It's been far too long since I've posted, I know.
This is just a quick note to inform you of the upcoming '06 book list. I've got a couple I plan to finish before the new year begins. Either way, there are almost 30 books I read in 2006, and you'll be able to get a quick review here on Negatives very soon.
If you haven't yet read last year's list click here to peruse the reviews posted back in January.
j
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2 comments:
Hello Joey,
I check in on your blog every once in a while. You have a real talent for writing and I would encourage you to continue. I would like to comment about the Scopes trial if I may. Some of your readers may be interested.
William Jennings Bryans words during the Scopes trial that the theory of evolution is "millions of guesses strung together", and that "There is not a scientist in all the world who can trace one single species to any other." And, "If the results of evolution were unimportant, one might require less proof in support of the hypothesis, but before accepting a new philosophy of life, built upon a materialistic foundation, we have reason to demand something more than guesses." – are as pertinent today as they were 80 years ago.
The advances and discoveries in biochemistry have placed a heavy burden on chance mutation and natural selection (Neo Darwinism) as a logical explanation for the enormous complexities of life, consciousness, and free will.
“Inherit the Wind,” like most any play, movie, or publication has an agenda to advance. For another perspective go here: http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft9702/articles/iannone.html. I think you will see that the play’s portrayal of the characters and happenings surrounding the trial are quite a bit different than just a slight variation.
Personally, for the Neo Darwinist to ask me to believe that human brains, spaceships, and microchips can come about by random mutations, driven by natural selection and photons of light entering the atmosphere (the only real energy source) is asking for a faith just as deep as my belief in the Genesis account.
I have become very interested in this subject and have read, within the last year, "Darwin’s Black Box" by Michael Behe; "Darwin on Trial" by Phillip Johnson, and "Shattering the Myths of Darwinism" by Richard Milton. Hardly a balanced reading list, I admit. But the ridicule heaped upon scientists like Behe by the Darwinists is parallel to the biased reporting and revisionist history of the Scopes trail.
Later,
Dennis
P. S. -- Based upon your recommendation, I picked ip a copy of "Night." It was very powerful and I never cease to be amazed at human kind's capacity for evil.
Dennis,
Thank you for another comment! Your insight is always welcome.
Concerning matters of bio-chemistry, I must acquiesce. I honor your erudition.
I do believe you'll sympathize with my observation concerning Inherit the Wind: Christians are creating a track record of repelling non-believers through coarse rhetoric, not only on the subject of Creation, but several others. Some may justify the harsh rebukings by citing Christ's reponse to the Jewish priests (brood of vipers) and the "venture capitalists" He found in the temple. Using these examples, however, is a problematic justification because Christ was rebuking religious people. The typical, present-day response to alternate explanations of the origin of the universe is given by Christians to non-believers. There should be a measure of ease and approachability taken with non-believers.
Yes, there are a rare few people who are pure enough in their search for truth that they are willing to subject and submit themselves to facts e.g. Anthony Flew and Clive Staples Lewis. It is sure that these types of people are atypical. The average person who is unconvinced about the universe's author need a softer approach.
Inherit the Wind, in my worthless opinion, correctly portrays the stereotypical Christian reaction to anything that could possibly pose a challenge to traditional belief and doctrine. It is an uncanny foreshadow of some of the political debates on the same subject that are prevalent in today's news.
I do see your point about the play's agenda. It can certainly be interpretted as catering to evolutionists. The aspects that cause this interpretation are unfortunate.
Concerning Darwing: much of his work is a beautiful read, and hardly more. Just as I wouldn't attempt to learn law from a medical doctor, I wouldn't want to learn about biological history and historicity from a failed minister who mooched on a British boat staring at nature for a few years. As a result of his writing, Natural Selection has been attributed far more creedence than it merits, and his theories of humans and primates as progenies of a common ancestor have been treated as though they have been tested true by the all-powerful tool of the positivists--the Scientific Method.
What truly fascinates me about Darwin, the Big Bang, Theistic Evolution, et al, is that people are thinking, working through ideas. I love ideas. They don't even have to be good ideas, I love them still. One of the wisest sayings I believe I've ever read lived in the belly of a fortune cookie at Evergreen Chinese Buffet: "Not to engage in the pursuit of ideas is to live like ants instead of men." Of course, these words are actually from the 20th century philosopher and professor, Mortimer Adler. I have the cookie's former tenant taped to my desk because it summarizes so perfectly what should be the aim of all who seek to learn.
A man can learn more about his beliefs from another who believes the total opposite than he could from a room full of those of like mind. (That one's all mine!)
All of that to say this: I don't want anyone to leave Negatives thinking that I don't believe God created the world. I just think it's okay to explore. There's nothing less magnificent about a God who can create a single cell from which all we see springs than a God who created all that we see in a consistent form. I just don't see it as a matter of salvation.
As says the Nicene Creed: I, Joey, "believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible."
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