“Oh what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practise to deceive!” – Sir Walter Scott, Marmion, Canto vi. Stanza 17
Poor Eve. She never knew what hit her. It all sounded so right. The serpent asked a simple question: “Did God say…?” When Eve answered affirmatively, Satan diverted her from truth by questioning God’s goodness, and, by contrast, promising her his own version of spiritual growth and enlightenment. Eve blindly followed the evil one’s web of deceit.
This same evil dynamic echoes throughout history as a pragmatic means to achieve one’s goals. These methods come straight from hell, yet deceive many by the variety of untruths that infiltrate the professing Christian community. For example, Dr. Timothy Keller’s article, “Creation, Evolution and Christian Laypeople” sadly parallels the very pattern used by Satan in Eden.
Keller’s Pattern
Keller began with an unstated (clearly implied) question: “Does one have to reject God to believe in evolution?” Keller said, “No.” (pg. 1) Indeed, Keller states that many possible ways exist that can remove the alleged incompatibility between orthodox belief in creation and evolution. (pg. 1) In the balance of the article, Dr. Keller proposes ways that will cause these barriers “to fade away.”
Response to Keller
Make no mistake; Timothy Keller in his article clearly denies the inerrant Biblical doctrine of salvation and the role of the Holy Spirit in salvation, which I will detail in future articles. This article comprises but the first in a series of editorials regarding Keller’s article on creation and evolution. They will identify errors, explain them, and counter them with responses couched in Biblical authority.
Faulty Presupposition #1: infallibility of science
In accepting the infallibility of science, Tim Keller accepts scientific conclusions re evolution without proof, despite the fact that scientists have yet to prove evolution. Indeed, evolutionists fail to apply their own scientific methods to evidence the validity of their theories: e.g., the lack of first hand evidence of evolution and the absence of the repetition of its alleged occurrences.
Faulty Presupposition #2: Foundation of Proper Basic Beliefs
Keller’s acceptance of science elevates it to the primary foundation for the development of his truth claims re evolution. Dr. Keller seeks to force Biblical interpretation to conform to “settled science” instead of accepting the Bible as the one, true foundation of proper basic beliefs.
Faulty Presupposition #3: The Fallibility Of Scripture
Tim Keller’s article refers to a “high view of scripture.” Does that mean the Bible only ranks with classical literature and does not provide God inspired moral guidance? Dr. Keller failed to define its meaning. Further, Keller never affirmed the inerrancy, infallibility, or the Holy Spirit’s role in the writing of scripture. Sadly, he disputes important passages of the Bible to explain his positions. (pg. 4-5)
Need of Revival
My future articles will examine Dr. Keller’s specific positions in detail. The Church of Jesus Christ faces enormous pressures. Outside the church, unbelievers reject the Bible and Christianity, and assault the Church’s beliefs. Within the Church, professing believers forsake holiness, refuse serious Bible study, and defy obedience to Biblical imperatives. These errors contribute to the spiritual decline of the Church.
Summary
The Body of Christ desperately needs revival. My future examinations of Dr. Keller’s article will analyze how it contributes to this decline. These articles will prayerfully detail steps that the Church must take to set the sails to catch the winds of revival.
