April 7, 2006--Fanaticisms XXIX--Fundamentally Untrue
This has not been a good week for Fundamentalists—those who interpret the Bible literally.
First there was the report in the NY Times that provided a scientific explanation for Jesus’ walking on water; then a report that scientists have found the “missing link,” the well-preserved fossil of a creature that emerged from the water 375 million years ago which has transitional anatomical characteristics that seem to “prove” that sea animals evolved into land animals and were ultimately our ancestors; and just this morning there is an article in the Times that suggests that Judas was not evil but rather Jesus’ closest and most trusted disciple (all articles linked below).
What is Jerry Falwell to do?
It appears that on the night that Jesus walked on the surface of the water of the Sea of Galilee, there might have been a cold snap, causing the fresh water of the Sea to freeze sufficiently to support the weight of someone who might want, for some reason, to walk on it. And to anyone in a boat in the middle of the Sea, disciples for example who just the evening before had witnessed the miracle of the loaves and fishes, it could have appeared that the person approaching was walking on water. This according to Professor Doron Nof of Florida State University who studied the climate records of that era and found that it was not uncommon for there to be “freezing processes.”
Just two days after this article in the Times, above the fold on the front page, under a headline spanning two columns, there was the report about the missing link—fossil skeletons that have both fins, scales, and other attributes of fish but also show clear evidence of limbs that are suited to walking on all fours on land. This presents problems for Fundamentalists who claim that since there is no fossil evidence of such transitional animals, Evolutionary Theory is just that—theory—not proven. For example, one Creationist Website asserts that “there are no transitional forms. For example, not a single fossil with part fins, part feet has been found.” That was true until yesterday. We now have such a creature. A cast of it is on display at the British Museum. All one needs to do is pop in for a visit. After that, off to a pub for a few long ones.
And just to round off the week before Easter, we have this newly found document that portrays Judas as Jesus’ favored disciple and willing collaborator. Here, Jesus asks Judas to betray him to the Romans and by so doing “you will exceed” the other disciples. There is lots to ponder here, not only a very different view of Judas than the literal one of him from the Four Gospels, but also what Jesus himself was up to—seeking to be betrayed??
As I said, not a good week for my Fundamentalist friends. Let’s see what they come up with to say about all of this.
First there was the report in the NY Times that provided a scientific explanation for Jesus’ walking on water; then a report that scientists have found the “missing link,” the well-preserved fossil of a creature that emerged from the water 375 million years ago which has transitional anatomical characteristics that seem to “prove” that sea animals evolved into land animals and were ultimately our ancestors; and just this morning there is an article in the Times that suggests that Judas was not evil but rather Jesus’ closest and most trusted disciple (all articles linked below).
What is Jerry Falwell to do?
It appears that on the night that Jesus walked on the surface of the water of the Sea of Galilee, there might have been a cold snap, causing the fresh water of the Sea to freeze sufficiently to support the weight of someone who might want, for some reason, to walk on it. And to anyone in a boat in the middle of the Sea, disciples for example who just the evening before had witnessed the miracle of the loaves and fishes, it could have appeared that the person approaching was walking on water. This according to Professor Doron Nof of Florida State University who studied the climate records of that era and found that it was not uncommon for there to be “freezing processes.”
Just two days after this article in the Times, above the fold on the front page, under a headline spanning two columns, there was the report about the missing link—fossil skeletons that have both fins, scales, and other attributes of fish but also show clear evidence of limbs that are suited to walking on all fours on land. This presents problems for Fundamentalists who claim that since there is no fossil evidence of such transitional animals, Evolutionary Theory is just that—theory—not proven. For example, one Creationist Website asserts that “there are no transitional forms. For example, not a single fossil with part fins, part feet has been found.” That was true until yesterday. We now have such a creature. A cast of it is on display at the British Museum. All one needs to do is pop in for a visit. After that, off to a pub for a few long ones.
And just to round off the week before Easter, we have this newly found document that portrays Judas as Jesus’ favored disciple and willing collaborator. Here, Jesus asks Judas to betray him to the Romans and by so doing “you will exceed” the other disciples. There is lots to ponder here, not only a very different view of Judas than the literal one of him from the Four Gospels, but also what Jesus himself was up to—seeking to be betrayed??
As I said, not a good week for my Fundamentalist friends. Let’s see what they come up with to say about all of this.
posted by Steven Zwerling at
10:28 AM
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