If you are ever invited onto a panel with Richard Dawkins (like some were, qanda 8th March, on the ABC), make sure you are better prepared than the others were this week. I was pacing as I watched Dawkins tear apart the others on the panel. It was as though they had no idea Dawkins was coming. By the way, you can watch the show if you missed it, on the web (abc.net.au/tv/qanda), although I warn you, it’s painful viewing!
I have a couple of comments on this.
Firstly, we need to be prepared. The supposed ‘evangelical Christian’ politician on the programme jumped around the question, sounded like he was cherry picking from the Bible, and said that Christianity is a private matter. That will not do! Even the atheist knows that what you believe about God impacts all the time on your decisions. What really saddened me is that he criticised publicly two other Christian men (politicians on the other side) who had ventured to bring into the public arena, some Christian world-view thinking.
Secondly, we need to think about evolution. This and homosexuality are the red hot issues that people are listening to us about. Have you thought about an answer to someone who says “should homosexuals be stoned?”, or “do you believe the earth less than 10,000 years old?”. Can I implore you to think about it! Read the Bible. Ask about it in Bible study. Talk to me if you like. Check out “Centre for Public Christianity” on the web. You will be asked. The evolution question was the one that came up on Monday night, and I think the Christian came across badly.
I believe that evolution is true. There are, I said it! I believe in weighing up the evidence and I have recently read a book by a Bible-believing Christian and eminent scientist (he was head of the human genome project) and he has convinced me. There is too much evidence there for it not to be true. But I also believe Genesis is absolutely historical and true too. Science (incl. evolution) and the Bible are not enemies.
The Bible says we need to be prepared to give an answer for the hope we profess. That means being faithful and true, intelligent and honest.
(Andrew)

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