022608 The teaching of evolution

There has been much talk these days concerning the teaching of evolution in the public schools. I have to admit to my disappointment at how little the debate has concentrated on a strictly scientific, independent analysis of the merits of the evolutionary concepts. In truth, the time has come for the scientific community to provide a complete, thorough revision of Darwin’s ideas which indeed are so often dogmatically taught to our children.
Fortunately, I have lived long enough to witness the transformation of the attitude in society towards science: from one of actual worship in the fifties to the sober one of today. For our own health we not only have learned to appreciate its transcendental contributions but also about its glaring limitations and , yes, its foibles.
A very much case in point is the insistency of some otherwise reputable scientists to explain the decisive question of the origin of our universe by an element of chance. The blatant irrationality of such a concept lies on its gruesome violation of a very much scientific principle: the law of cause and effect. So, we witness how those who earnestly preach us the law of causation totally dismiss it when explaining how our universe was formed.!
Today, it is time to come to terms to the fact that much of what is said about evolution is completely unproven. Indeed,the number of brilliant and courageous scientists defying the establishment and stating their dissent keeps growing. For, among other things, how is it that after 150 years of active excavations all we have found is a scanty-and arguable- number of transitionals? Or how come is it that the lowest geological layer is full of all the major kinds of animals found today? To evolution”true believers”, I ask, where, then, are the ancestors of these animals?And, really, many more questions like these abound…
To be sure, evolution within a definite species ,ie man, can be seriously be discusssed in class. But transitional stages from one species to another? Darwin, no doubt, made an incredible contribution to science like Freud did to psychology or Marx did to economics and the social sciences and also like those two men he made some utterly fantastic statements. One day mankind would get a hearty laugh from this notion that we come from apes as we do now from those scientific authorities who claimed that the earth was flat a few centuries ago

100907

I have been carefully reading the denials frequently expressed in the culture concerning the reliability of the biblical record. I must start by indicating that largely they are quite familiar to me since I shared those same perceptions before I came to the knowledge and the acceptance of the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ into my life.
In this direction, I have to affirm that the root of much of the denial taking place has to do with the scant acquaintance with Scripture exhibited in the points advanced by the deniers. Almost invariably, a rejection of biblical truth is simply expressed without providing sources or, when done, taking an incidental, almost anecdotal, view of Scripture. I confess to having done the same in the past and the explanation is quite simple: the lack of a comprehensive view of Scripture. I'm going to briefly illustrate this with an example taken from observed debates on hell. Usually, the point is advanced that a good God can't possibly "decree" such a punishment. Yet, on doing so, the basic point of the Christian message is ignored: that Jesus precisely came to rescue us from such a terrible destiny. This is said here not in connection with the "validity" of hell but to stress that without a full understanding of the role of Jesus the issue of eternal damnation cannot properly be discussed. This is why a comprehensive view of Scripture is totally decisive on biblical discussion. The incidental approach of just taking a verse, or even a chapter, in alienation from the rest of the text, as often practiced by some in our media, is simply not serious.
Then, there is the fact that much of what is expressed as biblical denial in the culture has to do not so much with the rejection of the text itself but with the rejection of the supernatural, period. The widespread presence of postmodernism in Europe like in here today, tends to perceive as suspect, when not biased, all supernatural reference. Today, Christians find themselves with the burden of proof on their shoulders as the Bible, in a curious reversal of basic legal principles, is now deemed guilty until proven innocent.
To be sure, the roots of the current assault on Christianity can be clearly traced to the work of the German liberal theologians and agnostic thinkers of the nineteenth century who trapped in the restrictive view of reality of rationalism and positivism literally made mashed potatoes out of Scripture. Fortunately, Christians have now available a formidable arsenal of facts to repel the attack and totally prevail over their prejudiced biblical misconceptions. For, as the roots of the prevalent secularism of the day were sowed in Europe, groups of quite peculiar people were with increasing aggressiveness digging holes all throughout the Middle East. As a result, we find that today the reading of archaeological journals is often recommended- if not required- reading in Christian seminaries. In complete assurance, it can be stated that Archaeology has knocked out the deniers as it strongly supports the biblical record. The abundance of findings confirming names and dates in the Bible, or simply providing parallel evidence( from the flood to the reality of the Hittites or of King Sargon (whose existence skeptic researchers had previously denied) and its corresponding literature constitute a powerful external evidence of the Scripture. On this regard, it is proper to indicate that the culture at large has not even began to register the durable impact that Archaeology is to have on contemporary thought. But a group of outstanding international archaeologists gathered at the Madison Biblical Archaeology Society of the University of Wisconsin has proven to be quite aware of its potential as shown by its scholarly work(1)
Yet, to be sure, as powerful as the found external evidence is, the internal evidence of Scripture is even more powerful. For how can it be explained that 66 books, written over a period of 1500 years in three different languages by at least 36 writers can possibly equate with each other as evidenced by our carefully researched reference bibles? The latter proof is overwhelming; the agnostics may still insist that there is not a guiding divine inspiration but can they possibly deny CONTENT?
Finally, the culture must candidly ask itself, what explains the on going, witnessed transformation all over the world of shattered lives, relationships, or health conditions in those who receive His
Spirit who later become committed Christians? In my book, these quite visible changes in the lives of people provide, more than anything else, proof of the power and of the truth of Scripture

(1) For the sincere seeker, I am going to list just two items from a growing volume of literature::a) The bible and recent archaeology. Kathleen Kenyon. Journal of New Eastern Studies. Vol.39, no.4. Oct.1980.b) Archaeological confirmation of the Old Testament. Donald Wiseman in C F Henry, Revelation and the Bible.

09-16-07

The shortcircuits that seem to be affecting our cultural conversation in this country need urgent attention. A case in point concern biblical quotations in the media that are often taken as insulting by members from other faiths or even more so by secularists.It is important for the sake of our unity as a nation that we learn to overcome this roadblock. And it all has to do with the constitutional "freedom of speech" that we all claim to support and to believe in.Yes, often biblical quotations upset people and I dont see how it cant possibly be otherwise. Its in the very nature of the message of Jesus, we only need to remember how He ended up.But now, people have every right to express their opinions, cite verses from all their favorite spiritual books be it the New Testament, the Koran or the Torah. It is, I believe, high time that we acknowledge this and stop hurling insults and derogatory or demeaning remarks to those with whom we disagree no matter how. strong our feelings .Remember, friends, the beauty of America precisely resides on this magnificent "marketplace of ideas" In a true democracy, ideas are fought with ideas-anything else has a name, persecution.So, if biblical quotations quotations upset you, thats part of what reading it is expected to accomplish. We, Christians, call it the power of conviction of the Holy Spirit. And yes, it upsets, as it did me before I accepted Him.Frankly, if we cannot rise to the level of civility, we, as Ameicans, have become a very sorrow bunch.

09-13-07

Regardless of whether you believe that Moses was talking literally or handling symbols the Genesis account clearly established the following:
a) God created Man
b) God made Man inherently free (his freedom illustrated on the fact that he was given the option to disobey)
c)Man disobeyed God, evil entered into the world.
d)As a result, man lost grace, and he will know pain and death.
Here, the crucial point is whether you are going to believe the account or not since you are totally free to choose . As it is well known, the authencity of contents is undisputable, the authorship of Moses strongly supported...
Now, from the beginning of Genesis itself,"he will strike your head", and throughout the Old Testament, the figure of a Redeemer, the Messiah, is often referred to. Different people have held different views about Who or What this Messiah can be
Jesus claimed to be this Messiah, "the one who takes away the sin (the condition of evil) of the world". This he did more than one time as illustrated in the New Testament whose authenticity of contents is beyond any especulation. Therefore, on deciding here, we are left with only three possible options: 1)He was a liar, 2)He was insane or 3)He was telling the truth
Jesus comes as one who is not, at any point ,compelling people to believe in Him. He INVITES
(remember the inherent freedom of man is solid biblical truth)people.
And what does this Jesus propose? That you receive Him into your heart. To me, it is amazing that an agnostic writer, Albert Camus, put it so well : "He only wanted to be loved and nothing else".
What is the result of receiving Him? You begin the walk back to the state of grace that was lost. It is a process, it is never completely finished. How is this possible? Because Jesus is a Spirit, the Spirit of God, Who coming to live in you transforms human nature into divine nature. But, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT, you can't possibly understand this experience unless you live it.
Just like love.
Again, like Adam, you are completely free to choose.

Illegals Boycott

THE MAY DAY BOYCOTTThe boycott and the mass demonstrations to support legal status for illegal workers hold much deeper implications for our society and its future. At stake, it is not only the fate of millions of persons, mostly Mexicans, who reside in this country ilegally but also our basic right of sovereignity as a nation as well as of enacting and applying the law. dditionally, a dramatic urgency to find a solution is triggered by the extreme vulnerability of our borders in a time of war with international terrorists.Simultaneously, the situation is compounded by the obviously offensive words and actions on the part of some of the protests leaders who appear to be very much in need of an emergency intensive PR course. For, it is clear that if legal status and the PRIVILEGE to be able to become a citizen is granted it will be rooted in the strong tradition of compassion of this magnificent "nation of inmigrants".Therefore, it is imperative that the US Congress move swiftly and wisely not just providing a legal andequitable remedy to these workers but also making sure of erecting the strongest wall at the border and the harshest penalties for employers who knowingly hire them. If only so that we will never have to listen again to the oxymoron of "illegals demanding"...or the trashy radical rethoric of some.Felipe Fernandez

Illegals boycott

THE MAY DAY BOYCOTTThe boycott and the mass demonstrations to support legal status for illegal workers hold much deeper implications for our society and its future. At stake, it is not only the fate of millions of persons, mostly Mexicans, who reside in this country ilegally but also our basic right of sovereignity as a nation as well as of enacting and applying the law. dditionally, a dramatic urgency to find a solution is triggered by the extreme vulnerability of our borders in a time of war with international terrorists.Simultaneously, the situation is compounded by the obviously offensive words and actions on the part of some of the protests leaders who appear to be very much in need of an emergency intensive PR course. For, it is clear that if legal status and the PRIVILEGE to be able to become a citizen is granted it will be rooted in the strong tradition of compassion of this magnificent "nation of inmigrants".Therefore, it is imperative that the US Congress move swiftly and wisely not just providing a legal andequitable remedy to these workers but also making sure of erecting the strongest wall at the border and the harshest penalties for employers who knowingly hire them. If only so that we will never have to listen again to the oxymoron of "illegals demanding"...or the trashy radical rethoric of some.Felipe Fernandez

ILLEGALS BOYCOTT

THE MAY DAY BOYCOTTThe boycott and the mass demonstrations to support legal status for illegal workers hold much deeper implications for our society and its future. At stake, it is not only the fate of millions of persons, mostly Mexicans, who reside in this country ilegally but also our basic right of sovereignity as a nation as well as of enacting and applying the law. dditionally, a dramatic urgency to find a solution is triggered by the extreme vulnerability of our borders in a time of war with international terrorists.Simultaneously, the situation is compounded by the obviously offensive words and actions on the part of some of the protests leaders who appear to be very much in need of an emergency intensive PR course. For, it is clear that if legal status and the PRIVILEGE to be able to become a citizen is granted it will be rooted in the strong tradition of compassion of this magnificent "nation of inmigrants".Therefore, it is imperative that the US Congress move swiftly and wisely not just providing a legal andequitable remedy to these workers but also making sure of erecting the strongest wall at the border and the harshest penalties for employers who knowingly hire them. If only so that we will never have to listen again to the oxymoron of "illegals demanding"...or the trashy radical rethoric of some.Felipe Fernandez

Iraq, an alternative view

APRIL 10, 2006
The administration is in an all out effort these days to resell its
Iraq policy to the American people. Like a number of months ago,
this PR offensive has to do with the correctly perceived fact an
increased national frustration with the Iraqi war. At
this time, it is fair to say
that a majority of Americans see as confirmed all their initial
misgivings about going into this war. Their list is long and, worst,
one senses that their discouragement has finally sunk into the
collective consciousness as to make any administration campaign to
revive faith in its current policy doomed.
The picture that now emerges is indeed very difficult for the
White House to erase. The prevalent perception in our streets today
is that President Bush had predetermined to go into Iraq, WMD or not.
That is, Iraq was simply chosen as the most strategic location from
where to launch his "democracy project". In this context, it follows
that definitively faulty, incomplete intelligence was used to justify
intervention. At the time,that realization escaped to most who
honestly believed in an imminent WMD attack, our solid justification
for immediate action.
Now,in complete justice to the president, it is the proper time to
give due consideration to his democracy goal, the very basis of
our foreign policy in the Middle East and therefore, in Iraq. For
as a concept to eradicate terrorism and protect our security and way
of life results as comprehensive and sound and noble as to even
appear God inspired. The administration understood well that the
breeding of terrorism in the Middle East stems from the despotic
nature of the government systems in the area and never from poverty
or "imperialism" as ourdear leftists explain it. It is indeed a goal
and a vision worth
keeping for future administrations, regardless of the outcome of the
current Iraq dilemma. Therefore, it is important to conclude that the
White House has not failed in its final goal these years, nor in its
first strike doctrine (a survival necessity in this age), and not
even "per se" in its going to war in Iraq.
The White House has abysmally failed in its carrying out of a very
clear vision through what can only be termed a quite amateurish,
inexperienced foreign policy decisionmaking component. From the
initial days of the postIraq war period, Americans learned that the
insurgency had been a surprise! My God, what our regional experts
at State, Defense and CIA know about the Middle East, about war
tactics in our time? And that was the beginning of what has been a
continuous policy of improvisation, from dissolving the Iraqi
military to the faulty reconstruction effort to the recent
amazingly "unanticipated" victory of Hamas. The American people
today have every right and every reason to feel upset about Iraq.
But, what can be done? Few people have more respect in the House
than Congressman John Murtha. Yet, his contention that we should
withdraw altogether has to be one of a desperate man. Many feel the
same way. But desperation doesn’t trigger good decisions. Calm
analysis does. For to cut and run not only would be a devastating
blow to our country in the struggle against terrorism but would
render as useless the American and the Iraqi blood lost and, worst of
all, ruin the very
real possibility of victory, of accomplishing our goal in Iraq: the
establishing a democratic beachhead in the Middle East.
In my very modest opinion, there are two things that the
administration may well do to win in Iraq and turn the tide of public
opinion. The first one is military and has a two prong approach,
withdraw our troops from the cities while simultaneously negotiate
with the Iraqi government the establishment of a long term base in
the country. The second is strictly diplomatic, building on the
foundation of the new cooperation forged with our European allies
strive to work together towards the formation of a government of
national reconciliation. In our lifetime, we have seen this
accomplished not once but at least twice in Central America,
guerrillas joining the political process.
In recent days, rumors have been running around about major shifts
in the administration leadership. But changes in people is not what
is needed unlees it means changes in direction. Bill Clinton was in
his time humble (and wise enough)to call a Republican, David Gergen,
when
help was needed. Sadly, one doesn’t perceive that same humbleness in
the current White House. For, why not calling one of the many
Republican stellar
foreign policy experts or even Bob Graham, a Democrat who knows
"a little bit" about terrorism?
A number of decades ago, I had the opportunity to hear from one of
the philosophers of the School of Madrid the following: "Absolute
order only may lead to stupidity and death". I dont know, but I have
the restless inkling that "stay the course", the administration mantra,
squarely falls in the philosopher’s observation.
Felipe Fernandez
Cutler Bay, Florida
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