Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Exodus 35:30
"Then Moses said to the Israelites, "See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah" - EXODUS 35:30 (New International Version)
Sunday, December 23, 2007
EXODUS 34:10
"Here, then," said the LORD, "is the covenant I will make. Before the eyes of all your people I will work such marvels as have never been wrought in any nation anywhere on earth, so that this people among whom you live may see how awe-inspiring are the deeds which I, the LORD, will do at your side." EXODUS 34:10 New American Bible
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Exodus 33:11 (King James Version)
"And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle." Exodus 33:11 (King James Version)
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Exodus 32 (King James Version)
Exodus 32
1And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
2And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.
3And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.
4And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
5And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD.
6And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.
7And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:
8They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
9And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:
10Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.
11And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?
12Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
13Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.
14And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
15And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.
16And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.
17And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp.
18And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.
19And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.
20And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.
21And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?
22And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.
23For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
24And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.
25And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)
26Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.
27And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.
28And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.
29For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.
30And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.
31And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
32Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
33And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
34Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.
35And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.
1And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
2And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.
3And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.
4And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
5And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD.
6And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.
7And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:
8They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
9And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:
10Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.
11And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?
12Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
13Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.
14And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
15And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.
16And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.
17And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp.
18And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.
19And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.
20And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.
21And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?
22And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.
23For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
24And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.
25And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)
26Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.
27And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.
28And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.
29For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.
30And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.
31And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
32Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
33And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
34Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.
35And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.
EXODUS 31:18
"And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God." - http://www.carm.org/kjv/Ex/Ex_31.htm
EXODUS 30:6
"Put the altar in front of the curtain that is before the ark of the Testimony—before the atonement cover that is over the Testimony—where I will meet with you." Exodus 30:6 (New International Version)
EXODUS 29:46
"They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God." Exodus 29:46 (New International Version)
EXODUS 28:43
"And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him."
Exodus 28 (King James Version)
Exodus 28 (King James Version)
EXODUS 27:21
"In the Tent of Meeting, outside the curtain that is in front of the Testimony, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the LORD from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come." Exodus 27:21 (New International Version)
EXODUS 26:30
"Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain." EXODUS 26:30 (New International Version)
EXODUS 25:2
"Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering." Exodus 25:2 (King James Version)
EXODUS 24:17
"And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel." - Exodus 24:17 (King James Version)
Friday, December 14, 2007
Exodus 23:7
"Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty." EXODUS 23:7 (New International Version)
Exodus 22:20
"Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed." Exodus 22:20 (New International Version)
Saturday, December 1, 2007
EXODUS 21:15,17
15 "Anyone who attacks [c] his father or his mother must be put to death.
17 "Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death. - EXODUS 21:15,17 (New International Version)
17 "Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death. - EXODUS 21:15,17 (New International Version)
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Why Do Some Christian Reject the Evolution?
Here is an paper I did for my college course.
Why Some Christians Reject The Evolution
Don Thatcher
Saint Leo University
The theory of evolution has been a great debate with Christianity since the nineteenth century. (Imperato, p.1) The theory of evolution was in total opposition to the knowledge that Christians had learned from the bible (p.1). This theory led some Christians to find it blasphemous to think that the world was created without the help of a divine entity. Yet, there were some Christians whom did not think of evolution as a far fetched idea. Maybe there was some truth to parts of the theory that could be married with evolution. The liberals involved in this movement were known as Christian liberals (p.1). The ones whom reject this idea are labeled Christian fundamentalists (p.1).
Fundamentalists are hard line Christians whom refuse ideas that would eliminate God from any part of the creation equation (Imperato, p.2). This is one of the primary reasons some Christians reject evolution. Fundamentalists fail to realize that science and historical data help to broaden the horizon of Christianity (p.2). Christians who can take in not only their core beliefs, but also welcome ideas that compliment Christianity will only strengthen those Christians (p.2). However, some Christians see this open-minded way of looking at their religion as a deviation from the path of righteousness, and thus should be rejected (p.2).
There was French priest and philosopher named Pierre Teilhard de Chardin who believed that man and the cosmos around him were constantly changing or evolving (Mifflin, 2003, para. 1). Teilhard pointed out that changes were constantly occurring in creation along with individual human beings (Imperato, p.5). Teilhard stated that, “The change is not merely movement but transformation (p.5). The theory of evolution with its ideas of the bible teaching that God, through his voice created all things in the cosmos (p.5). The hard line view that most Christians held, has existed through the twentieth century (p.5). Over time the core liberal Christians began to see that the early books of Genesis did not have to be taken literally in regards to creation (p.5). For example in the English Standard Version of the bible at Genesis chapter 2 and verse 4, Moses writes, “These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.” Liberal Christians would not view the point that God made the heavens and the earth in one day as literal, fundamental Christians would. Having everything created in one literal day would not allow for the world to evolve from its original creation state. This is another reason fundamentalists reject the evolution.
Teilhard helped to build a relationship between science and Christianity (Imperato, p.6). Teilhard had an amorous view of God and the earth (p.6). With this view in mind Teilhard collected stones because of its density and toughness (p.6). He collected some rocks and put them in a drawer with an iron bolt (p.6). The bolt began to rust and this demonstrated to Teilhard that even something as tough as iron could change (p.6). Its as if it is symbolic of a hardened hearth could change in the light of God. This is the evolution that Teilhard was aiming for in his research. There was another theory that Teihard hard that did not sit will with Christians in Rome. He believed that man inherited sin from Adam and this has helped to evolve man into who he is today (p.6). This line of thinking does not sit well with fundamentalists whom again take the literal approach to the bible.
Teilhard firmly believed that humans are able to reflect upon the past to evaluate the changes which have occurred in order to prepare for the future (Imperato, p.9). This is turn is the evolution of an individual. He believed that future of man is in each human’s hands (p.9). There are many Christians whom believe that the fate of man is in God’s hands. This would be a contradiction to the thought that an individual can determine the fate. The New International Verision of the Bible at a Ecclesiastes 3:19 makes this strong statement regarding fate, “Man’s fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless.” Taking this scriptures literally indicates no hope for man. Regardless of the decision made man is no different than animals. He has no control over his fate. Thus any notion that man could evolve in the decision making process is not valid to most literal Christians.
Another approach that Teilhard used was the fact that Christ and God were evolvers as well (Imperato, p.11). God draws on human nature to try and bring about systematic global structure (p. 11). In fact, in the English Standard version of the Bible at John chapter 6 and verse 44 Christ states, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” Taken literally this means that God is active in searching for humans that have an inclined interest in their heart towards him. One of the most famous scriptures that Christians have come to know is in the book of John at Chapter 3 and verse 16. The English Standard version of the bible states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This demonstrates that God is in touch with the world through love. Love is the driving force of change according to Teilhard (Imperato, p. 11). Imaging the evolution that God had to go through in his decision making process. First because of original sin man choose to make his own decision rather than consult with God. God then had to evolve in order to sacrifice his Son for the love of the world and man. These were decisions God himself had to make based on history. Through this love God wants humas, as Robert Imperato puts it, “To have a commitment to the earth rather than escape from the earth (p. 11). Many Christians still have a hard time believing that God himself is an evolver, even though there is historical evidence to prove otherwise (p. 11).
Teilhard does have some supporters. In his book, ‘ Dream of the Earth’, Thomas Berry wrote regarding Teilhard and evolution, “The evolutionary process find its highest expression in the earth community seen in its comprehensive dimensions, not simply in a human community reigning in triumphal domination over the components of the earth commuity (Berry, p. 23)” Thomas Berry is indicating that evolution does indeed take place within the human community. An example of this is how African-Americas are treated in Americas now than they were in the 60s. The majority of Caucasian Americans in the United States looked down upon and mistreated African-American people. In a span of forty years through historical reflection and understanding, more Caucasian Americans have accepted African-Americans and are working toward a better world. This is the unity that God and Christ were looking for with the evolution of man. Imagine what the United States would be like if man did not evolve from the state he was originally in. However, amazingly there are Christians who this based on the fact that it is a form of evolution. If the message is not written in a literal sense in the Bible, than it cannot be so.
Christian rejection of the evolution process within the cosmos is based on ignorance. This is the danger of fundamentalist thinking. Fundamentalism turns a literal translation into intolerance. We have seen this in religions that are not Christian. Intolerance leads to irrational decisions that lead to the deaths of innocent people. Fundamentalist thinks leads some so-called Christians to kill doctors whom perform abortions. True Christians must embrace ideals that are for the preservation of God’s love and teachings. Evolution in the context of human nature and the environment is true. We see through the course of history how humans have evolved over time. The advent of technology has allowed for a unification of the global community. We can learn from and understand from Christians all over the world.
WORKS CITED
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. Teilhard de Chardin, Pierre (1881 - 1955). (2003). Retrieved September 15, 2007, from http://www.xreferplus.com.ezproxy.saintleo.edu/entry.jsp?xrefid=4138995&secid=.-&hh=1
Berry, Thomas. Teilhard in the Ecological Age. Chambersbug, Pa. Anima Books, 1982.
Imperato, Robert. Christian Footings. Lanham, Maryland. University Press of America, 2000.
Crossway Bibles. 2001. Genesis Chapter 2 verse 4. English Standard Version. Retreived September 14, 2007 from site http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Genesis+2%3A4.
Crossway Bibles. 2001. John Chapter 6 verse 44. English Standard Version. Retreived September 14, 2007 from site http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Genesis+2%3A4.
Crossway Bibles. 2001. Genesis Chapter 3 verse 16. English Standard Version. Retreived September 14, 2007 from site http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Genesis+2%3A4.
New International Bible Society. 1984. Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 verse 19. New International Version. Retrived Sepetember 15, 2007 from site
http://www.ibs.org/niv/passagesearch.php?passage_request=Ecclesiastes+3%3A19+&niv=yes&submit=Lookup
Why Some Christians Reject The Evolution
Don Thatcher
Saint Leo University
The theory of evolution has been a great debate with Christianity since the nineteenth century. (Imperato, p.1) The theory of evolution was in total opposition to the knowledge that Christians had learned from the bible (p.1). This theory led some Christians to find it blasphemous to think that the world was created without the help of a divine entity. Yet, there were some Christians whom did not think of evolution as a far fetched idea. Maybe there was some truth to parts of the theory that could be married with evolution. The liberals involved in this movement were known as Christian liberals (p.1). The ones whom reject this idea are labeled Christian fundamentalists (p.1).
Fundamentalists are hard line Christians whom refuse ideas that would eliminate God from any part of the creation equation (Imperato, p.2). This is one of the primary reasons some Christians reject evolution. Fundamentalists fail to realize that science and historical data help to broaden the horizon of Christianity (p.2). Christians who can take in not only their core beliefs, but also welcome ideas that compliment Christianity will only strengthen those Christians (p.2). However, some Christians see this open-minded way of looking at their religion as a deviation from the path of righteousness, and thus should be rejected (p.2).
There was French priest and philosopher named Pierre Teilhard de Chardin who believed that man and the cosmos around him were constantly changing or evolving (Mifflin, 2003, para. 1). Teilhard pointed out that changes were constantly occurring in creation along with individual human beings (Imperato, p.5). Teilhard stated that, “The change is not merely movement but transformation (p.5). The theory of evolution with its ideas of the bible teaching that God, through his voice created all things in the cosmos (p.5). The hard line view that most Christians held, has existed through the twentieth century (p.5). Over time the core liberal Christians began to see that the early books of Genesis did not have to be taken literally in regards to creation (p.5). For example in the English Standard Version of the bible at Genesis chapter 2 and verse 4, Moses writes, “These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.” Liberal Christians would not view the point that God made the heavens and the earth in one day as literal, fundamental Christians would. Having everything created in one literal day would not allow for the world to evolve from its original creation state. This is another reason fundamentalists reject the evolution.
Teilhard helped to build a relationship between science and Christianity (Imperato, p.6). Teilhard had an amorous view of God and the earth (p.6). With this view in mind Teilhard collected stones because of its density and toughness (p.6). He collected some rocks and put them in a drawer with an iron bolt (p.6). The bolt began to rust and this demonstrated to Teilhard that even something as tough as iron could change (p.6). Its as if it is symbolic of a hardened hearth could change in the light of God. This is the evolution that Teilhard was aiming for in his research. There was another theory that Teihard hard that did not sit will with Christians in Rome. He believed that man inherited sin from Adam and this has helped to evolve man into who he is today (p.6). This line of thinking does not sit well with fundamentalists whom again take the literal approach to the bible.
Teilhard firmly believed that humans are able to reflect upon the past to evaluate the changes which have occurred in order to prepare for the future (Imperato, p.9). This is turn is the evolution of an individual. He believed that future of man is in each human’s hands (p.9). There are many Christians whom believe that the fate of man is in God’s hands. This would be a contradiction to the thought that an individual can determine the fate. The New International Verision of the Bible at a Ecclesiastes 3:19 makes this strong statement regarding fate, “Man’s fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless.” Taking this scriptures literally indicates no hope for man. Regardless of the decision made man is no different than animals. He has no control over his fate. Thus any notion that man could evolve in the decision making process is not valid to most literal Christians.
Another approach that Teilhard used was the fact that Christ and God were evolvers as well (Imperato, p.11). God draws on human nature to try and bring about systematic global structure (p. 11). In fact, in the English Standard version of the Bible at John chapter 6 and verse 44 Christ states, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” Taken literally this means that God is active in searching for humans that have an inclined interest in their heart towards him. One of the most famous scriptures that Christians have come to know is in the book of John at Chapter 3 and verse 16. The English Standard version of the bible states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This demonstrates that God is in touch with the world through love. Love is the driving force of change according to Teilhard (Imperato, p. 11). Imaging the evolution that God had to go through in his decision making process. First because of original sin man choose to make his own decision rather than consult with God. God then had to evolve in order to sacrifice his Son for the love of the world and man. These were decisions God himself had to make based on history. Through this love God wants humas, as Robert Imperato puts it, “To have a commitment to the earth rather than escape from the earth (p. 11). Many Christians still have a hard time believing that God himself is an evolver, even though there is historical evidence to prove otherwise (p. 11).
Teilhard does have some supporters. In his book, ‘ Dream of the Earth’, Thomas Berry wrote regarding Teilhard and evolution, “The evolutionary process find its highest expression in the earth community seen in its comprehensive dimensions, not simply in a human community reigning in triumphal domination over the components of the earth commuity (Berry, p. 23)” Thomas Berry is indicating that evolution does indeed take place within the human community. An example of this is how African-Americas are treated in Americas now than they were in the 60s. The majority of Caucasian Americans in the United States looked down upon and mistreated African-American people. In a span of forty years through historical reflection and understanding, more Caucasian Americans have accepted African-Americans and are working toward a better world. This is the unity that God and Christ were looking for with the evolution of man. Imagine what the United States would be like if man did not evolve from the state he was originally in. However, amazingly there are Christians who this based on the fact that it is a form of evolution. If the message is not written in a literal sense in the Bible, than it cannot be so.
Christian rejection of the evolution process within the cosmos is based on ignorance. This is the danger of fundamentalist thinking. Fundamentalism turns a literal translation into intolerance. We have seen this in religions that are not Christian. Intolerance leads to irrational decisions that lead to the deaths of innocent people. Fundamentalist thinks leads some so-called Christians to kill doctors whom perform abortions. True Christians must embrace ideals that are for the preservation of God’s love and teachings. Evolution in the context of human nature and the environment is true. We see through the course of history how humans have evolved over time. The advent of technology has allowed for a unification of the global community. We can learn from and understand from Christians all over the world.
WORKS CITED
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. Teilhard de Chardin, Pierre (1881 - 1955). (2003). Retrieved September 15, 2007, from http://www.xreferplus.com.ezproxy.saintleo.edu/entry.jsp?xrefid=4138995&secid=.-&hh=1
Berry, Thomas. Teilhard in the Ecological Age. Chambersbug, Pa. Anima Books, 1982.
Imperato, Robert. Christian Footings. Lanham, Maryland. University Press of America, 2000.
Crossway Bibles. 2001. Genesis Chapter 2 verse 4. English Standard Version. Retreived September 14, 2007 from site http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Genesis+2%3A4.
Crossway Bibles. 2001. John Chapter 6 verse 44. English Standard Version. Retreived September 14, 2007 from site http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Genesis+2%3A4.
Crossway Bibles. 2001. Genesis Chapter 3 verse 16. English Standard Version. Retreived September 14, 2007 from site http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Genesis+2%3A4.
New International Bible Society. 1984. Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 verse 19. New International Version. Retrived Sepetember 15, 2007 from site
http://www.ibs.org/niv/passagesearch.php?passage_request=Ecclesiastes+3%3A19+&niv=yes&submit=Lookup
Thursday, October 4, 2007
GENESIS 31:42
"If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Dread of Isaac, had not proved on my side, you would now have sent me away empty-handed. My wretchedness and the toil of my hands God has seen, and so he reproved you last night.." GENESIS 31:42
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
GENESIS 28:20
"And Jacob went on to vow a vow, saying: “If God will continue with me and will certainly keep me on this way on which I am going and will certainly give me bread to eat and garments to wear"- GENESIS 28:20
GENESIS 27:37
"But in answer to E´sau Isaac continued: “Here I have appointed him master over you, and all his brothers I have given to him as servants, and grain and new wine I have bestowed for his support, and where is there anything I can do for you, my son?" - GENESIS 27:37
Monday, October 1, 2007
Interesting finding in Genesis 21
I found an interesting finding of my reading of the scriptures this evening. In Genesis 21:14-21, you will read about the account of Hagar and Ishmael after they were drivin away by Sarah and Abraham. The interesting part I discovered was later in the chapter in the conversation between Abraham and Abimelech. Read Genesis 21: 22-30 and then when you get to verse 31-33 tie it to verses 14-21 and see if you see what I found. To me it was God knowing what was needed and accomplishing the task through Abraham. Check it out.
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