Ken Ham's Blog, page 439

Can God Call Someone to Be a Creation Scientist

It is so thrilling to hear of young kids who want to be creation scientists.  I have met so many of these youngsters at the Creation Museum.  God is certainly raising up those in the coming generations who will stand for the Lord and His Word.  Here is an exciting email we received this week:

. . . my family and I are Baptist missionaries serving on the island of Barbados, West Indies . . . For quite some time now, our ten year old son has had a great interest in science and the things around him.  The Jonathan Park audio series has helped to spur that interest.

This past summer during Vacation Bible School, he asked my wife, "Mom, can God call someone to be a creation scientist– someone who preaches and teaches to defend God's Word and creation?"  She assured him that God could do so, and that we both would be very proud if God called him to be a creation scientist.

So it was a great thrill to our family when earlier this month we were able to visit the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky.  It was further heightened when we were able to hear you speak and [our son was] able to take a picture with you!

We would appreciate so much your prayers that God would continue to lead in our son's life that God might use him in a way to bring honor and glory to Himself.

Yes, we do need to pray for God's continual leading in this young man's life (and the lives of so many other like-minded kids).

In Florida to Speak with Dr. Gary Parker

Dr. Gary Parker and I will be speaking at an AiG conference at First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida Sunday and Monday.  On Monday morning, we have special programs for elementary, middle, and high school children.  For details, go to www.answersingenesis.org/outreach/event/7000

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying

Ken

The Only Effectual Reformer of the World

For my blog post today, I thought I would do something a little different. I have quoted from a sermon preached in 1757 in order to remind us of an important truth. Pray that God through His Holy Spirit will convict the hearts of men and women in this nation—a country that continues to shake its fist at the Creator.

[T]he Holy Spirit is the only effectual reformer of the world. . . .

"When He comes—He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment!" John 16:8. I must repeat it again, that the Holy Spirit is the only effectual reformer of the world! It is He alone who can effectually "reprove the world of sin." If He is absent—legislators may make laws against crime;

philosophers may reason against vice;

ministers may preach against sin;

conscience may remonstrate against evil;

the divine law may prescribe and threaten hell;

the gospel may invite and allure to heaven;

but all will be in vain!

The strongest arguments, the most melting entreaties, the most alarming denunciations from God and man, enforced with the highest authority, or the most compassionate tears—all will have no effect—all will not effectually reclaim one sinner, nor gain one sincere convert to righteousness! Paul, Apollos, and Peter, with all their apostolic abilities, can do nothing, without the Holy Spirit. Paul may plant the seed—and Apollos may water it; but God alone can make it grow! "So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow!" 1 Corinthians 3:6, 7. He is all in all. . . .

. . . never will peace and harmony be established in this jangling world—until this Divine Agent takes the work in hand.

It is He alone—who can melt down the obstinate hearts of men into love and peace!

It is He alone—who can soften their rugged and savage tempers, and transform them into mutual benevolence!

It is He alone—who can quench those lusts that set the world on fire, and implant the opposite virtues and graces. Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, meekness, are mentioned by Paul, as the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22, because the Spirit alone is the author of them. And if these dispositions were predominant in the world—what a serene, calm, peaceful region would it be, undisturbed with the hurricanes of human passions! . . .

Oh, how much do we need the influence of the blessed Spirit . . . to break the heart of stone, to enlighten the dark mind, and to comfort the desponding soul!

See Serious Reflections on WAR to read the entire sermon by Samuel Davies.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Video Tribute to Dr. John Whitcomb and The Genesis Flood

This morning at our chapel, staff watched a 15-minute video that celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the classic book The Genesis Flood. The video also honored the book's surviving co-author, Dr. John Whitcomb. This same video was shown Monday evening at Faith Baptist Bible College and Seminary near Des Moines, Iowa, as this school hosted Dr. Whitcomb (he speaks many times on campus this week). You can watch the video that was shown Monday evening in Iowa at www.CreationWorks.net.

Dr. Whitcomb, speaking in Iowa Monday evening.

We are planning our own celebration of The Genesis Flood book in our new Legacy Hall inside the Creation Museum next month. On Friday evening and all-day Saturday, October 14–15, we will look at the remarkable long-term effects of this groundbreaking book, including how God used it to touch off the modern creation movement worldwide. Dr. Whitcomb and Dr. John Morris (the son of the book's other co-author, Dr. Henry Morris) will speak. See our conference info on the event page.

In the video, I share something about the impact the book had on my life, and how I first came across it. And there are other tributes from AiG staff members, Dr. Terry Mortenson and Dr. Andrew Snelling. You'll also watch testimonials from Christian leaders like Dr. John MacArthur of Grace Community Church in California, Dr. Woodrow Kroll of Back to the Bible radio, and many others. Dr. John Morris, president of ICR, is also in the video.

To sign up for our Friday evening banquet on October 14, which will have delicious food, a talk by Dr. Whitcomb, and also a live presentation by Dr. John Morris, go to the event page. The conference on Saturday, October 15, is free for all paying museum guests.

Also, you can watch a different video that features an interview with Dr. John Whitcomb, preceded by a few comments by me on The Genesis Flood as I spoke at an AiG staff chapel.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Call for UK to Ban Creation in Schools—Saying It Is "Dangerous"

Various news items in the UK appeared this week reporting the following (the paragraph below is taken from the UK's Daily Mail newspaper):

The teaching of creationism should be outlawed in school  science lessons, a group of leading scientists have said.  And the curriculum should be changed to ensure evolution is taught from when children start school, according to academics including Sir David Attenborough and Professor Richard Dawkins.  Those behind the call for 'evolution not creationism' say teaching that God created the world is dangerous and must be prevented by law.

Richard Dawkins is a well-known atheist. And like other atheists, he wants to impose his anti-God religion on the children of the world. Of course, he wants them taught evolution from the beginning of school when they are very young. He knows that if you can indoctrinate the kids from such a young age, you will capture many of their hearts and minds for atheism.

Christians like ourselves have no fear of the academic freedom to allow teachers the ability to teach about different views of origins. Atheists like Dawkins know they can't allow kids to hear the evidence against evolution and that the evidence is consistent with creation, as these young people will easily see how evolution is a belief that is inconsistent overall with operational (observational) science. That's why these atheists have to campaign to legislate evolution as fact!

And why are they so emotional about this? Why do they fight so hard against God? Well, the Bible tells us in Romans 1.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:18–20).

Because they know there is a God—as it is evident from around them and written on their hearts—they "beat their chests" so to speak and "cover their ears with their hands," doing all they can to suppress the very truth that is "clearly seen."

The more we see such anti-Christian situations as that described in this newspaper article, the more it attests to the fact that God is! If there was no God, there would be no spiritual battle, and Dawkins and his friends would not care what people believed! But because the Bible is true, and each person is accountable to the God of creation, Dawkins and his atheist friends work as hard as they can to "suppress the truth."

You can read the entire article on the newspaper's website.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

What Is a "Red Letter" Edition of the Bible?

While up in Canada on Monday, I saw a TV program where a book (written about "red letter" editions of the Bible) was being advertised that dealt with what was called the specific "words of Jesus" in the Bible. Many of you will be familiar with the "red letter" editions of the Bible, which are advertised to have the words of Jesus in red. I actually heard a person promoting this book saying the words that are red in the Bible are the words of Jesus; therefore, they need to be taken more seriously or with more emphasis than the other words in the Bible. I groaned when I heard this.

I really believe many people may have the wrong understanding of God's Word if they think only those words in red in these editions are the words of Jesus.

For instance, consider the following passage:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:1–5)

Jesus is the Word. We must understand that every word in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation is the word of God—the words of Jesus.

Sometimes I think because many people in the church consider the "red letter" words in the New Testament to be more important than any other words in the Bible, and that's why many of them don't think it matters much if the words of Genesis are reinterpreted to fit in millions of years and evolution.

We need to remember the following passage:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.  (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

"All Scripture" means Genesis to Revelation.

A true "red letter" edition of the Bible would have every word from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 in red!

When we have a correct understanding of God's Word and that every word in the Bible is really the word of Jesus, it reminds us of how important it is to never compromise or change in any way the Word of God to fit in man's fallible ideas.

Jesus is not just New Testament.  Jesus is the Creator; He is God. "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him." (Colossians 1:16)

One way to help remind people of this truth is to ask the question, "What is the first recorded miracle of Jesus in the Bible?" Many will answer that it was when Jesus turned the water into wine. However, the first recorded miracle of Jesus is in Genesis 1:1—the creation!

I once heard a Christian leader on television being asked, "'Does Jesus make any specific statements against 'gay' marriage?" The Christian leader said that he didn't! However, when Jesus as the God-man in Matthew 19 was asked about marriage, He quoted from Genesis to teach that marriage was a man and female. Moreover, we should also understand that the words in Romans 1—where there is specific teaching about homosexual behavior—are the words of Jesus. The words in the Book of Leviticus are the words of Jesus.

I pray that everyone understands that every word in the Bible is the word of Jesus! His words may be giving details of a historic event, quoting an evil person, or teaching a specific doctrine, but they are all the words of Jesus.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Hungry Canadians

Yesterday was the first day of an AiG conference at Portico Community Church Mississauga (not far from Toronto) in Canada. After the morning services and the two evening sessions, people were in long lines to get equipped with the AiG resources. The best way to describe what I observed is that the people were hungry for the books, DVDs, etc. Most of the AiG resources are not yet readily available in Canada, so people are thrilled at the opportunity to obtain them for their families, for witnessing, and so on.

The following are a few of the many testimonies I received yesterday:

A young man told me he was an atheist up until a year ago. He said that the AiG resources have been very important to him to get answers and help him grow as a Christian. He said he loves apologetics, and because of his atheist background, he understands the vital need for apologetics resources to reach people like him.
A pharmacist told me he displays AiG resources in the windows of his pharmacy and that he loves to witness to his customers. (His family have been to the Creation Museum).
A pastor from a different church brought some of his congregation to the host church. He told me that on Sunday morning, I was speaking at his church even though I didn't know it! He showed the Already Gone video for the morning service. He told me he uses AiG resources in equipping his congregation and that he was going to use AiG resources in actively reaching the community.
I met a couple of teenage girls who asked me to sign their very worn AiG books—one was the children's book, D is for Dinosaur . These girls said they were brought up on such books.
A man told me he heard me speak 20 years ago, and it changed his life.

There were so many other positive testimonies. The AiG ministry is so needed in Canada. I had a number of dedicated people ask if they could be a part of bringing AiG to Canada! We will certainly be working with them to see what can be done.

Lutherans Hear Dr. Snelling

While I was speaking in Mississauga Canada on Sunday morning, Dr. Andrew Snelling spoke to the congregation of Hope Lutheran Church in Rochester, New York. Andrew then joined me in Canada for Sunday evening, and we will both speak Monday evening.

The following two photographs were taken while Andrew spoke in Rochester:

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Let There Be Light!

What a wonderful blessing it was to be at the Let There Be Light conference organized by many of the Lutheran churches in the Niagara Falls, New York, area yesterday. It was thrilling to see such a crowd for a Saturday, and most stayed for the whole day! See the following photos taken at this event:

Andrew Snelling and I received so many testimonies from people as to how AiG has helped them, their church, their children, and so on. I had many young children want to thank me and get their photographs taken with us. I praise the Lord to see children at our conferences so on fire for the Lord!

Equipping Others to be Creation Evangelists

I also heard from a number of people who are using AiG resources and have been so inspired by AiG to take this message of biblical authority beginning in Genesis out to others. For instance, see the item below about Rochester Institute of Technology.

Creation Evangelism at Rochester Institute of Technology

I met a couple of young men who are really fired up about getting the truth of God's Word, starting in Genesis, to college students. They have organized a series of meetings at Rochester Institute of Technology in the Ingle Auditorium, Student Union Building, on September 20, 27, and October 4. The meetings begin at 7 p.m. (sponsored by Intervarsity Christian Fellowship RIT, Agape Christian Fellowship, and Basic College Ministries). For further information, go to this event page.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Seven Lies We're Being Told About America

Dan Fisher serves as the chief elder and senior pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Yukon, Oklahoma. As a pastor who is actively engaged in the fight to return America to its founding principles, Dan speaks from the perspective of one who is on the "front lines."

He will be coming to the Creation Museum on October 10 to share two signature presentations in a free evening event. At 6:30 Dan will present "Seven Lies We're Being Told about America." How often have you heard that the Constitution demands a "strict separation between church and state" or that "deists and atheists" founded America? Are these statements true?

Dan proposes that most Americans are completely unaware of the "true" history of our nation's founding, and consequently they believe things that simply are not true, or we are unable to defend the truth even if we know it. In this presentation, he discusses seven of the most often told and believed lies about America.

After a short break Dan will then present "Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment" at 7:50. The British called patriot pastors the "Black Robed Regiment" and blamed them for the Revolution. These pastors preached politics from their pulpits and led their congregations off to war. Yet most modern American pastors haven't even heard of them. In this presentation, Dan Fisher will give a brief history of these "patriot pastors" of the Revolution and show why he believes we need them today.

Dan Fisher has served Senior Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church since 1992. For more information on Dan please visit www.TrinityYukon.com.

5:30-6:30—Bookstore open, snacks available
6:00—Legacy Hall opens
6:30-7:20—Seven Lies We're Being Told about America
7:20-7:50—Intermission with bookstore open and snacks available
7:50-9:00—Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment
9:00-9:15—Q&A in Legacy Hall Lobby

This event is free and open to the public. No Creation Museum ticket or membership is required for admission. Reasonably priced snacks, soft drinks, and coffee will be available for purchase throughout the first part of the evening. You will also be able to browse a wide selection of resources and gifts from the Creation Museum bookstore just outside of Legacy Hall.

The Creation Museum will also have videos of Dan's two presentations available for purchase.

For more information, see the post on the Creation Museum Blog.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Las Vegas Connection

Yesterday, the AiG staff had the blessing of being ministered to by Pastor Vance Pitman and multi-talented music Teddy Johnson, from Hope Baptist Church in Las Vegas. I have included a link at the end of this blog so you can also share in this unique and powerful devotion time we had at AiG yesterday.

Teddy (the the Worship Arts Pastor at Hope Baptist) ministered to us in song and sent the following email to us:

Psalm 8

O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth…

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?

Today, I had the awesome privilege of visiting the Creation Museum and the future site of the Ark Encounter in Petersburg, Kentucky. This is by far the most extraordinary evangelistic operation I've ever witnessed. After Vance and I led the staff in a time of devotion, the President of the company, Mr. Ken Ham gave us a "behind the scenes" tour of the facility, which included a planetarium.

Wow! To see, hear, and experience the handiwork of God…He numbered the stars and calls them by name. Yet and still, He invites me into a relationship with Himself. How humbling is that? Thank you Jesus!

How big and awesome He is. How complex and simple He is. How singular and plural He is—"one God in three persons." That's why I say, "God are good!" It may be bad grammar, but it's good theology.

Pastor Vance (the senior pastor at Hope Baptist) brought a very challenging message from the Word of God.

He sent us the following after his visit:

What an unbelievable day we had today with Ken Ham and the staff at Answers in Genesis! There unique approach to penetrate lostness by focusing on the absolute truth of God's Word is refreshing and inspiring. Their commitment to excellence and integrity in their standards and services in an attempt to communicate a Biblical worldview is second to none. My expectations were completely blown away! May the Lord bless this ministry immensely and use it for His glory!

After the devotion time with the staff, I gave Pastor Vance andTeddy a tour of the Creation Museum and office. Here is a photo of the three of us taken as we began our tour.

The Big 60

At the beginning of our staff devotion time yesterday, we welcomed two staff members, Tom Hill (accounting) and Kay Davis (wife of Buddy Davis) to the 60's club! Yes, they turned the big six zero! I made a couple of fun presentations to them, and then Teddy led us in a happy birthday song. Here is photo of Tom and Kay as we had a bit of fun in front of the staff.

You can hear the entire devotion time, including our birthday fun at the following link. You will hear the music of Teddy Johnson and the powerful message brought by Pastor Vance Pitman. Listen here.

Niagrara Falls

Tomorrow I am speaking in Niagara Falls, New York for an AiG conference.

Canada

Dr. Andrew Snelling and I will be speaking in Canada this Sunday and Monday.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Where Is This Rainforest?

Take a look at the photographs below taken in a rainforest area, and try to determine where these might have been taken. If you look carefully, you should recognize the location.

These were taken in the gardens of the Creation Museum. Praise the Lord for our very talented landscapers (and their talented leader Tim Schmitt) who have been able to plant and maintain a rainforest area for the Creation Museum.

If you haven't visited the gardens, you need to do so soon. As fall approaches and then winter, this rainforest area of the gardens will be back to beds of mulch, and then they spring to life when spring arrives next year.  The banana trees are 20 feet tall, and all the growth you see happened from spring this year till now!

Next Two Conferences: Niagara Falls, New York, and Mississauga, Canada

I will be traveling to Niagara Falls, New York, and Mississauga, Canada, for two AiG conferences. Originally, Dr. David Menton was to speak with me, but due to the serious illness of a close relative, Dr. Andrew Snelling (whom I consider to be the leading creation geologist in the world) will be speaking with me at both conferences.

For details, check out the New York event page or the Canada event page.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken