Posted on 02/23/2009 10:05:02 AM PST by GodGunsGuts
God’s prerogative to use the processes that He has established is in keeping with His nature. However, not once has God established a process and then circumvented that process. He has, from time-to-time, used what we call miracles to show that He is in control of nature. Never has this been used to invalidate His established processes.
You are avoiding the main issue, hovever, that of whether man was created or evolved. Everything else is smoke in mirrors.
I reject the premise of your question. It is my contention and that of the Catholic Church that the answer is both. God created life and used the process of evolution to shape man in His image. What I find incredulous is that so many are quick to cite biblical reference to support their argument or counter the position of the Catholic Church and in doing so choose to accept the edicts of the Church Canon in one instance and reject it in another as it fits their argument.
Then you reject the premise that God created. His word states thus.
It is my contention and that of the Catholic Church that the answer is both.
I am not Catholic and could not care less about what the Pope mandates. Either one believes in evolution, or one believes in creation. They are mutually exclusive.
God created life and used the process of evolution to shape man in His image.
If God's hand is directing, then it is not evolution, it is creation. The premise of evolution is random mutation through time with the best attributes remaining. Hardly directed.
What I find incredulous is that so many are quick to cite biblical reference to support their argument or counter the position of the Catholic Church and in doing so choose to accept the edicts of the Church Canon in one instance and reject it in another as it fits their argument.
You and I are in agreement with this. If church canon is in line with the Bible, then they are correct and the teaching is sound. If they are in opposition to the Bible, then it is heretical.
Darwin got a lot right about being racist though.
You don't get to set the rules for belief and racing to the letter of scripture to support your contention or interpretation falls upon deaf ears
Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. - Luke 11:52
Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. - Luke 11:52
Bad form, and poor use of scripture. Christ was speaking to and about the Pharisees who burden people with laws that are not of God's making.
Try this one:
1 Peter 3:15 "Always be prepared to give an answer, to anyone who asks, to give a reason for hope that he has."
God's word is not up for alteration but is always up for discussion.
2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness"
God, through Paul, has told us to study His word and be knowlegable in it.
It is clear to me that nothing I say will change your beliefs and nothing you can say will change mine. I am among those who believe that the Holy Spirit continued to speak to us through the Church he founded under St. Peter, who, unlike Paul, was an actual disciple of Christ.
Quite possible, but the discourse was enjoyable.
I am among those who believe that the Holy Spirit continued to speak to us through the Church he founded under St. Peter, who, unlike Paul, was an actual disciple of Christ.
I am indeed, of the Protestant ilk, but still hold that the Holy Spirit speaks to the church. Our disagreement rests in that Paul is also an Apostle, though one abnormally born (his words). Peter had his opportunity to write much more but did not. Paul wrote the lion's share of the New Testament and has the same authority as Peter. The secular argument amongst the Christian faith is akin to the argument that Moslems have as to proper succession (i.e. Shia and Sunni).
Thank you for a civil discussion.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable discussion, too bad it wasn’t over a good bottle of single malt.
Semper Fi
Amen to that!
Semper Fi!
Why do you say that?
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