This afternoon I was reading an article by Ken Ham, president of Answers in Genesis. He was speaking about the horrible trend that has swept the church and caused many professing Christians to compromise their beliefs and allow evolutionary ideas into their worldviews. Many of these people have done so because they are insecure in their faith in the authority of God's Word. They haven't been shown the evidence that supports the Genesis account of creation exactly as it is written. Somehow, they have come to believe that scientific 'evidence' outweighs the authority of Scripture, and a tragic number of Christians have stopped speaking with authority because of this. It has become very easy for the atheists and evolutionists - who are speaking authoritatively, whether they are justified in doing so or not - to drown them out.
This is an issue that is continually on my heart, so imagine how encouraging and refreshing it was when I read the following in Ken Ham's article:
"In Mark 1:22 we read that many people were astonished with Christ's teaching, for He spoke as one having authority. Today, we can speak with this same authority, because we have the Word of God! Jesus Christ, the Creator and the Word, has given us the Bible, and He told us how He created all things."
I can't tell you how refreshing it is to read that.
Don't let them intimidate you into compromising on your beliefs, my friends. If you find an evolutionist's arguments or 'evidence' intimidating or jarring to your beliefs, don't just sit there and let it gradually erode your faith away. Make war against these lies and the Liar they came from!
Do an in-depth study of the Genesis creation account - I'm talking with a concordance and everything. Look up key words and learn exactly what they mean in the original language.
Find good books, articles, documentaries, and lectures on apologetics and go through them carefully. Answers in Genesis is a great place to start. The Institute for Creation Research is another fabulous resource. Master Books has a library's worth of resources available. (And of course, I'd be more than happy to recommend some of my favorite resources with anyone who asked. ; )
Talk to your parents, a pastor, or a friend who has not allowed themselves to compromise on their faith in light of scientific 'evidence' that supports evolution. Tell them what you're going through (don't be afraid to be honest and tell them you're confused and struggling). Ask questions. Ask them to help you study the topic that is bothering you and learn the truth about it. Ask them to pray for you. Email me and ask me to pray for you - that's what Christian brothers and sisters are for.
Above all, pray for yourself and ask God to help you learn to stand on the authority of His Word. God doesn't lie, friends. He can't lie. It's completely contrary to His nature, and He wouldn't be God if it wasn't.
Even Christian creationists don't have all the answers, and many things are still mysteries to us. But we still have the words of a God who doesn't lie, and He has told us what we need to know to stand on those words.
Like the song says:
"Til He returns or calls me home, here in the Power of Christ I'll stand."
Stand strong, my friends.
Answers in Genesis has really blessed me in that way.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny. Just a little while ago, I was on Mr. Ham's website, laughing with my brother and sister at the comic strips :D
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts! I'm very distressed by the number of Christians who are deceived into thinking that so-called science trumps God's word. Real science harmonizes perfectly with the Bible!
Answers in Genesis is a huge blessing to my family also. There's usually a skirmish every time their magazine arrives, to see who gets to read it first. Our collection of their books is growing rapidly, as well. : )
ReplyDeleteGood points, Mary! Of our generation, only an estimated 33% of the population actually believe the Bible is the literal word of God, and some research suggests the percentage is even less than that.
ReplyDeleteThose numbers are reflected in views on science and creation. What people often don't realize is that scientific "facts" are often educated guesses shaped by worldview and subject to change as new discoveries are made. It's important that we dig deep into the truth of Scripture and gain understanding--and you've outlined some good ways to do that. :)