Freedom of the Press

http://www.icr.org/article/6209/



A paraphrased summary of the article in the link is that a "scientific" journal violated its own policies for fear of their own reputation, quashing a legitimate, mathematical rebuttal to the evolutionary development of DNA.

This seems to be a well-documented occurrence lately - anyone who questions the apparently infallible theory of evolution is ostracized from academia and openly ridiculed. Apparently, there is a certain restraint in place for discussing ideas?

In my way of thinking, truth stands the test of time and will outlast all contrary opinions, regardless of who may question it.  It seems that increasingly, science has become more of a faith based democracy that refuses to audit its own ideas honestly.  

Lately, I hear phrases like "scientific consensus" or "uncertain science" and I just have to cringe.  It's as if a particular answer must be found regardless of the evidence - or lack of evidence - and the conclusions are found with a tally of the votes instead of honest confirmation of the data.  

Furthermore, it is also common for periodicals to confidently present artistic impressions of evolutionary links as though they are settled fact with no other possible conlusions. The evidence is not only very often circumstantial, but the resulting theories are in turn also circumstantial and circular in their logic. How is it that artistic license has become such an integral part of scientific presentation? How is it that we aren't more skeptical, particularly after a long history of frauds and corrections?

Spiritually speaking, we have to be careful to study and verify the truth as well.  God has chosen to reveal Himself in Creation and through His word, the Bible.  In spite of the pollution of sin, all present Creation speaks of His wisdom, intelligence and completeness.  The Bible speaks to this specifically, revealing to anyone who will study it the details needed to understand our need to be cleansed completely from sin.

Real truth is self-evident to those who are willing to accept it.  Some just refuse to accept it.  How does that old saying go, "The one who is argued against his will is of the same opinion still."?  

With that horrible thought in mind, the Bible is clear that we are not to violate our own conscience, or that of a fellow believer.  It is clear that we are instead to remain rooted in the faith - accepting the truth of the Word above all else...  

1 Timothy 1: 5 through 7 is one place that warns us:
   

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. ⁶ Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. ⁷ They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

With that in mind, search the truth heartily.  Keep the essentials firm and avoid digressing into the pitfalls that Paul mentions here.  Don't get caught just making someone else's case, be convinced yourself of the truth - study and prayer are so essential that the early church elders set themselves apart from serving the daily needs of the church just for that purpose.

Where arguments do arise, it is imperative that we make our case honorably, convincingly and winsomely - as Christ would.  With our brothers in Christ, we must be very careful not to mis-lead, or to offend their conscience.  Truth will stand without our pride to bolster it.  Be prayerful in discussions, careful in words.  Public disputes are ugly to the unbeliever... ...petty arguments are not profitable to anyone.  

There are times when Paul fights openly and with fists bared (see Galatians) and others where he submits himself to the advice of the elders in Jerusalem.  As far as I can tell, the bare fists come out with those doctrines that contradict the pillars of the Gospel.  So many times, though, we get caught fighting the bad fight - over genelogies and old wives tales. 

God help me to curb my tongue to suit Your purposes and Your kingdom alone...

Maybe I should change the title of this post...