Earth is reduced to being a passive observer rather than an active participant that God has called us to be.
# posted by Jacob Bird @ 3:24 PM 
Comments:
<< Home
Jake,
Your second comment could be said of those that are die-hard creationists as well. Or for that matter anyone. Too often we see followers of Christ discount nature/earth and trash it based on the idea that "we will all die soon." To me, this is beginning to show our arrogance to God, just as much as hanging onto the idea of evoluton.
For the record, I think you are right in saying that God could make things look very old. In the scope of things, we decide what is old based on God's creation anyways. they decide bones are old by the Rocks that God created around the bones. They decide the rocks are old by the bones of animals that God created. To me, God is at the center of the ages.
pax
Your second comment could be said of those that are die-hard creationists as well. Or for that matter anyone. Too often we see followers of Christ discount nature/earth and trash it based on the idea that "we will all die soon." To me, this is beginning to show our arrogance to God, just as much as hanging onto the idea of evoluton.
For the record, I think you are right in saying that God could make things look very old. In the scope of things, we decide what is old based on God's creation anyways. they decide bones are old by the Rocks that God created around the bones. They decide the rocks are old by the bones of animals that God created. To me, God is at the center of the ages.
pax
"To me, this is beginning to show our arrogance to God, just as much as hanging onto the idea of evoluton."
That touches on something that has been rattling in my head lately.
1. More than we realize, we are like the Israelites in the Old Testament in that we are arrogant towards God.
2. Our "Christian" political party has an arrogance toward the Earth. And that it is the right party to be in. (pun somewhat intended)
I'm definately not a DFLer, but I am not comfortable in the GOP either.
That touches on something that has been rattling in my head lately.
1. More than we realize, we are like the Israelites in the Old Testament in that we are arrogant towards God.
2. Our "Christian" political party has an arrogance toward the Earth. And that it is the right party to be in. (pun somewhat intended)
I'm definately not a DFLer, but I am not comfortable in the GOP either.
Interesting thoughts here.
On the issue of the "old age" of the earth:
How exactly do people measure the age of the earth? I know it's primarily through carbon dating fossils and rocks, but carbon dating is notoriously inaccurate (especially if something is older than a couple of millenia).
On the issue of Christianity and the environment:
I believe we are called to be stewards of the earth, but I also think that as Christians there need to be other things higher on our list of priorities. Nowhere in the Bible are we commanded to reduce, reuse or recycle but we are called to spread the gospel and baptize in the name of the father, son and spirit.
That said I don't think we trash any of the gift's that God has given us either. But that's something I insinuate from God's word rather than a specific commandement or mission. It works both ways. Yes we need to not make a mess of God's creation, but the Earth is also ours to use and enjoy as well.
On the issue of the "old age" of the earth:
How exactly do people measure the age of the earth? I know it's primarily through carbon dating fossils and rocks, but carbon dating is notoriously inaccurate (especially if something is older than a couple of millenia).
On the issue of Christianity and the environment:
I believe we are called to be stewards of the earth, but I also think that as Christians there need to be other things higher on our list of priorities. Nowhere in the Bible are we commanded to reduce, reuse or recycle but we are called to spread the gospel and baptize in the name of the father, son and spirit.
That said I don't think we trash any of the gift's that God has given us either. But that's something I insinuate from God's word rather than a specific commandement or mission. It works both ways. Yes we need to not make a mess of God's creation, but the Earth is also ours to use and enjoy as well.
I'm not sure of the details, but I believe that carbon dating methods can become less acurate if they've been submerged in water. Or a flood.
"Christianity and the environment":
Another wonderful line to try and balance on. I had an acquaintance at IVCF who voted Democrat because of enviromental issues. Not that the other party is much better, but there are more important issues that we shold be concerned with.
"Christianity and the environment":
Another wonderful line to try and balance on. I had an acquaintance at IVCF who voted Democrat because of enviromental issues. Not that the other party is much better, but there are more important issues that we shold be concerned with.
Chris,
in a very simplistic approach, dating fossils and rocks in the "old earth" or evolutional theory is done in these ways:
Fossils:
1.) c-14 (carbon) dating
2.) aging the rocks around them
Rocks:
1.) Ground layers
2.) Dating the fossils around them (by above approach).
On the issue of Christianity and the environment:
First off, I admit that I am not the best at recycling, and there are plenty ways that I can improve at being a steward of the environment.
In Genesis 1, God makes the earth (in the 6 days). He calls us to "rule" over the animals and plants. We are to "subdue" the flora and fauna.
My complications with the statement "the earth is ours to enjoy" can possibly not be simply stated, but I will try. Too often, enjoy is translated to "destroy."
God sees the earth, prior to humans, and calls it good. He sees the animals, plants, and man and woman, and calls each "good". In Hebrew, good would translate closely to perfect or complete. In essence, when we "use" the earth, we are using God's creation, which is "good."
At the heart of it is stewardship. Imagine borrowing someone's car. You take it out, and decide to enjoy a meal. You spill all over the inside of the car, ruining the interior. Instead of cleaning it, or apologizing in any way, you tell the owner that they (the owner) let you use the car, so they are responsible. Stewardship is simply honoring the fact that it is not yours, and if you make a mistake (spill in the car), you do your best to correct it, and apologize to the owner.
To that same degree, we are called to be stewards of the God's creation (in this case, the earth). I don't think that we need to live in fear that we are destroying the earth (as some people think), but at the same time, as a people, we should honor God by honoring the things that belong to him (our lives, the animals, the plantlife, the earth, money, our strengths, our weaknesses, etc.)
By no means am I trying to pass judgement on those that think differently, I am merely sharing my perception on this topic. I can definitely appreciate your opinion, and I am not suggesting that you are condoning the destruction of the earth.
I would agree with you that our mission is to spread the gospel, sharing God's love to the entire humanity. Honoring God's creation is one way that we can show others that we love God, and can perhaps be a ministry tool, along with other avenues as the Lord wills it.
pax
Post a Comment
in a very simplistic approach, dating fossils and rocks in the "old earth" or evolutional theory is done in these ways:
Fossils:
1.) c-14 (carbon) dating
2.) aging the rocks around them
Rocks:
1.) Ground layers
2.) Dating the fossils around them (by above approach).
On the issue of Christianity and the environment:
First off, I admit that I am not the best at recycling, and there are plenty ways that I can improve at being a steward of the environment.
In Genesis 1, God makes the earth (in the 6 days). He calls us to "rule" over the animals and plants. We are to "subdue" the flora and fauna.
My complications with the statement "the earth is ours to enjoy" can possibly not be simply stated, but I will try. Too often, enjoy is translated to "destroy."
God sees the earth, prior to humans, and calls it good. He sees the animals, plants, and man and woman, and calls each "good". In Hebrew, good would translate closely to perfect or complete. In essence, when we "use" the earth, we are using God's creation, which is "good."
At the heart of it is stewardship. Imagine borrowing someone's car. You take it out, and decide to enjoy a meal. You spill all over the inside of the car, ruining the interior. Instead of cleaning it, or apologizing in any way, you tell the owner that they (the owner) let you use the car, so they are responsible. Stewardship is simply honoring the fact that it is not yours, and if you make a mistake (spill in the car), you do your best to correct it, and apologize to the owner.
To that same degree, we are called to be stewards of the God's creation (in this case, the earth). I don't think that we need to live in fear that we are destroying the earth (as some people think), but at the same time, as a people, we should honor God by honoring the things that belong to him (our lives, the animals, the plantlife, the earth, money, our strengths, our weaknesses, etc.)
By no means am I trying to pass judgement on those that think differently, I am merely sharing my perception on this topic. I can definitely appreciate your opinion, and I am not suggesting that you are condoning the destruction of the earth.
I would agree with you that our mission is to spread the gospel, sharing God's love to the entire humanity. Honoring God's creation is one way that we can show others that we love God, and can perhaps be a ministry tool, along with other avenues as the Lord wills it.
pax
<< Home
