TWO BIRTHDAYS: As I am writing this week’s UPDATE today (Thursday, February 12), I am reminded that this is the birthday of two very famous people: Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin. Abraham Lincoln is best remembered as one of our country’s most famous presidents - especially for his work to end slavery in our nation. Charles Darwin’s name is connected to the popularizing of the theory of evolution as summarized in his book “On The Origin of Species”, of which this is the 150th anniversary of it’s publication. The consequences of both men’s work have made tremendous marks in history - one which lifts up the sanctity of all God-created human life, and the other which theorizes that mankind is simply the accidental, mutational evolution from simpler animal forms - dismissing God’s creation of mankind in His own image as nothing more than a fairly tale. As most of you know from my years of teaching at our church, I have had - and continue to have a special interest in the topics of creation and evolution. Even if these topics didn’t fascinate me personally, I would find myself conscience bound to study and teach about them as a called Director of Christian Education because of the tremendous impact that the teaching of evolution has had on people’s beliefs. Although there are a growing number of people who try to reconcile the teachings of a Creator God with the evolutionary process by theorizing that yes, there is a God, but he must have used evolution to bring everything about (a theory called “Theistic Evolution”); most people still recognize and believe that it’s either one or the other. While space doesn’t allow for me to explain why the Bible absolutely does not allow for “theistic evolution”, I would greatly appreciate having the opportunity to share this with anyone who asks! Not only my trust in the truthfulness of Holy Scripture (placed in me by the Holy Spirit) - but also my study of the historical and scientific evidences - bring me to a belief that everything happened just like Bible says tells us! While there are certainly many scientific theories which currently seem to disagree with a 6-day miraculous creation of this world, I for one believe that they will all eventually be shown to back up Holy Scripture. I also want you to know (if you don’t already) that some of history’s greatest scientists have accepted the God of creation, a literal 6-day creation and a young earth (thousands of years rather than billions). From my readings and study, it appears to me that through the work of great organizations such as Answers In Genesis and the Institute for Creation Science, etc., there are also an increasing number of present scientist who are moving back to the position of an “Intelligent Designer” as they observe the evidences of marvelously intelligent design in everything they study! We of course know who that “Designer” is, the God of the Bible!
If you wish to study more of these evidences for yourself, I invite and urge you to stop by our library and/or my office and select from a number of wonderful resources on this increasingly important subject. In the mean time, I urge you not to get caught up with the current hype of “Darwin Day” and his theory of evolution. Theories come and go - but the word of the Lord remains true forever!
