Ark update: Kangaroos dropped
The March 15, 2006 issue of The Desert Advocate contained an opinion
titled "Textbooks outdated, but so is Bible." This letter
deserves many responses on many levels, but with a 500 word limit,
I can only scratch the surface of Mr. Alexander's misstatements.
Regarding "truth," his assertion that general acceptance
is related to science is simply wrong. For well over 3,000 years,
scientists and philosophers have pursued truth, yet it is hardly
a settled subject. Science is constantly changing in its conclusions.
This is a good thing since we are still learning about the universe
we live in. The truth today will be a pleasant memory of a misunderstanding
in the coming centuries. Examples? Less than two hundred years ago
scientists had no idea what caused the common cold, bloodletting
was a common treatment, and the stars in the sky were a mystery.
What will the scientists of 2106 say about index fossils, radioactive
decay, or for that matter, Prozac?
Mr. Alexander is making a common mistake-believing that what we
know today is completely accurate. Each age seems to make this same
mistake. Whether the Earth is flat, the sun actually rises, or gods
placed the stars in the sky depends on when you lived; there is
compelling evidence for all of these.
Mankind has reached the point where his ability to observe and hypothesize
is uncovering the mysteries that God has placed for him at an incredible
rate. Each discovery leads to more questions than answers, and the
quest for answers may well be endless. Similarly, the debate between
scientists, prophets, and philosophers has increased. These are
also good things. It may be that Mr. Alexander needs to chill out
and let the matter resolve itself over time.
Oh, by the way, the kangaroos didn't need to swim back to Australia,
just as God brought them to the ark, he must have transported them
to their new home.
David Thompson
New River
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