Ken Ham's Blog, page 468

Home Again

Well, we are back in the USA after nearly three weeks in Australia.  Here are some photos from our trip:

Feeding the Lorikeets at Currumbin Bird Sanctuary

An icon of Australia—the Koala

The "infamous" Tasmanian Devil

Sunrise over the Pacific Ocean

Friends John and Esther Thallon at the most easterly point of Australia. John was a founding board member of our ministry in Australia nearly 30 years ago.

Another Sunrise over the Pacific Ocean

My mother

Sea Lion at Sea World

Dolphins at Sea World

Polar Bear at Sea World

Part of the three mile trail I walked each morning for exercise

A view from the trail as I walked each morning

The rain (flood rains) still didn't stop people enjoying the beautiful beach

The incubator bird on its nest (I passed this each morning)

Only in Australia would you see a road sign like this

My sister Rosemary, my mother, and my wife Mally

A beautiful valley we visited in Lamington National Park

Our daughter and her husband feeding Rosellas and King Parrots in Lamington National Park

The audience when I spoke last Sunday in a church in Australia

A view of the coast where we stayed

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Origins Views and the Assemblies of God

AiG speaker/researcher Dr. Terry Mortenson, who has a real burden to challenge the church concerning the compromise with millions of years that so permeates many Christians' thinking (including most Christian leaders), wrote this challenging blog:

Recently I came across a web article <enrichmentjournal.ag.org/201002/ejonline_201002_origins.cfm> by a biology professor and a chemistry professor from an Assemblies of God university.  They gave a "Brief Overview of Pentecostal Views on Origins."  Several things in the article are worthy of comment.

First, they tell us that since the Pentecostal movement was born at the beginning of the 20th century, until the late 1900s, Pentecostals almost universally rejected evolution and most also rejected the millions of years.  They believed that Genesis is a scientifically accurate historical narrative.

But times have changed.  Today, based on their survey of faculty and students at AoG institutions of higher learning, these two professors say that only 35% hold to the young-earth creationist view, 31% favor one of the old-earth views that accept millions of years but reject evolution, and 16% are embracing theistic evolution.  (They don't say what the other 18% believe.)  Why the change?

They tell us that:

"today many people who are technologically savvy and immersed in the popular media's representation of science are members of our congregations. Many of them are uncomfortable rejecting out-of-hand the findings of science that seem to conflict with traditional interpretations of the Genesis creation account. They are increasingly interested in fostering an integrated view of Christian faith and natural sciences."

But here we encounter problems.  It is not the "findings of science" that seem to contradict "traditional interpretations" of Genesis 1-11.  Science has not found anything that contradicts the straightforward, literal understanding of Genesis, and it is remarkable that a Christian chemist and biologist would say that science has.  Science has not found a living cell spontaneously evolving into existence by chance from non-living matter, as evolutionists claim has happened 3.5 billion years ago.  Science has not found transitional forms between different kinds of plants and animals, either living or in the fossil record, to support evolutionist claims that all life is descended from a common ancestor—the first living cell.  And science has not found millions of years of time in the rocks or a gas cloud collapsing to form a star.  None of those things has ever been observed by any scientist, so they are not findings of science.

Rather, evolutionary scientists using anti-biblical (naturalistic and uniformitarian) assumptions and imagination have interpreted some of the observations of the natural world (while ignoring other observations) to invent a story about the past that contradicts the time-tested, historically orthodox and exegetically sound interpretation of God's inerrant Word.  It is not a conflict between the "findings of science" and "traditional interpretations" of the Bible.  It is rather the conflict between the atheistic and deistic interpretations of God's creation by people who are suppressing the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18–20) versus the sound interpretation of God's Word by godly leaders and pastors in the church down through history.

Furthermore, "technologically savvy" people should realize that if the technologies that they enjoy using (cell phones, ipods, computers, telescopes, MRI machines, etc.) are the result of intelligent design, it is the height of absurdity to think that the almost infinitely more complex living and reproducing bacteria, plants, and animals came into existence by time and chance and the laws of nature.  That these Christians don't see this absurdity shows that they indeed have been "immersed in [i.e., brainwashed by] the popular media's representation of science," which fails to distinguish between operation science and origin science <http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n3/science-or-the-bible> and deceives people by propagating the evolutionists' "smoke and mirrors" arguments, such as equating natural selection with evolution <www.answersingenesis.org/articles/nab/is-natural-selection-evolution> or discussing beneficial mutations <www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2008/04/25/feedback-beneficial-mutations> as an explanation for the origin of genetic information.

But there is one more example of faulty thinking in this article, which sadly is widespread in the church today.  The authors state,

"As science teachers, we believe pastors need to seek coherence between these two realms and provide ways for their congregations to see truth in both the general revelation (the world) and the special revelation (the Word). Pastors can use the origins debate to help people more thoroughly integrate these two divine revelations."

The Bible nowhere teaches that by studying the creation (while ignoring God's special revelation, the Bible) man can work out the history and origin of the creation.  As Dr. Richard Mayhue has so thoroughly demonstrated in his chapter in Coming to Grips with Genesis, what the Bible says is that the creation clearly reveals the existence and nature of the Creator (Romans 1:18-20), the very thing that most evolutionists vehemently deny.  What these two professors are calling "general revelation" is simply the evolutionist stories about the unobserved past.  That is not "the world" or "the creation" that God says reveals Himself to us. The only way to accurately interpret the creation for understanding of our past is to do so with the starting-point assumptions of the Biblical worldview, which is grounded in the literal truth of Genesis 1-11.

These AoG scientists end their article this way:

"In conclusion, we find theologically conservative, Bible-believing, Pentecostal Christians (including Assemblies of God adherents) in all three theistic camps (YEC, OEC, EC). With this in mind, we think our attitude needs to reflect the Reformation "Peace Statement" (often erroneously attributed to St. Augustine): "In essentials, unity. In nonessentials, liberty. In all things, love."

But we must object that Christians who accept evolution and/or millions of years are not "Bible-believing" when it comes to Genesis 1-11 and all the other passages of Scripture in the OT and NT that confirm the literal truth of Genesis.  They are instead believing the faulty interpretations of God's creation by people who in their sinful rebellion against God are suppressing the truth, rather than believing God's Word.   The authority of the Word of God over the words of men is what is at stake here.

And since Genesis is absolutely foundational to the Bible's teaching on death <www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v24/i1/history.asp>, the character of God <www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v21/i4/oldearth.asp>,  and the redemptive work of Christ <www.answersingenesis.org/articles/nab2/what-is-a-biblical-worldview>, then the truth of Genesis 1-11 falls in the category of "essentials," not "nonessentials."  Certainly, we must be loving as we confront error in the church, but we simply cannot "just agree to disagree."  The spiritual health of the church, the lost souls of people and the glory of God are at stake.  We must believe Genesis to be faithful to God and His Word.

Terry

Postscript

As an endnote, the authors of the article appear to be out of touch with recent young earth creationist (YEC) literature.  In their list of "origin resources" they point to recent works by atheists and compromised Christians but under "young-earth creation" they cite only Morris and Whitcomb's The Genesis Flood (1961) and a section of a 1999 debate-format book written by two men who are not mainstream YECs and in their section of the book do not adequately represent the YEC position.  Much stronger scientific and biblical YEC arguments have been published in recent years: Earth's Catastrophic Past (2008), The Great Turning Point (2004), Coming to Grips with Genesis (2008), Evolution: the Grand Experiment (2007), Genetic Entropy (2005), Creation: Facts of Life (2006), The Fossil Record (2010).

Request Dr. Mortenson as a Speaker

If you would like to request Dr. Mortenson as a speaker for your church/academic institution etc., then go to:  www.answersingenesis.org/outreach/request-event/

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Can You Defend the Historical Accuracy of the Bible?

The Answers Outreach department at Answers in Genesis has recently taken another pro-active approach in reaching churches with the foundational truths of God's Word, starting with the book of Genesis. Our ministry sends postcards to pastors across the country and asks them to access a survey on a website prepared specifically for them. This survey allows the pastors to honestly evaluate the spiritual depth of their congregation as it relates to the Bible. The following questions are asked of pastors on the website:

What percent of your congregation believes the Bible is true?
What percent of your people have a personal commitment to read the Bible?
What percent of your congregation could discuss the historical accuracy of the Bible with confidence?

Answers to the survey questions reveal a tremendous disconnect between people's reading of Scripture versus their understanding of Scripture. The majority of pastors indicated that 75–99% of their congregation have a personal commitment to reading their Bible and believing the Bible to be true. However, they respond that only less than 25% can actually defend the historical accuracy of the Bible with confidence. Such shocking surveys of churches about the literacy of their church members regarding the Bible has allowed a ministry like Answers in Genesis to partner with churches in our area of specialization in equipping people with answers to questions such as the following:

Why is our Western world declining from a Christian perspective?
What is the Bible's answer to the origin of "races" and what's the solution to racism?
Where did Cain get his wife?
How do dinosaurs fit into biblical history? Were they on the Ark?
Do dating methods prove the earth is old?
Can Christian believe in millions of years?
How can there be a loving God with death and suffering the world?

Pastors are beginning to understand the need to equip their congregation so that they can defend the Christian faith in a skeptical culture, which is insistent on destroying the credibility of the Bible. One effective way to get answers to churches is through an AiG conference. Our Bible-affirming conferences are geared towards equipping the church to defend the Christian faith, establish the authority of God's Word in this increasingly secularized culture, and present the gospel message effectively.

The gospel is being attacked every day and pastors need to prayerfully consider getting answers to their people so that they can be equipped to defend the Christian faith.

Go to our Answers Outreach to find out more about AiG teaching meetings/conferences. Also, you may request an AiG conference in your church/area.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Christmas Town Begins Tomorrow Evening!

Don't miss the incredible Christmas Town outreach that begins tomorrow evening at the Creation Museum in Northern Kentucky (just a few miles west of the Cincinnati Airport). This program is offered on eight different nights. See CreationMuseum.org/christmas/ for details. Here is a copy of a news release we sent out a few days ago:

"Christmas Town" at the Creation Museum:

Celebrate the Holiday with a Live Nativity, Dramatic Actors, and a First-Century Re-Creation of Bethlehem

The Creation Museum is gearing up for another season of presenting the true meaning of Christmas through a live nativity display on the museum's highly decorated grounds. "Christmas Town" will provide a glimpse of the amazing events surrounding the wonder of Christ's birth through a nativity presentation, dazzling lights, and live dramas. Christmas Town has become an annual tradition for families in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region (17,000 visitors came in 2009).

Dramatic presentations include:

The story of Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, and the joy she felt when she was told she would bear a child of promise;
The temple guard, Hyam, whose life was transformed from shame to hope with his search for the "child born King of the Jews"; and
The Magi, wise men who will share how and why they followed the star.

The museum's gardens will be transformed into a "Garden of Lights" featuring a breathtaking display of more than 60,000 Christmas lights. A first-century marketplace will make it easy to gather last-minute Christmas gifts and souvenirs, from oil lamps and pottery to handmade scarves, hats, toys, and baskets.

In addition, the museum's acclaimed planetarium will present its special program, "The Christmas Star," about the mysterious star in the east that heralded the birth of Jesus and guided the wise men to Him. Next door, "Noah's Café" will serve beverages and snacks.

"Christmas Town" is open 6–8 p.m. ET, Dec. 10, 11, 17, 18, 27, 28, 31 and Jan. 1, and all outdoor events (except for the camel rides) are free and open to the public. More information about these special Christmas events, plus details on purchasing tickets for the planetarium and the Creation Museum, can be found at http://www.creationmuseum.org or by calling (888) 582-4253. The museum itself will be open free on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., as a Christmas gift and a "thank you" to the community for another great year at the museum.

Answers in Genesis is a biblical apologetics ministry which conducts more than 250 teaching meetings each year, hosts an award-winning website, and produces the Answers radio program heard on more than 600 stations throughout the world. It is the parent ministry of the high-tech Creation Museum which opened to international acclaim on Memorial Day 2007, and has attracted more than 1.2 million visitors since then. For more information, see http://www.creationmuseumnews.com. AiG is also designing the Ark Encounter, featuring a full-scale Noah's Ark (and other attractions) that will be built to full biblical dimensions and out of wood, planned to open in Northern Kentucky in 2014.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

2011 Apologetics Mega Conference—Register Now for a Discount!

Why should you attend this year's 2011 Apologetics Mega Conference here in our Cincinnati/northern Kentucky area?

Well, why should you be equipped to defend your faith? Why should you fulfill the Great Commission to "make disciples"?

The simple answer is God's Word demands that we be prepared to "give an answer" to defend our faith (1 Peter 3:15). His Word commands that we "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19).

Coming to the Apologetics Mega Conference will give you the training that will enable you to speak boldly about the truths of the Bible, to answer the skeptical world, and develop a biblical worldview founded on a solid foundation.

Joining me as our featured speakers will include:

Dr. A. Charles Ware, DD, is president of Crossroads Bible College in Indianapolis and chairman of Crossroads' Urban Leadership and Multiethnic Studies Division.
Dr. Joseph Francis, PhD, serves as professor of biology at The Master's College (California), and adjunct professor for Liberty University Online.
Dr. Steven W. Boyd, MS, ThM, PhD is a professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at The Master's College.
Dr. David A. DeWitt is a professor of biology at Liberty University (Virginia), where he serves as the chair of the Department of Biology and Chemistry. He is also director of the Center for Creation studies at Liberty University.
Dr. Jason Lisle, PhD, is an astrophysicist, accomplished author and speaker for Answers in Genesis.
Dr. Andrew Snelling PhD is an international speaker, researcher, and geologist for Answers in Genesis.
Dr. Georgia Purdom is a wife, mother, and Answers in Genesis researcher with a PhD in molecular genetics.
Mike Riddle is an education specialist and speaker for Answers in Genesis with degrees in mathematics and education.
Dr. Tommy Mitchell  is a physician, author, and speaker for Answers in Genesis.
Dr. David Menton, PhD, is professor emeritus for the Washington University School of Medicine and speaker with Answers in Genesis.
Dr. Terry Mortenson has his PhD in history of geology and his Master of Divinity in theology, and is a current speaker with Answers in Genesis.

The conference will be hosted at Florence Baptist Church at Mt. Zion, July 18–22, 2011 (just 20 minutes from the Creation Museum and 10 minutes from the Cincinnati Airport). Free admission to the Creation Museum is included with your registration.

If you register before December 31, 2010, you will save up to 25%! Visit 2011megaconference.org for complete details, schedule, hotel information, and registration.

Don't miss 2011's most important conference with such a line up of unique and powerful speakers.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

ABC–TV Visits

On Monday, producers, technicians, and a reporter with the national ABC–TV network visited our Creation Museum and then the proposed land for the Ark Encounter. The segment was to have aired Monday evening on World News with Diane Sawyer, but a TV producer called AiG early in the evening to inform us that due to expanded news coverage of an agreement coming out of Washington regarding tax cuts and jobless benefits for the nation, ABC's planned story on the Ark project was bumped.

Segments were filmed Monday on the land in Williamstown, Kentucky, where the full-scale Noah's Ark may be located. Filming was also done inside our Creation Museum. In the photo below, Patrick Marsh (left), the lead designer for the museum and the Ark project, fields questions.

Then the producer and crew, a large satellite truck, plus a correspondent and another producer (both had just flown in from New York) dashed out to the land to see the Ark property. It was 20 degrees out there, but the wind made it feel more like 5 degrees, as a shivering Mark Looy fielded questions by the ABC correspondent (Linsey Davis). They almost got stuck on the snowy terrain—the AiG van had to be pushed free by the TV crew. It was all quite an adventure, I'm told (as I enjoy a warm Australia right now).

We are still waiting for the new ABC air date. It's possible the piece will be shown tonight (Tuesday) according to one producer. Check your local listings for the ABC affiliate station in your area that carries "World News with Diane Sawyer" and its time of broadcast. Also, see the ABC–TV news site.

The website for the Ark Encounter is ArkEncounter.com.

Compromise in the Church—From the Perspective of an AiG Scientist

Our staff often has the opportunity to engage Christian leaders and encourage them to uphold biblical authority within their churches and denominations. Even our PhD scientists get involved, as was the case recently with Georgia Purdom (PhD in molecular genetics from Ohio State), who shared the following with me (and is on her blog today):

I Get Email from Compromised Christian Leaders

A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog about a new translation of the Bible known as the Common English Bible (CEB). There are numerous problems with this liberal translation, including the inclusion of the clearly unscriptural books of the apocrypha. I wrote to a friend of mine who is a member of one of the denominations that was associated with the translation of the CEB. I told him of my concerns, and he forwarded my email to a leader in this particular denomination (which is well known). Below is a portion of the email I received from this Christian leader.

I would want you to know that I share some of your concerns . . . . we have always been known for our great faith in the inspiration and authority of Scripture as the inspired Word of God. It is God's word to us.

You would know that our theologians and pastors are free to participate in such activities and do so quite often. I would invite you to be a partner in prayer with us as we engage the church on such matters.

When I read it I couldn't help but think that this was a disgustingly weak and compromised answer. If this Christian leader really believes in the inspiration and authority of Scripture as he states, then he should be extremely upset and willing to confront those in his denomination who were involved. No, I didn't know that Christian theologians and pastors in this denomination were "free to participate" in activities which are clearly heretical to the Bible! If the Bible is truly "God's word to us," then we need to defend it unashamedly (Romans 1:16). Sadly, many Christian scholars are more concerned with receiving praise from man rather than praise from God.

Please partner in praying with me for this Christian leader and others who by compromising are leading many, many people away from the authority and truthfulness of God's Word.

Another Compromised Christian Leader

A few weeks ago, Dr. Purdom wrote a blog about the Common English Bible:

I downloaded Genesis from their website and began to read (since I'm working for AiG, I had better start with that book of the Bible!) While there is much I could say, I will comment on just a few verses in Genesis and elsewhere.

The Lord God formed the human from the topsoil of the fertile land and blew life's breath into his nostrils. The human came to life. The Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east and put there the human he had formed. (Genesis 2:7–8, CEB, underlining mine)

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. (Genesis 2:7–8, NKJV, underlining mine)

Obviously, my biggest problem with these verses is the CEB's use of the generic term human for man. It isn't until later in chapter 2 when God made the woman that there is any indication in the CEB that the "human" in verses 7 and 8 was male! The Hebrew word for man is adam, which is a masculine noun and in the context of these verses in Genesis clearly refers to the first man, Adam. Perhaps it was their desire to appease the evangelical feminists or be "politically correct," but in the process they have sacrificed accuracy and ease of understanding, which is contrary to their goal.

I encourage you to read Georgia's whole blog on this topic.

Compromise on the authority and truthfulness of God's Word is all too common in the church today. Read this quote (which I have commented on previously) from a book by Dr. William Dembski, a research professor in philosophy at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas:

The young-earth solution to reconciling the order of creation with natural history makes good exegetical and theological sense. Indeed, the overwhelming consensus of theologians up through the Reformation held to this view. I myself would adopt it in a heartbeat except that nature seems to present such a strong evidence against it. I'm hardly alone in my reluctance to accept young-earth (The End of Christianity, p. 55).

This is a very typical response from many Christian leaders—something like: "I would accept a plain reading of Genesis (as a historical narrative) because that seems to make the most sense, but or except . . . I've decided that I am going to take man's ideas about the past (who wasn't there) as being more authoritative than the eyewitness account of the past given to us by God in His Word."

On the AiG website is an article by Dr. Terry Mortenson of our staff that quotes many other compromising scholars.

Please pray for these compromised Christian leaders to realize their error, defend the authority of God's Word, and teach others to do the same.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Don't Give Up Your "Starting Point"

Yesterday (Sunday), I spoke three times in the church my mother attends in Brisbane, Australia. A number of people drove all the way from the town of Dalby (2.5 hours away). There was a small busload and others from the Gold Coast (1 hour away), and others drove from outlying suburbs. One 80-year-old lady caught a train from north of Brisbane (Redcliffe) and traveled 1.5 hours and then 30 minutes by taxi. Also, it was thrilling to see a good number of young people.

For one of my presentations, I concentrated on teaching people that there are only two starting points to develop one's worldview. You either start with God's Word or man's word (just as we depict in the "Starting Points Room" at the Creation Museum). I shared that because of the false view of "neutrality" that permeated our culture, Christians had been intimidated and given up their starting point. I challenged the congregation that God's people have to stop giving up their starting point.

A number of people came up and said that they could see that many Christians had given up their starting point and how this had caused Christians to be rather ineffective in their witnessing and in affecting the culture. As one man said to me, "you put it so simply—I see it now. I've been one of those that gave up our starting point. Thank you so much for teaching me how to stand on God's Word."

I had many other testimonies during the day including the following:

A lady who told me her son—a number of years ago—became a Christian after reading the children's book  A is for Adam . I have heard such testimonies many times over the years. The Lord has certainly used this book that honors His Word to open the hearts of young children.
A young man told me he became a Christian seven years ago as a result of our ministry. He then asked further questions in regard to how to witness effectively in this culture.
One man told me he had gone to Christian school, but he had never heard teaching like this.
A number of people visiting that day in the church told me they were battling people in their churches back home who believed in evolution/millions of years, and they were so thankful for the books that were supplied so they could now be equipped with answers.
Many people told me they have just never heard teaching like this. I could tell people were hungry for answers.

After the second session Sunday evening, most people stayed for another half hour for a question time.

One of the major Christian book distributors in Australia, Koorong, supplied books and some DVDs for the event. People were hungry for these resources. Three of the books they supplied were The New Answers Books (1,2, and 3). These are the biggest-selling creation apologetics books in the world. The books that were supplied all went. There is a incredible hunger for the resources—people want to be equipped.

Here are some photographs:

People in the auditorium (there was an overflow room as well).

Another photo of the auditorium.

The great Aussie BBQ. Because so many people were talking to me, I didn't get a photograph of the BBQ while the cooking was in progress! But I took this photograph after the food had been cooked.

Holding up an Aussie beef sausage cooked on the barbie.

My brother David and his son Shane—it has been great to spend time with family and see many of our family members at the program last night.

Ark Encounter Gets Worldwide Attention

Not only has the media in the USA reported on the just-announced Ark Encounter project, but various news sources from other countries have also reported on this. Here is a new report from The Daily Mail of the UK, and here is another news report from The New York Times.

Media Mania

I urge you to read our lead article today on the AiG website entitled, "Media Mania."  The media frenzy in reaction to the announcement of the Ark project has been incredible—imagine what will happen when the Ark Encounter opens its doors.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Blessed by a Preschool Christmas Program

Last week, the Creation Museum hosted a preschool class from a local church in our Cincinnati/northern Kentucky area. It was the drama of the Christmas account straight from God's Word—with actors from the preschool audience portraying Joseph and Mary. The children were even asked to participate by putting on headgear that represented the animals that might have been present at the nativity scene. They were even treated to an appearance of our petting zoo's donkey to let them see what Jesus' mother might have had to travel on as she made her way to Bethlehem.

Parents and children were blessed by the special Christmas program. The Creation Museum is more than happy to host other field trips for school groups and church groups!

At a time when millions of children are being indoctrinated in evolutionary secular humanism through public schools, science museums, media, etc., it is a thrill for us to be able to bring the truth of God's Word to so many children who visit the Creation Museum.

Media Matters

By the way, the main article on our website on Monday will look back at the wide media coverage about last week's announcement that AiG will be the co-developer of the Ark Encounter—with a full-size, wooden Ark as the main attraction. As I write this, the New York Times and the Times of London were working on their own stories about the Ark Encounter (to be built in northern Kentucky and south of Cincinnati). Check back later on the AiG website for that Monday article; meanwhile, see our new Ark website (with videos) at www.ArkEncounter.com.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

ken

Evolutionary Ideas Are Not Important for Observational Science

AiG 's Dr. Georgia Purdom, who has a PhD in molecular genetics, wrote an interesting blog recently that I thought would be good for all my blog readers to see.  She begins:

The quote in the title of this blog post was the concluding sentence of an article entitled, "The Devolution of Evolution" in the science news magazine, The Scientist. The author, Leonid Moroz, is a professor of neuroscience, chemistry, and biology at the University of Florida College of Medicine. The author's main complaint is that evolutionary ideas are not being taught in graduate school and medical school. I can personally attest to this, as there was very little direct teaching about evolution during my time in graduate school.

Dr. Moroz states why he believes evolution is not being taught: "evolutionary biology and biosystematics courses . . . have quietly lost their place of eminence . . . "outcompeted" by escalating specialization and the increasingly technical nature of many biological sciences." Basically, what he is saying here is that observational/operational science that is important for everyday work in the lab (science that gives us planes, cars, medical discoveries, etc.) is being taught instead of historical science like evolution. He thinks this will cause a loss of "strategic advantage" and "long-term perspective." But will it?

As he states later in the article, "Many, if not most, breakthroughs in biology and medicine have come by studying experimental models representing the entire spectrum of life . . . ." Notice he uses the word experimental, which is the heart of observational science—it is testable, falsifiable, and repeatable. This cannot apply to evolutionary ideas, which fall under the category of historical science and are not testable, falsifiable, or repeatable. Yet, read what he says in the next sentence: "The doctor's pragmatic interest in healing and repair and the synthetic biologist's ambitious dream to build a new life-form require a deep understanding of life's evolutionary history." Talk about a paradox! He just effectively refuted his previous sentence by saying that a "deep understanding" of a completely non-experimental science is essential.

I urge you to read this entire blog posting on her blog.

News to Note and the Ark Encounter

Our News to Note weekly feature on our website today has an item about the just-announced Ark Encounter project.  If you don't regularly visit News to Note, I urge you to do so as it will help you keep up with the latest relevant news about items that Answers in Genesis considers should be brought to your attention.

Also, read our Ark-related web articles from Wednesday-Friday of this week about the exciting Ark Encounter project—drawing headlines worldwide (we'll report on the wide press coverage this Monday)—by going to http://www.answersingenesis.org/get-answers/daily-articles.

Speaking This Sunday

This Sunday, I will be speaking at a church in the Brisbane (Queensland) area—at the morning service, and then giving two presentations in the evening.

I encourage those in Australia who know people in the Brisbane area to send the information about these meetings to them. You can obtain the details on the event page.

This is the only time I will be speaking in Australia this year.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Abraham Visits

Dr. Nathaniel Abraham has faced some challenges as a PhD scientist since moving to America from India several years ago. I mentioned him in a prior blog post, as I reported on how he was fired from a well-known science institution in New England simply for rejecting Darwinian evolution (yes, it really was as simple as that)—see my blog post regarding this.

Dr. Abraham landed a teaching position at Liberty University in Virginia. He has remained in touch with us over the years, but had never visited our Creation Museum. However, last week he came by with his wife and two children, plus his brother and his family from Nashville, and also his parents from Madras, India.

In the photo below, Dr. Abraham is standing to the right.

The Liberty website is www.liberty.edu; while there, you can check out the university's science program.

Ark Encounter

If you haven't yet, I encourage you to spend some time on the new website we "launched" on Wednesday (www.ArkEncounter.com). This website went live after Kentucky's Gov. Steve Beshear made the announcement about the full-scale Ark that we will be building in northern Kentucky. See yesterday's web article on the Governor's announcement, and go here to make your donation that will help us build a full-scale Noah's Ark, which is made out of wood.

More Details on the Ark

On the AiG website today, we have put up my article (which is adapted from our Answers Update newsletter) that gives more details (with illustrations) concerning the Ark project. I encourage you to read this article (and forward it to others).

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken