|
Quick Links: Page 1 | Page
2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Top
| Homepage
PAGE 2
• Letters to the ed
• Holy Spirit falls in prison
• USA student to visit
• New Rector for COT
Letters to the ed
Science is not in conflict with the bible
I
read with interest the comment by Sue Bennett (iindaba May 2008) on my
review of Francis Collins' seminal book. As one who has engaged with
Christ and with Science for periods approaching four decades, I too
have come to the conclusion that there is no conflict between them.
But, oh dear, the lengths some people go to in order to resolve
perceived conflicts! Sue seems to do so by simply excising those parts
of Science, such as evolution, which conflict with what she
considers to be a correct reading of Scripture.
There
have been many fine scientists who were also committed Christians. In
our time, Francis Collins is one of the foremost among them. Most of
those in recent times have accepted conventional theories concerning
Origins, such as evolution.
The claim that evolution is a religion is a fantasy, manufactured by those who have been unable to secure acceptance
of creationism as a valid scientific discipline. New scientific
theories tend to be received with scepticism, unless and until
empirical evidence confirms their predictions. This is true of theories
such as evolution by natural selection, continental drift, quantum
mechanics and relativity. In all of these cases, evidence has
accumulated which is now regarded as overwhelming by the scientific
community. The Big Bang has absolutely nothing to do with biological
evolution. It refers to the origin of our Universe - matter, energy,
space and time - some 14 billion years ago. The term is a derogatory
one, coined by supporters of the alternative but now discredited
Steady State theory. The Big Bang is a creation event writ large, so I
cannot fathom why creationists would seek to discredit it.
Bones do not last very long unless they are fossilised, a relatively rare event. A considerable number of human fossils
have been found, but their paucity compared to those of, say,
trilobites and dinosaurs is entirely consistent with the notion that
humanity has been around for a mere few hundred thousand years,
compared to tenures of hundreds of millions of years for the last-mentioned two kinds.
I
consider the Creation story to be a powerful allegory of God's plan for
humanity. It shows how we were designed for fellowship with God, and
how we messed up through sin. But God didn't leave things there. He
sent his only Son to restore the original relationship. Genesis is the
start of a golden thread which extends throughout Scripture. Whether
Adam and Eve are historical or not is unimportant. Their story is the
story of each one of us. There is no problem with using an allegory for
teaching purposes. I have heard sermons on Jonah by people who believed
that he was probably not historical (mainly because of the lack of
corroboration in Assyrian records). That did not detract from the power
of the message at all. If human preachers can use an allegory to
good effect, how much more effectively could Christ do so! In fact, he
invented many parables to illustrate his teaching.
Collins'
BioLogos idea is something I have believed for a long time, but was
unable to express so eloquently. It makes sense of the natural world,
without undermining faith, or requiring the kind of contrived,
artificial explanations that creationists resort to in order to make
things come out in accordance with a literal reading of Genesis.
I really recommend that Sue read Francis Collins' book. Whether she agrees with it or not, she will be blessed.
Geoff Botha,
Zwartkops River Valley Parish
Don't complain, do something
Congratulations
to Alan Bradder ("Why is the church failing us?" April 2008) who had
the courage to speak out about the failings of the church leaders. But
what about the failings of the church - that is, you and me.
Are we only offering lip service? Are we only thinking about ourselves? We walk around in a 'Holy Haze' with blinkers on.
All
the negative talk around our dinner tables, at meetings etc. about the
state of our country - what are you and I doing about it? It is high
time we South Africans who love our country speak out against the
injustice - the lack of public service, the rising crime, the fraud and
corruption within the government, the taxis that have their own K53. Do
you pretend not to see the street child and ignore the beggar at your
door?
United
we can make the difference. Attend your ratepayers meetings, let your
ward councillors know what is happening in your suburb. Encourage them.
Make your voice heard among people who can make a difference. When
someone complains, ask them what they are doing about making a
difference. Do you vote?
There are people who are struggling to make South Africa a better
place. We can do something about it, and if we don't then shame on us
as we watch our beloved country go down the drain.
During
the years of apartheid a few spoke out against the atrocities that were
happening - the days of the secret police sitting at the back of our
churches, and of people being visited and questioned about their
involvement among the 'blacks'. My husband marched for "freedom for
all". What was all that for if we now sit back and allow it to fall
apart?. Folk then had the courage to stand up for the rights of others.
They worked towards a better South Africa. Remember the day of
jubilation when Madiba walked free from jail? Now we hide behind high walls and burglar alarms .... and complain.
It is not only the church leaders' responsibility but OURS as well. This is not a political issue, but a moral one.
"What would Jesus do?"
Thurle Burns
St Hugh's, Newton Park
Thank you
Bless and
thank you for all you put into our wonderful iindaba each month. I
always look forward to seeing it in church and can't wait to read it.
Our St Hugh's MU scrapbook over the years has many of your articles and
photos in it.
In the May 2006 iindaba I found mention of a
fabulous little book called 'I am she' that the Bible Society produces
and we gave copies to all our women on Mothering Sunday.
I'm
telling you all this as I think it must be nice to hear a 'follow-up'.
I also bought copies of John Suggit's book "Celebration of Faith", that
was advertised in iindaba, for our Bible Study group and we are
studying it now.
Pam Shapiro
St Hugh's, Newton Park
Ed's note: Thank you Pam. It is always good to receive follow-up and great to get accolades.
Holy Spirit falls in prison
[ Greg Moses ]
On a beautiful Sunday morning, 4 May, Bishop Bethlehem, clergy and
laity numbering 28 persons from various parishes within the Diocese,
were guided through several security gates into the Maximum C section
of St Albans
Prison.
The occasion .... 84 inmates had just completed their preparation under
the Diocesan Chaplain for Prison Services, Jogra Gallant, and the time
had finally arrived for their confirmation by Bishop Bethlehem.
As our party neared the ceremony hall, the sound of gospel music belted
out by the in-house band, rang in our ears. What a wonderful welcome
when we finally entered the hall. We were ushered to our seats and
later joined by the candidates, two local choirs, Masakhane and
Amadodana, and last, but not least, inmates to make up a congregation
of more than 500 in total. A few inquisitive faces who peered through
the bars from the courtyard to tentatively participate, added to the
numbers.
Bishop Bethlehem welcomed all present and proceeded with the
confirmation service. The sermon focused on prayer from Acts 1:14, with
the Bishop touching on Jesus' prayers, we being created to worship God
audibly (Anglicans have a problem in this area), and unity in God.
Reference was also made to John 14:14.
A young inmate who admitted to a smoking addiction of which he was
unable to stop, even through prayer, came forward for the laying of
hands and prayer by Bishop Bethlehem and the clergy. He was completely
overwhelmed by the power of the Holy Spirit and collapsed. He later
rose to his feet and danced with joy, giving Jesus the honour and glory.
When the Bishop recited the Veni Creator, the Holy Spirit was there
with us alright, and this became more evident during the act of
confirmation as the band provided the background music. Wow!
During this period I reflected on Psalm 113 verses 6 -7 "God often chooses his leaders from social outcasts."
At the end of the service we were spiritually uplifted by the praise
and worship, the singing and dancing, and I once again reflected, this
time on Acts 16: 25 - 27 about Paul's experience in prison.
As I turned to leave this emotional service, my eyes fell back on a
banner made from a bed-sheet .... Abounding Love Prison Ministry,
Remember those in prison. I will never forget this experience
USA student to visit
Kimberly Jones, an American student, will be
coming to work with Exodus Initiative for three months from Thursday 15
May Tuesday 5 August.
She is 27 yrs old and from St Louis,
Missouri, USA. Her objective is to work with Exodus Initiative and
Siyakatala (Centre for street children), under the watchful eyes of
Ronald Harker (task advisor) of All Saints' in Kabega Park, Dr Trudie
Basson from Maranatha and Dr Pretorius of the NMMU (Field Instructors).
Her aim is to gain grassroots organizing experience while doing
research for a Masters' degree in Social work at Washington University,
St Louis, Missouri in August 2008. Her main interest is child
development. She will return home on the morning of 6 August.
New Rector for COT
The College of the Transfiguration has appointed Canon Dr Bill (William) as the new rector.
Bill Domeris is the Canon Theologian of the Diocese of Grahamstown and rector of St Alban's Church in Vincent. He was
formerly Associate Professor in the Department of Biblical and
Religious Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. In 2008 he
was made a Honorary Fellow of the Rock Art Institute of the University.
He has a PhD in John's Gospel from Durham University, with other
postgraduate degrees in Old Testament and Archaeology.
Bill is a
passionate teacher, with a deep concern for the poor and the
marginalised. He is married to Shona, a Geography Teacher.
Quick Links: Page
1 | Page
2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Top
| Homepage
|
