Who has actually read Darwin's Origin of Species?

Some theologians teach that the Bible is inspired and authoritative, and that it is an accurate revelation of what God wants us to know about salvation - but they leave room for minor errors in non-crucial areas. One theologian, for instance, says that the Holy Spirit's work in inspiring the Bible only guaranteed "selectivity of events and accuracy of reporting and interpretation sufficient to achieve God's purpose throughout the rest of man's existence." (Dewey Beegle, Inspiration of Scripture, p. 190)
However, classic Christianity rests on the assurance that the Bible is completely accurate. It may contain statements that are (1) figures of speech; (2) non-technical descriptions; or (3) difficult to understand. But actual errors would fall into a different kind of category. If there are any errors in Scripture, no matter how small, the book can no longer be our standard of truth. I become the standard of truth, as I determine which Bible statements are right and which are wrong. And if I can't trust God to get the facts straight on things like dates and measurements (where I can check on Him), why should I expect Him to be more accurate in areas like sin and salvation (where I can't check on Him)?

The Bible doesn't use the word "inerrant," but the idea is obvious.

Psalm 19:7-9 - "The law of the Lord is perfect ... the testimony of the Lord is sure ... the commandment of the Lord is pure ... the judgments of the Lord are true forever."
Psalm 119:43 - "the word of truth."
Psalm 119:142 - "Thy law is the truth."
Psalm 119:160 -"Thy word is true from the beginning."
John 17:17 - "Thy word is truth."
An inaccurate Bible contradicts God's character quality of absolute truthfulness.

Titus 1:2 - "God who cannot lie."
Hebrews 6:18 - "It is impossible for God to lie."
Some consider this a minor issue, but the idea that the Bible contains errors opens the door to serious spiritual danger. When people decide they have the authority to label one verse as a mistake, they soon find others that they consign to the "error" category. I've watched it happen over the years. Each generation rejects more and more Scripture, as it gets in the way of their own opinions.

I find the creationism argument flawed not because of Darwin's observations but because of DNA and quantom physics.

Evolution occurs in all matter simply because of probability. When two peices of DNA combine there is more likely to be a small change tot he cromozones thena large one, but there is certainly a change so DNA evolves like frames of animation. Each one looks simular but if you trace back they follow a trend.

Hummans are unique further in that our DNA is 98% identical with only one maternal line. It is unclear what events lead to the near extinction of humans but this event greatly limited our genetic diversity.

Life is built on information, contained in that molecule of heredity, DNA. Dawkins believes that natural selection and mutations (blind, purposeless copying mistakes in this DNA) together provide the mechanism for producing the vast amounts of information responsible for the design in living things.

Natural selection is a logical process that can be observed. However, selection can only operate on the information already contained in genes — \ it does not produce new information. Actually, this is consistent with the Bible's account of origins; God created distinct kinds of animals and plants, each to reproduce after its own kind.

One can observe great variation in a kind,and see the results of natural selection. For instance, dingoes, wolves and coyotes have developed over time as a result of natural selection operating on the information in the genes of the wolf/dog kind.

But no new information was produced — \ these varieties have resulted from rearrangement, and sorting out, of the information in the original dog kind. One kind has never been observed to change into a totally different kind with new information that previously did not exist!

Without a way to increase information, natural selection will not work as a mechanism for evolution. Evolutionists agree with this, but they believe that mutations somehow provide the new information for natural selection to act upon.

Things that make you go... Hmmmm.
I really didn't think evolotion had anything to do with the bible. Or darwin for that matter.
You've got Darwin one one side, scientist, solid although possibly debatable results based on research and observation.
On the other side we have the Bible, book of stories based on hearsay and conjector.

Yep, I'm still going... Hmmmmmm. :arrow:

In what ways have the discoveries of archaeology verified the reliability of the Bible?

Over the years there have been many criticisms leveled against the Bible concerning its historical reliability. These criticisms are usually based on a lack of evidence from outside sources to confirm the Biblical record. Since the Bible is a religious book, many scholars take the position that it is biased and cannot be trusted unless we have corroborating evidence from extra-Biblical sources. In other words, the Bible is guilty until proven innocent, and a lack of outside evidence places the Biblical account in doubt.

This standard is far different from that applied to other ancient documents, even though many, if not most, have a religious element. They are considered to be accurate, unless there is evidence to show that they are not. Although it is not possible to verify every incident in the Bible, the discoveries of archaeology since the mid 1800s have demonstrated the reliability and plausibility of the Bible narrative. Here are some examples.

The discovery of the Ebla archive in northern Syria in the 1970s has shown the Biblical writings concerning the Patriarchs to be viable. Documents written on clay tablets from around 2300 B.C. demonstrate that personal and place names in the Patriarchal accounts are genuine. The name "Canaan" was in use in Ebla, a name critics once said was not used at that time and was used incorrectly in the early chapters of the Bible. The word "tehom" ("the deep") in Genesis 1:2 was said to be a late word demonstrating the late writing of the creation story. "Tehom" was part of the vocabulary at Ebla, in use some 800 years before Moses. Ancient customs reflected in the stories of the Patriarchs have also been found in clay tablets from Nuzi and Mari.

The Hittites were once thought to be a Biblical legend, until their capital and records were discovered at Bogazkoy, Turkey.

Many thought the Biblical references to Solomon's wealth were greatly exaggerated. Recovered records from the past show that wealth in antiquity was concentrated with the king and Solomon's prosperity was entirely feasible.

It was once claimed there was no Assyrian king named Sargon as recorded in Isaiah 20:1, because this name was not known in any other record. Then, Sargon's palace was discovered in Khorsabad, Iraq. The very event mentioned in Isaiah 20, his capture of Ashdod, was recorded on the palace walls. What is more, fragments of a stela memorializing the victory were found at Ashdod itself.

Another king who was in doubt was Belshazzar, king of Babylon, named in Daniel 5. The last king of Babylon was Nabonidus according to recorded history. Tablets were found showing that Belshazzar was Nabonidus' son who served as coregent in Babylon. Thus, Belshazzar could offer to make Daniel "third highest ruler in the kingdom" (Dan. 5:16) for reading the handwriting on the wall, the highest available position. Here we see the "eye-witness" nature of the Biblical record, as is so often brought out by the discoveries of archaeology.

How does archaeology conclusively demonstrate the Bible to be reliable and unique among all the holy books of world religions?

Archaeological discoveries verify the historical reliability of the Old and New Testaments.

When compared to other religious books, the Bible is unique in that it is the oldest, as testified by the places, people, titles, and events mentioned in the Bible; and the language and literary formats used to compose the Bible.

Many scholars today question the validity of Biblical accounts, supposedly based on the findings of archaeology. When the “discrepancies” are examined in detail, however it is found that the problems lie with the archaeology (i.e. misinterpretation of evidence, lack of evidence, or poor scholarship) and not with the Bible.

How can archaeology prove helpful to someone seeking for truth to the basic questions about life?
The discoveries of archaeology can be helpful in removing doubts that a person might have about the historical trustworthiness of the Bible. The miracles described, as well as the spiritual message, must be accepted on faith, which is the basis of our relationship with God. When the truth of Scripture is challenged by skeptics, archaeology can be used to demonstrate that the people, places, and events of the Bible are real.

What archaeological discovery would you point to as the most convincing evidence for the Bible being God's Word?
Any one discovery can be explained away as coincidence, or an alternative interpretation can be given to disassociate it from the Bible. It is the weight of a myriad of discoveries that demonstrates the Bible to be the Word of God.

These discoveries fall into three categories:

Archaeological evidence demonstrates the historical and cultural accuracy of the Bible.

The Bible's message of a loving Creator God who interacts in the affairs of mankind and has provided a means of salvation stands in sharp contrast to the pagan fertility religions of the ancient world as, revealed by archaeology.

Archaeological findings demonstrate that the Biblical prophets accurately predicted events hundreds of years before they occurred—something that lies beyond the capability of mere men.

Warning long post.....One night in April 1982, seventeen-year-old Bill Harboure gave his life to Christ--a commitment that, just a few hours later, would put him in danger of being murdered by his own father.

The third child of parents who emigrated from Japan in 1956, Bill grew up with his two older sisters in a nominally Buddhist family in Upland, California. Like most first-generation Japanese, his parents maintained a Butsudan in their home, a Buddhist altar made of black lacquer and featuring a gold Buddha figure. In front of the altar they placed bowls of rice and other food as offerings to the ancestral spirits. They trained their young children to pray at the Butsudan two or three times a day, although as the years passed the rituals got left behind. Once a year on Memorial Day the family attended temple services together.

Bill knew little about Christianity until he got involved in a Bible study on his high school campus and was befriended by David Emerson, the youth pastor of a local church. Over the weeks, as Bill left for fellowship meetings, he watched his fathers mood grow darker.

"Im warning you, son," he said. "If you become a Christian, the ancestral spirits will come after you. Theyll try to kill you."

Bill recognized the reality of these spirits and did not discount the threat. Still, he continued to meet with his new Christian friends. In fact, it was at the Emerson home that April night when Bill spent five hours in tear-filled prayer, confessing his sins and crying out to God for salvation.

At last, with joy and assurance of his newfound faith, Bill returned home at three in the morning. Tiptoeing through the dark house, Bill peeked into his parents bedroom where his father, Bill Senior, and mother, Hiroko, lay sleeping.

"Lord Jesus," he whispered, "I pray for my mom and dad right now. Please touch their hearts and make them know You as Savior."

Before turning in, Bill also paused in front of the Butsudan. He could almost sense his grandmothers spirit lurking in displeasure nearby.

In a low voice the teenager declared, "In the name of Jesus, if there are any evil spirits here, I say to you that I am a Christian now. I dont want you to have control over my family."

After Bill went to bed, he sensed a dark presence hovering over him intent on his destruction. Evidently something had gotten stirred up. In silent prayer the new believer asked God for protection by the power of the blood of Christ.

Rising unusually early, he came downstairs at 6 a.m. and found his parents already up and sitting at the kitchen table next to the TV room. Before they exchanged a word, Bill Senior turned to his son with a steady gaze.

"You became a Christian last night." It was clearly an accusation.

Bills insides jumped. How does he know?

Aloud he answered, "Thats right, Dad," and began to explain. But his parents were angry.

Theyve never been much more than nominal Buddhists, he thought, puzzled. Whats going on here?

For 45 minutes the confrontation escalated until Bills father, out of control, sprang from his chair, grabbed a long sushi knife and waved it in front of his son.

"Renounce your faith or die!" he roared.

Terrified, Bill managed to find his voice. "Well, before you kill me, at least let me tell you about Jesus Christ."

The elder Harboure froze for an instant, as though some unseen force were preventing him from harming his son. Suddenly he threw the knife to the floor. In frustrated rage, he stomped over to the TV area, broke a coffee table with an explosive karate chop and growled, "Leave. You leave this home now."

With trembling hands Bill phoned David Emerson, the youth pastor, asked him to pick him up and feverishly packed three bags of clothes.

Bill stayed with David and his wife, Linda, for about a week. Then Bills mother cooled down enough to call and allow him to come back and live in a small house at the back of their property. But for many months Bills father never spoke to him except in occasional curt exchanges.

Bill finished his senior year of high school and in September 1982 moved into a dorm at Occidental College in Los Angeles. Cut off from his family financially, he made his way with the help of grants and loans.

His parents, meanwhile, moved closer to downtown Los Angeles to open a store in Little Tokyo.

One morning early in his sophomore year, his mother phoned. "Bill, your father is dying of cancer."

Touched with new compassion, Bill began reestablishing a relationship with his father, visiting him at home, in the hospital, at his store. His dad started a regimen of chemotherapy for stomach cancer, and Bill sometimes accompanied him on visits to his doctor.

As they left the hospital one day, Bills father told him, "You know, Im going to see you graduate."

Dont I wish! Bill thought. Graduation was almost three years away, and the doctors said his dad had just three months to live.

Nevertheless Bill was interceding for his father, even cautiously sharing the Gospel.

Three months came and went. Then one day the elder Harboure allowed his son to pray for him. After Bill laid hands on his fathers head, Bill Senior told him he felt a sensation of warm oil pouring over his head and down his neck onto his shoulders.

"When I pray to Buddha," confessed Bill Senior, "I get no answers. But when you pray to your God, I can tell Hes alive."

Months passed. Bills father fought for survival as his cancer spread. Often when Bill prayed for him, his father experienced the same remarkable manifestation of the presence of God.

During the summer of 1985, between Bills junior and senior years of college, he joined an outreach program in Japan led by LIFE Ministries. While in Japan he wrote his father a heartfelt letter, asking him to accept Christ as Savior. A few weeks later a response arrived.

"I have come to faith in Jesus," his father wrote.

On Saturday, June 14, 1986, Bill Harboure, Sr., attended his sons commencement exercises at the Eagle Rock campus of Occidental College. The next Monday he entered the presence of his Lord.

Hiroko Harboure had witnessed the transformation of her husband. Yet she remained gripped by fear that if she abandoned Buddhism, the ancestral spirits would destroy her. Then in late June 1990 she checked into the hospital, weak and racked with pain. Tests showed leukemia--cancer of the bone marrow.

Bill and Julie, his bride of a year, rounded up a few friends, including Doug Gregg, chaplain of Occidental College, and went out to Northridge Hospital. The cancer had spread so much, especially around the bottom of her rib cage, that Bills mother could not sit up without excruciating pain.

Bills friends gathered around the bedside where Hiroko lay back nearly prone.

"You know, Bill," she said to her son, "I remember when you prayed for your dad. He used to get sensations of warm oil on his head and his pain would leave. Can your God do the same thing for me?"

"Of course," Bill replied. "Would you like us to pray for you, Mom?"

She nodded and closed her eyes.

Bills older sisters, Judy and Anny, staunch Buddhists, stood out in the hall talking with the doctor. The time was right. The team began to pray.

Bill laid a hand on the area above his mothers lower rib cage. In a moment he could feel tremendous heat flowing from his hand into her body. Her eyelids fluttered and she began to glow with perspiration.

As the group finished their prayers, Hiroko Harboure opened her eyes.

"The pain--the pain is gone," she murmured, her voice filled with wonder.

Then she sat fully upright in her own strength. "Why, the pain is completely gone!" In joyful disbelief she began to laugh and cry at the same time.

Doug Gregg, the chaplain, seized the moment.

"This is the power of God," he explained. "Bill and the rest of us prayed for you in Jesus name. We dont know whats happened to the cancer, but Jesus has taken away your pain. Would you like to give your life to Him?"

"Yes, I would," she answered. "But--" She hesitated a moment. "Id like to talk to my daughters first."

Bill called in his sisters from the hallway.

"Judy, Anny," their mother began, "I want you to know I love you very much. Im going to become a Christian today. Judy, will you take care of the Butsudan?"

The young women were too speechless to argue. Judy, as the oldest child, agreed to inherit the home altar for the ancestral spirits.

Then Hiroko Harboure was ready for Bill and Doug to lead her in a prayer confessing her sins and asking the Lord Jesus into her heart.

Her doctors had no explanation for the disappearance of Hirokos pain. A month or two later, after intensive chemotherapy, her cancer went into remission for about a year and a half. Over these months Hiroko learned more about living a life of devotion to Christ. Then in March 1992 she passed from time into eternity.

Although neither of Bills parents found permanent healing from cancer, their experience of partial remission and a dramatic release from pain convinced them that their sons faith was real and that Jesus is alive.