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Date: Sun, 5 Jun 2005 23:00:01 +1200
From: [Family member A]
Subject: the book
To: "Mike Ryder" <mike@mryder.com>
Cc: [Family member B]
Thanks for taking time to read chapter one and intro of G
Jeffrey. You did not offend me. I hope my reply to your
points does not offend either.
You say any life form is as complex as it needs to be to survive in its
environment. I agree with this but fail to see what it has to do
with favouring evolution over creation, if indeed that is what you were
trying to convey?
You say Jeffrey defines evolution as random chance rather than gradual
change, the latter being the correct definition. I think if you
trace gradual change back to its original roots no matter how much
change occurs over a given time there must be a starting point - posing
the problem for the evolutionist - how does something come from
nothing? Hence the Shakespearean play illustration by
Jeffrey. Any way in an effort not to split hairs - I do agree
some things change over time. However if evolution is taking
place in that change should we not see things changing for the
better? It seems to me that a lot of changes are for the worse,
eg disease, genetic defects as you mentioned. As for the colour
blind illustration of a positive change - I think you will agree that
is only a theory not a fact. maybe i'm wrong and there are many
positive mutations but i just don't see any. Take for example
commonsense - if a computer develops a gliche what are the chances it
will run better? Usually it requires its creator to sort it out
does it not?
You ask if we are all created in God's image then why are we all
different? I have two possible answers. Firstly to
summarise the view of "Believers Bible Commentary" God is Spirit - 3
parts - trinity. Man is 3 part - spirit, soul and body.
there is no thought of physical likeness here. Secondly the
biblical account in Genesis says man, namely Adam, was created in God's
image but because he sinned sin entered man and because of that man's
fallen nature no longer resembles that of God. Also due to sin we
have disease, death etc in our world.
You pose an interesting question about our choice of religion being
forced upon us due to our choice in the environment we belong to.
I agree with you we are a product of our environment. However the
gospel has reached a lot of nations now - although I will grant you not
all. It does seem a bit tough on the people there I agree.
However just because all you know is one religion does that make it the
right one? I guess the crux of the matter is - is the bible
reliable? I think there is plenty of evidence that supports it
is. Firstly there is creation all around us that shows the print
of its author (Rom 1 - 18-20) , there is bible numerics that is
supposedly unrefuted i am told, there is archaeological sightings of
certain biblical things like the ark, and the city of Soddom and
Gomorrah. The documented history of Christ, anniversaries we
celebrate as a society - his birthday, death reserection - would these
celebrations originate from nothing or did something take place that
started them? Then there are the scriptures themselves - one
third is prophecy - most already fulfilled. It is also important
to mention Israel as that is the nation this faith started with.
If you are interested here are some scriptures relating to Israel and
prophecy
1. Deut 28.64 talks about the disobedience of Israel leads to them
being scattered - the were of course
2. Deut 28v 65-66 says they will have no rest for their souls while
scattered - this is true, the worst being holocaust
3. Jer 16v14-16 God will restore Israel to their land - this happened
1948
4. Isaiah 27v6 Desolate Israel will blossom. This has now
happened - the once barren Israel is now a major producer in the world
of fruit
6. Zach 12v2-3 Israel will be a burden to the world - Israel is a
burden with all the fighting around it, land grabbing etc for such a
tiny nation
Anyhow I did not mean to conduct a bible study but if you are
interested in why we should believe the bible over another faith
including evolution, i think prophecy about Israel is a good reason but
there are other reasons too.
Any how good luck with chapter two if you decide to press on. You
never know you may mutate into a creationist by the end of the
book!!!!!!
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