Evolution vs. Creationism

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blackumbrella said:
help me to understand. explain it to me.
BU, It would help you in a discussion about a particular religion to learn about it. Let me help you as well. The old Mosaic laws were for the order of mankind before the arrival of the Messiah. It was the old covenant. When Jesus came and died for us, a new covenant was created. Paul explains this in his letter to the Galatians:
All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.

Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

Galatians 3:10-25
 
Bamalaw92 said:
We are not "getting at" anything.

no sweat. i was merely pointing out that ID can be used to justify some really out there proposals, alien designers for instance. you and others asked where the aliens came from. seemed like you were begging the question as to first cause.

When looking at the complexity of the universe, a guiding hand makes a lot more sense than simple random acts accidentally creating order out of chaos. But that is my opinion. It is every bit as valid as your "scientific" approach.

whatever floats your boat
 
Bamalaw92 said:
BU, It would help you in a discussion about a particular religion to learn about it.

to learn about it is why i'm discussing it. ok, so tell me more about the law described in that verse. and is it the case that now that the messiah has come and gone, our guidelines are relatively fixed? and if so, what about the slavery question i asked earleir?
 
blackumbrella said:
to learn about it is why i'm discussing it.
Which is precisely why I offered to help educate you - it was not a criticism of you.
ok, so tell me more about the law described in that verse.
The law being discussed was and is it the case that now that the messiah has come and gone, our guidelines are relatively fixed? and if so, what about the slavery question i asked earleir?
It is the Mosaic law that you continue to refer to found in the first five books of the Old Testament - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. It is important to note that the Scriptures clearly state that the Law was given to Israel and not to the Gentiles or the Church (Deut. 4:7-8; Ps. 147:19-20; Mal. 4:4). Another thing to point out is the means by which the Mosaic Law was given. Most know that Moses received the Law on Mount Sinai from the Hand of God. Ten of those commandments, written on tablets of stone, were written with the Finger of God. The Old Testament indicates that the other 603 were written down as Moses was commanded by God.

The Bible gives us several reasons for the purpose of the Mosaic Law. The first purpose was to reveal the holiness of God, to reveal the standard of righteousness that God demanded for a proper relationship with Him. Let me emphasize that at no time is it taught in Scripture that the Mosaic Law was the means of salvation. Such a concept would make salvation by means of works. We know, instead, that salvation was always by grace through faith.

The content of faith has changed from age to age; exactly what one had to believe to be saved differed from age to age, depending on progressive revelation (that which God has revealed over time). But the means of salvation never changes, and the Mosaic Law was never intended to give the Jew a way of salvation. It was given to a people already redeemed from Egypt, not in order to redeem them.

A second purpose of the Law was to provide the means or the rule of conduct for the Old Testament saints. We find this in Romans 3:20 and 28. Two more purposes were: to keep the Jews a distinct people (Lev. 11:44-45; Deut. 7:6; 14:1-2); and, to provide Israel with occasions for individual and corporate worship. A fifth purpose for the Mosaic Law was to reveal sin. Three passages in Romans point this out. Romans 3:19-20, 5:20 and 7:7. Another purpose is to lead us to absolute faith, specifically faith in Jesus the Messiah (Gal. 3:24). As hard as we may try to keep the Law perfectly, our sin nature prevents us from doing so, as Paul describes in the seventh chapter of Romans.

The clear-cut teaching of the New Testament is that the Law of Moses has been rendered inoperative witt in Scripture that the Mosaic Law was the means of salvation. Such a concept would make salvation by means of works. We know, instead, that salvation was always by grace through faith.

The content of faith has changed from age to age; exactly what one had to believe to be saved differed from age to age, depending on progressive revelation (that which God has revealed over time). But the means of salvation never changes, and the Mosaic Law was never intended to give the Jew a way of salvation. It was given to a people already redeemed from Egypt, not in order to redeem them.

A second purpose of the Law was to provide the means or the rule of conduct for the Old Testament saints. We find this in Romans 3:20 and 28. Two more purposes were: to keep the Jews a distinct people (Lev. 11:44-45; Deut. 7:6; 14:1-2); and, to provide Israel with occasions for individual and corporate worship. A fifth purpose for the Mosaic Law was to reveal sin. Three passages in Romans point this out. Romans 3:19-20, 5:20 and 7:7. Another purpose is to lead us to absolute faith, specifically faith in Jesus the Messiah (Gal. 3:24). As hard as we may try to keep the Law perfectly, our sin nature prevents us from doing so, as Paul describes in the seventh chapter of Romans.

The clear-cut teaching of the New Testament is that the Law of Moses has been rendered inoperative with the death of Messiah; in other words, the Law in its totality no longer has authority over any individual. This is evident first of all from Romans 10:4, with Paul telling us that Christ is the end of the law. Galatians 2:16 concurs, stating that neither is there justification through the Law. Furthermore, there is no sanctification or perfection through the Law (Heb. 7:19).

A second important point here is that the Mosaic Law was never meant to be a permanent administration, but a temporary one. It was added in order to make sin very clear so that all would know they have fallen short of God’s standard for righteousness. It was a temporary addition until Christ . . . till the seed should come; now that He has come, the Law is finished.

Other evidence for the annulment of the Mosaic Law zeros right in on the part of the Law that most people want to retain – the Ten Commandments. Second Corinthians 3:2-11 is very significant here. He calls it both the ministration of death and the ministration of condemnation (vv. 7, 9). In addition, Paul is clearly emphasizing the Ten Commandments, as it is these that are engraven on stones. The main point, then, is that the Law of Moses, especially as represented by the Ten Commandments, is a ministration of death and a ministration of condemnation. And this would remain true if the Ten Commandments were still in force today.
h the death of Messiah; in other words, the Law in its totality no longer has authority over any individual. This is evident first of all from Romans 10:4, with Paul telling us that Christ is the end of the law. Galatians 2:16 concurs, stating that neither is there justification through the Law. Furthermore, there is no sanctification or perfection through the Law (Heb. 7:19).

A second important point here is that the Mosaic Law was never meant to be a permanent administration, but a temporary one. It was added in order to make sin very clear so that all would know they have fallen short of God’s standard for righteousness. It was a temporary addition until Christ . . . till the seed should come; now that He has come, the Law is finished.

Other evidence for the annulment of the Mosaic Law zeros right in on the part of the Law that most people want to retain – the Ten Commandments. Second Corinthians 3:2-11 is very significant here. He calls it both the ministration of death and the ministration of condemnation (vv. 7, 9). In addition, Paul is clearly emphasizing the Ten Commandments, as it is these that are engraven on stones. The main point, then, is that the Law of Moses, especially as represented by the Ten Commandments, is a ministration of death and a ministration of condemnation. And this would remain true if the Ten Commandments were still in force today.

But they are no longer in force, as the Law has passed away (vv. 7, 11). The Greek word used is katargeo, meaning “to render inoperative.” Since this passage’s emphasis is on the Ten Commandments, this means that the Ten Commandments have passed away. The thrust is very clear. The Law of Moses, and especially the Ten Commandments, is no longer in effect. In fact, the superiority of the Law of Christ is seen by the fact that it will never be rendered inoperative.

Paul sheds more light on this in his letter to the Ephesians (2:11-16; 3:6), explaining that God has made certain covenants with the Jewish people. (In fact, God made four unconditional, eternal covenants with Israel: the Abrahamic, the Palestinian, the Davidic, and New Covenants.) All of God’s blessings, both material and spiritual, are mediated by means of these four Jewish covenants, which are eternal, as well as unconditional.

At the same time, Paul points out that God added a fifth covenant: temporary and conditional, this is the Mosaic Covenant containing the Mosaic Law. According to Paul, the Mosaic Law served as a wall of partition (Eph. 2:15). to keep Gentiles, as Gentiles, from enjoying Jewish spiritual blessings.

To summarize, the Law is a unit comprised of 613 commandments, and all of it has been invalidated. No commandment has continued beyo

But they are no longer in force, as the Law has passed away (vv. 7, 11). The Greek word used is katargeo, meaning “to render inoperative.” Since this passage’s emphasis is on the Ten Commandments, this means that the Ten Commandments have passed away. The thrust is very clear. The Law of Moses, and especially the Ten Commandments, is no longer in effect. In fact, the superiority of the Law of Christ is seen by the fact that it will never be rendered inoperative.

Paul sheds more light on this in his letter to the Ephesians (2:11-16; 3:6), explaining that God has made certain covenants with the Jewish people. (In fact, God made four unconditional, eternal covenants with Israel: the Abrahamic, the Palestinian, the Davidic, and New Covenants.) All of God’s blessings, both material and spiritual, are mediated by means of these four Jewish covenants, which are eternal, as well as unconditional.

At the same time, Paul points out that God added a fifth covenant: temporary and conditional, this is the Mosaic Covenant containing the Mosaic Law. According to Paul, the Mosaic Law served as a wall of partition (Eph. 2:15). to keep Gentiles, as Gentiles, from enjoying Jewish spiritual blessings.

To summarize, the Law is a unit comprised of 613 commandments, and all of it has been invalidated. No commandment has continued beyond the cross of Jesus. The Law exists and can be used as a teaching tool to show God’s standard of righteousness and our sinfulness and need of substitutionary atonement. It can be used to point one to Christ (Gal. 3:23-25). It has, however, completely ceased to function as an authority over individuals. Hebrews 8:1-13 draws a parallel between the Mosaic Law and the New Covenant: The writer, quoting Jeremiah 31:31-34, states that as soon as a “new” covenant was enacted, it rendered the Mosaic Covenant the “old” one – and that which is old is nigh unto vanishing away (v. 13). The Mosaic Law grew old under Jeremiah and vanished away when Messiah died.

The reason there is so much confusion over the relationship of the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ is that the two have many similar commandments, prompting many to conclude that certain sections of the Law have, therefore, been retained. But according to the scriptures, this cannot be so, and the explanation for the sameness of the commandments is to be found elsewhere.

A new covenant will always contain some of the same commandments as the previous covenant, but this does not mean that the previous covenant is still in effect. The same is true when we compare the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ. There are many similar commandments. For example, nine of the Ten Commandments are to be found in the Law of Christnd the cross of Jesus. The Law exists and can be used as a teaching tool to show God’s standard of righteousness and our sinfulness and need of substitutionary atonement. It can be used to point one to Christ (Gal. 3:23-25). It has, however, completely ceased to function as an authority over individuals. Hebrews 8:1-13 draws a parallel between the Mosaic Law and the New Covenant: The writer, quoting Jeremiah 31:31-34, states that as soon as a “new” covenant was enacted, it rendered the Mosaic Covenant the “old” one – and that which is old is nigh unto vanishing away (v. 13). The Mosaic Law grew old under Jeremiah and vanished away when Messiah died.

The reason there is so much confusion over the relationship of the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ is that the two have many similar commandments, prompting many to conclude that certain sections of the Law have, therefore, been retained. But according to the scriptures, this cannot be so, and the explanation for the sameness of the commandments is to be found elsewhere.

A new covenant will always contain some of the same commandments as the previous covenant, but this does not mean that the previous covenant is still in effect. The same is true when we compare the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ. There are many similar commandments. For example, nine of the Ten Commandments are to be found in the Law of Christ, but this does not mean that the Law of Moses is still in force.

The Law of Moses has been nullified, and we are now under the Law of Christ. There are many different commandments: The Law of Moses did not permit one to eat pork, but the Law of Christ does. There are many similar commandments as well, but they are in two separate systems. If we do not kill or steal, this is not because of the Law of Moses but because of the Law of Christ. Conversely, if I do steal, I am not guilty of breaking the Law of Moses but the Law of Christ.

For believers, this understanding can resolve many issues – such as women wearing pants, the Sabbath, and tithing. As the commandments concerning these things are based on the Law of Moses, then they have no validity for the New Testament believer. The Law of Christ is now the rule of life for the indivi, but this does not mean that the Law of Moses is still in force.

The Law of Moses has been nullified, and we are now under the Law of Christ. There are many different commandments: The Law of Moses did not permit one to eat pork, but the Law of Christ does. There are many similar commandments as well, but they are in two separate systems. If we do not kill or steal, this is not because of the Law of Moses but because of the Law of Christ. Conversely, if I do steal, I am not guilty of breaking the Law of Moses but the Law of Christ.

For believers, this understanding can resolve many issues – such as women wearing pants, the Sabbath, and tithing. As the commandments concerning these things are based on the Law of Moses, then they have no validity for the New Testament believer. The Law of Christ is now the rule of life for the individual New Testament believer.

Go here for more:
http://www.ariel.org/ff00006c.html
 
This may help clarify things . . . or not

Matthew 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Matthew 22:35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
 
jthomas666 said:
Matthew 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Matthew 22:35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

are slaves the same as neighbors?
 
blackumbrella said:
progressive revelation helps to explain things. does it mean that even the new covenant is revealed to the world diffeently over time?
Different faith groups assign various meanings to the term "Progressive revelation." A common definition is the belief that God did not teach full theological, legal, moral, scientific, medical and other knowledge to humans in the beginning. Rather, God gradually revealed truths over a long interval, according to their needs, and at a rate slow enough that humans were capable of fully absorbing them.

Many conservative faith groups and individuals teach progressive revelation. It is particularly popular among supporters of Dispensational Theology. They believe that in the Old Testament we see God taking people from a pagan culture and teaching them how to be the people we were created to be. He did not try to change them in a day, but instead took 2000 years (from Abraham until Jesus came) to lead them to the point at which some could accept Jesus as the Messiah.....God's revelation to us ended when the last book of the New Testament was written. The Bible is complete; no further revelation is needed. They believe that there is zero possibility that any behavior called sinful in the Christian Scriptures can become non-sinful.

You would more likely side with liberal Christians who expect that the Bible will be internally contradictory, as new more developed beliefs replace earlier, more primitive ones. Thus, progressive revelation as they see it exists throughout the Bible due to human causes. They see this process as continuing today, as previously approved practices, like executing non-virgin brides, burning some prostitutes alive, human slavery, torturing prisoners of war, oppression of religious minorities, etc. are rejected as profoundly immoral. (The difference being as I see it, however, is that neither Christ nor the other authors of the New Testament ever found these practices to be acceptable) They see the culture as continually developing in our present and future, as -- for example -- women achieve equal rights, status, and opportunities, including ordination as clergy.
 
Bamalaw92 said:
You would more likely side with liberal Christians who expect that the Bible will be internally contradictory, as new more developed beliefs replace earlier, more primitive ones. Thus, progressive revelation as they see it exists throughout the Bible due to human causes. They see this process as continuing today, as previously approved practices, like executing non-virgin brides, burning some prostitutes alive, human slavery, torturing prisoners of war, oppression of religious minorities, etc. are rejected as profoundly immoral. (The difference being as I see it, however, is that neither Christ nor the other authors of the New Testament ever found these practices to be acceptable) They see the culture as continually developing in our present and future, as -- for example -- women achieve equal rights, status, and opportunities, including ordination as clergy.

this sounds alot like process theology, where, bc the world is always changing and god is part of the world, god is always changing too. or maybe bc god changes the world changes. alfred north whitehead said that god and the world are both involved in a constant creative process. i like that phrasing bc the creation can be seen as bi-directional, which i see as important bc terms like 'faith' 'belief'--alot of the lang we use to describe understandings of the divine--describe types of cognition. and so our thoughts very much shape our worlds, our concepts shape our percepts.
 
blackumbrella said:
this sounds alot like process theology, where, bc the world is always changing and god is part of the world, god is always changing too. or maybe bc god changes the world changes

Or perhaps, God is not changing at all, but guiding us in understanding Him. And through that guidance, we begin to understand more of what we are seeing.
 
I think I've had a birthday since this was started.

FWIW, ID and Darwin's theory are not mutually exclusive; ID attempts to answer the weakness(es) in Darwin's theory.
 
blackumbrella said:
this sounds alot like process theology, where, bc the world is always changing and god is part of the world, god is always changing too. or maybe bc god changes the world changes. alfred north whitehead said that god and the world are both involved in a constant creative process. i like that phrasing bc the creation can be seen as bi-directional, which i see as important bc terms like 'faith' 'belief'--alot of the lang we use to describe understandings of the divine--describe types of cognition. and so our thoughts very much shape our worlds, our concepts shape our percepts.
A belief I most strongly disagree with as it places man on equal footing with God.
 
Bamalaw92 said:
A belief I most strongly disagree with as it places man on equal footing with God.

in a strong form certainly, but it doesn't have to. it could also take the more benign form of simply acknowledging the role of our brains in understanding religious concepts, esp in light of the fact that so much of religion is pure 'idea,' having no physical antecedent. even if you take biblical events as historical and literal, what you're really interacting with are stories or cultural memories, things whose only trace is now 'mental.'
 
blackumbrella said:
in a strong form certainly, but it doesn't have to. it could also take the more benign form of simply acknowledging the role of our brains in understanding religious concepts, esp in light of the fact that so much of religion is pure 'idea,' having no physical antecedent. even if you take biblical events as historical and literal, what you're really interacting with are stories or cultural memories, things whose only trace is now 'mental.'
"simply acknowledging the role of our brains in understanding religious concepts, esp in light of the fact that so much of religion is pure 'idea,' having no physical antecedent." This reduces faith to a mere chemical process in the brain....something I do not agree with.
"even if you take biblical events as historical and literal, what you're really interacting with are stories or cultural memories, things whose only trace is now 'mental.'"
All memories and history are mental. That has nothing to do with whether basic core truths can be changed by "changing perspectives".
 
Bamalaw92 said:
"simply acknowledging the role of our brains in understanding religious concepts, esp in light of the fact that so much of religion is pure 'idea,' having no physical antecedent." This reduces faith to a mere chemical process in the brain....something I do not agree with.
"even if you take biblical events as historical and literal, what you're really interacting with are stories or cultural memories, things whose only trace is now 'mental.'"
All memories and history are mental. That has nothing to do with whether basic core truths can be changed by "changing perspectives".


That has nothing to do with whether basic core truths can be changed by "changing perspectives".

Absolutely.
 
There are too many pages of this thread to read them all, but someone has pointed out that evolution makes no attempt to predict how life BEGAN, right? Evolution only explains how SPECIATION occurs.

Evolution denial is really only present among people with a political or religious agenda who are willing to use dishonesty to advance their views.
 
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