Got wrapped up in a tangent on one of my previous articles.
I've always been fascinated by Christian scientists (people who are Christians who are trained to be scientists, not the Christian denomination founded by Mary Baker Eddy) who feel compelled to "prove" the historical factualness of events in the Bible. I suppose the logic goes, "this happened, because the Bible says so, but no one believes it because they doubt the Bible, therefore if I can find objective proof that this occurred, people will have no choice but to accept Jesus Christ and the country will become a Christian nation."
These people are misguided, and miss a fundamental point of Christianity, which is Faith. By attempting to scientifically prove that things in the Bible occurred, they are in fact demonstrating their lack of faith in God. Usually these poor louts are folks who have been brainwashed into believing that the Bible is literally true.
In order for the Bible to be literally true, one must ignore (a) its source, which is written in Aramaic, Greek, etc., and thus suspect in translations, and (b) most established scientific knowledge. Bible Literalism, then, plays to those in our society who are the least educated.
So "scientists" who attempt to, for example, find Noah's Ark, or dedicate their lives to Intelligent Design, are doing nothing more than proving they have no faith in God. Which is exactly what their religion tells them is the worst thing they can do.
In addition, they are guilty of the Deadly Sin of Pride, since they feel so certain that they are Right and Correct that their beliefs are the One True Religion that they generally consider themselves to be smarter and -- well, just overall "better" than the rest of us -- that they must expend resources to demonstrate to us just how Right and Correct they are. We will see this, and therefore their particular brand of The Light, and then cave to all of their political demands.
End result: Christian scientists are going to Hell, for God will judge them and punish them for their Pride and lack of faith in Him.
I'm gonna love seeing how a Christian responds to this argument. :-)
I've always been fascinated by Christian scientists (people who are Christians who are trained to be scientists, not the Christian denomination founded by Mary Baker Eddy) who feel compelled to "prove" the historical factualness of events in the Bible. I suppose the logic goes, "this happened, because the Bible says so, but no one believes it because they doubt the Bible, therefore if I can find objective proof that this occurred, people will have no choice but to accept Jesus Christ and the country will become a Christian nation."
These people are misguided, and miss a fundamental point of Christianity, which is Faith. By attempting to scientifically prove that things in the Bible occurred, they are in fact demonstrating their lack of faith in God. Usually these poor louts are folks who have been brainwashed into believing that the Bible is literally true.
In order for the Bible to be literally true, one must ignore (a) its source, which is written in Aramaic, Greek, etc., and thus suspect in translations, and (b) most established scientific knowledge. Bible Literalism, then, plays to those in our society who are the least educated.
So "scientists" who attempt to, for example, find Noah's Ark, or dedicate their lives to Intelligent Design, are doing nothing more than proving they have no faith in God. Which is exactly what their religion tells them is the worst thing they can do.
In addition, they are guilty of the Deadly Sin of Pride, since they feel so certain that they are Right and Correct that their beliefs are the One True Religion that they generally consider themselves to be smarter and -- well, just overall "better" than the rest of us -- that they must expend resources to demonstrate to us just how Right and Correct they are. We will see this, and therefore their particular brand of The Light, and then cave to all of their political demands.
End result: Christian scientists are going to Hell, for God will judge them and punish them for their Pride and lack of faith in Him.
I'm gonna love seeing how a Christian responds to this argument. :-)
[Originally commented by buzzchick on 1/7/2007]
ReplyDeletei agree with you in theory, but i think you're missing something. this is how they choose to worship. and you can't exactly fault them for wanting to be able to show people that the bible is at least somewhat factual, maybe not even so much for them, but to show the "unbelievers." i think the main crux of christianity is the belief that jesus was the son of God, born of a virgin, sent to die for our sins, which are matters of faith. i don't think their main problem is a lack of faith. i think their main problem is that they're not exactly doing what Jesus told his followers to do. but then... who are ANY of us to judge? (which is one of the things Jesus was trying to say) sorry... they may not have all the answers... but neither do we.
no sense getting mad at me, purpleman. i'll see you in hell :P
[I originally commented on 1/8/2007]
ReplyDeleteGet mad? Why would I do that? :-) If you die before me, keep my seat warm, er cold, er, whatever is more desirable in Hell....
I would agree with you, if they were doing this for themselves. But if they're attempting to show the Unbelievers, then that proves my point for me: their arrogance (read: pride) compels them to try to disprove the beliefs of others, in essence. Certainly the Bible is filled with commands to spread the Gospel. But at what point does it become excessive? (perhaps a hint is in 1st Thessalonians -- are you doing it because you're attempting to fulfill God's purpose, or because you're "Right"?) Is a Christian scientist fulfilling or violating the directive to be "in the world, but not of the world" (a creed that is not literally stated in the Bible, but is apparently inferred from several sources, mostly John 15-17 combined with James 1)
Where it comes into play about "proving" bearing a lack of faith, you need only reference the role of Thomas in the Resurrection story. Proof undermines faith ("Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29). Scientific proof does not support faith, it destroys it.
As for judging, I am simply exercising a corollary. One of several versions of the quote states, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6:37). From my perspective, if I am judged, I will judge. If I am condemned, I will condemn. If I am not forgiven, I will not forgive. Christians seem way too wound up over obsolete Old Testament rules and regulations to worry much about the words of Christ. (e.g. my "Use your right hand or I'll beat the shit out of you" blog)
I don't have all the answers, but at least I admit it. Too many Christians believe they have All the Answers in Their Book. At what point does belief pole vault into pride?
For that matter, here's another admonition that too many Christians forget...naw, wait, that should be its own blog. :-) Be right back...