How We Know What We Know — rushes to judgment
If you are following the comments, you will see one writer who accuses me of being dishonest. There are many more out there who think the same thing. They rush to judgment because they miss the point of this series of blogs. One accuses me of being dishonest because the evolutionist websites he checks says my facts are wrong. He dismisses out of hand any others as being creationist and, therefore, wrong. Sigh. The whole point of this series is that this is the way all groups handle data. Creationists — many of whom are scientists — have some very good arguments and some very silly ones. Evolutionists also have some very good arguments and some very silly ones. Intelligent Design guys have misfired on some of their ideas but they have a ton of good ones. So… who is right? What bothers me is that so many — like some of my critics — rely on one set of data that their side has agreed on (after many years of arguing and then selectively deleting those arguments) while dismissing the other people out of hand.
I haven’t even gotten to the creationists and ID guys yet. I haven’t started on how Christians often misuse their data and evidence. And yet the knees are jerking.
And people wonder why I’ve wondered whether it is time for me to just stop this blog. Trust me, I have enough to do! In fact, one writer accused me of being a coward for not posting all the material he sent in without taking time to check on what was going on in my life right now. I am in New Jersey, a long way from my office and materials and my wife is back in Colorado Springs where fires are displacing the members of our church as they leap the canyons and draw ever closer. I have other things on my mind than going through a point by point refutation of every commenter’s email. If that bothers you, I would suggest you might want to get your own blog and stop reading this one.
Rushing to judgment and leaping ahead as if you understand where this is going isn’t helping. I’ll write again here but not soon. Two days after I get back, we have to secure our home and then head to Nashville to talk to people about love and grace. I’ll have no time to engage in the give and take some are demanding for quite some time. Sorry. Kind of.
June 26th, 2012 at 1:54 am
Patrick, take the time, it is worth the wait.
June 26th, 2012 at 2:00 am
Hang in there Patrick. “In the beginning God…” — All I personally need. Had he wanted us to know the details and the science, he would have couched it in language that could not have been disputed.
Blessings. And peace. And safety for all your family and the brothers in Colorado.
Roger
June 26th, 2012 at 3:04 am
I hope you will continue. I have truly enjoyed and appreciated your effort.
God bless and thank you
Darrell
June 26th, 2012 at 4:21 am
Patrick – I love your blogs and use them often with my college students. Two days ago one of my students wrote asking for an article that you had written on Adultery and that I had printed and passed out in class. He had apparently misplaced that one I gave him, which college students are wont to do! Point: Your work is useful and is being used to bless many people – despite the occasional antagonist. I appreciate what you are doing with these blogs. Stay strong. I pray that your family is safe amidst the current fires back home.
June 26th, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Patrick, Intelligent people seeking truth and knowledge appreciate all your dedication to study. That way we can read your discoveries and understand. Most of us would get lost treading through all the mean-spirited, completely false information out there. Thank you for doing this for us. When you’re ready to stop we will miss these adventures in learning, but most of us will understand and be grateful. Trisha
June 26th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Your research, your truth, your spirit, your courage, your wit, and this blog are extremely interesting and helpful and much appreciated. (Did I mention your wit?)
Bless you for the time and effort you give to communicate with us as you do!
June 26th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Well said, good brother.
June 26th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
Patrick: I’m surprised that you do continue in the face of some of your critics, but let me hasten to add I’m so very grateful that you have not allowed them to quiet your voice. Your articles are fascinating, thought-provoking, and often the highlight of my week. I’ve used them in my own studies with people and have recommended your blog to many, many friends.
Living in southern California where wildfires (and earthquakes and political correctness) are the norm, I know the horror of seeing the flames and smoke from your driveway. It’s un-nerving and downright frightening because we are basically helpless to do anything other than leave when it comes to leaving. Prayers are with you for the blog and the fires and your ministry!
Agree with BJ Hoff above … love your wit!!
June 26th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
Thanks for your effort. I will wait patiently. Coming from a hardline church, I know all too well the tendency of people to quickly question the honesty of someone with whom we disagree. It helps me to see that tendency does not only exist in my own sect, but that it is a tendency of people in general.
Tim Hawkins said, “Saw a Darwin fish being devoured by a Jesus fish on a car bumper. Great reminder. If someone disagrees with you, eat them.” I’ve seen both fishes being eaten on car bumpers. It’s a sad human tendency to devour those we disagree with, and one that I hope to overcome.
I appreciate your presentation of the evidence on this as well as all topics I’ve read here so far. Please, be patient with us readers.
June 26th, 2012 at 6:04 pm
I’ve been watching the wildfire coverage Patrick and I pray for the safety of your family and congregation. I will be traveling from Cookeville each afternoon after classes to hear you at Lipscomb. I love getting to hear you in person. Safe travels and God bless you for your work!
June 26th, 2012 at 7:58 pm
Amen to all the comments prior to this one! Patrick you are a real treat, a wonderful source of information, probing intelligent questions, thoughtful and well-researched answers(or at the least viable possibilities), not to mention good humour, graceful speech and a love-filled dedication to our continuing education. Indeed you are helping us to fulfill an often neglected part of the greatest commandment; Love the Lord your God with all your MIND! You and your family are in our prayers, may the Lord protect your family, house and congregation from the fires and from anyone or thing that would cause them hurt or discouragement. We love you Patrick, keep up the STELLAR work, for HIS Glory. You Rock! Grace & Peace with Joy Eternal in Jesus.
June 26th, 2012 at 9:38 pm
Luke 6:23, Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets. Patrick, you must be doing something right. Keep it up. Blessings to you, your family, and your flock.
Dane
June 26th, 2012 at 10:29 pm
Hi Patrick,
After reading this comment you may want to just stop reading comments
People are afraid or arrogant so they dig in on a side that they have invested in and feel it is an insult to their intelligence when someone disagrees so they have a need to change the mind of those that disagree. What amazes me is that God is ambiguous about so much and we want to nail it down in this or that and the same goes for Atheists. It is all arrogance on both sides so just know that God has always has a reserve for himself and those people are probably enjoying the reading the journey that you are on, I know I am.
Thanks,
Mark
June 26th, 2012 at 11:06 pm
Patrick,
We need you to continue with your entries. Please don’t stop. I will be praying for you and your family.
Grace and Peace,
Brett
June 26th, 2012 at 11:51 pm
Aawwwwhhhh, Patrick -
Some people live really sad lives, don’t they – truth be known.
I’ll just “ditto” what everyone else above has said (and hope some antagonist doesn’t sneak in a quick derogatory comment before mine posts!).
If anything, you are being persecuted as a Christian for your faith, your wisdom and magnificent gifts of reasoning and thinking. satan will not be able to harm your eternal home! God won’t let him.
Love ya!! And, praying for all of you there in Colorado Springs.
Dee
June 27th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
Patrick,
I agree with Dee and all the others.
You and this blog have been a great blessing to me and I pray that you will continue on with it for quite some time.
If I lived closer to you, I would attend your church. But since we are so far apart this blog is my only connection to you and I look forward to each new submission by you.
God bless you and your family!
D. Ella
June 27th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Patrick,
Just know this…you are loved, you have given much courage to the scared, strength to the heavy hearted, hope to those who want to just walk away, truth to those who need challenged and convicted, over-turned tables to those who are abusing God’s temples….hmmmm….thank you so much for being Jesus with skin on to me.
Kim
June 27th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
patrick, please continue tentpegs…there have always been naysayers. if anything positive can come from the fires, let it be compassion and the greater awareness of the need for prayer from all of us to all of you who are suffering. God bless
June 27th, 2012 at 8:14 pm
Patrick,
On my journey away from legalism, I have been truly blessed and uplifted by your blog & sermon podcasts. Naysayers will always exist; God bless you and don’t be discouraged!
June 28th, 2012 at 9:52 pm
An unfortunate fact is that it seems as though the naysayers are the loudest of the lot. I’ve never commented before but I stumbled on your blog not long ago and have been reading through your past posts. While I understand that this can be so discouraging and frustrating, please know that you are a blessing to a LOT of people who may not always take the time that the naysayers take.
July 3rd, 2012 at 1:16 am
Jay8101:
I don’t think you understood Patrick’s post though. You seem to think that he said that scientists believe all these natural formations are much older than they are (Sunset Crater erupting 230,000 years ago, for instance). But he didn’t. He said that people, including authority figures, are well aware that these formations are quite young based on data such as tree ring evidence, native accounts, etc. However, as he explained, when rocks from these areas were age dated, they tested as being significantly older than they were known to be.
He did not use any of the examples given to show that scientists threw out all previous belief that the formations were young. Rather, he explained, they continued to acknowledge that the formations were very young and instead threw out the age test results. He then expressed frustration that while they readily threw out these test results, they never questioned test results that showed other rocks to be ancient, despite evidence that the tests were not infallible.
I think you just misunderstood something. Maybe reread the original post?
July 10th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
Patrick, I read somewhere earlier today that a gem cannot be polished into something beautiful without friction! Accepting criticism is difficult – especially that which is not quite constructive. I’ve learned, as I’m sure you have, that many people (here in the wild-west of the Internet) are more interested in winning an argument than in learning. Ignore those people. It honors me greatly that you allow us readers to comment on your posts. Any comment of mine (I hope) will be a thoughtful critique of the subject matter intended to be positive and I loathe the thought that something I say may add stress to your endeavors as a teacher. Keep up the good work as long as God gives you the will to do so! Your writings have been a blessing to me and many others.