Evolutionists ignoring the evidence

Re: ‘Canadians split on life’s origins’ (August): Those who believe a poll of 1,000 people accurately represents 30 million Canadians are perhaps the same individuals who believe man evolved for 200 million years from microscopic bits sloshing around in the mud.

Some believe the earth is a billion years old; but writers with more substantial evidence than pollsters have concluded the earth is relatively young. I verily believe it.

The blood and DNA of animals is different from that of humans. The word of God tells us there is one kind of flesh of animals, one flesh of birds, one flesh of mankind – and the seed of that flesh reproduces its own kind.

The theory of evolution is upheld in many  schools, regardless of evidence to the contrary. The infamous Charles Darwin reportedly regretted at the end of his life that he had proposed the theory; but his followers still run with it, claiming it as fact.

Rubbish.  

Eva Wares,
Burnaby

Fractured church needs reunification

Re: ‘Vatican statements misunderstood, says Toronto archbishop’: When the Pope recently reaffirmed the concept of the one true church – handed down through history from the church fathers – misconceptions flared up, due to a lack of proper definition of terms.

Since Jesus started the church, does it not make sense that it should be one holy, apostolic and universal (catholic) church? Jesus did not start a ‘Protestant’ community.

As Christians, we are now fractured into three divisions: Catholic (established 33 AD); Orthodox (1054 AD); and Protestants (1500 AD. These divisions must be healed.

In Ephesians, Paul says the church “acknowledges one Lord, confesses one faith, is born of one baptism, forms only one body, is given life by the one Spirit, for the sake of one hope.” If separate denominations are a good thing, why did Paul write this?

This is why Jesus prayed that his disciples “may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be one in us.”

The desire to recover the unity of all Christians is a gift of Christ. If we are not lighting any candles, we can’t complain that it is dark.

Let’s work on reunification.

Noel Oco, Port Coquitlam
Catholic-Apologetic.blogspot.com

Daniel author clarifies Catholic views

It was interesting to see your item on my book, Daniel: Understanding the Dreams and Visions  (‘Variety of theological insights from B.C. authors,’ August).

It was well written; however, I feel there must be some clarification of one sentence: “It should be noted that many Christians will find the author’s negative portrayal of Roman Catholicism high debatable.”

This author is not negative towards any member of the Roman Catholic faith – just as the Book of Daniel does not favor ‘denominationalism’ of any kind. Rather – in agreement with the rest of the Bible – Daniel directs the reader’s attention to the fact that, in the end, there are only two groups of people: believers and unbelievers. 

There are many believers in the Roman Catholic faith who will heed the call to ‘Come out of Babylon.’ This principle applies to every denomination on this earth. ‘Babylon’ is symbolic of confusion, which has counterfeited all of God’s truths. This confusion has infiltrated every system of our world. 

On page 104 of my book, an important note is given to protect members of the Roman Catholic church from feeling like a finger is being pointed directly at them. It is clearly stated that they are not held accountable for something they have nothing to do with.      

Prophecies in Daniel refer to a fourth earthly kingdom, which is Rome. The Biblical references (along with secular historical fact) depict a counterfeit apostate system of worship strongly influenced by the pagan Roman system. Prophecies and undeniable historical fact identify this system as the Roman Papal Supremacy, which will continue to the end of time. There are many precious Catholic individuals trapped by this system.

Although this truth may seem harsh, and even politically uncorrect, it still remains true. Daniel and Revelation call us to separate from any system linked to paganism, and to follow only God’s ways instead.

Charlene Fortsch,
Anahim Lake

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ESV a worthy effort, with minor flaws

Re ‘Packer’s Bible now a bestseller’ (August): I am unashamedly biased toward Today’s New International Version (TNIV) – which is not “gender-neutral,” as your article claimed. Rather, it is gender-accurate.

TNIV was produced by Christians sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. In line with William Tyndale’s desire to make scripture accessible to “the boy that drives the plough,” TNIV is aimed at today’s generation.

Yes, it is a meaning-for-meaning translation. That is what translation is all about.

For all the trumpeting about ESV’s word-for-word accuracy, check out Romans 16:1. The text actually says Phoebe was a deacon of the church. ESV uses the term ‘servant,’ but with a hopelessly anachronistic footnote alternative of ‘deaconess’ – a term which had to wait some 300 years to be coined.

ESV also follows other translations in its version of 1 Samuel 25: 22-34 – concentrating on the passage’s meaning in our culture. ESV is definitely not word-for-word – and that, in my view, is a plus.

It’s important to remember every translation is an interpretation. With these caveats in mind, ESV is a worthy effort.

Ted Cooper,
Powell River

Child traumatized at ‘Christian’ school

BCCN runs many ads for Christian schools. This letter is directed to them, and to parents thinking of putting their children in a Christian school. I am aware not all schools are the same; but this is what our family went through with a Lower Mainland school.

Our daughter was homeschooled until grade five; she did really well in public school in the next two grades. She was zealous about her faith, and well-versed in the Bible.

But this ‘Christian’ school was a traumatic experience for her. Many of the teachers taught from a strictly academic standpoint – following the government curriculum, and  rarely mentioning anything Christian. 

Our daughter won a ‘Christian Integration Award,’ and I asked her: “What on earth is that?” She said, “That’s for the student who was most able to integrate Christianity with the subjects being taught.” But, I said, “that’s supposed to be what the teachers are doing.” 

Most of the students did not even profess to be Christians. This was easy to see when any questions were asked about the Bible. In chapel services, there was absolutely no participation in the singing and worship.  

Our daughter was severely bullied by students, and also by her drama teacher. We later learned she had contemplated suicide because she felt so ostracized and hated.

I wrote letters and spoke up; but nothing was ever dealt with in a big way. 

To end on a happy note, our daughter graduated this year from a secular high school near our home, with an A-plus in drama.

She enjoys Youth Group and Bible camp; but she has no desire to attend a Bible college.

E. Bevan,
Port Moody

Environment needs political support

Re: ‘Green energy at All Saints’ (July):

How many Canadian prime ministers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Just one.

He holds the light bulb in the socket, and the whole nation revolves around him.

It’s the pro-development ideology behind almost all of Canada’s leaders, both Liberal and Conservative, that has coerced me into supporting the Green Party – which all voters should seriously consider.

I vote Green because of the glaring omission within our political scene: an adequate voice for our life-sustaining environment.

Frank G. Sterle, Jr.,
White Rock

September 2007