3,276

(56 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Katie,

There is no conflict between science in faith, in my opinion.  Evolution is a theory, but its a pretty well-regarded one.  The problem as I see it is that many times people who argue for or against either evolution or creation aren't very well versed in the one they don't believe.  When one looks at Creation, it is clear that God created all there is.  He spoke it into being, essentially as an act of will.  In John, we learn that Jesus was the word of creation, and the creative force of the triune God at the time of Creation.  OK, that's Creation.  In evolution, we learn nothing about creation.  Evolution does not address creation whatsoever.  Not even a little, so there can be no conflict.  When you talk about the origin of creation, you are talking about theoretical physics and not evolution.  The predominant theory in physics to explain the origin the universe is the Big Bang.  That name was a name of ridicule given to the theory by someone attempting to discredit it because the man who developed the theory was a priest and it sounded too much like, God spoke.  At the time, the most recognized theory was of a static universe.  We have since learned that the Big Bang is far more likely to be right than stasis.  So, no conflict except on the timing.  You mentioned how creation is mentioned throughout Scripture, but it is mentioned in the context of it being Creation (as opposed to Accidental Occurance), meaning that God did it.  There is no consistent mention of timing to support the day = 24 hours (and yes, I've read John MacArthur's reasoning on the subject.  I found the logic to be circular and continue to disagree.).  To the contrary, there are repeated mentions that we perceive time differently than does God, and that our time has no meaning to Him.  So it is difficult to say with certainty, using Scripture as the basis, that what God did in his perception of time is consistent with our perception of time. 

If you want to talk about how we have different animals, evolution says they come from long lines of mutation allowing adaptation to various environments.  Creation says they were spoken into existance, an animal husbandry of sorts.  It says that like comes from like.  This seems inconsistent with evolution because evolution relies on new species coming from prior species.  However, the "like" Scripture speaks of does not start with microbes and mutations.  It speaks of flying things and crawling things and swimming things.  There is no mention whatsoever of species derivations by binomial nomenclature.  So there is no conflict between species and "things", because they use radically different categorizations. 
The remaining apparent conflict between evolution and Scripture at this point is that evolution suggests that mutations are random and creationism suggests that there was a plan.  Without having sufficient information on how many mutations there were that were not accepted and how many were, there is little way of testing whether or not mutations were random.  Further, the process of evolution does not RELY on randomness.  If it could be mathematically shown that mutations weren't random, it would only require an adjustment to the theory of evolution not a complete abandonment of it.  To the contrary, genetic engineers use principles of evolution in non-random splicing and experimentation on a daily basis.  Now, about like coming from like in Scripture, in the context it is talking about the direct descendants - the change of one generation.   Evolution doesn't address changes happening in one generation.  It recognizes that species are perpetuated genetically from parents to children.  So again, there is no conflict. 

Finally, science attempts to explain what is.  If you accept that God created all that there is, then science is learning more and more about what God created.  So, if one believes that God created all that there is, and if science is learning about what is, then how can science conflict with God's creation. 

For all these reasons, I do not think there is a choice to be made between faith and science.  I find them to be entirely compatible with one another. 

I'll be interested in the debate link, but it will have to wait for when I have enough time to give it my full attention.

3,277

(56 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Though I am a believer, I find that I am in near complete agreement with Whitewater55.  As far as taking some parts of Scripture literally and some figuratively, to that I say, "Of course."  Parts of Scripture are meant as history books, Chronicles and Kings for example.  They're history in the way history was written then (by the winners and to make the one paying for it look really great).  Others are meant as allegory, the story of Creation for example.  When I read Job, it seems like a morality tale to me with each of Job's friends acting as an arguer for various approaches to life.  I've had pastors tell me emphatically that Job was a real person and the the story is historically accurate.  Does it matter to understanding?  I don't think so.  The truth contained in the same whether it is historical or a morality tale.  Some other areas are apocolyptic literature, such as Revelation.  This is why I say it is important to know who wrote a particular book (as best we can guess in some instances), why they wrote it, who their audience was, and what the culture of that time was to have a chance at understanding Scripture.  It is an ancient text written (in part) in dead languages to an agrarian people in the East.  We are post-industrial modern Western people using modern languages.  It is not just the language that needs to be translated, but the meaning.  Is Scripture truthful?  I say yes.  Is Scripture factual?  In most cases, probably not.  That is a very hard thing to accept for many Western minds who are used to using fact and truth as synonyms.  There's also the trouble of Scripture saying something that is taken to mean it is ALWAYS true.  For example, it is a true statement to say that men have red hair.  But if that is understood to mean that ALL men have red hair, then it is not a true statement.  That sort of error happens frequently. 

Edit to add: There is a Christian apologetics group that is comprised primarily of scientists.  They are Reasons To Believe and have a website by that name.  I find the information on it interesting, but sometimes have trouble following the logic they use to apply the information to matters of the divine.  I think the information is good to reinforce existing belief and to demonstrate that belief does not require a suspension of intelligence as some people think (To be clear: I'm not referring to Whitewater55's respectful and polite post there.  I've heard that claim made elsewhere.).  Anyway, it's an interesting and challenging web site, even if the apologetics aren't as compelling as they'd like them to be. 

- Zurf

3,278

(19 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Dirty Ed has a song in which he wonders when sowing his wild oats turned into oats and bran.  In the song he talks about some kind of strange furniture moving thing going on where his chest has moved down to his drawers or some such.  Maybe he'll come in and give the right lyrics.

3,279

(19 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Oh yes.  I put on a suit that I bought about six years ago.  It hasn't been worn much, but I was going to a cocktail party last night and thought I'd go with a light gray suit rather than my more usual navy blue.  Well, that light gray suit's legs had shriveled right up and were tight all around my thighs.  The waist had shrunk too and the jacket didn't fit quite right around the middle.  It has been hanging in a well made cedar armoire from the 1920's, so whatever it is that affects this even cedar closets can't prevent it. 

- Zurf

3,280

(56 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Another way of looking at that Arkady is to recognize that throughout man's history, he appears to have had a spiritual nature, which can also be expressed by saying he has a need for worship.  What are the possible explanations for that, and what evidence or tests can we use to either eliminate consideration of some of those explanations or conversely to support and give cause to further consider other of those possibilities? 

The evidence we see, and the explanations we give must coincide.  To me, I don't think there is any evidence to show that man created God when the need for worship seems to be near universal across history, pre-history, and cultures.  That need derives from somewhere.  Is that evidence for God?  Perhaps or perhaps not.  One explanation could be that if God created man as creatures that worship, the explanation would surely fit.  There are other possible explanations too.  However, to say that man created God in the same paragraph as recognizing that worship has been almost universal, we must have some explanation to fit the observation (universality of worship) to declaration (man created God).

A friend of mine toured with Roy Clark for years.  Here's a story he told.  My friend Brad had the habit of showing up about two hours before show time to do warm up exercises and then run through some of his favorite songs.  His favorite songs were old jazz standards.  Early on in his first tour with Roy Clark, he learned that Roy Clark had the same habit, including enjoying play the same style of music.  So after warm-up exercises, they would play jazz songs together.  Brad played an electric bass on the tour because there wasn't room on the bus for his big German stand-up.  Before their second tour together, Roy Clark had a section of the closet in his suite on the bus turned into a space to hold Brad's big stand-up bass so that they could play their jazz standards the 'right' way.  Very generous, I think.  Another thing came out about Mr. Clark's personality.  Apparently the other band members enjoyed these back stage jazz concerts and would come around to listen after their warm-ups.  One of them said that they should do a set of jazz standards on stage.  Mr. Clark responded, "Those folks out there didn't pay for a jazz concert.  They paid to hear a country music concert.  We're going to give them what they paid for and not indulge ourselves.  So they're going to hear the best country music concert we can give them."

3,282

(3 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Glad you had a good time.  You can count me in on your requirements too.  I am often amazed by the talent on display in easy-going acoustic venues.

Thanks Bob.  Welcome to Chordie. 

- Zurf

3,284

(56 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Thanks Auxi for the recommendation.  I enjoy Bible study.  It is done rather poorly by a number of contemporaries, as I presume has long been the case but that the poor stuff has just not been as easily published as is now possible with the internet.  However, the same can probably be said of many very well done studies that couldn't find a magazine or journal to take on the controversy.  I'm sure I'll enjoy perusing Answers in Genesis. 

- Zurf

Roy Clark showing off on The Odd Couple:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqnU83wP … re=related

- Zurf

3,286

(56 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Dawkins' refutation has recently been refuted with what more has been learned of the mechanisms of cells - with emphasis on the term mechanisms.  It is a never-ending cycle to try to use science to prove God or refute him.  That is why I suggest to address the questions individually. 

Phill's question remains regardless.  Whence did the first "thing" come, and if it comes from God, then whence came he?  It is a question that has been asked for millenia and there is still no good answer for it. 

- Zurf

3,287

(3 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Cool.  You can go to New Orleans as MixerMan!

3,288

(56 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Before dismissing the possibility of God on the basis of its convenience to the question that interests you, it may be worth your while to put some effort into the direct question, "Is there a God?" and considering the evidence for or against that question.  Once you resolve whether there is or is not a God, then consider where he fits or does not fit.  While I am convinced there is a God, and specifically the God of Abraham as described by the Christian faith, I think there is a great deal that is attributed to him for which he is not directly accountable.  Trying to answer all the questions at once will be far too difficult, I think.  Dismissing a possible answer because it is too convenient, especially considering Occam's razor which states that the simplest answer is usually the right one, makes little sense to me.  Most any scientist or logistician worth his salt will look at the various possibilities individually and consider them based on their own evidence. 

I am not a big fan of the concept of God as "the God of the gaps", meaning that which science can't explain is what is attributed to God.  It ignores the possibility that there is a God and that not all things attributed to him are actually accountable to him.  It also creates a false dichotomy, meaning that what is explainable by science cannot be God-caused and vice versa.  So far as I know, there is no basis for this mutual exclusivity.  So, I think it's worth considering the various issues separately: Is there a God, what is the source of the universe's matter and energy, and finally, if there is a God can things God has done be explained by science?  That should be enough to keep you busy for several lifetimes. 

- Zurf

I think it's chupacabras that install the 4G comm towers.  They're very difficult to train because they keep eating the trainers. 

- Zurf

3,290

(13 replies, posted in Acoustic)

First off, Willie is an incredible guitarist.  Don't let not keeping up with Willie discourage you because Johnny Cash couldn't do it either and he did OK with music. 

As far as when to change, pretty much when the pitch changes.  Try it and see how it works.  There's no extra fee for trying different things. 

Good luck.  I can tell by your questions that you're doing great with your progress.  Keep up the good work. 

- Zurf

3,291

(28 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

"Handmade by American craftsmen" would probably sell better than "handmade by a B-loving American guitar mutant king".   I was president and founder of my high school chess club.  I was never good at it, but I always enjoyed it. 

- Zurf

3,292

(56 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

On your question number 2, the simple answer given is from a 'singularity', which is a mathematical possibility but does nothing to explain where the singularity comes from.  I am a man of faith and do answer the question with 'God'.  However, as far as I am concerned, each answer fails to satisfy the curiosity. 

I have a friend who most closely aligns his faith to what I would term a "Naturist".  He is a man of science - with research awards and degrees to support the claim.  For years I have told him that there is no conflict between faith and science and that each require faith and in precisely the same places.  This is one such place.  Whence comes the first "thing?"  Thomas Acquinas used as proof of God the uncaused first cause.  It is the same.  Scientists explain by saying "singularity", and when we dive further they get into cross-universe threads, which still does not address whence came the first thing?

3,293

(6 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

It still sounds fine.  The action is high, as it is on almost all classical guitars, but it has a nice sound and is playable. 

- Zurf

3,294

(6 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

She kept commenting about how beautiful it is.  It's a beat up rosewood topped Yamaha classical full-size student guitar.  Probably worth about $20.  The strings and books I gave her were worth far more than the guitar monetarily - but she kept carressing it.  If she is still as adept at learning new instruments as she was in our youth, she'll be teaching King Russell of the Mutants within a month. 

- Zurf

Well I was going to vote leave as is, but now that I see the end result at the end I realize how wrong I'd have been.  That's awesome looking.

We stayed home and played games with visiting family, took a couple of minute break to watch the ball drop.  About the time we were wondering where my brother-in-law got, we heard Auld Lang Syne being gently played on our piano (gently so as not to wake the children).  Very pleasing new year celebration. 

- Zurf

Very nice and welcome news.  Congratulations to the new parents and grandparents.  Welcome to the world to the babe. 

- Zurf

Happy new year.

3,299

(10 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)

Happy new year.

3,300

(33 replies, posted in Acoustic)

I like the basement walls Jerome.  I used to have my basement painted to look as if it were the bottom of a pool - blue with the wavy lines all over it.  Then it got flooded.  When the damage was repaired and the basement remodeled, I told my wife we should paint piles of money and gold coins on the walls. 

- Zurf