Bruce K. Waltke is considered one of the country’s best known evangelical theologians. His work on the faculty of the Reformed Theological Seminary, however, came to an end when he dared to acknowledge the scientific basis for evolution.
Here is the heresy that ended his career:
“If the data is overwhelmingly in favor of evolution, to deny that reality will make us a cult … some odd group that is not really interacting with the world. And rightly so, because we are not using our gifts and trusting God’s Providence that brought us to this point of our awareness.”
The video that exposed Waltke as impermissibly rational was shot during a BioLogos workshop — an organization that tries to reconcile faith and science.
Michael Milton, president of the seminary’s Charlotte campus and interim president of its Orlando campus, insisted that the seminary allows “views to vary” about creation, including whether the Hebrew word yom (day) should be seen in Genesis as a literal 24-hour day. However, Darwinism is not allowed as a permitted view: “We are a confessional seminary. I’m a professor myself, but I do not have a freedom that would go past the boundaries of the confession. Nor do I have a freedom that would allow me to express my views in such a way to hurt or impugn someone who holds another view.”
My guess is that Bill Nye may want to avoid this particular audience as well, here.
It appears that academic freedom like evolution is not to be heard in the halls of the Reformed Theological Seminary.
So much for survival of the fittest.
For the story, click here.
Slarti:
“As to your first link – you should start by checking out a little bit of scientific proof that you are a monkey’s cousin:”
Are you sure? Although I do like bananas and according to that Comfort fellow my hand is ridged in the right way to hold a banana. So I guess since apes like bananas and there hands are ridged as well to hold a banana I must be related to primates.
I think I have just reconciled evolution and creationism.
Gyges,
You’re right, of course, but given my recent conversation on the Big Bang with Buddha, my professional interest in science in general and evolution in particular and my personal feelings about the necessity of debunking flawed and unscientific reasoning I really have no choice but to stand upon the bridge and say ‘YOU SHALL NOT PASS!’.
Slart,
I stopped reading at “Let us first consider evolutionary theories on the origins of the universe.”
Because, like you, I’m smart enough to realize that evolution doesn’t deal with any sort of cosmological issues.
Tootie,
The crap in your second link needs a more thorough debunking than I have time for right now, but suffice it to say, you just ran into an Evolutionist who doesn’t believe in the Big Bang. I suggest you read this post I made on another thread:
http://jonathanturley.org/2010/04/09/health-care-casualty-rep-bart-stupak-to-retire/#comment-125357
As to your first link – you should start by checking out a little bit of scientific proof that you are a monkey’s cousin:
http://jonathanturley.org/2010/04/05/scientists-announce-find-believed-to-be-missing-link/#comment-124009
A bit later I’ll tell the story of my favorite transitional fossil, a little guy that’s known as Tiktaalik…
Better to believe the intangible than the tangible.
From an entity that preaches ‘tolerance’. But we all know religion cannot tolerate scientific evidence.
I doubt he was canned for acknowledging the scientific basis for evolution as there isn’t any. Perhaps he was canned for believing another hoax perpetrated by “science”.
http://www.allaboutthejourney.org/fossil-record.htm
http://www.icr.org/article/evolution-not-based-natural-laws/
Jim,
Perfect … says it all!
It seems like the mission of some conservative groups is only about “conserving” their old/set/agreed upon beliefs–truth be damned. What happened to Waltke is like what happened to David Frum recently when he strayed away from conservative “talking points” and into straight talk. His relationship with the American Enterprise Institute was terminated…swiftly.
Dr. Slarti. I haven’t applied an answer on the miners thread yet, just been goofin around this a.m.
On a side note did you go see the Goracle?
Jim,
Very funny!
Being an atheist myself, I have no problem reconciling science with my beliefs (my primary belief being that the scientific method is the most effective tool we have for answering questions about the universe), but I have known many Christians who have no problem reconciling a scientific point of view with their faith – it just seems to take the mindset that apparent contradictions between one’s faith and scientific evidence are due to an imperfect understanding of one’s faith (at least once the scientific evidence becomes incontrovertible).
A senior academic like Waltke shouldn’t have asked to have the video removed from the website. If he’s a “name” in theological circles, he’ll have offers to teach again. It’s sad to see someone not use their seniority and influence in a more positive way and for them to meekly aquiese (?sp) to some second rate faculty bureaucrat.
The Reformed Church used to be known as the Dutch Reformed and has links to old line Presbyterianism. It looks like its followed its Midwestern adherents to sunbelt retirement zones. In other words, it isn’t some crazy snake handling denomination, but a reminder of how, despite its links to “enlightenment”, Protestantism seems trapped between ignorance and modern denominations that don’t seem to believe in much of anything.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fI8834iCgo&hl=en_US&fs=1&]
… to deny that reality will make us a cult … some odd group that is not really interacting with the world.
*************
And so it is. Surely, Rev. Waltke must know what happens to Jeremiahs, and therefore must have been relived by the fact that he wasn’t thrown into a cistern. (Jeremiah 38:6).
I’m not going either 🙂 My body is my temple and yes, no one has ever entered it even though a few shitheads have hit the exit door. Talk about experience.
Bdaman,
I suppose the guy with the horns, red suit and pitch fork accompanied you to the front of the church of your choosing. Is it true that when you entered the place started sparking, your head started arcing and you started speaking in a different tongue? Tell us your experience.
As I ponder the wide range of opinions permitted about creation in this seminary, I am reminded of the old joke:
I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said, “Stop! Don’t do it!” “Why shouldn’t I?” he said. I said, “Well, there’s so much to live for!” He said, “Like what?” I said, “Well, are you religious or atheist?” He said, “Religious.” I said, “Me too! Are your Christian or Buddhist?” He said, “Christian.” I said, “Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?” He said, “Protestant.” I said, Me too! Are your Episcopalian or Baptist? He said, “Baptist!” I said, “Wow! Me too! Are your Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord? He said, Baptist Church of God!” I said, “Me too! Are your Original Baptist Church of God or are you Reformed Baptist Church of God?” He said, “Reformed Baptist Church of God!” I said, “Me too! Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915?” He said, “Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915!” I said, “Die, heretic scum!” and pushed him off.
I take it you guys won’t be going to church today. 🙂
and the truth shall set you free….it seems it applies to jobs as well.
Jerico:
You stole my thunder on this one:
Fact
Generally, a fact is defined as something that is true, something that actually exists, or something that can be verified according to an established standard of evaluation.[1][2] There is a range of other uses, depending on the context. For example, fact may be argued under authority of a specific pedagogy, such as scientific facts or historical facts. Rhetorical assertion of fact is often forwarded without an implied or express basis of authority.”
This applies to a lot of whats been going on lately.
The mere fact that this group of religulous morons somehow is able to ‘procreate’ is more than proof enough for me that there is no such thing as survival of the fittest, wouldn’t you say?