So what have I been doing since the 16th of October? Apart from the annual tests for the children (in which they did exceeding well - esp. on the map-reading section...!) and seeing my eldest boy go off to the world of paid employment for the 'first time' I have been undergoing a paradigm shift (I think!) in regard to evolution.
First of all I listened (to everything I could possibly download actually.. but especially) an audio magazine from www.stannespub.com on the subject of intelligent design. Philip Johnson's book 'Darwin on Trial' has been gathering dust on my bookshelves for some time but since he was one of the speakers at St Annes pub I became more aware of his name. Hearing, then, that he was to be speaking at Westminster Chapel on the 30th of October I was very excited that I was able to go. I took 3 of the children (must get out of the habit of reporting on my children's actions as though they have no right to privacy....). The route was tortuous but the subject matter was VERY thought provoking. It was not only Philip Johnson speaking - Dr Andrew Snelling spoke (very fast I think...) on many aspects of geology - but the things which Johnson said worked themselves in in a special way. What mortal could resist buying a book (well, not me)? The book I bought has been useful (no dust for this one, before it is read) in reminding me of the key purpose of the 'intelligent design theory' and its special usefulness in exposing Darwinism for the load of humbug and outworking of preconcieved ideas (not to say just plain illogicality) that it is.
Mention of Evolution automatically has us on the back foot doesn't it. I mean, THAT is science and what WE believe is RELIGION.
Now, I know, of course, that what I believe is not just "religion" - it is the truth of God - but how to root this at the centre of my mind when confronted with 'science' was the difficulty. I think I am beginning to get it though and it might be that my friends and reletives will be asked some questions exposing either a) their totally false dependence on evolution to protect them from the necessity of taking God seriously or b) their inconsistency in living as though events which happen to us are random and can be responded to without reference to an Almighty God who requires us to refer back to him on EVERYTHING and give Him the Praise.
I guess this book follows on nicely from the Cosmic War (my Father has a way of tying things in for me like this..) in that science as 'objective reality' is shown (by means of exposure to the questioning of the 'intelligent design' theorists) to be, in fact, a belief system - a RELIGION no less. Now the question is, who needs more faith - the scientist - who believes in impersonal particles developing into conscious matter able to invent God - or Christians who read 'in the beginning was the Word' and believe it to be a statement of TRUTH?