The problem with problems

[Farmhand]

Hi Harvey and all, I took the time to read Revelation 12:7 and Acts 17:10-15, I really enjoyed your post. Now I understand what you were saying about spirit creatures. I've actually read a very good scientific type explaination a long time ago for many supernatural and Devine happenings or experiences, in a book called "The Supernatural" the book is lost to me now and I can't find it anywhere to buy a copy.

The book was a compilation of opinions and explainations by many scientists and acedemics for various things of that nature. I wish I still had it, i'm fairly sure that is the exact title. I'll keep trying to find it i'm sure you would find it interesting.

[Harvey]

Hi Farmhand,

Like the Boreans, you investigated to see if what I was telling you was true . I have a deep respect for individuals that take time out of their day to investigate that way.

I am a firm believer that if everything in the bible is true and if pure science is the investigation of reality, then the two must agree in all respects.

I have learned that it is the mind of mankind that houses the differences and it is there that the adjustments are made.

An example of this was Jesus own apostles - they thought that Jesus was going to restore his kingdom while he was there in person. He even rode into the city on the back of a colt as a symbol of his right to the throne. (Luke 19:28-40) but the apostles were still confused about the timing involved right up to when he ascended (Acts 1:6)

Clearly, the problem was in their own minds - and I find it interesting that Jesus felt no reason to clarify the matter for them - even side stepping the specifics. That could be where Gene Roddenberry got the concept of the 'Prime Directive' .

So I see our imaginary conflicts between science and scripture as misunderstandings on our part due to a lack of accurate and complete knowledge. In most cases the misunderstandings arise from inductive reasoning and jumping to conclusions before getting all the available facts. And this is often exacerbated by individuals that by virtue of their credentials lead us astray with drawn conclusions sewn together from partial facts.

We have an excellent example of this at John 6:48-68 where those with inductive reasoning imagined that they were being told to be cannibals. Obviously they did not have all of the information. Again, I find the tactic very interesting. That exercise surgically divided the group into two parts. But it was those 12 who stuck with him who were eventually given the truth regarding those words. (compare Mattew 26:26-30) Of course since then that information has been spread throughout the Earth.

From this I learn that some knowledge is spread to the world only when that knowledge can be properly applied. Da Vinci had knowledge of flying machines, but the world did not get the knowledge until the Wright Brothers were able to apply it - primarily due to the need of gasoline for power. Long before Columbus Isaiah wrote that the Earth was round, a circle (Isa 40:21,22) but it wasn't until the early 1500's that the knowledge of the truth was spread throughout the Earth.
Spherical Earth - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I have found that there are many things like that found in the scriptures that science is yet to discover and prove. And yet look at all the horrible things that have been done to people simply because 'scripture keepers' themselves don't have a complete understanding. Those without understanding (church rulers) persecuted people like Galileo and did even worse to others for bringing their discoveries to the world to see. Their behavior is inexcusable because they had in their own hands the truthful words of Isaiah and yet they refused to acknowledge it and instead preoccupied themselves with dominating others to their own injury. (Ecclisiastes 8:9)

So it is up to each individual to evaluate the evidence fully and using their powers of reason decide for themselves what they will believe or not believe. It would be wrong for any of us to force our beliefs on another. I think this is one reason I admire Professor Lewin from MIT - he would share why he believes in something and then back that up with demonstration as proof. He never forces his beliefs on anyone, but he shares them and those that want to can adopt them or not - the choice is theirs I feel the same way regarding spiritual things - I think God has demonstrated to us the reality and it is up to us to accept it or not - our choice.

Perhaps today is the day that we find the needle. Again, what was the needle? I seem to have forgotten what we were looking for