Hey Jon Doe.
I was looking online for an explanation of Polystrate Fossils with the least amount of bias that I could … Perhaps there other sites out there.
The site is made by a Christian. Do you agree with J. W. Dawson’s explanation for the fossils in question? Also note that in the last passage quoted, Dawson is clearly not an atheist and believes in God, so it seems hard to view it as a “bias toward geology despite implications to Christianity etc.,”
And if Dawson’s explanation IS sufficient, then why is it still being brought up as a serious issue? Unless there’s a new issue that I’m not aware of.
While I can’t speak for the entirety of BioLogos (that would seem near impossible since everyone here seems to have such diverse viewpoints) … I don’t get the impression that you get, that BioLogos is arguing for “doctrinal purity for an old earth”. There might be, on occasion, unnecessarily harsh dialogue towards different views, which is best kept at a minimum as best as possible. But I get the impression from Ken Ham that people the hold to different viewpoints on the HOW of Creation, as not being “true Christians”… Which I think (as it seems you do as well) is rather unfortunate, and an unnecessary dividing line.
From a Christian perspective it doesn’t bother me at all that people believe in a young earth or not, because it doesn’t affect key Christian doctrine. Where my ultimate concern would lie is treating different ideas about the “how’s” of Creation as being a key determining factor in separating Christians from non-Christians (like the parable of separating sheep from the goats).
I personally find the evidence for an old universe quite staggering. Will you be convinced on the matter? Maybe, maybe not. But it’s not my duty, as a Christian, to make sure that you see what I see, as a matter of fundamental importance where doctrine is concerned. I would speak only as a friend to a friend, about scientific matters. And speak as a Christian on how these views can still be biblical.
On a different note … It seems to me that if AiG has enough money to make an entire Creation Museum, and is in the process of creating an Ark Park, as well, then research money wouldn’t seem much of an issue… But I could be wrong.
If in my posts I come off as unnecessarily harsh towards YEC organizations then please let me know. It’s not my intention … As I can only speak from my own personal experience, and the general attitude I get from YEC organizations. I speak in very generalistic terms, so as not to cast down wholesale an entire organization or demographic. I used to be a YEC … So when I seem to speak negatively it’s probably because a lot of people in the YEC movement I really looked up too, and thought of them … In a bizarre sense … As sort of “heroes”. And when I came to realize that arguments weren’t as strong as I thought they were, or that those same people misconstrued evidence, or quote-mine sources (whether scientific or biblical) it tainted my view of it all … And left a bad taste in my mouth.
And now that I’m exposed too it, I can’t help but project it.
Maybe it’s something I need to work on.
-Tim