Creationists Beware
February 8th, 2010 Posted in Dr. Howard E. Dial | No Comments »Christian creationists live in a very hostile world. The theory of Darwinian evolution has captured the academic world, the media world, the entertainment world, and to a large extent popular culture. It has even affected the Christian church. Students (elementary, high school, and college) who profess faith in Jesus Christ are under special assault from an educational system wholly given over to a worldview alien to their own. Is God the Creator of all things or is He not? There are those who claim there is a middle way by trying to construct a compromise called theistic evolution (“God is big enough to use chance through time,” i.e., evolution). A young Christian or, for that matter, any believer who is not well grounded in the Scriptural truth of God as the Creator of all things must beware. There can be the temptation of abandoning confidence in the Bible and worshiping a lesser God. This need not be. The following are some guard rails for living as a creationist (that God created the universe ex nihilo, out of nothing, in six literal days, supernaturally, suddenly, and with the superficial appearance of history. This is my interpretation of the biblical data, recognizing that there are “old earth” creationists.) in a world given over to Darwinian evolution.
Know God. There is a danger of pursuing knowledge about God and His wonderful creation and yet not getting to know God. “Let now a wise man boast in his wisdom…but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me” (Jer. 9:23-24). The Creator has made us to have a relationship with Him. God doesn’t need us to defend Him against the onslaughts of evolution. The truth is, “He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them” (Psa. 2:4). Since the Lord is not frightened, neither do His people need to be. Speak up for the truth about the Creator and His creation and love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.
Know what the Bible teaches about origins. Give yourself to personal study and become informed regarding biblical creationism. Study Genesis, read books by scientists who are creationists. The Institute for Creation Research, Answers in Genesis, John Whitcomb’s ministries and others offer excellent resources for studies in creation issues. Attend conferences sponsored by biblical creationists where you can develop an information network and hear well-trained theologians and scientists committed to the biblical account of creation.
Stay closely involved with a strong Bible believing, Bible teaching church. What does your church believe about creation? Does it take the first eleven chapters of Genesis seriously? Sadly, there are pastors and churches which refuse to take a strong biblical stand on the subject of creation versus evolution. When young people are searching for answers to the questions evolutionists raise about biblical creationism, they need a truth-rich environment in their local church. Students, when you go off to college find a church that teaches the Word of God. You need protection, encouragement, and the support of fellow believers.
Don’t be intimidated by the dogmatism and bluster of evolutionists. They would have you to think that true science and belief in evolution are one and the same. This is not true. There are biologists, for instance, who for various reasons have to publicly align themselves with the “party line.” The reality is that some biologists have their doubts about Darwinism but are under tremendous peer pressure to defend evolution. This is not to say that there are no evolutionist bullies. Many are persuaded by their educational experience and ignorance of biblical creationism. In the classroom they have the upper hand. The best advice is to listen and learn but don’t believe everything you are being told. Ask questions in a respectful way. Don’t try to embarrass a teacher in front of the class. There are teachers and academics, though firm believers in Darwinism, who are courteous and open to discussion. Even then you will hear such assertions as “most scientists believe” or “many theologians and pastors agree that belief in evolution and God are not incompatible.” It seems to have been forgotten that science is not conducted on the basis of consensus (“Scientific truth is never determined by majority vote.” Dr. Henry Morris). Also, there are dozens of fully credentialed biologists in the Creation Research Society and other creationist organizations.
Beware of certain vocabulary traps fostered by evolutionists. One of those is the use of the word “evolution” as a synonym for change. The two concepts are not the same. For example, it may be said that a certain kind of business has “evolved” through the years to become something else. This is a misuse of the word evolved. Did the business become a kangaroo or an ape? Another term that has caused some confusion is “microevolution” (adaptations and variations within a species, e.g. adaptation of insects to pesticides). The fact is that creationists believe in what is called horizontal variations (e.g. the different beaks on the Galapagos Island finches). The creationist believes that such changes, adaptations, are not a proof of evolution but evidence of an infinitely wise Creator’s forethought. Macroevolution is the belief (note the verb here) in the transmutation of reptiles into birds and mammals, or of apes into men, or other “upward changes” (Henry Morris, “Willful Ignorance”). Macroevolution is a myth devoid of any scientific proof.
This does not exhaust the evolutionist traps that are set for unwary creationists. The Book of Proverbs warns seekers after God’s wisdom to beware of remaining or becoming “simple” or “naïve” (“The naïve believes everything, but the prudent man considers his steps.” Prov. 14:15). Christian creationists, know what you believe and why. Is your God big enough? Are you strengthening yourself in what the Bible teaches about God’s stupendous work of creation (“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” Psa. 19:1). It has been said that “a man who is empty-headed will end up wrong-headed.” A word to the wise is sufficient.
Dr. Howard E. Dial
Berachah Bible Church
Berachah Bible Church