Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Senator Fielding v's Richard Dawkins on Q&A.

I never usually watch Q&A on the ABC because it has politicians on it. Politicians are invariably incompetent at answering the question. The episode of Q&A on 8 March was discussing the compatibility between 'science' and 'religion'. It made for frustrating and slightly traumatic viewing. The cast was Richard Dawkins (a highly educated atheist), Senator Fielding (a professing Christians, leader of the Family First party and Senator), Julie Bishop, Tony Burke and a couple of others.

This was the ideal opportunity for public figures such as Steven Fielding to give an account of their Christianity on national T.V. He ran away from that opportunity and looked like a fool. It was a shame the ABC put a dittering Senator in the ring with an accomplished scientist.

Fielding condoned the compatibility between 'creationism' and 'evolution'. I assume the term 'evolution' means that humanity evolved from a simple life form, through to the ape stage into the breed of humanity we have today. Christians can not accept evolution. Sure they can accept that the world is billions of years old and God may have used some sort of 'big bang' to get things moving in the universe. But evolution is a dangerous heresy to introduce into our doctrine to appease the scientific community. Why? Because if you remove Genesis from the Bible you have no understanding of the origin of 'sin' in creation. You also have no understanding just how valuable humanity is. God made us in 'his' image. We didn't crawl out of a cess pool. He breathed life into us directly. We were appointed to reign over creation. We were created perfectly. There was a perfect relationship between humanity, creation and God. The Bible does not promote humanity evolving from the animal kingdom.

Humanity fell into sin in Genesis 3 because it rejected and disobeyed God. Humanity and creation was cursed resulting from this rebellion. If Christians remove Genesis, there is no understanding the origins of a cursed world. Our relationship with God was irrevocably broken and the whole point of Jesus' existence on earth was to rectify this. The promise of Jesus was first mentioned in Genesis 3:15. God promised that an offspring of Eve would crush the head of Satan. Genesis is fundamental to an understanding of Jesus Christ. There is no compatibility between Christians and evolution. Genesis does not allow it.

The convenor of Q&A asked Senator Fielding 'where did humans come from'? Fielding replied 'I believe in being created'. Where's God Senator? Be bold Senator! Why didn't you put a name to your creator?

It was confirmed that Pope Benedict stated that evolution and faith can co-exist. If the Pope does not believe that man was created in the image of God, he has fallen into Apostasy. Without the biblical account of Genesis, the concept of sin and redemption is not understood. I might do some research on you Pope in the hope I have to recant my sentiment.

Is Julie Bishop a professing Christian? If she is, all she can muster regarding the Bible is 'it is an all time best seller'.

Steve Fielding went to great lengths to say that his faith is personal. Christ did not call you to have a personal faith Senator! He didn't call you to light your candle and put it under the bed. You are in a position of leadership in this country. You are Christ's ambassador. But all you can come up with to justify your timidity was to say your faith is personal. Whatever you do in your bedroom is personal Senator, not your Christian faith.

Is Tony Burke a Christian? All he could muster was to say 'there was a bloke from a couple of thousand years ago who said to love one another'. How hard is it to say 'Jesus' Tony? Julie Bishop didn't do much better, she said he was a 'great man who tried to do good things'. I hope you're not a professing Christian Julie!
Senator Fielding was asked directly, 'do you believe the Bible as the word of God'? He didn't answer the question.

Ironically, my applause goes to the atheist Richard Dawkins. He summed up the Gospel of Jesus Christ better than any of the Christians on the panel. The first mention of Jesus in the entire 55 minute debacle was at the 30 minute mark...and it came from the Atheist. He said two things of truth:

1. 'All religions are not compatible. They all can't be right.' That's right Mr Dawkins. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No one gets to the Father but through him. I got the impression that Steve Fielding wants them to be all compatible.
2. 'Don't you think God could have found a better way to atone for man's sins rather than allowing himself to be brutally punished and put to death on a cross? Is that admirable?' Well done Richard, you gave a better account of Christianity than everyone else. You're closer to the Kingdom than you think. If you take away the account of Genesis, well then it is not 'admirable'. It would be absurd. Jesus was promised in Genesis 3. He came to re-instate mans perfect relationship with God.

3 comments:

  1. Hi Rob
    I love to watch QandA and was looking forward to watching it on Monday night. I was extremely disappointed in Steve Fielding also. I was under the impression Julie Bishop was an athiest so I was pleasantly surprised by her comments. I read that the Labour guy was a Roman Catholic so there would be some sympathy to the Bible. I was most surprised by Tony Jones. Even called Evolution a theory. Maybe there is hope for him yet.

    I found your comments interesting. i've also been reading the responses on the Q&A website. Followed the link to your blog.

    People are blind to the truth. The road is narrow and few find it. Sad but true.

    Hopefully Dawkins will have a revelation from Jesus and be dramatically saved like Paul.

    God bless.

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  2. Sounds like it was a bit difficult to watch. I can't believe the people professing to have faith didn't have the guts to say His name. What's up with that?!

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  3. From what you're saying it does sound very timid and very politician like.
    In my experience Christians vary in background, life-experience and beliefs and one major area where they differ is in how public they say they are Christians. This seems particularly true with politicians who don't want to alienate those with an anti-Christian bias.
    What I would have said?
    I am a Christian who tries to follow Jesus but who doesn't always find the bible helpful in this modern world. My faith is a work-in-progress and affects my views and behaviours. I don't think we are called to tell each other how to live but to live a loving, generous, forgiving and peaceful life.
    I don't read the bible literally and I support the theory of evolution. I marvel at the beauty of nature, creativity and love and find it hard to believe all that just evolved. I believe humans are created in God's image and are distinct from animals.
    Maybe that's hiding my candle but that's where I'm at.
    James

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