Ken Ham's Blog, page 415

Creative Begin Project

Magazine Staff Congratulated

At lot has been happening at AiG while I have been away.

I have been gone for the past few days (I’m in California), but I was still able to participate at yesterday’s AiG staff chapel. We shared some great news with the staff, and rejoiced in the Lord, that for the second year in a row, our Answers magazine was given the top award for magazine excellence by the Evangelical Press Association. Seven other awards were received at the EPA conference in Colorado last Friday, including three first place honors (for best cover, original art/traditional, and two-page spread design).

During chapel, I shared a short congratulatory message over the phone to those involved in producing the magazine, while Dale Mason, Answers magazine publisher, talked about the different awards that were received. He also acknowledged the many staff members who are involved in the magazine’s production. There are only three full-time staff who are devoted to producing the magazine, but there are so many others who are involved, including Dr. Andrew Snelling (who reviews many of the very technical magazine articles) and theologians checking for biblical accuracy.

In the photo taken at the chapel service, Dale is seen with Answers senior editor Mike Matthews. In the photo on the screen behind them (left to right) are the following people: EPA president and senior online editor for Focus on the Family, Dean Ridings; Answers executive editor, Doug Rumminger; Answers designer, Dan Stelzer (holding the Award of Excellence for the General Magazine category); and EPA executive director, Doug Trouten.

Creative Begin Project

Later in the chapel meeting, my nephew David (my brother Steve’s son) was recognized for his very creative way of getting AiG’s new Begin books into the hands of those who need to hear the truth of the gospel. Begin is a walk through key Scriptures that new believers (and those who want to learn more about Christianity) would especially need to read. David, a student at Calvary Christian School in northern Kentucky, has a great talent for drawing and began sketching portraits for people. His goal was to raise money to purchase the Begin books for local Christian welfare organizations and for other ministry opportunities.

David’s efforts were not in vain. In just six months, he has raised enough money to purchase 160 copies of Begin. Dr. Bill Dickens, the administrator of Calvary Christian School, along with his wife Melody, presented David with the books and prayed that they would be used by God to reach people with the gospel. (See the photos below.)

Have you considered how you can be reaching others with books like Begin? God has gifted us all in many different ways, such as in art, music, speaking, and many more. If you have been getting Begin out to people in creative ways, we’d love to hear about it! Just submit your story on this page.

Leading Baseball Hitter Visits

Also while I am in California, I missed a well-known baseball player, Adam LaRoche, who toured our Creation Museum on the weekend. He’s the “clean-up” hitter for the Washington Nationals baseball team. He visited the museum after he went 2-4 and knocked in a couple of runs the night before as his team beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-3. His average after the game was an impressive .333 (in the top ten in hitting in the league, I was told), and the Nationals were in first place in the National League East division. This was his second visit to the museum, and this time he brought his wife, son, and daughter.

The Cincinnati Reds play baseball only about 20–25 minutes from our museum. Over the past two years, we’ve had some Reds players visit the Creation Museum and even a manager, but the largest group of players ever to tour represented the Arizona Diamondbacks—and Adam, a Diamondback at the time, was with the group. See the photo below of them taken inside the museum’s portico. Adam is third from the left, and Kentucky native Brandon Webb is third from the right. (A few years ago, Brandon earned the prestigious Cy Young Award, which is given to the best pitcher in the league.)

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

There’s a New Pastor in Town

Over the 18 years that AiG has been in northern Kentucky, we have formed a close relationship with Florence Baptist Church. In fact, our very first offices in 1994 were across the street from the church’s former facility; over the years, I have had the privilege of speaking at Florence Baptist, including at its new beautiful sanctuary right off of I-75 and south of Cincinnati. Unfortunately, the church’s retiring pastor and my friend Tim Alexander has stepped down from his senior leadership position because of health issues, but a dynamic new pastor, Dr. Corey Abney, has accepted the call to the church.

When we noticed that he, his wife, and four children had settled in after moving from Louisville, we gave them a call and asked Pastor Abney to speak at one of our AiG chapel sessions in Legacy Hall. He did so last Thursday and gave a message from 1 Kings. After the message, I was privileged to lead Pastor Abney and his family on a brief tour through the museum (Dr. Abney had not yet visited the museum). Dr. Abney shared with us that he heard me speak at Cedarville University (Ohio) in the 1990s, and then he went on to attend Southern Seminary in Louisville where he earned his doctorate. He became a pastor at a Louisville-area church and then came to northern Kentucky area earlier this year.

Dr. Abney often used the word “amazing” to describe our high-tech Museum exhibits.

We look forward to getting to know this dynamic young pastor even better and are thankful that so many members of his congregation are supportive of AiG, the Creation Museum, and the future Ark Encounter (which is to be built about 25 minutes down I-75 from his church). Find out more about Florence Baptist Church at www.sharingtruth.com.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Don’t Miss This Unique Opportunity

We are fast approaching our fifth-year anniversary for the Creation Museum! On Friday night, May 25, I would like to invite you to a special evening of food and singing. AiG musician Buddy Davis and I will be hosting a Celebration Dinner in our new Legacy Hall. Besides Buddy’s entertaining music, I will join Buddy by playing on the newly donated grand piano as we all sing some of the great hymns. This will be a unique, memorable evening. Even though our official museum birthday falls on May 28, we determined that Friday evening would be a more convenient time for guests to attend this special dinner.

Menu highlights include tasty appetizers, a plated dinner, carved beef tenderloin with mushroom demi and chicken piccata, asparagus, oven-roasted potatoes, artisan bread, rolls, tossed salad, chocolate mousse with berries, and a delicious ice cream bar from Bruster’s Ice Cream!

Appetizers will be served in the Main Hall, and then dinner guests will be given the first opportunity to see the new “Lucy” exhibit as they make their way to Legacy Hall for dinner.

Cost for the event is $60 per person, and a portion of your ticket will contribute to a new Creation Museum exhibit you’ll hear about after the meal!

Call Customer Service today at (800) 778-3390 to reserve your spot! The reservation deadline is this Friday, May 18.

Find out further information from this webpage.

There’s a New Pastor in Town

Over the 18 years that AiG has been in northern Kentucky, we have formed a close relationship with Florence Baptist Church. In fact, our very first offices in 1994 were across the street from the church’s former facility; over the years, I have had the privilege of speaking at Florence Baptist, including at its new beautiful sanctuary right off of I-75 and south of Cincinnati. Unfortunately, the church’s retiring pastor and my friend Tim Alexander has stepped down from his senior leadership position because of health issues, but a dynamic new pastor, Dr. Corey Abney, has accepted the call to the church.

When we noticed that he, his wife, and four children had settled in after moving from Louisville, we gave them a call and asked Pastor Abney to speak at one of our AiG chapel sessions in Legacy Hall. He did so last Thursday and gave a message from 1 Kings. After the message, I was privileged to lead Pastor Abney and his family on a brief tour through the museum (Dr. Abney had not yet visited the museum). Dr. Abney shared with us that he heard me speak at Cedarville University (Ohio) in the 1990s, and then he went on to attend Southern Seminary in Louisville where he earned his doctorate. He became a pastor at a Louisville-area church and then came to northern Kentucky area earlier this year.

Dr. Abney often used the word “amazing” to describe our high-tech Museum exhibits.

We look forward to getting to know this dynamic young pastor even better and are thankful that so many members of his congregation are supportive of AiG, the Creation Museum, and the future Ark Encounter (which is to be built about 25 minutes down I-75 from his church). Find out more about Florence Baptist Church at www.sharingtruth.com.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Answers Won Eight More Awards—Magazine Gaining Quite a Reputation!

Answers magazine is the most-read creation and apologetics magazine in the world, averaging about 75,000 subscribers. By God’s grace, it’s also one of the most highly awarded publications of the year within the Evangelical Press Association (EPA), picking up the EPA’s top award for excellence and three first-place awards (as well as four other awards). We praise our Creator God!

Last week, two of the magazine’s key staff members, executive editor Doug Rumminger and designer Dan Stelzer, attended workshops and other meetings at the annual EPA conference, held this year in Colorado on the beautiful campus of Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs.

Answers publisher Dale Mason reported the following:

Each year members of the association, which includes publishers from many doctrinal backgrounds representing publications of all types, from denominational newspapers to international glossy magazines, meet to network and learn from each other. Attendees also benefit from expert seminars in the different disciplines of publishing—writing, design, editing, increasing circulation, and so on. Answers sends representatives in order to keep abreast of the latest trends and participate in developing best practices with others on the cutting edge of Christian publishing.

On the final day of this year’s three-day event, the association presented awards for excellence in several categories. Even though Answers is one of the youngest periodicals in the EPA, it has already gained a reputation as one of the premier publications, competing with well-known magazines like Christianity Today and Focus on the Family’s own Thriving Family, among many others.

This year, Answers was recognized for the second year in a row with the “Award of Excellence” in the General Magazine category. The Award of Excellence is considered the “gold medal” of EPA awards. I’ve been told it is unusual to receive this high honor two years running. With the wide range of doctrinal positions represented in the EPA, it’s especially gratifying to see that Answers—a magazine that stands firmly for the absolute authority of God’s Word—has been recognized again and again for its high quality. According to Doug and Dan, a common response among EPA members there at Colorado Springs was a desire to see this magazine that has won so many awards.

In addition to winning the Award of Excellence, Answers picked up several other awards at the “Higher Goals” luncheon on Friday, including three first-place finishes: Best Cover, Best Two-Page Spread, and Best Original Art (Traditional).

Best Cover: Best of Five Years

Best Two-Page Spread: Chronology Wars

Best Original Art (Traditional): Least but not Last

Doug reported the following:

Dan Stelzer and I were sitting at a table with the staff of Focus on the Family’s main magazine, Thriving Family, during the awards luncheon. After Answers had been recognized seven times, including the three first place awards, several at the table wanted a copy to see what it was all about. They couldn’t wait to see for themselves this magazine that was winning so many awards. Through the whole conference, we heard compliments for the magazine’s content and excellent design.

The daily operations of Answers magazine are coordinated by editor-in-chief Mike Matthews, under the leadership of our VP of Media, publisher Dale Mason. Numerous AiG staff, such as PhD scientists like Dr. Andrew Snelling (who takes a very active part in reviewing articles for scientific accuracy) are involved in writing and fact-checking each new issue, and it was great to see the various writers and artists (both internal and external to AiG) recognized for their parts that result in such a great publication.

We were thrilled that AiG also won three first place awards. One was for original art for Jon Taylor’s dinosaur illustrations. (Jon was a main illustrator for our Creation Museum and now is working on some incredible designs for the upcoming Ark Encounter.) The two-page spread design that took first place was the “Chronology Wars” article, which used an illustration by museum sculptor Travis Wilson. Our final first place category was the striking cover, which was art done by an accomplished outside illustrator, Barton Damer, who worked under the direction of Dan Stelzer. That striking cover won two other awards as well!

The EPA is an effective way to get the message of Answers magazine before a larger audience well beyond AiG’s normal reach. Many of its members may not have had much contact with Answers in Genesis, and many would not be inclined to read the magazine because of disagreement with our strong stands on a literal Genesis and biblical authority.

This year’s eight awards are as follows:

Award of Excellence (General)

Higher Goal Awards

1st Place: Cover (Best of Five Years cover)
1st Place: Original Art/Traditional (Jon Taylor’s Dinosaur for article “Least but Not Last”)
1st Place: Two Page Spread Design (“Chronology Wars” article)
2nd Place: Typography and Lettering (Best of Five Years cover)
2nd Place: Cartoon (Kids Section of Super Gross Heroes)
3rd Place: Original Art/Mixed Media (Best of Five Years cover)
5th Place: Department category (Created Creature, “Always on the Move” about bees)

2nd Place Cartoon: Super Gross Heroes

Left to right: EPA President and Senior online Editor for Focus on the Family, Dean Ridings; Answers executive editor, Doug Rumminger; Answers designer, Dan Stelzer (holding the Award of Excellence for the General Magazine category); and EPA Executive Director, Doug Trouten.

Answers magazine has its own website and also a special children’s magazine as an insert (which also has its own website).

If you have not already subscribed to Answers, I urge you to do so.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken Ham

Answers won eight more awards—Magazine gaining quite a reputation!

Answers magazine is the most-read creation and apologetics magazine in the world, averaging about 75,000 subscribers. By God’s grace, it’s also one of the most highly awarded publications of the year within the Evangelical Press Association (EPA), picking up the EPA’s top award for excellence and three first-place awards (as well as four other awards). We praise our Creator God!

Last week, two of the magazine’s key staff members, executive editor Doug Rumminger and designer Dan Stelzer, attended workshops and other meetings at the annual EPA conference, held this year in Colorado on the beautiful campus of Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs.

Answers publisher Dale Mason reported the following:

Each year members of the association, which includes publishers from many doctrinal backgrounds representing publications of all types, from denominational newspapers to international glossy magazines, meet to network and learn from each other. Attendees also benefit from expert seminars in the different disciplines of publishing—writing, design, editing, increasing circulation, and so on. Answers sends representatives in order to keep abreast of the latest trends and participate in developing best practices with others on the cutting edge of Christian publishing.

On the final day of this year’s three-day event, the association presented awards for excellence in several categories. Even though Answers is one of the youngest periodicals in the EPA, it has already gained a reputation as one of the premier publications, competing with well-known magazines like Christianity Today and Focus on the Family’s own Thriving Family, among many others.

This year, Answers was recognized for the second year in a row with the “Award of Excellence” in the General Magazine category. The Award of Excellence is widely considered the “gold medal” of EPA awards. I’ve been told it is unusual to receive this high honor two years running. With the wide range of doctrinal positions represented in the EPA, it’s especially gratifying to see that Answers—a magazine that stands firmly for the absolute authority of God’s Word—has been recognized again and again for its high quality. According to Doug and Dan, a common response among EPA members there at Colorado Springs was a desire to see this magazine that has won so many awards.

In addition to winning the Award of Excellence, Answers picked up several other awards at the “Higher Goals” luncheon on Friday, including three first-place finishes: Best Cover, Best Two-Page Spread, and Best Original Art (Traditional).

Best Cover: Best of Five Years

Best Two-Page Spread: Chronology Wars

Best Original Art (Traditional): Least but not Last

Doug reported the following:

Dan Stelzer and I were sitting at a table with the staff of Focus on the Family’s main magazine, Thriving Family, during the awards luncheon. After Answers had been recognized seven times, including the three first place awards, several at the table wanted a copy to see what it was all about. They couldn’t wait to see for themselves this magazine that was winning so many awards. Through the whole conference, we heard compliments for the magazine’s content and excellent design.

The daily operations of Answers magazine are coordinated by editor-in-chief Mike Matthews, under the leadership of our VP of Media, publisher Dale Mason. Numerous AiG staff, such as PhD scientists like Dr. Andrew Snelling (who takes a very active part in reviewing articles for scientific accuracy) are involved in writing and fact-checking each new issue, and it was great to see the various writers and artists (both internal and external to AiG) recognized for their parts that result in such a great publication.

We were thrilled that AiG also won three first place awards. One was for original art for Jon Taylor’s dinosaur illustrations. (Jon was a main illustrator for our Creation Museum and now is working on some incredible designs for the upcoming Ark Encounter.) The two-page spread design that took first place was the “Chronology Wars” article, which used an illustration by museum sculptor Travis Wilson. Our final first place category was the striking cover, which was art done by an accomplished outside illustrator, Barton Damer, who worked under the direction of Dan Stelzer. That striking cover won two other awards as well!

The EPA is an effective way to get the message of Answers magazine before a larger audience well beyond AiG’s normal reach. Many of its members may not have had much contact with Answers in Genesis, and many would not be inclined to read the magazine because of disagreement with our strong stands on a literal Genesis and biblical authority.

This year’s eight awards are as follows:

Award of Excellence (General)

Higher Goal Awards

1st Place: Cover (Best of Five Years cover)
1st Place: Original Art/Traditional (Jon Taylor’s Dinosaur for article “Least but Not Last”)
1st Place: Two Page Spread Design (“Chronology Wars” article)
2nd Place: Typography and Lettering (Best of Five Years cover)
2nd Place: Cartoon (Kids Section of Super Gross Heroes)
3rd Place: Original Art/Mixed Media (Best of Five Years cover)
5th Place: Department category (Created Creature, “Always on the Move” about bees)

2nd Place Cartoon: Super Gross Heroes

Left to right: EPA President and Senior online Editor for Focus on the Family, Dean Ridings; Answers executive editor, Doug Rumminger; Answers designer, Dan Stelzer (holding the Award of Excellence for the General Magazine category); and EPA Executive Director, Doug Trouten.

Answers magazine has its own website and also a special children’s magazine as an insert (which also has its own website).

If you have not already subscribed to Answers, I urge you to do so.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken Ham

No One Is Good but One

Recently atheists and other secular humanists decided to promote a “National Day of Reason” in opposition to the National Day of Prayer, which was held last Tuesday. These secularists stated that “We are trying to make a better world on our own by emphasizing good works and good deeds on the day” (emphasis added).

I couldn’t help but smile when I saw this statement about secularists wanting to do “good deeds.” So how does an atheist or agnostic determine what is “good”?

I’m reminded of Luke 18 where the rich young ruler came to Jesus:

Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” (Luke 18:18–19)

There is only one absolute standard by which anyone can determine what is “good,” and that is from the absolute authority who is all “good”—God! Outside of such an absolute standard, “good” is whatever you want to make it to be (if you can get away with it)—it is totally subjective. Some people think it is “good” to steal, for instance. When a culture abandons the absolute standard for what is “good” (as this culture is progressively doing in throwing out God’s Word), then we will see people doing what is right in their own eyes—as we are increasingly experiencing. The recent announcement by the president of the USA in support of “gay” marriage is just one such example—he abandoned the absolute standard for what is “good” and now is wanting to impose his subjective opinion on the nation. (See my Thursday blog post.)

One news item reported the following:

To that end, local groups of nontheists will hold blood drives (Groton, Conn.) training in lobbying politicians (Raleigh, N.C.) and voter registration drives (Flagstaff, Ariz.), as well as marches, rallies and social gatherings. One group in Putnam, Conn., is holding a “science for reason” book exchange — turn in a Bible and receive a free copy of Charles Darwin’s “The Origin of Species,” among other titles. (http://www.religionnews.com/politics/government-and-politics/secularists-counter-national-day-of-prayer-with-national-day-of-reason)

So, just turn in the Word of God—the only absolute standard for what is “good”—and replace it with Charles Darwin’s book that teaches people they are just animals in a survival of the fittest world, and thus morality (or what is “good”) is whatever you want to make it to be.

Actually, this drive to replace the Bible with Darwin’s book is really a picture of what is happening in America:  God’s Word is being replaced with man’s Word, as America continues down the road to change our national religion from Christianity to secular humanism.

Yesterday, in our special News to Note feature that is published each Saturday on the AiG website, AiG author and researcher Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell included an item about the atheists attempt at a National Day of Reason. I encourage you to read this item I have reprinted below.

“Come now, and let us reason together” says the Lord. . . .

That message from the Creator God urging people to acknowledge their rebellion against Him rings as true today as when He delivered it through the prophet Isaiah around 2,700 years ago. And with that call to reason came a message of hope through Jesus Christ, whose coming and crucifixion Isaiah was also privileged to prophesy. The verse continues, “. . . Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18).

From God’s point of view, it is reasonable for human beings to recognize their limitations and their sin. It is reasonable for humans to accept God’s grace and be reconciled with Him. God made humans in His image, and they are therefore able to reason. But ever since Adam reasoned that he could challenge His Creator and build a better world his own way, human reasoning has been severely corrupted and has continued along the same rebellious line.

The National Day of Reason (NDR), proclaimed by the American Humanist Association in protest of the National Day of Prayer, thus provides a picture of 6,000 years of human history. “Our day puts the focus back on people and what we can do for ourselves,” said spokesman Paul Fidalgo. “We are trying to make a better world on our own by emphasizing good works and good deeds on the day” (emphasis ours).

Those good works included blood drives, training sessions on how to lobby politicians, voter registration drives, and the “opportunity” to trade Bibles for copies of Darwin’s Origin of Species. We would note, however, the curious standards by which these “reasoning” skeptics determine what is “good.” In this case, “good works” included blood donation, which, while generous, philanthropic, and generally good for other people, is counterproductive to ultimate human evolution. After all, blood might be used to promote survival and subsequent procreation by “weaker” members of the human race. Lobbyist training and voter registration drives, while possibly open to all comers, would surely more freely benefit those of like-mind. Therefore, those “good works” are self-serving. And swapping out Bibles for Darwinian writ likewise promotes only the humanistic point of view.

Indeed, without a standard for “good” from beyond man, each person decides for himself what is “good.” God’s Word, however, says that even “the way of a fool is right in his own eyes” (Proverbs 12:15). God, as Creator of all, is the one with the authority to determine what is truly good. Furthermore, even the human ability to reason is a gift from our Creator, not an evolved attribute. And so is the freedom to use that reason to rebel against the God who created us.

The rich tradition of the National Day of Prayer echoes the call by Benjamin Franklin during the constitutional convention to pray for God’s help and a prior call by the 1775 Continental Congress asking people to pray for them to have God’s wisdom as they shaped this nation. The National Day of Prayer officially originated in 1952 when democratically elected officials chosen by the American people, led by President Harry S. Truman, declared it would be held annually. More elected officials later passed legislation ratifying that decision by designating the first Thursday of May to be the National Day of Prayer.3 President Obama issued his proclamation for May 3, saying,

On this National Day of Prayer, we give thanks for our democracy that respects the beliefs and protects the religious freedom of all people to pray, worship, or abstain according to the dictates of their conscience.

The National Day of Prayer, though briefly de-railed in 2010 when a judge declared it to be a violation of separation of church and state, was restored in 2011 when that ruling was overturned by a judiciary rightly recognizing that nothing about the law concerning the day compels anyone to participate and thus does not violate anybody’s First Amendment rights.

As part of the National Day of Prayer observance, Americans are encouraged by private groups such as the National Day of Prayer Task Force to pray for our government leaders. Scripture directs Christians to pray for “all who are in authority” (1 Timothy 2:2). As 40,000 groups gathered around the country to pray, many prayed for our leaders to have wisdom. Since the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10 and Proverbs 9:10 ), it is appropriate that mega-church pastor Harry Jackson, during a gathering at Capitol Hill, after critiquing the present administration’s failure to defend existing federal laws restricting same-sex marriage, urged people to pray for the president to have “clarity of mission.” In light of the president’s three previous official proclamations for June 2009, 4 2010,5 and 20116 to be Gay Pride month and this week’s statement endorsing same-sex marriage,7 those prayers are even more urgently needed.

Historically, our Founding Fathers, operating on Christian principles and led by Christians such as James Madison, put in place a written guarantee that all Americans would have the freedom to choose how and whether to worship without compulsion by the federal government. So perhaps if those who choose not to gather in prayer don’t want to thank God for their freedom, they should at least consider being thankful for the Christian principles used by the Founding Father to support freedom of conscience that guarantee citizens’ rights to protest and reason as they choose.

– Dr. E. Mitchell

This nation needs prayer!

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

To Help Bring Reformation

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).

Recently I wrote a blog in which I reminded readers that part of the mission of AiG (which is in our mission statement) is to help bring reformation to the church.  My blog’s statements were made in the context of pointing out that yet another group of Christians compromise God’s Word with millions of years and evolutionary ideas in Genesis.  Now while it is true that many of these people may preach the gospel and even make great contributions to Christendom on many topics, nonetheless, I challenged people about the fact that such Christians are still undermining the authority of God’s Word.  I have a “fire in my bones”—one that  I sincerely believe the Lord has burdened me with—to point out that such compromise is contributing to a loss generationally of the authority of the Word of God in the church (and culture as a whole).  This loss is being reflected in the exodus from the church of generations of young people.  Thus, as part of the mission of AiG, we believe we have been called to challenge the church to return to taking God at His Word from the very first verse—we liken this to helping bring in a new Reformation.

Here is the  Mission Statement of AiG:

Goal

To support the church in fulfilling its commission

Vision

Answers in Genesis is a catalyst to bring reformation by reclaiming the foundations of our faith which are found in the Bible, from the very first verse.

Mission

§  We proclaim the absolute truth and authority of the Bible with boldness.

§  We relate the relevance of a literal Genesis to the church and the world today with creativity.

§  We obey God’s call to deliver the message of the gospel, individually and collectively.

Core Values

§  We resourcefully equip believers to defend their faith with excellence.

§  We willingly engage society’s challenges with uncompromising integrity.

§  We sacrificially serve the AiG family and others.

§  We generously give Christian love.

A few Christians reacted to my comments with blogs falsely accusing me (and AiG) of equating such “Reformation” as getting people to believe in young-earth creationism.  That is not our motive—and never has been (despite the numerous times we have been accused of such).  Really, believing in a young earth is a consequence of believing God at His Word in Genesis.  In other words, our efforts are not directly to get people to believe in a young earth, but to get God’s people to take God at His Word in Genesis.

The real issue is one of authority.  Who is the authority?  Is God the authority, or is fallible, sinful man—who does not seek after truth—the authority?

What has happened in much of the church is that many church leaders, Christian academics, and others have taken the fallible words of man concerning millions of years and evolutionary ideas and have reinterpreted passages in Genesis in varied ways in their attempts to fit such ideas into God’s Word.  Although this is not a salvation issue per se (salvation is conditioned upon faith in Christ, not what one believes about the age of the earth), it is an important authority issue.

And let’s face it—from a Christian perspective, we are losing the culture in this nation. As I have often pointed out, such compromise is rife in even much of the theologically conservative church (or what is left of the conservative church) in England—and England only has remnants left of its once Christianized culture.  That is where America is heading.  Our passion at AiG is to challenge the church concerning standing on God’s Word, rejecting compromise, and proclaiming the gospel with authority.  AiG also is equipping Christians to answer the skeptical questions of this age that are used to try to get God’s people to compromise Genesis with secular ideas.

These bloggers and others who falsely accuse us of being focused on young earth creationism are themselves undermining the authority of the Word of God, for which they will be held accountable before the God of creation.

When I speak in a church, I challenge people concerning what the Scripture states about certain issues, and then judge the words of man accordingly.  For instance, the Bible makes it clear that thorns came after the curse (Genesis 3:18);  that God pronounced everything He made “very good” (Genesis 1:31) and that humans and animals were vegetarian (Genesis 1:29, 30).  If a Christian believes in millions of years (such as a very old fossil record which secularists say was laid down by millions of years of processes), then such a Christian has to then accept that:  God calls cancer “very good” (as there is evidence of diseases like cancer, brain tumors, and other diseases in the supposed millions of years old fossils);  thorns existed millions of years before sin (the fossil record has many examples of fossil thorns supposedly millions of years old); and that animals ate other animals millions of years before man (as the fossil record has many examples of animals with bones in the stomachs, or fossilized in the midst of eating another animal, supposedly millions of years before man).  Thus it is obvious that millions of years is incompatible with God’s Word.  And one does not get millions of years from the Bible—it comes from fallible man’s interpretation of the past.  The reason there are many different views on Genesis in the church (such as gap theory, theistic evolution, progressive creation, day age, framework hypothesis, etc.) is because Christians are trying to fit millions of years into the Bible—and it just doesn’t fit!!  To try to fit this in the Bible is compromise—and it is an attack on the authority of Scripture.  Although such compromise may not affect one’s salvation, it does influence how the next generation views Scripture.  And that is what has happened—and why we need a new Reformation.  Generations are rejecting the authority of Scripture more and more.

I would also be prepared to say that those church leaders who condone “gay” marriage will have compromised Genesis!  You see, if the Genesis history is true, marriage is a male and female (Genesis 2:21-25)—and that’s it!  But if Genesis is not history as written, then marriage can be whatever you want to make it to be.  And the more church leaders have told generations to take secular ideas and reinterpret Scripture in Genesis, it is only consistent that the next generation will take secular ideas about marriage and reinterpret Scripture on that subject, too—which is exactly what is happening.

We need to return to God’s Word as the absolute authority—and judge man’s word with the Word of God, not the other way around.

Those in the church who compromise Genesis with millions of years and evolutionary ideas are really saying that man’s word is infallible, and God’s Word is fallible!  It is the other way round!



I for one will do all I can to “contend for the faith”’ as we are instructed to do in the Book of Jude.  And in this day and age, that means to stand against what we call “the Genesis 3 attack” of this age (i.e., did God really say?, per Genesis 3:1) that is focused on the first 11 chapters of the Bible.

All the way through Scripture we are told to trust God’s Word, not man’s word! “As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him”  (2 Samuel 22:31; Psalms 18:30; 56:4; Proverbs 30:5).

Yes I’m a young earth creationist, but it’s because I take God at His Word.  It is an authority issue. So no, the “Reformation” we are calling the church to is not (as some critics have been recently claiming) to get people to believe in a young earth— it’s having them accept the full reliability of the Bible. Believing in a young earth is a consequence of accepting God at His Word in Genesis.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Appreciate your pastor? Then send him our way!

Did you know that October has been designated Pastor Appreciation Month? But why am I writing about something that doesn’t happen for another five months?

Even now, we are encouraging churches to start thinking now about how to honor their pastor during Pastor Appreciation Month. What better way to do this than by registering now, taking advantage of early registration discounts, and sending your pastor and other church leaders for three days of refreshing Bible teaching and fellowship with other like-minded leaders. Now is the time to start planning to send your pastor to one of the Answers in Genesis Answers for Pastors conferences. Register now to save 15%.

With two locations and dates this year, it is easier than ever to accommodate the busy schedules of pastors and other Christian leaders.

September 18–20—at the Creation Museum (near the CIncinnati Airport)
October 9–11—in Yukon Oklahoma (near Oklahoma City)

Johnny Hunt

Both conferences will feature my friend Dr. Johnny Hunt, pastor and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention. I will join him along with other AiG speakers such as Terry Mortenson, Andrew Snelling, Tommy Mitchell, Dave Menton, Bodie Hodge, and Steve Ham, as well as Dr. Georgia Purdom doing special sessions for the ladies. See the complete schedule.

Also joining us for the September conference will be Pastor Brad Bigney (a favorite from last year). And in October, another great friend of mine, Pastor Dan Fisher, will be speaking. At both conferences we will have Tim McKenzie givng two unique presentations combining the spoken Word with multimedia to help create a worshipful time for the attendees.

So for Pastor Appreciation Month this October, please urge your church leaders to send your pastor (and his wife) to our October conference in Oklahoma or the one in September here at our museum in northern Kentucky and near Cincinnati.

More than ever in our increasingly secularized world (which is sadly influencing the church), pastors and Christian leaders need to be ready to give answers for the hope that is within us—answers that are found in the Word of God.

Early-bird registration for the September conference in ends May 31; early-bird registration for the October conference ends June 21. Talk to your pastor this Sunday, or send him an email with a link to this blog item along with your words of encouragement for him to attend. And if he chooses the Kentucky conference, invite him to visit the Creation Museum next door to the conference. Free museum admission is a part of the conference registration!

Pastors and any Christian leader can register now at www.answersforpastors.org.

You’ll Soon Meet Lucy

Just in time for the five-year anniversary of the Creation Museum, the new “Lucy” exhibit will be unveiled for the public on Memorial Day weekend. This significant exhibit, with a world-class, unique use of holographic technology, will be installed in the Starting Points Room. At the moment, the exhibit is in many pieces as fabricators, sculptors, graphic designers, writers, researchers, and others are putting all the final touches on what will be a spectacular exhibit. Here are some photos I took in our Design Studios recently.

AiG Director of Research (with a PhD in geology) Dr. Andrew Snelling, confers with Creation Museum exhibit director Doug Henderson on a mock up of part of the exhibit.

Lucy is in the final stages of being competed (she gets a haircut very soon).

Fabricators are working on just part of the steel frame that will be enclosed in wood and lots of glass.

Make sure you plan your visit to the Creation Museum.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

The Evolution of the Views of a President

Well, it was all over the news yesterday and seen in headlines this morning in our newspapers:  “Obama: ‘I Think Same-Sex Couples Should Be Able to Get Married.’”

In an ABC TV news article, we read, “In an interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts, the president described his thought process as an ‘evolution’ that led him to this decision, based on conversations with his staff members, openly gay and lesbian service members, and his wife and daughters” (emphasis and link in the original).

Also, see this video clip AiG staff member Tim Chaffey sent me to help show you how the president’s view has changed:

Click here to view the embedded video.

As you can see from that video clip, when Pastor Rick Warren interviewed Obama in 2008 before the election, he said that marriage was between a man and a woman. As he declared this, he said he was a Christian and that “God’s in the mix.” Now I do not know what he meant by that statement, but I’m assuming he’s implying that God has something to say about marriage. And God does have something to say about marriage—He says marriage is between a male and a female and that homosexual behavior is an abomination, and thus “gay” marriage is as well!

Four years after Pastor Warren’s interview, President Obama has now used the word “evolution” to describe his new view of marriage. I guess that means that he believes his view of “God’s role in the mix” has now changed!  According to a transcript of the ABC interview, the president injected this religious beliefs into the marriage question and also twisted Scripture: “When we think about our faith, the thing at root that we think about is, not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf, but it’s also the Golden Rule, you know, treat others the way you would want to be treated.”

However, the truth of the matter is that God’s Word does not change, and it is for all people for all time. What is happening in our culture can really be summed up with this verse of Scripture: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).

Once a person abandons the absolute authority of the Word of God, then that individual determines what is right and wrong for himself—just as President Obama is doing. It is a sad day for America when the leader of the nation has publicly rejected God’s Word on this important cultural topic. You see, the family is the first and most fundamental of all human institutions God ordained in Scripture. The family is the unit God uses to transmit the knowledge of God to the world and from one generation to the next. The relationship of the husband and wife is linked to the relationship between Christ and the church.

What does the Word of God say about “gay” marriage?

We have a number of articles on the AiG website that discuss the origin and nature of marriage. Here is one I wrote: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/nab2/christian-respond-gay-marriage

I would also recommend you read them following article that was a feedback item about this very issue, written by Tim Chaffey. I have reprinted it for you:

I have read your articles on homosexuality and wondering if anyone has read the article [Editors’ note: the article title and author removed per our feedback rules.]

It’s on the net. I have a christian friend who thinks God is not clear that homosexuality is wrong and gave me this article as her evidence and proof….

I am overwhelmed as i read, with all my counter-arguments but wondering if you have a succinct article for me to send her, or someone that has actually written a response to this??

—J.L, Australia

Thank you for contacting Answers in Genesis. God’s Word often comes under attack by those who want to live their lives apart from certain aspects of it. Those caught in adultery want to reinterpret the Bible on that subject. Thieves want to reinterpret it in areas that speak against stealing. It is no different with the issue of homosexuality. Many people want to give the appearance of keeping the morality of God’s Word, but they don’t want all of it.

God does not allow us to pick and choose which verses to follow or reject. By doing this, people actually raise their own thoughts and beliefs in authority over God and His Word. It is the same kind of problem when people reinterpret God’s Word. Rather than simply ignoring a particular verse, they change the meaning of it to make it fit their view. In a very real way, they place themselves as the authority over God’s Word. But who is the real authority? Ultimately, this is a biblical authority issue.

I have read your articles on homosexuality and wondering if anyone has read the article [Editors’ note: the article title and author removed per our feedback rules.]

Thanks for taking the time to read through our articles on the subject. I have read the article you referenced.

It’s on the net. I have a christian friend who thinks God is not clear that homosexuality is wrong and gave me this article as her evidence and proof….

It’s interesting that your friend would use this article as evidence that God isn’t clear about homosexuality. After all, the writer of the article did state that the Bible consistently condemns homosexuality as a sin. This is one of the few accurate statements in the article. Both the Old Testament and New Testament classify homosexuality as a sin (e.g., Leviticus 18:22; 1 Timothy 1:9–10).

The main purpose of the article you referenced, however, was to declare that the Bible is wrong on this issue. This shows us the writer’s starting point: man’s ever-changing opinions over the unchanging, inspired Word of God. Notice the word choice the author uses: the Bible is a “witness to the Word of God.” This is typical language used by liberal theologians and pastors who do not believe the Bible is the Word of God.

A couple of points must be made. First, the Bible explicitly calls homosexuality an abomination (Leviticus 20:13) and places it in a list of other vices (1 Corinthians 6:9–10). It is wrong for any Christian to condone homosexuality, since God’s Word clearly speaks against it. However, it is also wrong to single out homosexuality and shrug off the other sins listed in these passages.

Second, 1 Corinthians 6:11 reveals the incredible mercy of our God. After emphatically stating that homosexuals, drunkards, adulterers, idolaters, etc. will not inherit the kingdom of God, Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” The church in Corinth consisted of former homosexuals, drunkards, adulterers, idolaters, etc., but they had been washed, sanctified, and justified. This shows us that God is willing to forgive sinners, including homosexuals, but they must turn from (repent of) their rebellious ways and place their faith in Christ alone.

I am overwhelmed as i read, with all my counter-arguments but wondering if you have a succinct article for me to send her, or someone that has actually written a response to this??

First, I would encourage you to take a look at some passages from God’s Word on this issue without the influence of humanistic reinterpretations. The Bible is crystal clear about homosexuality, but remember that God extends His grace to all who repent of their sins and receive Christ as Lord and Savior. This elevates Him to His proper position as the authority on all matters.

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. (Leviticus 18:22)
If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. (Leviticus 20:13)
For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. (Romans 1:26–27)
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9–10)

Second, this lengthy article is riddled with logical fallacies, and the writer often pulls verses out of context in an effort to support his view. Let me give you some examples from this article, which are also commonly used by others seeking to justify homosexuality.

After citing passages which state that we are no longer under the Law, the writer says, “We cannot then take even what Paul himself says as a new Law. Christians reserve the right to pick and choose which sexual mores they will observe.” While Christians are not under the Mosaic Law in the same way as the nation of Israel, there are still specific commands for Christians in the New Testament. We are to make disciples (Matthew 28:18–20), imitate God (Ephesians 5:1), and walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). Furthermore, the New Testament directly contradicts the writer’s claim by explicitly stating that it is God’s will for us to “abstain from sexual immorality” and that “he who rejects this does not reject man, but God” (1 Thessalonians 4:3, 8).
The writer implies that homosexuality is genetic. This has never been demonstrated, and there is strong evidence opposing this view. There are many thousands of former homosexuals, and numerous ministries are devoted to helping them. This suggests that a homosexual can choose to become heterosexual. Some people seem to be more predisposed to certain types of sin than others, but ultimately every person must decide whether he or she will give in to sin. Furthermore, this argument misses the point. We are all sinners by nature, yet God’s Word tells us not to sin.
“Adultery is condemned in the Bible, and yet Christians don’t usually speak out against it.” This claim is merely a smokescreen. It commits the logical fallacy of the irrelevant thesis (i.e., the argument has nothing to do with the issue in question). Christians should speak out against adultery, idolatry, drunkenness, and every other type of sin, including homosexuality. The Bible is very clear on all of these issues (1 Corinthians 6:9–10). The fact that some have not stood against these ideas does not justify the acceptance of another vice.
The writer claims that those who believe the Bible on this issue are homophobic and intolerant. This is an example of the logical fallacy known as the question-begging epithet, an emotionally-charged response intended to persuade by appealing to emotion rather than reason. We could just as easily call the writer a “heterophobe” or “God-hater,” but that doesn’t accomplish anything. Instead, we should point out that most of those who point out the sin of homosexuality do not have an irrational fear (phobia) of homosexuals. No, we love them and want them to know and understand the truth that they can be “washed, sanctified, and justified” by repenting of their sins and trusting in Christ. Also, while we are being accused of being intolerant, we must ask why this writer and others who resort to name-calling are so intolerant of the biblical view.

Although we have not written a detailed response to this particular article, we have written several articles dealing with this subject, such as this one about how a Christian should respond to the idea of gay marriage.

When Jesus was asked about the subject of divorce and marriage He quoted from Genesis:

And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Jesus showed us that marriage is based in a literal understanding of Genesis 2:23–24, which states, “‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.’ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” The reason husband and wife become one flesh is that Eve was taken from Adam’s side. They truly were one flesh. Jesus also pointed out that marriage was to be between a man and woman. Any alteration of this message serves as a flat-out denial of the clear words of our Creator.

If we claim to be followers of Christ, then we must be willing to take Him at His Word rather than trying to use man’s ever-changing opinions as our authority. The Bible’s instruction on this issue may be extremely unpopular in our society, but we must desire to please God rather than men. Too often, professing Christians are like the Pharisees Christ rebuked in that they are more interested in the praise of men than the praise of God (John 5:43).

May God give us the courage and strength to stand for the truth and to speak the truth in love no matter what consequences may come.

Sincerely,

Tim Chaffey, AiG–U.S.

Tim’s article was originally posted at this link.

Here are some other articles that deal with this topic:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/orob/hijacking-the-bus-homosexuality-scripture
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/tj/v9/n1/homosexual
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2008/09/12/feedback-homosexual-behavior
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2004/01/19/homosexual-behavior
http://blogs.answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2010/06/04/president-obamas-unbiblical-declaration/
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/foow/responding-to-tolerance
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n1/trading-truth-for-tolerance
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v5/n1/revolution

You may also purchase my booklet on this subject from the online store.

How America needs to remember this verse: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD” (Psalms 33:12). And to follow up Tim’s use of Leviticus 18:22 above, I want to close with additional verses taken from the same chapter that should serve as a sober warning to a nation that disregards God’s commands: “Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you. For the land is defiled; therefore I visit the punishment of its iniquity upon it, and the land vomits out its inhabitants” (Leviticus 18:24–25).

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

The Harvest Is Plentiful

I’m sure most of you are familiar with this verse of Scripture. “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few’” (Matthew 9:37).

Even with all the resources AiG produces, the numerous conferences we hold, the hundreds of thousands who come to the Creation Museum each year, and with one million people accessing the AiG website each month—we still are only reaching a fraction of the population in the USA, let alone the rest of the world.

That is why it is thrilling when we see dedicated Christians who are committed to the authority of God’s Word working to proclaim the truth of God’s Word in many different places. God has burdened many people to use AiG resources and reach people in their local communities. We have also seen an increase of biblical creation apologetics groups across the USA and around the world.

On Monday, Mally and I had the opportunity of visiting with Dr. Gary Parker and his wife Mary at their home in Arcadia, Florida, where they have worked hard to put together a Creation Adventures Museum. This outreach (which is by appointment) is for small groups (e.g., homeschoolers, church groups, etc.) who receive almost one-on-one training about topics such as creation, evolution, age of the earth, the Flood, and fossils (with an evangelistic emphasis, of course). As part of this outreach, Gary and Mary take people on fossil digs in the Peace River (which is almost in their backyard).

Here are some photos of what these small groups will encounter as they are taught by two of the most knowledgeable people on creation apologetics in the world.

Gary and Mary standing in a part of their Adventures Museum surrounded by all sorts of fossils.

Mally and I in their Adventures Museum.

Gary and Mary in a wide-angle shot of part of their Creation Adventures Museum.

Their main class room.

Gary standing on a bridge over the Peace River where they often find fossils of mammoths, sharks teeth etc.

Petrified Teddy Bear.

Petrified Rose.

Various Fossils and display cases.

You can find out more about this outreach led by Dr. Gary and Mary Parker at www.creationadventuresmuseum.org.

If you live in Florida or are just visiting this tourist-friendly state, you might want to think about contacting Gary and Mary and booking one of their outreaches. They have limited space and only conduct these fossil hunts and other activities at certain times of the year.

Mally and I have known Gary and Mary for nearly 30 years! I have traveled many miles with Gary as we conducted speaking tours around Australia as well as the USA. I also worked with Gary at ICR in San Diego when we lived there for seven years (until 1994). Gary and I have been speaking at major AiG conferences across the USA over the past months, and there are many more to come.

We pray the Lord will bless ministries like those of Gary and Mary and the many others who are reaching a very needy culture with the truth of God’s Word and the gospel.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken