Comments on: apologies to the memory of Charles Darwin http://kenwilsononline.com/2009/02/12/apologies-to-the-memory-of-charles-darwin/ one step closer Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:41:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Rochelle http://kenwilsononline.com/2009/02/12/apologies-to-the-memory-of-charles-darwin/comment-page-5/#comment-4521 Rochelle Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:42:55 +0000 http://kenwilsononline.com/?p=373#comment-4521 I have had conversations with people who's basic attitude towards me is that I'm a fence-sitter, backslider, "less than" in my faith, headed for atheism, simply because I believe evolution and scripture are not entirely at odds with each other. The people I am referencing were defensive and offended at the suggestion that people on both sides of the discussion could afford to "give" a bit in attempt to hear the other side's concerns more clearly. One person I had this discussion with has pulled back from me in relationship and has regarded me with uncertainty and suspicion ever since! (not kidding, and not exaggerating.) I am not a scientist (yet :)), but I have definitely felt the effects of being judged for what I believe about evolution. I am also a believer... therefore I feel qualified to both accept the apology with one hand, and make the apology with the other :) Scientists honestly, in my observation, are an idealistic lot. Generally committed to doing something GOOD, and finding something that will help mankind, the planet, etc. I honor my professors and the scientists I know for their heart, not whether they are right or wrong. I have had conversations with people who’s basic attitude towards me is that I’m a fence-sitter, backslider, “less than” in my faith, headed for atheism, simply because I believe evolution and scripture are not entirely at odds with each other. The people I am referencing were defensive and offended at the suggestion that people on both sides of the discussion could afford to “give” a bit in attempt to hear the other side’s concerns more clearly. One person I had this discussion with has pulled back from me in relationship and has regarded me with uncertainty and suspicion ever since! (not kidding, and not exaggerating.) I am not a scientist (yet :) ), but I have definitely felt the effects of being judged for what I believe about evolution. I am also a believer… therefore I feel qualified to both accept the apology with one hand, and make the apology with the other :) Scientists honestly, in my observation, are an idealistic lot. Generally committed to doing something GOOD, and finding something that will help mankind, the planet, etc. I honor my professors and the scientists I know for their heart, not whether they are right or wrong.

]]> By: Gary Sampson http://kenwilsononline.com/2009/02/12/apologies-to-the-memory-of-charles-darwin/comment-page-5/#comment-4106 Gary Sampson Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:12:24 +0000 http://kenwilsononline.com/?p=373#comment-4106 I pastor an evangelical church in Kenya. The land of fossils :-) My apologies to Darwin and the scientists we have offended. I pastor an evangelical church in Kenya. The land of fossils :-) My apologies to Darwin and the scientists we have offended.

]]> By: Talia http://kenwilsononline.com/2009/02/12/apologies-to-the-memory-of-charles-darwin/comment-page-5/#comment-3858 Talia Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:03:00 +0000 http://kenwilsononline.com/?p=373#comment-3858 I suppose you could say I'm a sort of refugee of the evangelical church, post-evangelical, but I LOVE THIS POST. I suppose you could say I’m a sort of refugee of the evangelical church, post-evangelical, but I LOVE THIS POST.

]]> By: Eric W http://kenwilsononline.com/2009/02/12/apologies-to-the-memory-of-charles-darwin/comment-page-5/#comment-3843 Eric W Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:13:53 +0000 http://kenwilsononline.com/?p=373#comment-3843 Growing up with a foundation in faith and an active curiosity about all things mechanical and scientific, I've struggled to reconcile the two and the older I got and more I learned, the more difficult it became. I literally happened onto "The Language of God" by Collins (http://www.amazon.com/Language-God-Scientist-Presents-Evidence/dp/0743286391) at a layover at an airport and found in it the start of the reconciliation I had always been looking for. Tonight I happened across this entry and I think it's the next step. I've never understood why science hasn't been held up as the ***ABSOLUTE EPITOME*** of God's creation in that the His creation is SO amazing, SO intricate, SO complex, SO vast that it has taken thousands of years for humans to develop the ability to really BEGIN to understand it. Who are we to think that one book could teach us everything there is to know about His creation? Who are we to think that ANY reading of the Bible, no matter how literal or how interpretive, could COME CLOSE to allowing us to completely understand all that He has done and all that He is capable of? Why isn't science, in all its amazing depth and breadth, the ultimate proof of the beauty of His creation? To me, the divide between science and religion has been nonsensical in that denying the inherent connection between them trivializes both, robbing each of incredible meaning. Growing up with a foundation in faith and an active curiosity about all things mechanical and scientific, I’ve struggled to reconcile the two and the older I got and more I learned, the more difficult it became.

I literally happened onto “The Language of God” by Collins (http://www.amazon.com/Language-God-Scientist-Presents-Evidence/dp/0743286391) at a layover at an airport and found in it the start of the reconciliation I had always been looking for.

Tonight I happened across this entry and I think it’s the next step.

I’ve never understood why science hasn’t been held up as the ***ABSOLUTE EPITOME*** of God’s creation in that the His creation is SO amazing, SO intricate, SO complex, SO vast that it has taken thousands of years for humans to develop the ability to really BEGIN to understand it.

Who are we to think that one book could teach us everything there is to know about His creation? Who are we to think that ANY reading of the Bible, no matter how literal or how interpretive, could COME CLOSE to allowing us to completely understand all that He has done and all that He is capable of?

Why isn’t science, in all its amazing depth and breadth, the ultimate proof of the beauty of His creation?

To me, the divide between science and religion has been nonsensical in that denying the inherent connection between them trivializes both, robbing each of incredible meaning.

]]> By: Michael Cody http://kenwilsononline.com/2009/02/12/apologies-to-the-memory-of-charles-darwin/comment-page-4/#comment-3822 Michael Cody Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:36:33 +0000 http://kenwilsononline.com/?p=373#comment-3822 Ken, I join you in a resounding apology to Darwin and science in general. It has caused my heartburn for years trying to balance young earth creationism against the insurmountable mountains of science that showed otherwise. For so long I have seen the church and believers alienate so many over what is essentially not a salvation issue. Your series some years back on Science and Faith was life changing for me and confirmed many things that I have long held true without the mechanism to articulate them. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Stacey and I so deeply miss your teaching on a weekly basis. You and the A2 Vineyard family are in our thoughts and prayers. Ken, I join you in a resounding apology to Darwin and science in general. It has caused my heartburn for years trying to balance young earth creationism against the insurmountable mountains of science that showed otherwise. For so long I have seen the church and believers alienate so many over what is essentially not a salvation issue. Your series some years back on Science and Faith was life changing for me and confirmed many things that I have long held true without the mechanism to articulate them. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Stacey and I so deeply miss your teaching on a weekly basis. You and the A2 Vineyard family are in our thoughts and prayers.

]]> By: Joshua Goeke http://kenwilsononline.com/2009/02/12/apologies-to-the-memory-of-charles-darwin/comment-page-4/#comment-3542 Joshua Goeke Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:07:24 +0000 http://kenwilsononline.com/?p=373#comment-3542 I would like to add my name to this list as a public apology to the memory of Charles Darwin and for every person I've ever belittled or accused in the name of Jesus while discussing these matters. I will answer to God on judgment day for these actions, and I am sure I will be ashamed. I would like to add my name to this list as a public apology to the memory of Charles Darwin and for every person I’ve ever belittled or accused in the name of Jesus while discussing these matters. I will answer to God on judgment day for these actions, and I am sure I will be ashamed.

]]> By: Evian http://kenwilsononline.com/2009/02/12/apologies-to-the-memory-of-charles-darwin/comment-page-4/#comment-3188 Evian Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:33:54 +0000 http://kenwilsononline.com/?p=373#comment-3188 As a biologist and has been wondering for many years outside the door of Jesus, one of the major hurdles for me is about evolution and creation. Francis Collins and Ken's thoughts bring me more confidence in joining the GOD's family. I have been attending a church here in Ann Arbor and tried a couple of times to bring up this topic but was rejected by the pastor and other followers immediately in the church. A recent poll shows that only about 7% of top scientists in the US are religious. One of the reasons I believe is that the majority of both sides think that we are exclusive instead of inclusive. The harmony of religion and science would not only advance the science but also lead us to appreciate more how GOD create the universe and life. Ken, I may visit your church one day. As a biologist and has been wondering for many years outside the door of Jesus, one of the major hurdles for me is about evolution and creation. Francis Collins and Ken’s thoughts bring me more confidence in joining the GOD’s family. I have been attending a church here in Ann Arbor and tried a couple of times to bring up this topic but was rejected by the pastor and other followers immediately in the church. A recent poll shows that only about 7% of top scientists in the US are religious. One of the reasons I believe is that the majority of both sides think that we are exclusive instead of inclusive. The harmony of religion and science would not only advance the science but also lead us to appreciate more how GOD create the universe and life. Ken, I may visit your church one day.

]]> By: Danny Franz http://kenwilsononline.com/2009/02/12/apologies-to-the-memory-of-charles-darwin/comment-page-4/#comment-3062 Danny Franz Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:54:21 +0000 http://kenwilsononline.com/?p=373#comment-3062 As an evangelical Christian, I apologize to Charles Darwin for my youthful slander of his name and scientific findings. As an evangelical Christian, I apologize to Charles Darwin for my youthful slander of his name and scientific findings.

]]> By: Joe Newland http://kenwilsononline.com/2009/02/12/apologies-to-the-memory-of-charles-darwin/comment-page-4/#comment-2408 Joe Newland Mon, 25 May 2009 19:16:28 +0000 http://kenwilsononline.com/?p=373#comment-2408 I am an evangelical and an engineer. I am sorry for going along with the church crowd to malign scientists like Darwin when I was younger. Thank you Ken, for leading by example! I am an evangelical and an engineer. I am sorry for going along with the church crowd to malign scientists like Darwin when I was younger.

Thank you Ken, for leading by example!

]]> By: Keith Kincaid http://kenwilsononline.com/2009/02/12/apologies-to-the-memory-of-charles-darwin/comment-page-4/#comment-2234 Keith Kincaid Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:23:44 +0000 http://kenwilsononline.com/?p=373#comment-2234 I apologize Charles. Blessings! Peace! Keith I apologize Charles. Blessings!

Peace!
Keith

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