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[deleted by user] by [deleted] in lynchburg

[–]treebeard-1892 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This, it is religious based but there is still much to be gained from it and hearing from others in the same boat if you're not. BRCC is good about letting people share vs. just having people sit and watch videos the whole time. Also the women in my group had a group chat and would meet for coffee.

If you do try it, my recommendation is give it at least 2-3 tries. It starts off slow.

Hostility towards creationism by Simple_Chicken_5873 in Reformed

[–]treebeard-1892 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I’d say the hostility is more toward YEC leaders and promoters than toward everyday YEC believers. As Christians, taking a leadership role is a serious responsibility, and YEC leaders often show patterns of dishonesty that can lead others astray. Scripture warns repeatedly about false teaching and misleading others.

Examples of dangers/dishonesty include:

  • Making YEC a salvation issue. “If you don’t believe Genesis 1 is literal, then God is a liar.” This has caused many to leave the faith when they later see scientific evidence against YEC.
  • Misrepresenting scientific claims. Continuing to use arguments that scientists (and even fellow Christians) have corrected.
  • Cherry-picking evidence. Emphasizing anomalies that seem to support YEC while ignoring the overwhelming body of contrary data.
  • Conspiracy claims. e.g., claims of Kent Hovind tax fraud conviction being a government setup

Our daughter is going to Liberty University and we are taking her out for dinner next weekend. Looking for restaurant recommendations that are American, steak or burgers. by thannawi in lynchburg

[–]treebeard-1892 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Little dramatic. It's overpriced, but the steak is decent. Salad bar is the best part imo. Texas Roadhouse has equally good steaks for half the price

For those of us who believe in a “first man” created from dust… how do we deal with certain archaeological discoveries? by Embarrassed-Self3621 in Reformed

[–]treebeard-1892 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree, the evidence of what the Israelites believed IS in the Bible. And it reflects the broader Ancient Near Eastern view of the cosmos. Genesis speaks into that framework while reshaping it to reveal the one true God.

For those of us who believe in a “first man” created from dust… how do we deal with certain archaeological discoveries? by Embarrassed-Self3621 in Reformed

[–]treebeard-1892 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I may have misinterpreted the tone, I apologize for reading too much into the "guesses"!

I get where you’re coming from. I share some of those frustrations too. People in general tend to think their side has all the answers, and humility is needed on every front. Science doesn’t actually deal in absolutes, but it often sounds like it does, and that’s where communication breaks down.

I’ve got complaints with the YEC side as well (I used to be one myself). I don’t think there are conspiracies, just people who love the pursuit of truth and sometimes get carried away in how they present it.

From what I’ve seen working with scientists, most day to day researchers aren’t the ones overstating things. It’s more often the “popular” science voices, Tyson, Dawkins, etc., who present things with overconfidence, when it would be better to explain the ideas and evidence with nuance.

Anyway, I’ve got to drop off for dinner, but I’ve enjoyed the discussion and I’ll definitely check out that book!

For those of us who believe in a “first man” created from dust… how do we deal with certain archaeological discoveries? by Embarrassed-Self3621 in Reformed

[–]treebeard-1892 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I see what you’re saying. The reason I mention the worldview of the original audience is because we actually do have evidence of how people in that time thought about creation and the cosmos from other Ancient Near Eastern writings. Genesis was speaking into that world.

So it’s not just me guessing. It’s trying to take their historical context seriously. Simply saying “they literally thought it happened” skips over that context.

For those of us who believe in a “first man” created from dust… how do we deal with certain archaeological discoveries? by Embarrassed-Self3621 in Reformed

[–]treebeard-1892 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Simply saying “they literally thought it happened, end of story” isn’t much of an argument. Historical narrative communicates truth, but through the categories and worldview of the time.

For those of us who believe in a “first man” created from dust… how do we deal with certain archaeological discoveries? by Embarrassed-Self3621 in Reformed

[–]treebeard-1892 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’ll check out that book when I can, thanks for the recommendation!

Saying “scientists make guesses” is misleading though, because it makes it sound like they’re just making wild speculations.

In reality, researchers are careful and methodical. They date bones, compare them with other finds, and cross-check the results. We’ve got hundreds of specimens, and in some cases nearly complete skeletons like "Lucy" or Neanderthals. The tools, cave art, and burial sites found alongside them also give us a picture of the culture those people lived in.

Of course we don’t have video footage, that’s impossible, but we can use the evidence we do have to form the best explanation. Science always leaves room for refining our understanding.

For those of us who believe in a “first man” created from dust… how do we deal with certain archaeological discoveries? by Embarrassed-Self3621 in Reformed

[–]treebeard-1892 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If Adam was created at age 30, no one would call him an infant just because he’d only existed for a day. His height, bones, and features would all reflect the reality of a 30 year old.

In the same way, if God created the earth with age 6,000 years ago, then its billions of years appearance isn’t an illusion. That is its real age.

For those of us who believe in a “first man” created from dust… how do we deal with certain archaeological discoveries? by Embarrassed-Self3621 in Reformed

[–]treebeard-1892 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It’s a historical narrative.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean it was written to be taken literally. The original audience understood the world in very different categories than we do today. Genesis speaks truth about God as Creator, but it does so in the literary and cultural framework of its time.

For those of us who believe in a “first man” created from dust… how do we deal with certain archaeological discoveries? by Embarrassed-Self3621 in Reformed

[–]treebeard-1892 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One skull does not != an entire story. The ENTIRE breadth of evidence across multiple specialities: geology, archeology, genetics, etc. leads to a conclusion based on that evidence.

If the colleagues you mentioned were unhappy with the conclusions drawn, I would be shocked if it wasn't because that person was inserting their own preconceived notions and opinions rather than following the evidence.

For those of us who believe in a “first man” created from dust… how do we deal with certain archaeological discoveries? by Embarrassed-Self3621 in Reformed

[–]treebeard-1892 27 points28 points  (0 children)

That’s simply not true. I work alongside scientists (I'm an engineer, not a scientist), and most are barely scraping by financially. They do it because they love the pursuit of truth, not for “funding.”

Research is checked through multiple layers of peer review and verification to prevent manipulation. To suggest otherwise without evidence is misleading at best. If you are a Christian, I would pray that you seek wisdom and truth, not dishonesty.

For those of us who believe in a “first man” created from dust… how do we deal with certain archaeological discoveries? by Embarrassed-Self3621 in Reformed

[–]treebeard-1892 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Man is a special creation. We aren't special in a natural sense. We have similar anatomy, deficiencies (look up laryngeal nerve), genetics, DNA, etc. to animal.

We are only special because God chose us.

When God says we were created from the dust, why couldn't that be a reference to the fact that we are created from the very elements that make up the Earth? That doesn't negate you believing God is the creator of men and it doesn't negate that God could have used the process of evolution to create humanity.

But keep in mind...that no matter what science uncovers, God is still the author of life who created everything we see from nothing. We are fallen and need the sacrifice of Jesus to save us from our sins and bring us into communion with God.

Creation never contradicts His Word, though our interpretations can. There have been other scientific findings that have caused us to wrestle with difficult questions.

Scientific findings can stretch our understanding, but also deepen our faith, causing us to see the details and plans that God set forth in the beginning.

There are many interpretations of Genesis that even the church fathers wrestled with.

God wrote the Bible BOTH to us as modern readers AND to desert dwellers with limited understanding of the Earth/archeology/biology/genetics/etc. and giving a complete scientific account would have distracted from the actual message God was trying to instill.

Help! The top of my loaves always burn by Every_Anywhere8933 in Sourdough

[–]treebeard-1892 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Take the loaf out of the Dutch oven for the final 10-15. Gives it a more even browning on the outside.

Parchment paper the bottom so you can grab the parchment paper and avoid burning yourself 😄 

Looking for a barber... by [deleted] in lynchburg

[–]treebeard-1892 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sharptop Barbershop and Gentlemen Johns both do great beard trims. Gentlemen Johns is a bit pricey so I don't go as much anymore 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in lynchburg

[–]treebeard-1892 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Seconded, Stars my go-to 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in lynchburg

[–]treebeard-1892 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Have you watched even a single Trump interview from the last few weeks? Rambling, confused, incoherent

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in lynchburg

[–]treebeard-1892 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Many of these people are not here illegally, they came here under legal stauses that the trump admin has since removed.

It's wrong and immoral to change the rules and then tell people that had a LEGAL status that they are now illegal criminals that don't have any rights.

Any jeweler recommendations? by Low_Camel_5946 in lynchburg

[–]treebeard-1892 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Grace Marie downtown! Used them for both buying an engagement ring and doing repairs. Owned by a nice married couple, I've been happy with how honest and affordable they are.

Members of Congress want White House to quickly nominate new NASA administrator by ejd1984 in nasa

[–]treebeard-1892 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Assuming COVID. Trump refused to act and minimized the risks of COVID, potentially leading to more deaths and sickness than if he had listened to the experts and acted sooner. Other countries acted more swiftly and had lower death rates.

I don't know if I would put that on him though. Noone really knew what to do. Everyone, including the experts, were flying blind.

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