Creation Today in partnership with Biblical Discipleship Ministries invites you to a FREE Movie Event this Saturday, April 25, featuring the award-winning film, Amazing Animals of Alaska.

Watch the Trailer:

Dr. Jobe Martin and our friends take you on an exciting expedition to Alaska where you will learn incredible facts about how much our LOVING Creator God cares about Alaska’s creatures even amid their challenging environment, and how much more He cares about you and me! Share this link with your family and friends for a “social distancing approved” event reassuring us that God, our wise creator and Abba Father, is indeed a loving God!

“Anchorage cannot selectively ban religious expression from a public park during a public event,” said CRE Chief Counsel Nate Kellum. “The First Amendment doesn’t play favorites.”

Center for Religious Expression is a servant-oriented, non-profit 501(c)(3) Christian legal organization dedicated to the glory of God and the religious freedom of His people.
For more information, visit http://www.crelaw.org.

During Luther’s era of the 16th century, people tried to attain salvation in a multitude of ways like praying to Mary and the Saints, pilgrimages to Rome, and paying for one’s sins through good works. In an attempt to raise money for the building of St. Peter’s cathedral in Rome, the Catholic Church had begun selling salvation — literally! To those who purchased a special certificate, called an indulgence, Rome promised freedom from suffering in “purgatory” for ALL sins: past, present, and future.

Like so many others in his day, Luther had been immersed in the “earn your own salvation” movement. On August 17, 1505, he had entered the Augustinian monastery at Erfurt, “to save [his] soul.” He was a model monk. He devoted himself to fasting, long hours in prayer, pilgrimages, and frequent confession. Sometimes he confessed for hours at a time! Eventually his confessor told him not to come back until he had committed a sin worth confessing!

Subjecting his body to physical punishment caused Luther to permanently injure his health, all to attain righteousness and heaven.  He went without food for days, stayed awake all night to say his prayers, and performed acts of penance for hours. He even laid out naked in the cold snow of Germany as an act of trying to find forgiveness and peace with God, all to no avail.

Desperately, Luther even committed the act of self-flagellation, whipping himself until the blood flowed down his body. Yet nothing brought peace or forgiveness to his troubled soul. He would later remark in a letter to the Duke of Saxony, “If ever a monk could obtain heaven by his monkish works, I should certainly have been entitled to it.  Of this all the friars who have known me can testify.  If it had continued much longer, I should have carried my mortification even to death…” (J.H. Merle D’Aubigne, “The Life and Times of Martin Luther”) Yet the doors of paradise still seemed closed to him. He had no peace with God. No forgiveness of sins. No justification.

What was it that changed his life and sparked a reformation which ultimately changed the course of Christendom? It was Sola Fide: Faith alone!

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,
for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,
for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith;
as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” –Romans 1:16-17

While contemplating this passage Luther felt as if a bolt of lightning struck his heart. His soul, long imprisoned in a dark dungeon, was suddenly released into beautiful daylight, where he could inhale the fresh, invigorating, exhilarating air. The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, now filled his heart and mind.

“Here I felt that I was altogether born again and had
entered paradise itself through open gates.” –Martin Luther

In the Scriptures, Luther discovered a Gospel which delivers us: from being spiritually lost and perishing (Matthew 18:11), from the wrath of God (Romans 5:9), from spiritual ignorance (Hosea 4:6; 2 Thessalonians 1:8), from the darkness of false religion (Colossians 1:13; 1 Peter 2:9), and from the ultimate penalty of our sin: eternal punishment in the lake of fire. But how do we receive it? By faith alone!

“We start our journey into eternal life with saving faith,
it continues with sanctifying faith,
and one day will be completed in glorifying faith” –Woodrow Kroll

No matter what you’re going through, the Gospel is more powerful. No matter how much you have sinned, the Gospel is greater. No matter how much you’ll fail in the future, the Gospel is stronger. No matter how much or little time you have left, no matter what the devil throws in your face, or what temptations come your way, the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes.

Just like Martin Luther 500 years ago, the gates of Paradise are opened to us by faith alone!

Disclosure: This blog post is based on a sermon from Pastor Joshua Wallnofer. (“Sola Fide and the Doors of Paradise“, September 30, 2017)

Discover how Paradise lost can be Paradise gained!

Raised in a strong Christian home, Jay Seegert accepted Christ as Savior while still in grade school. He graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics (UW-Whitewater) and an Associates of Science degree in Engineering Technology (John Brown University).
While attending UW-Whitewater in 1985, Jay developed an interest in apologetics and creation science, largely due to the fact that all of his professors were evolutionists and some were atheists, and they were telling him that his Christian beliefs were wrong.

Fast-forwarding, Jay has now been speaking on creation, evolution and the authority of Scripture for over 31 years, having given over 2,000 presentations across the US and in 4 other countries as well. His ministry, The Starting Point Project, (formerly the Creation Education Center) is focused on strengthening the faith of believers and graciously challenging skeptics to know and understand the truths taught in God’s Word.

The biggest thing Jay has learned in all those years, is that we are ultimately dealing with a spiritual issue and not just an academic debate. His presentations have become more and more gracious, relevant, powerful, personable, passionate and most importantly… effective.

Ministry: The Starting Point Project

Prayer Request: Please pray for the spiritual protection for Jay and his family, as that is the core of the ministry… everything else is secondary.

Call to Action: Jay Seegert, his family, and staff are dedicated to serving God and furthering His kingdom through the Creation message. Would you take a few moments to encourage them and let them know that you are praying? I know they will appreciate hearing from you!

Contact Info: info@TheStartingPointProject.com

Thank you for your continued support of the Creation Network speakers and events!

The Member Spotlight is a forum to recognize and thank members of the Creation Network who work to support and further the Creation message. www.CreationNetwork.org

Every year a staggering five million people flock to Arizona to view the majestic canyon. Sadly, every year five million people are brainwashed by signs scattered throughout the park. These signs tout a secular worldview called “naturalism” which suggests that the canyon was formed slowly over millions of years of erosion. Despite plenty of evidence to the contrary, billions of people have fallen for this deception. So it is a real pleasure to join Russ Miller each year and lead a group tour to the canyon as we consider how this breathtaking monument is merely the result of a global flood and a sobering reminder of God’s judgment.

Below is a detailed account from a precious lady who got “On the Bus with Russ” for this year’s Grand Canyon Rim and Raft Tour. Start planning now to join us June 7-10, 2018 for your trip of a lifetime!

For God’s Glory,

Grand Canyon Trip 2017
By Rebecca Gring (Age: 80)

Wow! Praise GOD! Thank you, Lord Jesus! Yippee! Hallelujah! A wild dream comes true. Some of our children got together and sent my husband and I with Eric Hovind and Russ Miller to the Grand Canyon this year.

Friday, May 26th
We arrive in Phoenix, AZ. and are picked up at the airport. The bus heads to Drury Inn. On the way we meet some other happy people headed to the same tour. We were tied in right away.

A nice supper at Drury Inn finds us meeting some wonderful people. Russ and Eric seem so young and enthusiastic (admittedly we are in our 80’s). More joy is ours as we meet with some of the most important people from across the U.S. They are not renown but important because they are trying to do the will of our Lord. We talk and listen a lot and sleep little because of the anticipation. We are so joyful to have met these people.

Saturday, May 27th
Morning comes early and we board the tour bus headed for the Grand Canyon. Our driver is very polite and patient. The terrain is fascinating with little shrubs and saguaro cactus with their beautiful green arms reaching heavenward seeming to be praising their Maker. There are little trailer houses and small wooden houses along the way. They seem to all have solar panels. I presume they are Navajo people. Russ plays a video overflowing with information. He and Eric take turns telling and showing us so much information.

The terrain changes to mainly lava flow material. Even the mountains appear to be made of basalt… We see San Francisco Peak with snow on top. Russ points out Vermilion Cliffs as we go a step higher. Soon we see short pines. They slowly grow taller and taller as we go higher. Soon Red Butte is pointed out to us. The top is higher than the highest part of the Grand Canyon. I am puzzled. We are told we will see Cedar Butte which is 65 miles North of the Grand Canyon. These buttes remained in the area after many square miles of sediment were washed out. We are beginning to get the big picture as we notice again San Francisco mountain Peaks. There is still snow. They are basalt intrusions (volcanoes come to my mind). We are now entering Tuscan.

We hear about the Antecedent River Theory: how the Colorado River eroded the Grand Canyon. I remember living in the 1940’s and 50’s and looking at photos. I could never accept that the tiny river could cut the huge Grand Canyon. The ancient Colorado River theory had changed and even been debunked in the 1960’s. Older secular geology cannot be proven anywhere. There is no geological column anywhere here.

There are a lot of squirrels and elk. We are advised to give them room and not pet or feed them. Our bus stops. We are here. As we go up the little hill from the bus, I can feel some effects of the 7200 ft. altitude. As we come up the little rise and see the Grand Canyon for the first time, it is overwhelming. There we eat lunch.

We walk the 2.8 mile trek of the rim. People are very kind. We stop often to hear marvelous explanations from Russ and Eric and see glorious things. There are a few “spotting” telescope to see particular things. I thought this was all hard rock but it is a glorious combination of base rocks, igneous rock and tons and tons of lava rock, many colors. I can see how slippery it would be, having been inside a quiet volcano one time. The Canyon is 17 to 18 miles wide, about a mile deep and over 200 miles long.

At the end of our trek we are offered ice cream. We are too tired for that. Water is better. But then, my husband and I are the “old dudes” here. We board our bus and travel around the Canyon to the North to get a good look at Cedar Butte. (We see thousands of miniature Grand Canyons, but, of course, none have rivers.) I am too tired to climb the little tower to view the butte better. My dear husband is now holding my hand to keep me going. All the others happily climb the tower.

We drive down to Cameron to the Cameron Trading Post. It is so interesting. I would like to climb all over the boulders and basalt there but am too tired. All seems to be run by Navajos who are very kind and polite and a lot of fun. I wonder how many of them are Christians.

We eat a pleasant supper and go to our rooms, brush our teeth and fall into bed.

Sunday, May 28th
After breakfast we load our bus and head out for our Horseshoe Bend rafting trip. We have “church” on the bus.. It is the first time we have actually worn shorts and tee shirts to “church” (ha ha). In Page, AZ we see “church row.” A generous contractor poured slabs free for a “row” of churches. Interesting!

Now we board another little park bus and head to Glen Canyon Dam. There are a lot of small buttes made mostly of crumbly basalt. I have the feeling of being totally surrounded by the remains of intense volcanic activity for miles around.

We enter a long tunnel. There are lights often in the wall. We end up at Glen Canyon Dam. The word, “glen,” is Scottish for Canyon. It was named in 1870 by a Scot and in 1889 people tried to find gold here. Not! Many American Indians lived here, especially Pueblo. The hydroelectric plant can generate 1350 megawatts of electricity but there is never enough water in the river to do that. This river comes from the snowy mountains of Colorado at about 14000 feet. As it passes through Moab, Utah it is only 4200 feet. How then could it have climbed uphill to 7200 feet to carve out the Grand Canyon??? (Pardon me for pressing the point but I laugh and call this silly science.)

There are several birds and fish. The river is very clear. We see an osprey. The trip around Horseshoe Bend is pure pleasure. We take many photos of the 1000 ft. walls and the many rocks. People on top are barely visible. A few other people are boating and fishing. We see Desert Varnish (a manganese cover) on some rock. There are Maidenhair Ferns and many other plants. We also see many slot canyons. We are told there are about 7 inches of rain a year, mostly in July and August and often flash floods. Water also seeps out of the limestone rock from Lake Powell.

We make a comfort stop. There is a little beach. Many of the young people jump into the river for a little swim. They do not stay long. The water is 47* F. I go in almost to my waist but I think the sand is not silica because I sink in. When I get cold enough I head back to the raft. The sun is quite warm. We round the bend and head for Lee’s Ferry, still enjoying the great beauty of it all. We board the bus and head back to Phoenix, learning even more as we travel. We stop by Poison Rock for pictures. It is a large rock set on a stubby large rock and appearing like a giant mushroom. They call it Poison Rock because one drop would kill you (ha ha?). I do not know of anyone here who is anxious to leave. One family who drove in plans to go back to Grand Canyon the next day. We are envious of them, but our dear children have the burden of milking our goats and tending our chickens and garden. So after a great supper and even better fellowship and a creation movie we head to our rooms.

Monday, May 29th
More goodbyes in the morning and with a sweet sorrow, we head to the airport and home. Praise God for such joy in His presence! ~Rebecca Gring

For seventeen years, Russ Miller has been sharing Creation information in easy to understand messages and a variety of venues through his ministry, Creation, Evolution & Science Ministries. With the love and support of his precious wife, Joanna, Russ has spoken in thousands of church services, authored 5 creation-oriented books, written & illustrated 2 kids coloring books, developed 16 PowerPoint seminars, a DVD Series & Study Guide, and given a myriad of impressive Grand Canyon Tours. Russ has also spoken on college campuses, at national conferences, and appeared on many worldwide Christian television and radio programs. His daily posts on FaceBook and Twitter encourage people to believe the Bible — Word for Word and cover to cover.

“When I saw the overwhelming facts which destroy Darwinism and ‘millions of years’ beliefs, combined with the facts which support the biblical accounts of creation and the global flood, I realized that I, and billions of others, had been fooled.” -Russ Miller

Gifted as an effective communicator, Russ enjoys sharing the Creation message in relatable, informative, and memorable methods. Please check out their website and consider asking Russ to come and speak at your next Creation event.

Website: Creation, Evolution, and Science Ministries

Prayer Request: This month, please pray for God to open doors where He wants us to go, and to provide us with the strength and energy to continue to answer His call on our lives. Thank you all for your encouragement and prayers. ~Russ Miller

Call to Action: Russ and Joanna are dedicated to serving God and furthering His kingdom through the Creation message. Would you take a few moments to encourage them and let them know that you are praying? I know they will appreciate hearing from you!

Russ and Joanna Miller
522 Finnie Flat Rd. E623
Camp Verde, AZ 86322
cesmrmiller@aol.com
http://creationministries.org/

Thank you for your continued support of the Creation Network Speakers and Events!

GRAND CANYON TOUR 2017

The Creation Network Member Spotlight is a forum to recognize and thank members who work to support and further the Creation message. We hope you will enjoy learning about the various members and that you will take this opportunity to encourage them in the labor they are doing for God’s glory! ~The Creation Today Team for the Creation Network 

WATCH THE LIVE FEED BELOW
February 11, 2015 4 – 5 PM CST

Ask Question on the Google Hangout Page HERE

In this laid back interview, Ken Ham spoke to the  need of the church not only for revival but for a new reformation. If the church is not standing authoritatively on the Word of God, we will not have revival.

Sadly, the majority of leaders in the church do not understand the ministries of Answers in Genesis or Creation Today. While a literal 6-Day Creation is certainly not a salvation issue, it is definitely foundational to the Gospel and, more importantly, Genesis is the Word of God and all the major doctrines in the Bible go back to Genesis.

If the devil can get someone to doubt the Word of God,
then he can get them to doubt the God of the Word.

In the Garden of Eden, the serpent got Adam and Eve to doubt God’s Word, which led to unbelief and disobedience. As sinners, we are biased against God, so it is easy for us to believe error. Our sin nature causes us to desire to be our own god.

In this era of history, it is creation ministries who are standing on the Word of God and have raised up, by the Spirit of God, to counter the attack on the authority of Scripture.

We need to understand that the battle is not between Science and Creation. It is between the Word of God and the words of men. Sadly, many Christians have succumbed to the belief that these issues are neutral.

Ken Ham also spoke to the collective message of error that the world is giving of “Big Bang, billions of years, molecules-to-man evolution.” While the world has their message down pat, the church is the one giving a confused message by attempting to take the unified view of man and fit it into the Bible, rather than finding unity in the Word of God.

For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound,
who shall prepare himself to the battle? (1 Corinthians 14:8)

We need to be like the Patriarch Job and repent for thinking that we know better than God. Only when we bring people back to God and His Word, will His Spirit bring revival.

Please consider sending your pastor to next year’s Answers for Pastors Conference where they will be blessed and encouraged by fellowshipping with other pastors in this beautiful and educational setting.

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About one third of all state-funded primary schools in England are so-called “Faith Schools”. Such schools are sponsored by faith-based organizations, which would be mostly Church of England, Roman Catholic, Methodist, and Jewish, with a small number of Muslim or Evangelical institutions. Atheists in Britain object to these schools. The British Humanist Association is currently running a campaign, which seeks to abolish faith schools[1].

The British Humanist Association are opposed to faith schools on dogmatic principles, even though they are the best schools educationally

Readers in the United States, who are used to the traditional, though incorrect, interpretation of the Constitutional separation of church and state, might wonder how such faith schools could have occurred. The truth is that it is the secular schools which are the “newcomers”! Free education in Britain only came about historically because of the actions of the faith groups that started them. As a word of caution, my children have attended faith schools operated by the Church of England, and they are not necessarily entirely Christian in character. Nevertheless, concepts of prayer and study of the Bible is not only permitted in such schools, but often encouraged.

Faith Schools – a third of total – comprise two-thirds of the top performing English schools

The UK’s Daily Telegraph newspaper is featuring a report today[2], showing that faith-based primary schools comprise two-thirds of the top performing primary schools in England. The BHA suggest that this is due to Church of England schools being in more middle-class areas, but this hypothesis is not supported by the facts. Having spent 20 years in education in England and Wales, I can testify that Anglican schools are actually situated in as wide a variety of neighborhoods and take in as great a diversity of ethnic groups as secular schools. Could it be that a Christian ethos, even in a frequently watered-down and liberal form, will tend to produce a higher standard of education than its absence? I would suggest that it does. And if that is the case, then it means that British atheists are seeking a form of education, which adheres to their own fundamentalist dogmatic purity, even though that will produce a demonstrably poorer education for our children.

[1] < https://humanism.org.uk/campaigns/schools-and-education/faith-schools/ >, accessed December 12th 2013

[2] < http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/leaguetables/10513261/Primary-school-league-tables-2013-faith-schools-dominate-official-rankings.html >, accessed December 12th 2013

Dr. Alice Roberts

Writing this week in The Guardian – a left-wing, anti-monarchist newspaper in Britain[4] – Roberts decided to criticize Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm on the grounds that it is creationist. The beliefs of the founders and owners of the zoo are not secret – they can easily be found on the tourist attraction’s website.

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is situated in the heart of rural Somerset, England, in the village of Wraxall, yet is easily accessible from the nearby maritime city of Bristol. Anthony Bush, who can trace his ancestry back to the ancient Plantagenet dynasty of English kings, has farmed the site for decades, but in 1997, he and his wife Christina began to turn the farm into a zoo. Central to the establishment of the Zoo Farm was their faith – including their belief that the Bible is true from the very first verse. At this point, I must declare a personal interest. My children and I visited the zoo many times, when living in Wales, and my daughter, Gemma, did her post-16 internship at the zoo. Though their creationist beliefs are open and honest, they are not actually “in your face” at the zoo – though I absolutely love Anthony’s Gospel presentations from his Noah’s Ark presentation room.

My daughter, Gemma, working at Noah’s Ark in 2004

Roberts’ article was scathing[5]. She actually believes that places like Noah’s Ark Zoo farm are dangerous.

I left knowing that I wouldn’t want my children to go on school trips there. Why do I feel such strong antipathy? I’m pleased to live in a country where people are free to express their opinions, so why do I care so much about a few posters in a zoo? It’s because, like Richard Dawkins, I believe that religious fundamentalism has the potential to ruin scientific education[6].

Despite her belief that the place is dangerous, she clearly felt that it was safe to take her young daughter to the zoo, who apparently had an enjoyable time. One must suppose that Roberts felt confident enough that she would be able successfully to deprogram her daughter from all that wicked Christian fundamentalism! But her confidence in her own ability as an atheist parent does not extend to other parents.

It is what Roberts considers the propaganda content of Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, to which she objects. The subtitle to her article suggests that parents will be “bewildered” and children’s education “undermined”. Roberts is part of that new breed of fundamentalist atheists, who have set themselves up as the priesthood of scientific opinion forming. The article gives the impression that ordinary people are too stupid to be able to think for themselves, and clearly far too unintelligent to be allowed any influence at all over the beliefs of their children.

Anthony has made an excellent and reasoned response to the Guardian article[7]. Tellingly, he points out that:

For a scientist, Prof. Roberts article was surprisingly dominated by persuasive language and subversive opinion rather than simply a factual account of her visit, presumably with the intention of encouraging people to share her angry sentiments.

Far from trying to indoctrinate anyone, Anthony states:

As a popular family attraction at the end of our busiest year with record visitor numbers, we remain confident that people are intelligent enough to make their own minds up about God, creation and evolution if they are interested in reading the discussion we provide at the zoo, and fundamentally come to Noah’s Ark for the enjoyable day out we continue to offer.

Although I do not agree with every aspect of Anthony Bush’s unique form of young earth creationism[8], I am happy and proud to endorse Anthony Bush as a brother, who is seeking to glorify God and present the truth of Scripture, in a land, which is becoming increasingly hostile to the Gospel.

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is open on Saturday December 14^th 2013, then every Saturday during January 2014. Their main season begins on February 1^st 2014. Details on admission prices, and directions to get to the zoo, can be found on their website.

Picture from Wikipedia Commons, Public Domain in USA.

In Paley’s time, Natural Theology was an established field of study, though it is now either neglected or known under another name. It can be defined as “the branch of philosophy and theology which attempts to prove God’s existence, define God’s attributes, or derive correct doctrine based solely from human reason and/or observations of the natural world.” If classical theology is concerned with a study of the scriptures, then natural theology is the attempt to derive theological ideas from nature, without reference to scripture.

One of the main reasons for the importance of Paley’s book is its position in the history of science. Paley was teaching at Cambridge University when Charles Darwin was a student. Darwin was much taken with the concept of natural theology, and, though he was otherwise considered to be a poor student, Paley’s natural theology course was one in which Darwin excelled. The particular type of “proofs” offered by Paley’s work may have had an influence on Darwin’s eventual rejection of divine origin as an explanation for life.

There are many who have taken Paley’s work as an early handbook for the concept of Intelligent Design (ID). Intelligent Design proponents themselves have defined ID thus:

The theory of intelligent design holds that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection.[2]

There is much that can be said that is positive about Paley’s Natural Theology. Paley clearly approaches each of his evidences with a sense of awe. The style and layout of skeletal and muscular mechanisms, for instance, are cited as evidence of divine origin.

We may observe, what I believe is universal, an exact relation between the joint and the muscles which move it. Whatever motion the joint, by its mechanical construction, is capable of performing, that motion, the annexed muscles, by their position, are capable of producing. For example; if there be, as at the knee and elbow, a hinge-joint, capable of motion only in the same plane, the leaders, as they are called, i. e. the muscular tendons, are placed in directions parallel to the bone, so as, by the contraction or relaxation of the muscles to which they belong, to produce that motion and no other. If these joints were capable of a freer motion, there are no muscles to produce it. (Page 81)[3]

Such mechanisms are, for Paley, clear examples of “contrivance”. He is scathing of the idea that these could have come about by chance.

The contrivances of nature surpass the contrivances of art, in the complexity, subtlety, and curiosity of the mechanism; and still more, if possible, do they go beyond them in number and variety; yet, in a multitude of cases, are not less evidently mechanical, not less evidently contrivances, not less evidently accommodated to their end or suited to their office, than are the most perfect productions of human ingenuity. (Page 11)

There is some similarity to the more up-to-date arguments from design offered by Christian writer and scientist, Professor Stuart Burgess, in his book Hallmarks of Design. Burgess shows that the arrangement of muscles on the knee joint constitute a four-bar mechanism, which cannot be evolved from a simpler two-bar mechanism; there being no such possibility as an intermediate three-bar mechanism.

The mammalian knee joint is a clear example of a mechanical mechanism that could not have evolved…. The knee joint is actually a very sophisticated mechanism and a masterpiece of design.[4]

The problem with the concept of natural theology – in common with the concept of ID – is that the argument does not go far enough. Although the evidences offered are persuasive, they do not actually tell us anything about the nature of the Deity who has created everything. This leads Paley to make some assertions on the nature of God, which he seems to regret, and which this editor cannot share, as I find them to be unbiblical.

The reader will observe that I speak of the revelation of Christianity as distinct from Christianity itself. The dispensation may already be universal. That part of mankind which never heard of CHRIST’S name, may nevertheless be redeemed, that is, be placed in a better condition, with respect to their future state, by his intervention; may be the objects of his benignity and intercession, as well as of the propitiatory virtue of his passion. But this is not “natural theology;” therefore I will not dwell longer upon it. (Footnote on page 339)

While I cannot support or condone Paley’s apparent universalism, my purpose in offering this edition of his work is for another reason. It is to show that even in Darwin’s day – indeed before his work – there were eminent scientific writers whose arguments were already boring holes in the concept of evolution – a philosophy that was already taking hold long before Darwin. Darwin’s own offerings seem to pale into insignificance compared to the masterful use of design argument, to show the inevitability of intelligent design. Paley shows that the assumption that God created is a sound one. It is the assumption of the Bible, which starts with the words “In the beginning, God…” and nowhere makes any attempt to prove the existence of God. Indeed, the Bible’s only comment on the possible non-existence of God is to state that “The fool has said in his heart ‘there is no God’” (Psalm 14:1). The criticism we might have of Paley’s work is a general criticism of natural theology – and its modern counterpart, ID. Dr Georgia Purdom has put our criticism succinctly.

ID may serve as a useful tool in preliminary discussions about God and creation to gain an audience that might be turned off at the mention of the Bible. However, in further discussions, the Bible as the biblical creationists’ foundation should be primary.[5]

Burgess, for example, has anchored all his design arguments from scripture. His attitude to design is illustrated by his opening paragraph.

The Bible teaches that all the different kinds of creature in nature have been directly created by God and have not evolved from a common primitive ancestor….Irreducible mechanisms such as the mammalian knee joint provide powerful living evidence that creatures were indeed created as distinct kinds.[6]

There is a sense in which Paley’s arguments on their own lack authority. That is not to say that they are not persuasive. Rather, they make more sense with a starting point or presupposition that the Bible is true. Proverbs has a warning for those who would suppose that their own arguments, without scripture, can be sufficient – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding”. (Proverbs 3:5) This is an inadequacy of the field of natural theology. Although Romans 1 shows us that creation exists to point us to the creator, the theology that we thus derive condemns rather than saves.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:20-21)

In conclusion, we see that an argument from design is insufficient, because it only leads so far, and can never lead to the person who God really is. For the latter, we need words of revelation in the Bible, which should be our foundation. Nevertheless, it is instructive that, starting from nature, an early 19^th century writer can be so sure that God is behind everything in the universe, when one of his students should later be so adamant that nothing was due to divine fiat. For this reason alone, Paley’s Natural Theology deserves to be better known. Its arguments may be insufficient – yet they are head and shoulders above those of Darwin. Darwin’s theories have persisted only because they attempt to explain origins in a way which does not require God – and a rebellious world prefers to consider itself unbeholden to God, so that they do not have to submit to His authority. In that wish, they will ultimately be disappointed, as:

At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11)

It sounds a little crazy, but we are driving from Pensacola Florida all the way to New Jersey! Last month, Paul Taylor had the opportunity to be a speaker at Ohio Fire, an outreach to street evangelists that enjoy proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ using open air preaching. This method of evangelism has been used for centuries and is still applicable today.

I heard great reviews about Paul’s speaking and heard first hand from him about how fired up he was to be on the street witnessing with others. Andrew Rappaport, with Striving for You put the conference together and asked if we would be willing to come to New Jersey in July for Jersey Fire in Toms River, New Jersey on Friday, July 12 and Saturday July 13. Seeing as how we love road trips, we said, “Yes!” Event details may be found at: www.JerseyFire.org; or andrew@strivingforeternity.org.
So Daniel Johnson, Shawn Karon, Paul Taylor, and myself are taking a road trip to New Jersey. We hope to see some sites along the way. What we are really excited about is the interaction we will have with the attendees at Jersey Fire and the other speakers who are passionate about proclaiming the Gospel.

This Sunday, Paul will be speaking at Stony Brook Calvary Chapel,with services held at Green Brook Middle School, 132 Jefferson Avenue, Green Brook, NJ 08812. Event details may be found by calling (732) 200-5457 or clicking on the following link: http://www.ccstonybrook.com/

This Sunday, I will be privileged to speak at my brother-in-law’s church services which will be translated into Russian. This service will be hosted by LifeWay Baptist Church (Russian), 9554 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Event details may be found online at http://www.lifewaybc.org; or vitaly.digital@gmail.com.

If you are in the area, we sure would love to meet you and share with you some of the exciting things that God is doing through Creation Today!

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Great job in your recent debate! I’ve debated scores of evolutionists and have a small bit of advice after the “Do you believe in evolution?” question you got. Here’s what I would have said, “What do you mean by the word evolution?” That word has six different and unrelated meanings.

1. Cosmic evolution is the belief that the universe came into being out of nothing by the “Big Bang.”
2. Chemical evolution is the belief that all 92 elements evolved from hydrogen from the Big Bang.
3. Stellar evolution is the belief that all 70 sextillion stars evolved and formed into the intricate complex galaxies we see from the dust clouds.
4. Organic evolution is the belief that life spontaneously generated from non-living matter.
5. Macro-evolution is the belief that plants and animals can change into different kinds over eons of time.
6. Micro-evolution is the belief that plants and animals can produce varieties within the kind but the variations are limited and never produce a new kind.

So, you need to define exactly which of these meanings you are referring to. I do believe in micro-evolution, but think it is a bad term. It should just be called “flexible design ability,” or something like that. All of human observations over the last 4,000 years have shown us that dogs produce dogs and corn produces corn without exception. If someone chooses to believe that dogs and corn are related to some common ancestor “long ago and far away,” that is their business. I support freedom of religion and that idea would certainly qualify as a religion, not science. Although the current political climate may feel we should not have religion in tax-funded schools, under that premise, I would support getting all of the first five religious meanings of the word “evolution” removed from schools. Those ideas should be taught in liberal churches and all taxpayers should not be required to fund these religious teachings as is currently happening.

Advantageous suggestion

Christine: Please watch my video #4 (“Lies in the Textbooks“) free of charge on our website when things calm down for your schedule. We don’t need to get creation in schools or evolution out. We need to get LIES out. That will remove all “evidence” used to support the silly evolution religion, and it will die on the vine. We are praying for you. Even if you win, the problems you will face are gigantic! II Chronicles 7:14 is the only hope for America

See Eric Hovind on the Trinity Broadcast Network’s Praise the Lord program.

DirecTV channel 372
Dish Network channel 260
Check your local listings.

Event Date

05/20/2010

Event Time

From: 07:00 – To: 09:00

Event Venue

Trinity Broadcast Network

Event TimeZone

US/Pacific