[_ Old Earth _] Why is Creationism essential?

[Featherbop]

The Great Commission is often impeded by creationists who claim that their belief is Biblical.

When people who know better see Christians adhering to something they know to be false, they sometimes assume that all of it is false.

Even worse, Christians taught creationism often grow up to learn that it is not true, and sometimes lose their faith thereby.

It is a stumbling block to spreading the good news.

I thought people lost their faith because they thought God wasn't real? If someone didn't beleive literal genesis creationism, wouldn't they just turn to evolutionary creationism, theistic evolution or something, instead of thinking their faith is destroyed?

 

[Barbarian]

I thought people lost their faith because they thought God wasn't real? If someone didn't beleive literal genesis creationism, wouldn't they just turn to evolutionary creationism, theistic evolution or something, instead of thinking their faith is destroyed?

Here's the testimony from one Christian, a former creationist, who almost lost his faith for good:

[/b]"But eventually, by 1994 I was through with young-earth creationISM. Nothing that young-earth creationists had taught me about geology turned out to be true. I took a poll of my ICR graduate friends who have worked in the oil industry. I asked them one question.

"From your oil industry experience, did any fact that you were taught at ICR, which challenged current geological thinking, turn out in the long run to be true? ,"

That is a very simple question. One man, Steve Robertson, who worked for Shell grew real silent on the phone, sighed and softly said 'No!' A very close friend that I had hired at Arco, after hearing the question, exclaimed, "Wait a minute. There has to be one!" But he could not name one. I can not name one. No one else could either. One man I could not reach, to ask that question, had a crisis of faith about two years after coming into the oil industry. I do not know what his spiritual state is now but he was in bad shape the last time I talked to him.

And being through with creationism, I very nearly became through with Christianity. I was on the very verge of becoming an atheist. During that time, I re-read a book I had reviewed prior to its publication. It was Alan Hayward's Creation/Evolution. Even though I had reviewed it 1984 prior to its publication in 1985, I hadn't been ready for the views he expressed. He presented a wonderful Days of Proclamation view which pulled me back from the edge of atheism. Although I believe Alan applied it to the earth in an unworkable fashion, his view had the power to unite the data with the Scripture, if it was applied differently. That is what I have done with my views. Without that I would now be an atheist. There is much in Alan's book I agree with and much I disagree with but his book was very important in keeping me in the faith. While his book may not have changed the debate totally yet, it did change my life."[/b]
http://home.entouch.net/dmd/gstory.htm

He was one of the lucky ones. But the unnecessary loss of other Christians contines.

 

[Featherbop]

I agree, I think many would lose their faith for wrong reasons.

Interesting testimony. I would think that the vast majority of people that lost their faith would do so because they beleive that there is no God, noty because they no longer beleive creationism. Definately wrong reasons.

 

[Barbarian]

You have to remember that creationism is not Christianity. It is a separate belief.

And since YE Christianity can lead people to question the Bible and the existence of God, it does tend to cause some to lose their faith.

There are other ways it happens. An incomprehensible person tragedy, a hubris that puts one's self above God, etc.

All of these things get in the way of salvation. A mature Christian can accept unfairness in the world, can take evolution as God's way for living things, and go on.

But not everyone can do it. Creationism is one more stumbling block. And it's unnecessary.

 

[Arnold Philips]

It's embarrassing too.

 

[Featherbop]

You have to remeber that creationism is not christianity. It is a separate belief.

A part of christianity. A creationist beleives God created. That could easily be a muslim, etc. Why did you feel you needed to point out the obvious and say that christianity and creationism are not the same? Just like evolution and christianity are not the same.

And since YE Christianity can lead people to question the Bible and the existance of God, it does tend to cause some to lose their faith.

Actually, I see that more people question christianity and God's existance because they start beleiving that evolution is true. I also don't see the connection you make with people questioning the Bible because of YE creationism. Well, you called it christianity, but I'm sure you meant YE creationism, because there is only one christianity.

There are other ways it happens.

Yes, thank you Captain Obvious.

Creationism is one more stumbling block.

I'd say evolution is the stumbling block. But, hey, lets don't argue opinions.

And it's unnecessary.

If one is a christian, they are a creationist, because they beleive God created. Very neccesary. Your bashing of YEC is pathetic, and not helping your point(s). But, you aren't debating, so, nevermind.

 

[Barbarian]

Barbarian observes:
You have to remeber that creationism is not christianity. It is a separate belief.

A part of christianity.

No. Creation is part of Christianity. Creationism is a different belief entirely.

A creationist beleives God created.

More precisely a creationist believes God created in a specific non-Biblical way.

Barbarian observes:
And since YE Christianity can lead people to question the Bible and the existance of God, it does tend to cause some to lose their faith.

Actually, I see that more people question christianity and God's existance because they start beleiving that evolution is true.

I don't see how. Most of the world's Christians accept evolution is consistent with Christian faith.

I also don't see the connection you make with people questioning the Bible because of YE creationism.

Well, actually, they were questioning literalism, but they had been taught that literalism was Christianity.

Well, you called it christianity, but I'm sure you meant YE creationism, because there is only one christianity.

The problem is that they confused YE creationism with Christianity. And when they realized that YE creationism couldn't be true, they made an unfortunate error. Morton almost did this himself, which is why he's telling everyone who will listen; he wants to prevent others from falling away for that reason.

Barbarian observes:
Creationism is one more stumbling block. And it's unnecessary.

I'd say evolution is the stumbling block. But, hey, lets don't argue opinions.

It's not an opinion. As Glenn Morton documented, it happens.

If one is a christian, they are a creationist, because they beleive God created. Very neccesary.

If you want to discuss things with people, you have to use the accepted meanings of words.

Your bashing of YEC is pathetic, and not helping your point(s).

The fact is, YEC causes people to lose their Christian faith. And that's a problem.

 

[Featherbop]

You have to remeber that creationism is not christianity. It is a separate belief.

How many times do you feel it is neccesary to repeat your opinion?

Lets get it straight: Creationism does not equal christianity. creationism is the beleif that God created, and it logically follows that a christian is a ccreationist. evolutionary creationism, YEC, whatever, a part of christianity, it does not = christianity.

No. Creation is a part of Christianity.

Correct.

Creationism is a different belief entirely.

Creationism is the beleif in the creation by God.

More precisely a creationist believes God created in a specific non-Biblical way.

They can, like evolutionary creationists. Some do, some don't. I beleive the Biblical account of creation, I think it is best supported, just not best understood.

I don't see how.

I see it.

It's not an opinion. As Glenn Morton documented, it happens.

Actually, what I meant was that we shouldn't argue about what is the stumbling block. I wasn't referring to your opinion that evolution is true.

If you want to discuss things with people, you have to use the accepted meanings of words.

In a debate, I might use others peoples conceptions of what the words should mean.

The fact is, YEC causes people to lose their Christian faith. And that's a problem.

It didn't cause me to lose mine. I am more strengthened by it, if anything. My observation is that people don't study and do the research enough themselves, before abandoning it. Some people may be even so dumb as to accept what a scientist says is fact before even thinking twice. Some people may think the evidence agrees with one veiw or the other. They lose their faith of their own fault.