Ken Ham's Blog, page 417

More Radio Activity

Next month, we will be releasing a new version of our Answers … with Ken Ham radio program. A :90 version has been airing for almost 18 years on several hundred radio stations around the United States and overseas. However, we have been informed by many Christian stations that they would prefer a :60 format as opposed to :90. As we shared with radio stations that we were shortening our program (and I only have to reduce my teaching a few seconds because our ending announcements are much shorter), we have received a warm welcome. We think this new format will allow our radio network to grow even bigger.

As we reformatted the Answers program, we added a new music bed and also a new announcer’s voice—after 18 years, Mark Looy will be going into “radio announcer retirement” (though he will still take an active role in the production).

For a preview of the new radio format, which will start to air on May 7 on our network of stations, see below:

http://media.answersingenesis.org/Blog/aig20120509.mp3

For the mp3 file, click here.

For a list of stations that carry the Answers radio program, go to the radio page.

If your local Christian radio station does not carry our Answers program, call the station manager and suggest that he or she should contact Katie Livingston of our staff and request a demo CD from Answers in Genesis at (859) 727-2222 ext. 461, or via email. Or please find the general manager’s email address and send the demo recording that is linked to above here on this blog post—with a note of encouragement that the station air this relevant and faith-building program, which is now at a convenient :60 format.

Visit the Grand Canyon

As you listen to this sample radio program, please be aware that this topic of Noah’s Flood, geology, and even dinosaurs is something that we cover quite a bit in our ministry. The most intensive teaching we do on Flood-related  geology is on one of our raft trips on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, co-hosted by our friends at Canyon Ministries. Two of our upcoming raft trips have already filled, but we have a special four-day trip that leaves in late August where seats are still available. For some great teaching on what the Bible says about Noah’s Flood, and how the Grand Canyon provides a wonderful testimony to the accuracy of the biblical account—plus to receive excellent Bible teaching and devotionals from my brother Steve Ham (one of our best communicators)—go to the Grand Canyon raft trips page for more information.

Since my brother Steve is taking his teenage son David on this August trip, it is something of a “father-son outing” for them. Maybe there are some of you who would consider taking your son on such a trip—just before the school year is starting in many areas around the country.

A few years ago I went on one of these Canyon raft trips. Even though I had stood on the Canyon’s rim a few times before, being at the bottom and seeing the sedimentary layers stacked as they were really helped me better understand how the Canyon provides great confirmation of what the Bible teaches about the Flood in Genesis (chapters 6–9). It’s a great experience not only for the teaching but the Grand Canyon is just a spectacular place to see from the bottom. Looking up a mile to the Canyon’s rim is a jaw-dropping experience.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Kentucky Horses That Will Lead You Astray

The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, (an hour south of the Creation Museum) is—from what I hear—a very good tourist attraction. Opened in 1978, the park takes up 1,229 acres and is home to around 115 horses. Many people who come to visit our Creation Museum make the drive to visit the Kentucky Horse Park as well.

Unfortunately, however, even though the park has many great attractions, it also promotes (outdated) evolutionary ideas—to both adults and children. Many of us will remember seeing the supposed “horse evolution” series in our textbooks many years ago.  However, this idea has been basically thrown out—even by many secularists. It is simply not true.  The flaws have been exposed many times, but sadly, that doesn’t always stop some museums and science textbooks from regurgitating this old idea.

Surprisingly, the Kentucky Horse Park still promotes this false idea.  It has a display called “Evolution of the Horse,” which uses a mural on the wall of the Kid’s Barn to teach children about horse evolution. It begins by claiming that the horse Eohippus (sometimes called Hyracotherium) lived 60 millions years ago, and was the horse Equus’s (what we would recognize today as a modern horse) earliest ancestor. However, Robert Owen, the discoverer of this species, named the original specimen Hyracotherium because it resembled a rabbit-like creature. So this supposed evolutionary ancestor of the horse was not a horse at all!



The display at the Kentucky Horse Park walks visitors through the evolution of the horse, stopping next at Mesohippus. One popular belief in regard to the horse evolution series is that as horses supposedly evolved, they got bigger. Eohippus is listed as 14 inches tall, while Mesohippus is listed as 24 inches tall. The next two horses in the display, Miohippus and Merychippus, grow steadily bigger. What’s the problem, though, with the belief that horses somehow evolved into larger and larger animals? If that were true, shouldn’t we see only very large horses today? But we don’t—horses vary in size from the Clydesdale to the much smaller Fallabella (just 17 inches tall).

All the horses to this point in their exhibit have three-toed hooves. But shortly before visitors reach the end of the display, they see the horse Pliohippus, which is claimed to have existed 10 million years ago. The horse Pliohippus had some controversy surrounding it. Evolutionists have tried to say that Pliohippus was supposedly evidence of a transition from three toes to one toe in the evolutionary process. Their claim was based on the 1981 discovery of two fossilized hooves found together in a volcanic eruption, both from Pliohippus. But what does this discovery really prove? That three-toed and one-toed horses existed at the same time!

This children’s display ends with Equus, which evolutionists will claim emerged 4 million years ago. The adult version of the display, located in the International Museum of the Horse, looks a lot like the Kid’s Barn display—except the adults see fossil displays instead of paintings.

It’s sad to see that the Kentucky Horse Park has not only compromised with millions of years and the idea of evolution, but it’s also teaching a disproved idea to children and adults.   You can read more about the problems with the idea of horse evolution in the article on AiG’s website: “What’s Happened to the Horse?”

Also, you can read Dr. John Morris’s book The Fossil Record, which also discusses horse evolution.

This example of a poor, unscientific display at the Horse Park is just another good reason why you need to visit a place that will tell your children the truth—the Creation Museum!

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying.

Ken

AiG—Reaching Around the World!

International Training Seminar Winds Down

This week my mind has often been on our various international outreaches, even though I need to prepare for travel this weekend to Minnesota for a conference on Sunday and Monday. For the past four days, we have had 11 international Christian leaders here at the Creation Museum for our International Training Seminar. They are being instructed in biblical apologetics, so that they will be more effective in their spheres of influence back home. They will leave as better communicators, but they will also return home with all sorts of resources—AiG books, DVDs, curricula, and more—to distribute far and wide.

Below are just a few of the resources the ITS participants will be taking home with them!

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This intensive five-day ITS workshop is limited to about 12 Christian leaders, so that we can give them individualized instruction—including helping these leaders become better speakers on biblical apologetics. With our 11 representatives this year (sadly, one person could not get a visa to be with us), the countries represented are Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), Malaysia, Bolivia, South Africa, India, Wales (2 representatives), Taiwan, New Zealand, Canada, and the Philippines.

Our ITS representative from Malaysia attended our All-Asian Creation Conference late last year in Malaysia and was greatly blessed by the Bible teaching there. He reminded us that two of the 2011 conference representatives from Nepal were so excited about the opportunity to reach their closed country with the creation and gospel message, that they decided to host what we believe is the first creation conference in that country (located north of India). That Nepal conference was held last week, and I received a report from my friend Dr. Joseph Paturi that about 400 people turned out! Isn’t it great that a conference last year in Malaysia led to a similar meeting held in a country that is largely closed to the creation/gospel message?

Here are some photos taken of the ITS representatives during a special chapel session we held for our staff, where each ITS participant shared a little about their ministry back home.

Please pray for our ITS group as they travel back to their countries and begin to apply all they have learned this week.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

“I laughed, cried, and grew in faith and love of the Lord!”

AiG’s Dr. Georgia Purdom sent me this report (with some great feedback) about the exciting “Answers for Women” conference held in Legacy Hall at the Creation Museum recently.

I couldn’t be more thrilled with the feedback we received from our first-ever women’s conference at the Creation Museum. It was truly a blessed time for everyone involved. While there are some improvements we will be sure to make in preparation for next year’s conference, I want to let the ladies who attended speak for themselves. I pulled these quotes from the many surveys we received at the close of the conference.

I never fill in evaluations. That I did, means that I feel this conference is so needful and meets a huge need. I soaked up this info and answers. Dr. Georgia is a fount of info and I really appreciate all of her knowledge. This will grow and I am extremely happy to be part of the first event.

In my opinion, nothing needs to be changed. Everything in the conference was excellent, especially the music.

I can’t thank you enough for a wonderful time of encouragement and equipping me. This conference was great! I laughed, cried, and grew in faith and love of the Lord!

Can’t wait for the next one.

Mary Mohler very energetic; would like to hear more from her. [Many women commented how much they enjoyed Mary’s speaking on the importance of Scripture memorization.]

Thank you for providing a ticket for me to go thru the museum and especially for my husband and son to go thru while I was in the conference! [We provided free admission to the museum for husbands and children of women attending the conference!]

Taking a boatload of resources home to our church.

The food was great! Loved the salad, soup, and fruit.

I actually felt some resentment thinking, “Why haven’t I been taught this in church?” I’ve attended church for 48 years.

Dr. Georgia Purdom is an excellent speaker and helped me so much! I also really enjoyed Ken Ham.

Steve Ham was also excellent. Drama “Gomer” was superb!

Joetta [worship leader]—beautiful voice and manner; liked her humility and sweetness of spirit.

We also asked the ladies, “What information was most useful?” Here are some of their replies.

The talk on disabilities. I have two children with disabilities and know many families affected. Please put the disabilities talk to video and possibly book too.

Each session just seemed to build on each other and each one had a great impact on me personally for this time in my life!

Where all “people groups” originated and why!

All talks were informative; learned from each speaker.

And here is one last comment that I think sums up very nicely the overall consensus of the surveys.

So much new information that gives me more confidence in Scripture and make me love Jesus more! Please, please do this conference again. The quality of the conference is far better than any conference I’ve ever attended—very theologically sound and saturated in the proper understanding of Scripture. This is greatly needed for women in the church today.

Thank you for helping me grow in Christ and the defense of His Word. You’ve better equipped me to homeschool and disciple my children and love my husband! I’ll be back next year with more women from my church, Lord willing.

It has been a dream of mine for many years to have a women’s conference at Answers in Genesis, and this was the thrilling fulfillment of that dream! I will share more on my Thursday blog (just too much for one blog post). Below are a few pictures (taken from my cell phone) to give you some visuals of the day. We are starting to plan next year’s conference, so watch answersforwomen.org for more information.

We held the conference in our new Legacy Hall.

Worship time with our talented musicians.

Mary Mohler speaking about biblical womanhood.

Stacia, my friend and AiG VBS director, sharing about her son, disabilities, and the sovereignty of God.

Thank you, Georgia. I encourage you to follow Georgia’s blog.

You need to hurry!

Each year we hold several major conferences like the one above. Our “Proclaiming the Faith” family conference is in July, but the early-bird discount ends Monday, April 30. To be held in centrally located Branson, Missouri, July 16–20, PtF is our major national family conference for 2012. Register today to save 20% off registration for you and your family.

You’ll enjoy a week of great Bible teaching from some of the nation’s best apologetic teachers, plus have some family fun in beautiful Branson—with all sort of activities available. Let this be your summer vacation.

I hope to see you in Branson!

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Evolution Pushed in Roman Catholic Bibles for Latin America

We sometimes get so caught up with the ways in which God’s Word is being compromised in North America that we forget about what’s happening in other countries! An AiG supporter sent us a Roman Catholic Bible from Argentina, along with a letter expressing her concerns. The Bible is in Spanish, but this supporter just happens to be a certified Spanish–English translator. She wrote that this particular Bible, released by the Sociedad Bíblica Católica Internacional (SOBICAIN) and revised in 2005, is the “official” Bible used in Latin American countries today.

The number of references in this Bible to evolutionary ideas and the denial of biblical authority in this Bible is staggering. I wanted to make you aware of the compromise that’s going on in the Catholic church in Latin American countries. It’s important to note that these are just some of the areas of compromise in this Bible.

The introduction to Genesis insists, “Genesis means ‘Origin,’ but in the first chapters we should not look for a scientific document about the origins of the universe.” The introduction states the following:

We should not look here for historical or scientific data, since those who composed this chapter wanted to teach very different realities. … It is the Word of God, but let’s not read the text as if it were giving us “the” Christian understanding of the universe.

If the Genesis creation account is not “the” Christian understanding of the universe, then what is? Actually, this Bible translation answers that question as well—it says the best understanding for the universe is evolution!

The universe, say the authors in their introduction, took “millions and billions of years” to form. After the authors describe how evolutionary ideas came about, they write, “Where are we trying to get with this? Simply that a vision of the world in evolution fits perfectly with the Christian notion of time and of the ‘ages’ of history.”

I’m not sure what “Christian notion of time” they are referring to, but it certainly isn’t the Creation Week of Genesis 1. These commentators sound like they’re promoting the day-age theory or something like it.

The authors continue, stating that “Thousands of generations were necessary for our humanity to appear.” They pose the question, “When and how did man appear?” Of course, they don’t turn to the One who was there when man appeared for the answer. Instead, they turn to evolutionary beliefs.

No one can answer that question precisely. During long centuries man almost did not change the face of the earth. His lifestyle and the creations of his spirit barely distinguished him from the anthropomorphic primates from which he came.

There you have it: man evolved from primates. Evolution may not be able to answer precisely where man came from, but God’s Word can, because God was there! He created Adam from the dust and Eve from Adam’s rib.

So far, we’ve not even made it past Genesis 1:1 in this Bible, and we’ve already seen millions of years and molecules-to-man evolution promoted. But the compromise doesn’t stop there. Look at what these authors have to say about the Fall in Genesis 3.

This story does not intend to teach that the sin of the first ancestor destroyed an ideal state that was then present; instead it indicates what things could be like if men did not fall into a certain temptation.

In regard to the Flood account in Genesis, the authors note, “Again, a beautiful story, an ancient tale from the times of Solomon, to which the priests of the 4th century added passages less interesting that we have put in italics.”

The AiG supporter who translated this for us writes, “Notice that the words they put into italics constitute the entire account of the wickedness of mankind, God’s judgment on mankind, His instructions for Noah to build an Ark, His warnings regarding the upcoming Flood, and His covenant with Noah.” These are supposedly the “less interesting” passages? It’s virtually the entire account!

What’s more—the authors indicate in their introduction to Genesis that the Genesis accounts were actually taken from Babylonian myths and poems and “profoundly transformed” into what we have today. No wonder they consider the Flood account not very “interesting”—they don’t seem to believe it actually happened!

At the end of the book of Genesis, these authors included supplemental notes. Under the section titled “The Bible and Evolution,” they write the following:

The story does not pretend to tell us how the human race began, and for that reason it cannot be in conflict with science. What has the pre-history of the human race been? The Word of God does not have the answer. God leaves that for us to investigate, and that’s what scientists do. … God wanted the evolution of living things to give origin to Man, who, in reality, is first in His plan.

Unfortunately, the compromise continues in this Bible—but the above gives you a taste of what the notes in this Bible teach!

It’s sad to see that these commentators are willing to trust man’s pagan religion of evolution and millions of years over the Word of God, and will even go so far as to say that God’s Word “does not have the answer” to the origin of man.

I’ll never forget what my father used to say about study Bibles. He would say, “When you use a study Bible, always remember the notes are not inspired like the text—and the text is always the commentary on the notes!” Well—applying this to the Roman Catholic Study Bible referenced above shows it fails because the text of Genesis judges the notes to be erroneous!

Sadly, the belief in evolution and millions of years has permeated churches and cultures throughout the world. What a reminder that we need to see AiG resources and teaching in other countries to counter the false teachings of the culture and much of the church.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Making My Way to Minnesota

Minnesota is one of the states that, for some reason, hasn’t been requesting AiG conferences as compared to other states that are roughly within a (long) one-day drive of our Cincinnati and northern Kentucky area. I always look forward to returning because many of the Christians in that state—who recognize that they live in a largely secular humanistic part of America (especially in the major cities)—really appreciate a good Bible-teaching seminar when it comes to the area.

In fact, I fondly recall the time I spoke in Albert Lea (southern Minnesota) in 1995, which is not a large town, and I think over 2,000 “hungry” people showed up! Plus we held a student assembly in Albert Lea that drew a large number of young people. We were brand new as a ministry at the time, and to see such a tremendous turnout there was so encouraging for our young ministry.

However, since 1995, we have learned that the state has some of the most vocal opponents of AiG and the Creation Museum.

Well,  I will be in Eden Prairie, Minnesota—a suburb of Minneapolis—this Sunday and Monday, April 29–30. Grace Church is graciously giving me its pulpit for its three worship services on Sunday, April 29, Sunday evening, and then on Monday evening, Gary Parker and I will be conducting this seminar. Also, on Monday morning, I will be doing a program on dinosaurs for grades K–6 at the church, and then late in the morning, a program for grades 7–12. All the meetings in Eden Prairie are free.

In preparation for my return to Minnesota, I had the wonderful opportunity to be interviewed by my friend David Wheaton. No longer a world-class tennis player (as of 10 years ago), David now speaks and writes on biblical apologetics and hosts a nationally syndicated radio program, The Christian Worldview. His recorded interview with me will air this Saturday morning, April 28, and will be broadcasted on dozens of Christian stations across the country, like KKMS in Minnesota. To find out more about David’s radio program, and maybe to listen live online this Saturday morning if the program is not heard in your area, go to www.thechristianworldview.org. A station listing can be found at this link.

After recording the interview, David sent one of my colleagues the following message:

The interview went great! He’s one of the easiest interviews because Ken expresses a lot of content in his answers and always goes back to Scripture. We’re going to air it on April 28th, the day before the MN conference.  Unfortunately I’m going to be out of town for the conference, though! But some of my family will be coming.

For information on the Minnesota conference, see the event page.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

ITS Begins This Week

This week, as part of our worldwide outreach, we have Christian leaders here at the Creation Museum from such countries as Canada, Wales, Myanmar, Taiwan, New Zealand, Bolivia, South Africa, Malaysia, India, and the Philippines participating in our International Training Seminar. These people spend the week listening to presentations from our speakers, researchers, and other staff to equip them to be able to teach creation apologetics and creation evangelism in their countries. I will give you updates on ITS as the week progresses. We just ask you pray with us for this special week.

Homeschool Graduate Speaks at Creation Museum

Yesterday at the Creation Museum, Jonathan Lewis, editor of Homeschool Enrichment magazine, presented his talk, “Why I’m Glad to be a Homeschool Graduate: The 5 Big Reasons,” as part of our Curriculum Fair at the Creation Museum. It is thrilling to see homeschool organizations and magazines that support the ministry of AiG. Here are two photos from yesterday.

With Jonathan is his wife Linnea holding the new edition of their magazine. You can find out more at homeschoolenrichment.com.

Great Weekend at the Creation Museum

This past weekend we saw lots of visitors at the Creation Museum, and many of them took advantage of our special Curriculum Fair! We praise the Lord that so many more resources are going out into the culture to equip Christians to defend the Christian faith and challenge non-Christians concerning the truth of God’s Word and the gospel.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Fifth Anniversary Celebrations

We have a host of great events lined up for our fifth anniversary celebration weekend at the Creation Museum next month. (The Creation Museum was opened on Memorial Day weekend 2007).

On Saturday, May 26, we have a very special concert featuring the southern gospel group, Legacy Five, who will be performing in our new Legacy Hall. Legacy Five has been recognized year after year as one of the top Christian musical groups. They’ve been awarded “Recording of the Year” from the Southern Gospel Music Association as well as the recipients of two Dove awards. Your family will love hearing the message of Christ in four-part harmony.  I will certainly be there!

Tickets for the concert are only $5. Children 10 and under are free, so bring the entire family. Members of the group will be on-hand at 6 p.m. in the lobby of Legacy Hall to meet you. The concert begins at 7 p.m. To reserve a seat, call (800) 778-3390.

We also have lots of other great happenings during our anniversary celebrations. I encourage you to go to the Creation Museum website to see the details and plan your trip.

I will also be giving you more details soon about our new very high-tech exhibit on “Lucy” (our supposed ape-like evolutionary ancestor) that will be installed in the museum just before Memorial Day weekend.

Crowds at the Creation Museum

Visitors continue to pour into the Creation Museum. Nearly 1,700 people yesterday (and it is not even Summer yet), including a number of groups. I love to see the buses lined up in the parking area:

Finally, see our front-page web article today on Earth Day and global warming.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

A Beacon of Light on the Gulf Coast

Dan Mangus, head of our Creation Museum, drove down to Pensacola, Florida, to attend the Friday evening celebration of the long-time ministry of well-known education pioneers, Dr. Arlin and Rebekah Horton. Dr. Horton founded Pensacola Christian College and has been its only president. He is “retiring” effective next month, but knowing the Hortons, they will still be active in their 80s.

Over the years, AiG has been pleased to partner with Pensacola Christian College in Florida on a number of things. For example, many of our speakers (including myself) have given talks on this attractive campus to Christian educators and pastors who use the campus for specialized conferences.

In this photo, you can see me holding a special plaque we created for the Hortons (knowing their love of the sea).

And here is a photo of that plaque next to a framed letter sent to the Hortons from Florida Governor Rick Scott—and which was on display Friday evening at the celebration:

Dan Mangus (who attended with his wife Karen) reported to me last night:

Guests from as far away as Washington and New Hampshire came to the reception to meet with the Hortons. Several state officials were there, along with a few US Congressmen (one is an alumna from the state of Washington). After the reception, we had a banquet in honor of the Hortons that included some of their favorite dishes. We had Dr. Horton’s personal favorite (which as a young man he grew up eating back in Oregon): salmon served with maple syrup!

After dinner we attended a concert of beautiful orchestra music along with stringed instrumental specials, choir and vocal specials, all performed in the huge Crowne Center, which was elaborately decorated.  In between the musical presentations were speeches from guests. That included the mayor giving the Hortons the key to the city and a congressman presenting a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol in the Hortons’ honor.

It truly was an honor to witness this 60th anniversary of two wonderful people who have dedicated their whole lives to serving the Lord: they truly are a beacon of light for those that follow!

This dynamic couple is also well known for having produced Christian textbooks for over 40 years. They were co-founders in helping to start a Christian publishing group, called A Beka Book—named after Rebekah “Beka” Horton. I’ve heard that about 100,000 homeschoolers are using A Beka textbooks today (plus many Christian schools). It was after A Beka Books was launched that Pensacola Christian College started—and today has over 4,000 students enrolled (including for graduate school and seminary).

I ask you to pray for Dr. Troy Shoemaker, the new PCC president, as he fills some large shoes.

Women’s Conference

I have heard nothing but rave reviews of the first-ever AiG Women’s Conference held in the Creation Museum’s Legacy Hall.  Here are some photos from that event:

1.  Great speakers (including Mary Mohler)

2.  Great food

3.  Lots of interest in AiG resources

4.  Great drama

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Is BioLogos Trying to Appeal to a Wider Audience?

I’ve written before about the various writers and speakers at BioLogos, who regularly deny the authority of Scripture and promote evolutionary beliefs. I’ve discussed Peter Enns and Karl Giberson, both former fellows with BioLogos. Well, BioLogos, whose mission has been to promote the idea that evolutionary ideas can be reconciled with Scripture, looks like it may be trying to appeal to a wider audience. However, its latest project is designed to reach out to the academic elite.

In a recent BioLogos video post, Dr. Chris Tilling, a theologian at St. Mellitus College and St. Paul’s Theological Centre, London, talked about what he believes started the debate over literal readings of Scripture. But first, let’s define what we mean by “literal.” At Answers in Genesis, we mean “naturally,” that is, according to the type of literature used in Bible passage. Dr. Tilling thinks that the debate over which parts of Scripture should be read literally “is a modern concern,” but he cites Martin Luther of the 1500s as a source for the debate.

Really, reading the Bible literally is a problem for Dr. Tilling because he says, “not all Scripture wants to be read literally.” (AiG staff member and writer Tim Chaffey has examined how to read Scripture in an article on our website.) What does Dr. Tilling mean by this? Dr. Tilling says when we read certain parts of Scripture literally, we are not being sensitive to the text and we miss truths of Scripture. Who is guilty of this type of reading, according to Dr. Tilling? Creationists (like those at AiG) and the New Atheists, whom he refers to as “two sides of the same coin.” Creationists, in particular, believe Genesis 1 and 2 to be the literal account of creation, and because of that, Dr. Tilling would say that we are missing truths in Genesis.

But Dr. Tilling says he has a solution. There is a third group, a “mediating voice,” that can listen to the arguments of the New Atheists “without being frightened.” This group also knows how to find the good in creationists’ arguments while keeping a “faithful reading” of Genesis. Dr. Tilling does not specifically name this third group, but he seems to be arguing that BioLogos is the group.

Putting aside the obvious slight that creationists are “frightened” of opposing views, BioLogos does not seem very interested in being the mediating voice when it comes to their newly announced research program. BioLogos’s new program, funded in part by The John Templeton Foundation, offers grants for research in the area of “evolutionary creation.” The grants can range from $30,000 to $300,000. But will they, as Dr. Tilling puts it, try to see the “good” in creationists’ arguments? It doesn’t look like they will.

We anticipate funding projects that explore consonance between evolution and Christian faith. Proposals will not be considered if they reject (or at least do not helpfully inform) historic, creedal Christianity (e.g. historical Resurrection, high view of Scripture,etc.) or if they reject the conclusions of mainstream science (e.g. old earth, common descent, etc.). Please note that this does not mean all grantees must be ardent supporters of evolutionary creation. Church leaders, for example, may be interested in exploring the ramifications for their tradition if evolution were true, even though they personally remain unsure. Also, teams may represent a variety of viewpoints.

So, proposals will be rejected if they do not adhere to the “conclusions of mainstream science”? This doesn’t sound like a group that’s willing to listen to the arguments and research of those scientists who disagree with BioLogos, despite what Dr. Tilling says to the contrary. We have found in the past that what they mean by “conclusions of mainstream science” is evolution and millions of years.

In fact, isn’t the dismissal of any viewpoint other than their own really a demonstration of “fright” on their part? Young earth creationists are often accused of coming to conclusions (based on Scripture) and finding supporting facts later, but if the above paragraph is not a clear example of simply concluding from the outset that God used evolution to create—and then giving grants to find the supporting information—I’m not sure what is.

It is obvious—if AiG were to apply for such research grants, we would be rejected!

It is sad to see millions of dollars being given for research that encourages more Christians to compromise God’s Word and believe in evolutionary ideas. Imagine how AiG could use such funds to teach people the truth about Genesis!

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken