http://creationconnection.org/blog en pruitt.nick@gmail.com Copyright 2010 2010-02-02T05:27:01-06:00 http://creationconnection.org/blog/entry/footprints_in_the_sand/ /blog/entry/footprints_in_the_sand Three toed dinosaur footprint.Picture with me a group of small bi-pedal dinosaurs making their way across a patch of wet soil leaving behind their marks in the mud.  These footprints hardened into rock, dinosaur trackways … history at our fingertips!  Something only paleontologists experience, right? Picture with me a group of small bi-pedal dinosaurs making their way across a patch of wet soil leaving behind their marks in the mud. These footprints hardened into rock, dinosaur trackways … history at our fingertips! Something only paleontologists experience, right? This past September, my wife and I had the unique opportunity to see this firsthand; something we had never done before. We were vacationing in the Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming area (a great region for seeing dinosaur fossils and trackways), so we decided to “track” down a dinosaur site and take a look for ourselves. We settled on a small park in the northeastern corner of Utah called Red Fleet Reservoir State Park. It is a small park with some RV hookups and a lake for fishing. We arrived late in the afternoon at a sparsely populated campsite. A note on the window of the check-in station indicated the park ranger was “out of the park”. In the solitude of the moment, we were unaware of the little adventure we were about to partake in. What are Trace Fossils? Dinosaur tracks are actually classified as trace fossils because they are not the actual fossilized remains of the animal, but fossilized evidence that the animal once walked across a particular area of ground. A trace fossil. Fossilized tracks are made when an animal walks across wet sand or soil, leaving a footprint impression in the soft sediment. Just as a footprint on the beach is washed away by the next wave from the ocean, something as simple as wind, rain, or successive foot traffic would quickly “erase” these footprints; however, when they are buried rapidly, before they erode, the process of preservation has begun. Once the moisture dissipates, the sediment begins to harden into rock. The process that buries these footprints is similar to how fossils are formed. Through erosion, the footprints are then uncovered, waiting to be discovered by a paleontologist, a group of Boy Scouts, or a group of ATV riders. Sedimentary Rock Rock formed from accumulations of sediment, which may consist of rock fragments of various sizes, remains or products of animals or plants, products of chemical action or of evaporation, or mixtures of these. Stratification is single most characteristic feature of sedimentary rocks, which cover about 75 percent of land area. Source: Leet, L. Don. 1982. Physical Geology, 6th Edition. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall Today, we can examine the tracks to gain insight into the animal’s behavior, to identify if he moved alone or in a group, and to estimate the basic size of the animal by comparing the footprint to known fossils found in the region. Estimations can also be made as to how fast the animal may have been able to move by looking at his stride length. Dinosaur trackways are also beneficial, because of the ability to study the animal in a dynamic manner as opposed to the static fossils. A Hike to the Fossil Trackways Our initial journey to the trackway site had to be rerouted because of our lack of transportation across the river. So, back into the truck we went, to find a way to the other side of the river. Upon reaching the trailhead, we discovered we had over a mile hike through sandy, rocky terrain, wind-twisted trees, and sage bushes. With a somewhat haphazardly-marked path, our trek was mixed with caution (over getting lost in a place where no one would know to look for us!) and the excitement of being amateur explorers on this unique treasure hunt. At trails’ end, we found ourselves standing at the top of a large, flat sedimentary rock bed jutting out of the water at an angle. The rock face resembled a boat-launch ramp and was about the size of two basketball floors. Profile of rock slab. Having read these tracks would be best viewed early or late in the day (the angle of the sun would cast a shadow in the prints, making them easier to spot), we had tried to time our visit accordingly, and made our journey in the afternoon. As we scanned the rock face for dinosaur tracks, nothing was obvious at first. Then, we noticed a small group of loose rocks laid in a circle by a previous visitor, identifying one of the footprints. Now, knowing what to look for, the footprints began to “pop” out of the rock face. Everywhere we looked, we saw fossilized three-toed dinosaur footprints about 12 to 18 inches long. Dinosaur footprint in sedimentary rock. There appeared to be well over 50 tracks. Most of them were in the same direction and there seemed to be several animals of the same species in the group. Ever since I was a little boy, I have been fascinated with dinosaurs, and here we stood, standing upon the same ground where a now extinct dinosaur once walked. To be able to place our hands in the steps (literally) of history was exciting! The setting sun reminded us we were pressed for time, and with a few more photographs, we began our hike back to the truck. The information at the sight was very limited, so I did some research after returning home. I found that these trackways where thought to have been left by a bipedal dinosaur, something along the lines of a Coelphysis. This dinosaur was about 10 feet long from his nose to the tip of his tail and weighed between 50 and 75 pounds.  A Biblical Perspective Since the discovery of dinosaurs in the early 1800’s, there has been a great deal of debate about these fascinating animals.  What did they look like? Why did they die? When did they live? For most people, dinosaurs are intriguing creatures that are products of unguided natural forces (evolution) dying out over 65 million years ago. According to paleontologists, footprints, like the ones pictured above, where supposed to have been laid down some 200 million years ago, but are dates like these reliable? Footprints, like fossils, ultimately can only give us a limited amount of information. We observe them in the present; we can only speculate about their age when looking into the past. Also, we cannot know the exact circumstances surrounding the footprints. Does a Biblical perspective give us any additional insight? We can reason that dinosaur trackways were laid down as a result of an animal walking over wet sand or soil. With the footprints needing to be covered over quickly by additional sediment in order to preserve the tracks, what mechanism or event is there in the Bible that would put all of these things together? The Bible tells us of a great flood that occurred over 4,000 years ago, which covered the entire face of the earth. To be more specific, the Genesis flood, the single largest catastrophic event the world has ever known, gives us the range of circumstances needed to preserve these tracks until today. “In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened.” (Ge 7:11 NAS95) Here, in addition to rain falling from the heavens, the Bible depicts high-pressure water bursting through the earth’s crust. These events are the primary source of all of the geographic features we have on the earth’s surface today such as multiple rock layers, mountains and canyons. As we can observe today, when rain falls, the ground becomes soft and wet. In Genesis 2:6, the Bible indicates a mist watered the earth. We are not given an account of rain until the flood; therefore, it is possible animals and mankind had never seen this form of precipitation before. With the onslaught of this deluge, we are not simply looking at a thunderstorm; the catastrophic nature of the Genesis flood would have caused a great deal of activity and likely panic from all of the animals.  With the rapid upheaval of sediment driven by the force of water bursting through the earth’s crust would give us the rapid burial needed to preserve the footprints. Once the flooding stopped and the waters began to recede, the drying out process would have begun. The pressure of the overlaid sediment (see sedimentary rock insert above) would enable the once soft sand or soil to harden and turn to the sedimentary rock we have today. Through erosion, the overlaid sediment will wear away, until we get back down to the surface in which the footprints where originally laid down. If you will look at things like these footprints from a Biblical perspective first, I believe you will find the answers emerge and will actually strengthen your faith in the God of all creation. Tommy Apologetics, Dinosaurs, Science 2010-02-02T05:27:01-06:00 http://creationconnection.org/blog/entry/the_creator_and_the_bible/ /blog/entry/the_creator_and_the_bible Mr. Paul Bryant Paul is with the Rocky Mountain Creation Fellowship. He is author of the book, “The Challenge of Evolution.” In this video, he makes a presentation entitled, “The Creator and the Bible.” Apologetics, Theology, Foundations, Science 2009-12-11T20:36:01-06:00 http://creationconnection.org/blog/entry/apologies_not_needed/ /blog/entry/apologies_not_needed Even though apology and apologetics share the same root word, today they have very different meanings.  Apologetics, taken from the Greek word “apologia” (ap-ol-og-ee’-ah; from or out of the word) is not the art of saying you are sorry, but… Even though apology and apologetics share the same root word, today they have very different meanings.  Apologetics, taken from the Greek word “apologia” (ap-ol-og-ee’-ah; from or out of the word), is not the art of saying you are sorry, but the art and science of defending the Christian faith against false teaching and accusations.  This term was used in ancient times in court proceedings. In Peter’s first epistle, we see him responding to the difficulties that the Christians of that day were facing.  These Christians were suffering great persecution at the hands of the Roman empire, yet Peter implored them to stand strong and weather the storm of the day.  Peter’s words are no less appropriate for the Church today. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” (1Pe 3:15 AV) Columbo Tactic The following video is a good tool to use when encountering someone with a contrary worldview.  It is called the Columbo Tactic. It is important to remember this rule of thumb, “the one who frames the question, wins the argument.” Now, talking with someone who holds an opposing worldview, we are not simply trying to win an argument, but in framing the question, you are able to set the framework of the conversation.  The essence of this tactic is to help find out what people actually believe and then, as you listen, you will better be able to defend the “reason for the hope that is in you.” I hope you will take a few minutes to watch the video and as always, let me know if you have any questions. [Your browser does not support frames or is currently configured not to display frames. Please contact tech support if you are unable to configure your browser for frames.] Video from: http://www.str.org Once we are set apart for the cause of Christ, giving a sound, logical reason for our relationship with Jesus is a normal and right part of a Christian’s life.  It can be difficult at times to stay under control emotionally, but Peter also reminds us that when we are defending the faith we are to do so with meekness and fear. The apostle Paul was also an apologist.  In Acts 17:17-18, we see Paul “reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present.  And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him.” Paul was a man who was set apart in Jesus and a learned man ready to “reason” with all who would hear the truth of the Gospel message. The word “reasoning” in verse 17 is taken from the Greek word “dialegomai,” which means; to converse, discourse with one, argue, discuss.  Paul was simply presenting the truth of Jesus Christ and responding to the variety of thoughts, ideas and opionions that were presented to him.  We may all encounter someone who is very hostile to the Christian faith, but how often do we simply encounter somone who simply has questions they need answered?  After speaking at a church recently, a young man came up to me afterward and thanked me for sharing about how God had brought me through some difficult questions about the Bible and the creation account.  He said that he had been thinking about some of the things I shared and I was able to help him see them better from a Biblical perspective.  Sometimes, people want to know that we can give a clear, concise account of what we believe and demonstrate the hope that is in us. Apologetics speaks to both the saved and the lost by being the intellectual tool in which the stumbling blocks and questions of life can begin to be removed with sound reasoning and with the tact and skill of appropriate presentation. John Piper Interviews Douglas Wilson About Collision Be prepared, know God’s Word and know how to share it with a gentle heart and a learned mind. Grace Be With You, Tommy Apologetics, Theology 2009-10-20T02:36:00-06:00 http://creationconnection.org/blog/entry/friedrich_schleiermacher_history_science_and_the_bible/ /blog/entry/friedrich_schleiermacher_history_science_and_the_bible Friedrich Schleiermacher, born November 21, 1763 in Breslau, Prussia, was a religious man with a high view of God; however, his understanding of God and the Bible were quite liberal. These views were fashioned out of his upbringing and were predisposed by the liberal teaching of his day. Ultimately, Friedrich’s understanding of God was born out of the “Romanticism” movement of the day and he eventually became an “influential spokesman for ‘Christian experience’” , a movement whose teaching brought God to simply feelings. Friedrich Schleiermacher, born November 21, 1763 in Breslau, Prussia, was a religious man with a high view of God; however, his understanding of God and the Bible were quite liberal. These views were fashioned out of his upbringing and were predisposed by the liberal teaching of his day. Ultimately, Friedrich’s understanding of God was born out of the “Romanticism” movement of the day and he eventually became an “influential spokesman for ‘Christian experience’” , a movement whose teaching brought God to simply feelings. A Brief Look at the History That Swirled Around Schleiermacher Even the greatest thinkers of history seldom conceived their ideas in a vacuum; Friedrich did not either. Let’s look at some key events and people who influenced Friedrich. Scripture Alone In the early 1500’s, Martin Luther unwaveringly defended his views of the Bible and the injustices of his day against the Catholic Church. In defense of his position, he uttered these words, “Unless I am convinced by the testimonies of the Holy Scriptures or evident reason, I am bound by the Scriptures adduced by me, and my conscience has been taken captive by the Word of God, and I am neither able nor willing to recant, since it is neither safe nor right to act against conscience. God help me. Amen” . Luther took a bold and firm stand upon the authority of the Word of God. But this stand was not to last within the culture of Europe… Scripture Questioned Moving into the period known as The Age of Enlightenment (1600’s to 1800’s), thinking shifted and men started questioning the Bible’s doctrines on history and science. The world of history and science were making new discoveries, and some of these discoveries were in direct conflict with clear Biblical teaching. This age is vast and complex to unfold, but in summary, many were now taking the position that the Bible no longer had anything of value to add to the history and science of the day and, at best, the Bible’s voice on these subjects was limited and easily questioned. The Biblical view of the origin of the earth was specifically questioned. “Geologists and astronomers on the one hand, and biologists and anthropologists on the other, combined to present a historical picture of the earth’s origin (read history here), and of man’s habitation of it, which was wholly incompatible with the historical account in the Old Testament.” This was a sad turn of events. The impact of this questioning is still felt today. Throughout history, men have influenced and shaped worldviews. Using his newly invented telescope, Galileo’s discoveries of the universe brought the church’s belief of the earth being the center of the solar system into a poor light and ridicule. Scientist Francis Bacon argued that the Bible was not needed to understand the world. With new attempts to place the origin of the earth at several million years ago, theologians began reinterpreting Scripture. Some of these men were Hugh Miller and Thomas Chalmers. Both preachers, they questioned certain aspects of the creation account and what the word “day” meant in Genesis 1. In doing so, they taught an old age of the earth based upon the science of the day, thus altering the Bible and bringing into question its authority when dealing with history. In the field of science, Charles Lyell and Charles Darwin are two men who pushed the “questioning of the Bible” way down the road with their theories. These theories were being promoted in their writings “Principles of Geology” and “The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, for the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life”. Stepping away from the authority of the Bible, new assumptions were being made about the age of the earth and religious leaders were being forced to fight, abandon the Bible or reinterpret its teaching. These great battles and compromise, I believe, negatively influenced Friedrich and his ability to trust what the Bible said. Therefore, it became easy to reject the Bible’s teaching of history and science. Scripture Abandoned Moving into the early days of the 20th century, we begin to see the impact of questioning the Bible. In Dayton, Tennessee, on July 1925, the world looked in at the “trial of the century”, the Scopes Monkey Trial, where the Bible was not just questioned, but openly mocked and criticized. Clarence Darrow questioned William Jennings Bryan about the history and science of the Bible and because of Bryan’s poor understanding of the strength of the science and history of the Bible, the world saw what a “foundation being destroyed” looked like. The Bible was now clearly viewed as not having any importance for a “natural world” understanding. This thinking was spoken about by the apostle Paul, God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness   18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 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, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. (Romans 1:18-23, New King James Version).” The questioning of the Bible led to a rejection of the Bible. One of the more prominent casualties was Charles Templeton. In the 1950’s, he was a more popular evangelist than Billy Graham; however, when he could no longer reconcile the liberal teaching he had received in seminary about the earth being millions of years old, Charles rejected what he had once believed. Abandoning God and preaching, Charles eventually died in disbelief. The casualties are many when we look back over the history of compromise of the Bible. I believe that Friedrich Schleiermacher’s life was not one who simply influenced the thought of others, but was taken up in the wash of an already growing liberal thought of the day. Friedrich Schleiermacher Friedrich was born in a religious home. He was an “unusually bright child” with a sensitive heart toward the things of eternity and the happiness of men. It seems as though his mother offered little guidance as he sought her direction and his father was distant in their relationship. Most of young Friedrich’s understanding of God and the Bible came through mentors and teachers he encountered through his formative years. As a teenager, he was overcome with “a strange skepticism,” believing that ancient history was unreal. He seemed to know nothing of the proof of this ancient history. I wonder if Friedrich’s life would have gone a different course if he had been aware of some of the great discoveries we enjoy today. Unfortunately, as Friedrich grew, he came to view orthodox Christians poorly. He saw “great debates over proofs of God, the authority of Scriptures, and the possibility of miracles were all on the fringe of religion.” It has been said that the way we view our earthly father is the way we view our Heavenly Father. Could this have been true for Friedrich? He believed “the heart of religion was and always had been feeling, not rational proofs.” Through his teaching, preaching and writings, Schleiermacher influenced religion to shift “from the Bible to the experience of the believer.” Schleiermacher was known as the “father of modern theology”, because he influenced people away from the Bible and its clear truths as they related to history and science to a “religious experience.” This religious experience seems to be where so many churches are today. Conclusion Shifting away from the Bible to religious experience is so dangerous. A Christian who does not know the Scriptures is primed for deception. A Christian who enters into a relationship with God based mainly upon emotions is subject to being easily blown by the next great wind of change. While we cannot make our relationship with God or our understanding of the Bible an intellectual pursuit only, to be driven by the experience of the moment or culture leaves us quite vulnerable. I do not perceive that Friedrich’s teaching brought about a positive change in religion. I see someone who viewed the history and science of the Bible as without real value to society. Instead of trusting the authority of God’s Word, Friedrich chose to find stability in the one thing that science and history could not take away; he clung to his emotions. Schleiermacher, like all of us, will be measured against the One who is perfection, Jesus Christ. Jesus was a man who had a heart of great sensitivity, but He was also a man of great strength and authority. He knew when and how to demonstrate them all. May we all be like Jesus! Bibliography 1) Cross, George. A Sketch of Schleiermacher’s Life. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/cross_g/theology.ii.i.html?highlight=friedrich,schleiermacher#highlight 2) English Standard Version, Crossway Bibles 2001 3) Johnson, Paul. A History of Christianity. Simon & Schuster, New York, NY 1976 4) Shelley, Bruce L. Church History in Plain Language Word, Inc. 1982 5) Schwiebert, E. G. A Life of Martin Luther and His Times Apologetics, Theology, Science 2009-09-12T19:28:00-06:00 http://creationconnection.org/blog/entry/truth_is_power/ /blog/entry/truth_is_power Humanity clamors for power, but they cling to this power by claiming to hold truth. Secular education desires to teach anti-God doctrine in our institutes of education. They desire to hold sway over our children; they do so by claiming to hold the truths of life. Their version of truth can be outlined this way… Humanity clamors for power, but they cling to this power by claiming to hold truth. Mainstream secular education teaches anti-God doctrine in our institutes of education. As much as secular education may claim to be neutral with respect to religion, they are not. Neutrality is not a possible position to hold. We are either for God or we are against Him. The absence of religion does not create a vaccum, it only allows something else to fill the void. They desire to hold sway over our children and they do so by claiming to hold the truths of life. Their version of truth can be outlined this way… · Religion is harmful · Evolution explains life · Science is king · God is not a good god But are these statements the truth of the matter? Can we, upon further examination, perform a sound evaluation of these statements and allow the outcome to speak for itself? While Pilate was confronting Jesus about His status as the King of the Jews, Pilate laid claim to having power over Jesus. “So Pilate said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” Such pride humanity carries. How can anyone of us claim to have power over the creator of the universe, our creator? Jesus had the right to lay down His life and to take it back up again. He was subject to no man. Jesus carried total power and authority over all of creation. When Jesus walked on water, even the water molecules recognized their creator and altered their physical properties to support his weight. It was almost as if the water molecules where saying, “we know who you are, you are our maker and you have total authority over us, direct us and we will obey.” Jesus reminded Pilate of the power he did not have, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above…” Pilate was at the mercy of God and He was an instrument being used by God to accomplish God’s will. There is a saying, “Those who control the past, control the future. Those who control the present, control the past.” Pilate’s pride caused him to believe he had the truth of the matter at hand and that truth was under his control, at that moment.” What this reveals is a failing of all humanity, based upon truth as we see it. If we can just control the moment, then I can have all things fall into place. Pilate did not recognize that he did not contain the truth of life, he was not “of the truth” and he had no power over Jesus. God was in total control and His Son was the essence of truth. Truth is power, but we do not hold the keys to truth, Jesus does. It is not ours to determine truth; it is ours to discover truth. Blessings, Tommy Apologetics, Theology, Foundations 2008-12-02T18:09:01-06:00 http://creationconnection.org/blog/entry/what_is_truth/ /blog/entry/what_is_truth Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” (John 18:38) These three words where spoken dismissively to Jesus at his interrogation by Pontius Pilate. Words like these, spoken at such a somber time in history have a way of echoing, even today. What did Pilate want to know or was he really asking a question at all? Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” (John 18:38) These three words where spoken dismissively to Jesus at his interrogation by Pontius Pilate. Words like these, spoken at such a somber time in history have a way of echoing, even today. What did Pilate want to know or was he really asking a question at all? We all want to have the truth of a given matter. To be deceived is such a frustrating and even humiliating position to be in. We are limited by our perceptions of what truth really is. How often do we feel that truth resides within our own mental boundaries and not a step beyond? Pilate confronted Jesus with the question, “What is truth?” but he was not really seeking a truth statement from Jesus. I do not see Pilate sitting in his seat in the Praetorium, listening attentively to Jesus make an apologetic statement about what truth was. In my opinion, Pilate was actually revealing a mindset; a way of thinking that said the truth could be found outside of the person of Jesus Christ. There standing in front of him was “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6) and he was unable to recognize who Jesus was because of the blindness of his own sin and lost condition. There is also a real indifference in Pilate’s tone, he comes across the same way post-moderns thinkers do today. Post-modern thinkers view truth as “a matter of perspective or context rather than being something universal.” (Paul Copan, 4Truth.net) He seems to be saying, “you have your truth, I have my truth and the Pharisees have their truth” way of thinking. In the end, it is likely all Pilate wanted was for the whole situation to simply go away. In Jesus’ statement from John 14:6, “I am the truth,” He sets the benchmark for all of humanity. If you desire truth in your life, I am here. Pilate seemingly was unable or unwilling to see Jesus for who He really was. Jesus draws a line in the sand for Pilate by saying, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” (John 18:36) Truth is defined as “sincerity in action, character, and utterance; the body of real things, events, and facts.”(Merriam-Webster, 2003) Truth is unchanging, truth is. If truth could be changed then it would not be the truth. This is Jesus, the embodiment of the real. He is unchanging, He is the One who has the answer to our question. This flesh, this Word is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end; He is the great “I AM!” Truth is not an adjective describing a character trait of Jesus. It isn’t that Jesus tells the truth or always says and does the right thing. He is the standard bearer by which all of life and humanity is measured against. Jesus did come to just save us from our sin; He came so that sin (and its penalty, death) would be defeated. Sin stops at the feet of Jesus and goes no further. Pilate, in asking, “what is truth?” missed the One who was the total embodiment of truth. May we not miss Him either. Grace be with you, Tommy What Is Truth? video Video is from: http://www.thetruthproject.org/ Apologetics, Theology, Foundations 2008-11-17T18:06:01-06:00 http://creationconnection.org/blog/entry/what_went_bang/ /blog/entry/what_went_bang God spoke and “BANG!” Right? Not so fast. In short, the Big Bang theory lays claim to the origin of all matter and energy, doing so without God. Supposedly, 15 billion years ago a single mass called “singularity” was all bottled up and exploded into, well… everything. There is one big problem, where did this mass come from? Or as I like to ask, “what went bang?” How do you have a theory that is supposed to explain the origin of the universe and skip this fundamental question? God spoke and “BANG!” Right? Not so fast. In short, the Big Bang theory lays claim to the origin of all matter and energy, doing so without God. Supposedly, 15 billion years ago a single mass called “singularity” was all bottled up and exploded into, well… everything. There is one big problem, where did this mass come from? Or as I like to ask, “what went bang?” How do you have a theory that is supposed to explain the origin of the universe and skip this fundamental question? Scientist have recently completed construction on an 8 billion dollar project in Europe with hopes of recreating the first nano-seconds after this alleged explosion. This may sound harmless enough, but the fundamental question of “what went bang” cannot be overlooked. These scientist have brought their collective brain power together to recreate something they think happend. They have built machines, installed measuring devices, run tests, gattered existing matter and are subjecting this matter to tests of known laws of physics. They are the intelligence that is needed for an organized universe to exist even though the origin of intelligence cannot be explained by natural processes, they are working with existing matter whose origin cannot explained by natural processes and they are creating the purpose, which once again cannot be explained by natural processes. We live in an organized universe with matter that had a beginning and its purpose is found in its creator. Random and chance are not creative forces or organizing entities regardless of how much time you attempt to add to the equation. Most all scientist agree, the universe had a beginning, but there isn’t any scientific formula for “nothing to become something” naturally. The origin of matter and energy is a discussion that leaps quickly from the natural realm to the super natural realm, a place secular science does not want to go. The Big Bang theory is nothing more than a faith based system with a prior committment to a strictly natural world and a rejection of God. After these scientist have run all of their tests, you will hear a bunch of fuzzy words and phrases: “we think,” “we believe,” “these tests seem to indicate,” and so on. Their words will spin with a sound of accomplishment and answers, we will be hearing about their results for years to come. You don’t spend 8 billion dollars and not come out with answers. At the end of the day, questions will be framed to answer the questions they want answered, long reports will be written with complicated sounding words and they will land just where they thought they would land. Science will be used to disguise there prior committments to a naturalistic worldview and God will only be mentioned with strict boundaries and guidelines. God explains the “what, the why and the how.” God did not create with a bang, but with a spoken word. He is the infiinte Creator. “He is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:17 All that was not, became through Him. Apologetics, Theology, Science, News 2008-10-22T21:41:00-06:00 http://creationconnection.org/blog/entry/is_the_bible_a_reliable_timeline_of_the_history_of_the_world/ /blog/entry/is_the_bible_a_reliable_timeline_of_the_history_of_the_world It has been said that the Bible was not written to be a timeline and that is true, but the Bible was also not written to be… It has been said that the Bible was not written to be a timeline and that is true, but the Bible was also not written to be a science textbook, a book on finance or a book on parenting. The Bible was not written to give every known detail about any of the above subjects, but when it does speak about a given subject it is the authority on that matter because it comes with the authority of being God’s Word. God’s Word is authority, because God is the ultimate authority. Since the Bible was not written to be a calendar do we dismiss the obvious and clear elements of time that are contained within it? We see clearly laid out genealogies, durations in years of kingly reigns, Jewish festivals tied tightly to a known calendar, short term events laid out over days and the sun, moon and stars to be “for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years” The Bible is laid out with the beginning starting in Genesis (which happens to mean “to come into being”) and ends with Revelation in which we see the final judgment and triumphant return of Jesus. The Old Testament includes events occurring before Jesus birth and the New Testament includes events from His birth to the end. We see prophecies written (with known timeframes) before they are fulfilled, no surprise here. There are spans of time throughout the Old Testament in which events that occur before are written before and events that follow are written after. Genealogies Are Key Genealogies seem to be the backbone of the Old Testament. This backbone starts us with the first man, Adam and it moves ever diligently toward the last Adam, Jesus Christ. A promised kingly line is fulfilled in the birth of Jesus out of this chosen bloodline. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul connects these two men by calling the man, Adam and the God-man, Jesus. Luke also connects these two men in his third chapter of Luke by listing the Jesus to Adam geneaology. Is the Bible a timeline, no; is there a framework of time that runs from start to finish that can give us a very solid foundation upon which to stand? Yes. The purpose for understanding this chronological framework is simple; we need to see Jesus. In the beginning, Adam willfully disobeyed God and ushered in the execution of the promised penalty from God, death. We are born of this man, Adam (Romans 5:12) and thereby we too, are subject to this penalty. Only the promised coming of Jesus would pay the price of the penalty. Today we can accept the free gift of salvation and change family trees. Is the Bible a reliable timeline of the history of the world? I say yes! Life is linear, we are born, we live and we die, but for those who are in Christ Jesus; we are born again and will live in eternity. Are you born again? Theology, Foundations 2008-08-08T02:04:01-06:00 http://creationconnection.org/blog/entry/evolution_science_or_religious_worldview/ /blog/entry/evolution_science_or_religious_worldview Following is an outline of a presentation I gave recently upon the basic problems with the theory of evolution. Take time to look it over, there is a lot of general information here; it could be used as a guide to go deeper into individual areas of this huge subject. History of evolution Following is an outline of a presentation I gave recently upon the basic problems with the theory of evolution. Take time to look it over, there is a lot of general information here; it could be used as a guide to go deeper into individual areas of this huge subject. Father of the theory of evolution, Charles Darwin (1809-1882), naturalist and author 1) He was greatly influenced by his grandfather, Erasmus Darwin, who also believed in an evolutionary process. 2) Darwin’s daughter died at a very young age. Some believe this traumatic event had a profound influence upon his ultimate rejection of God. 3) HMS Beagle/Galapagos Islands Darwin developed his ideas over many years after his journey aboard the Beagle. The idea of natural selection was recognized by creationists before Darwin used it to remove the glory from God. 4) “Origin of Species and the Preservation of Favored Races” “Darwin’s book, On the Origin of Species, was published in 1859. It is perhaps the most influential book that has ever been published, because it was read by scientist and non- scientist alike, and it aroused violent controversy. Religious people disliked it because it appeared to dispense with God; scientists liked it because it seemed to solve the most important problem in the universe-the existence of living matter. In fact, evolution became in a sense a scientific religion; almost all scientists have accepted it and many are prepared to ‘bend’ their observations to fit in with it.” H P Lipson of Professor of Physics, University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, UK], “A physicist looks at evolution,” Physics Bulletin, Vol. 31, No. 4, May 1980, p.138. 5) Darwin’s theory of evolution was rooted more in a rejection of God than a scientific discovery. a) “There seems to me too much misery in the world. I cannot persuade myself that a beneficent and omnipotent God would have designedly created the (parasitic wasp) with the express intention of their feeding within the living bodies of caterpillars, or that the cat should play with mice.” Charles Darwin b) “He (Darwin) quoted the Romans passage where Paul revels in God’s eternal power and how it is reflected in creation but not the passage where creation groans (Romans 8:20-22) because God subjected it to futility. He quoted the psalmist’s proclamation that creation declares God’s glory but not Isaiah’s prophecy of how God creates calamity.” Cornelius Hunter, “Darwin’s God” What is evolution? 1) Defining Terms: Science, Macroevolution and Microevolution a) Science today has two definitions that are often used interchangeably, but do not have the same meaning. Take a moment to ask, “Does the definition of the second definition have any proofs that would fall under the first definition?” i) Science refers to a method of investigation involving things like careful measurements, repeatable experiments, and especially a skeptical, open-minded attitude that insists that all claims be carefully tested. ii) Science also has become identified with a philosophy known as materialism or scientific naturalism. This philosophy insists that nature is all there is, or at least the only thing about which we can have any knowledge. It follows that nature had to do its own creating, and that the means of creation must not have included any role for God. Phillip Johnson, The Church of Darwin As Christians, we must understand that a rejection of evolution is not a rejection of science. Evolutionists will often attempt to place the Christian, who opposes evolution, as one being against science; a science verses religion battle. This should not be, for science done under the authority of God and His Word is a friend and a supporter of our Christian faith. b) Macroevolution: this term refers to large-scale evolution or species to new species changes. This is ultimately what we simply call evolution; this is the focus of this study and the battle lines of this fight. c) Microevolution: this term refers to small-scale changes or variations within species. Scientist can see differences within species, but one species changing to another species has never been proven. (More information to follow) One of the key differences in these two positions is the direction in which we see change occurring. Macro claims that life is improving and micro identifies that life is actually not improving and “created kind” information is being lost. (For more information on “created kind” look for information on “baramin.” Evolution Basics: 1) Definitions (Following are different definitions of evolution and how it is supposed to work based upon a secular perspective.) a) In a general sense, evolution means, “change through time.” This concept has been broadly applied not only to biology, but also in the fields of geology, astronomy, economics and history. Biological evolution, as understood today refers to cumulative changes in gene frequency that occur within populations through time. Over time, inherited genetic changes in populations can produce entirely new species. The central idea of biological evolution is that all life on Earth shares a common ancestor. b) “How Stuff Works” (http://science.howstuffworks.com/evolution1.htm) Evolution is fascinating because it attempts to answer one of the most basic human questions: Where did life, and human beings, come from? The theory of evolution proposes that life and humans arose through a natural process. i) It is possible for the DNA of an organism to occasionally change or mutate. ii) The change brought about by a mutation is beneficial, harmful or neutral. iii) As mutations occur and spread over long periods of time, they cause new species to form. 2) Evolutionary Formulas a) Universe: Nothing + nothing = 2 elements + time = 92 natural elements + time = all physical laws and a completely structured universe of galaxies, systems, stars, planets and moons orbiting in perfect balance and order. b) Life: Dirt + water + time = living creatures http://evolution-facts.org/Evolution-handbook/E-H-1.htm Elements of the Evolutionary Model 1) Big Bang Theory a) Claim: The Big Bang theory is an effort to explain what happened at the very beginning of our universe. Discoveries in astronomy and physics have shown beyond a reasonable doubt that our universe did in fact have a beginning. Prior to that moment there was nothing; during and after that moment there was something: our universe. According to the standard theory, our universe sprang into existence as “singularity” around 13.7 billion years ago. What is a “singularity” and where does it come from? Well, to be honest, we don’t know for sure. Singularities are zones, which defy our current understanding of physics. http://www.big-bang-theory.com/ b) Problem: Big Bang theory is not a theory of origins. It does not explain the beginning of matter, energy or life; it starts with something called “singularity” in which all matter and energy are supposed to have been encapsulated. It’s subsequent explosion sent matter and energy all over the universe. After billions of years it began to organize itself into stars, suns and planets. There is no known scientific theory, which allows for this process to have occurred. Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 2) Fossil Record a) Claim: The fossil record is supposed to contain the record of life throughout the history of the world. Its record is supposed proof of transitional life forms serving as proof of evolution. b) Problem: The fossil record does not show a record of transitional life forms. i) Events like the Cambrian explosion show life appearing rapidly and fully complete without record of an evolutionary transition either before or after it. ii) According to Darwin, the absence of intermediate fossil forms “is the most obvious and gravest objection which can be urged against my theory.” In the 150 years since Darwin penned these words, not one transitional fossil has been produced. iii) The late Stephen Jay Gould conceded this point, “The extreme rarity of transitional forms in the fossil record persists as the trade secret of paleontology. The evolutionary trees that adorn our textbooks have data only at the tips and nodes of their branches; the rest is inference, however reasonable, not the evidence of fossils.” 3) Natural Selection a) Claim: Natural Selection is the process by which individuals possessing a set of traits that confer a survival advantage in a given environment tend to leave more offspring on average that survives to reproduce in the next generation. Natural selection is an observable process that falls into the category of operational science. We have observed mosquitoes, birds, and many microorganisms undergoing change in relatively short periods of time. New species have been observed to arise. b) Problem: Biblical creationists agree with evolutionists on most of the ideas associated with natural selection, except the idea that natural selection leads to molecules-to-man evolution. Natural selection does not generate new species. The definition of the “fittest” individuals makes the notion of natural selection true based on circular reasoning. The fittest are the ones that survive, and you can tell which are the fittest by seeing which ones survive. (The fact that survival of the fittest is based on circular reasoning does not necessarily mean that the idea is false.) Fitness is controlled by many factors that allow the organism to survive and reproduce. The fastest zebra may be deaf and have a poor sense of smell. This combination would tend to eliminate his genes from a population. The only way to understand fitness is to study the first generation and then track the presence of those traits through time as successive generations are born. http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/nab/is-natural-selection-evolution 4) Genetic Mutations a) Definition: i) Genetics is the field of science that examines how traits are passed from one generation to the next. Simply put, genetics affects everything about every living thing on earth. An organism’s genes, snippets of DNA that are the fundamental units of heredity, control how it looks, behaves, and reproduces. http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/wow/are-mutations-the-engine ii) In biology, mutations are changes to the nucleotide sequence of the genetic material of an organism. Mutations can be caused by copying errors in the genetic material during cell division, by exposure to ultraviolet or ionizing radiation, chemical mutagens, or viruses, or can occur deliberately under cellular control during processes such as hypermutation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutation b) Genetic mutations can either be neutral or harmful. i) Neutral ii) Harmful (1) Obviously Harmful Loss of information at the DNA level will impact the viability of the organism. Physical characteristics, mental capacity and handicaps are some of the harmful mutations. (2) No apparent harm (Also called helpful, but in the end even this is still a loss of information and not new information.) Occasionally a ‘destructive’ change will have a limited usefulness. For example, if we knock out a sentence such that there is a decrease in leg length in sheep (and there is such a mutation), this is useful to stop them jumping over the farmer’s fence. A beetle on a lonely, wind-swept island may have a mutation, which causes it to lose or corrupt the information coding for wing manufacture; hence its wingless successors will not be so easily blown out to sea and will thus have a selective advantage. c) Created Kind: Baramin i) Genesis 1:21, 24-25 5) Homologous Structures a) Claim: Homology has come to mean any similarity between characters that is due to their shared ancestry. b) Problem: Similar design means common designer, not common ancestor. http://www.answersingenesis.org/tj/v15/i1/homology.asp Breaking Down the Science Evolution makes many claims, but what does science really show us? 1) No crossover from one species to another. a) Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778) was a scientist who classified immense numbers of living organisms. An earnest Creationist, he clearly saw that there were no halfway species. All plant and animal species were definite categories, separate from one another. Variation within species was possible, but there were no crossovers from one species to anther. (Encyclopedia of Evolution, 1990, p.276) 2) First Law of Thermodynamics a) In 1847, Heinrich von Helmholtz stated the law of conservation of energy. The sum total of all matter will always remain the same. The Big Bang Theory states that all matter and energy had a beginning, but nowhere do we see evidence of matter creating itself. i) Isaiah 45:9, 12 ii) Romans 9:20-21 3) Second Law of Thermodynamics a) In 1850, RJE Clausius stated the law of entropy. All systems will tend toward the most mathematically probable state, and eventually become totally random and disorganized. In other words, everything runs down, wears out, and goes to pieces. This law totally eliminates the basic evolutionary theory that simple evolves into complex. i) Romans 8:22, “the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain” 4) Law of Biogenesis a) Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) established the fact that life cannot arise from non-living materials. Pasteur concluded from his work that only God could create living creatures. i) Genesis 1:1, John 1:1-3, Hebrews 11:3 ii) The Apple, like all forms of life cannot explain its own existence. 5) Information/Intelligent design a) As we look at the world today we see amazing complexity and design. Logic alone would tell us that a book has an author and a building has an architect; this world has a Creator, God. i) Colossians 1:16 b) DNA, the blueprint of life c) “It does do what it does do and it does it very well don’t you think?” Ken Ham d) Expelled, No Intelligence Allowed, by Ben Stein is a good movie to better understand the battle that occurring on this front. http://www.expelledthemovie.com/ 6) Irreducible complexity Irreducible complexity simply stated is much of the systems of life we have today would cease to function and would be no longer useful if any one element were removed. Following are examples of life systems proving this point. a) Bacterial Flagellum, Molecular Machines b) Eye i) Proverbs 20:12 c) Heart, lung, blood vessels, nervous system d) Reproduction i) Single cell life to copulation ii) Evolution not only requires new information, but a same species animal, evolving at the same rate, as different sexed animals and at the same geographic location. 7) Metaphysics, How do you explain those things you cannot test? Metaphysics is that which is beyond the physical elements of the world. We can clearly see that much of life is made up of those things which we cannot see yet we rely not only upon their existence, but their uniformity in nature. a) Love b) Beauty 8) Laws of Logic and Reason a) God established a world in which logic and reason are, well, logical and reasonable. The Bible admonishes us to know and to think about the various aspects of life, both seen and unseen. Logic is a process of thinking in which we can follow a common understood flow of reason and facts. If A = B and A = C, then we can deduce that B = C. b) If evolution is true, then were did logic and reason come from. Their formula for the way this world came about is TIME + CHANCE = EVERYTHING. In other words, given enough time, anything can happen. Is this logical? Evolution is a Religious Worldview Definition: Worldview “A worldview is, first of all, an explanation and interpretation of the world and second, an application of this view to life. In simpler terms, our worldview is a view of the world and a view for the world.” William E. Brown and W. Gary Phillips, Making Sense of Your World: A Biblical Worldview (Sheffield Publishers, 1996), 29. 1) Empty Philosophy a) “Evolution is the creation-myth of our age. By telling us our origin it shapes our views of what we are. It influences not just our thought, but our feelings and actions too, in a way which goes far beyond its official function as a biological theory.” Mary Midgley [former Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK], “The Religion of Evolution” b) “Now, one of the reasons I started taking this anti-evolutionary view, well, let’s call it non-evolutionary, was last year I had a sudden realization. For over twenty years I had thought that I was working on evolution in some way. One morning I woke up… it struck me that I had been working on this stuff for twenty years, and there was not one thing I knew about it. That was quite a shock, to learn that one can be so misled for so long.” Colin Patterson, presentation at the American Museum of Natural History http://www.arn.org/arnproducts/audios/c010.htm c) Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” d) Romans 1:20-25 “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” 2) Evolution’s Religious Structure a) Church= public schools and liberal colleges b) Priests/clergy= science teachers and professors c) Parishioners= students d) Sacrament= abortion and ethnic cleansing e) Holy Scripture= science textbooks 3) Impact of Evolution’s Worldview a) Nazism and Hitler i) Adolf Hitler pushed for a master race. That would eliminate all inferior people. ii) “The evolutionary philosophy is the intellectual basis of all anti-theistic systems. It served Hitler as the rationale for Nazism and Marx as the supposed scientific basis for communism. It is the basis of the various modern methods of psychology and sociology that treat man merely as a higher animal and which have led to the misnamed “new morality” and ethical relativism. It has provided the pseudo-scientific rationale for racism and military aggression.” Dr. Henry Morris iii) “The support which I receive from Germany is my chief ground for hoping that our views will ultimately prevail.” Charles Darwin, “The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin” Volume 2, pg 270 (1) Charles Darwin was not a Nazi, but his thoughts, ideas and teaching ushered in a thinking that encouraged people like Adolf Hitler. iv) Holocaust b) Marxism, Socialism and Carl Marx, Father of Communism c) Murder for Convenience i) Forced Sterilization (Eugenics) Eugenics was a social movement that presumed to divide the human race between the so-called “fit” and the so-called “unfit.” In other words, decide which humans where better than other humans. This movement was a push to eliminate the “bad” genes. “Darwin’s Deadly Legacy ii) Planned Parenthood, Margaret Sanger (1) She was a supporter of the eugenics movement and through this movement sought to stop the wrong people from breeding. iii) Abortion iv) Ethnic Cleansing v) Euthanasia d) Moral Relativism i) Freedom is what the fallen nature of humanity desires freedom from God, freedom from rules and restrictions and freedom from absolute truth. But to remove the absolute authority of morality that God delivers to us through the Bible brings not freedom, but captivity. If there is no absolute morality, then everything becomes permissible and no one is free to life with in the shelter and protection that absolute truth and morality bring. ii) Spiritual pluralism e) Free Sexuality i) Homosexuality ii) Fornication and adultery *At the heartbeat of evolution are not scientific discoveries, but a rejection of God and His Holy Word. Evolution’s Victories and Defeats 1) Scopes Monkey Trial Dayton, TN, July 1925 Even though at that time the outcome of the trial did not immediately over turn the law that only creation could be taught in schools, one thing was accomplished; the authority of the Bible could be openly questioned and scrutinized. 2) Prayer out of schools a) In America’s drive to eliminate religion from the classroom, we have not actually eliminated religion from the classroom. We have shifted from a Judeo-Christian foundation to a secular humanist religion. b) “In my opinion, using creation and evolution as topics for critical-thinking exercises in primary and secondary schools is virtually guaranteed to confuse students about evolution and may lead them to reject one of the major themes of science.” Eugenia Scott, National Center for Science Education 3) Roe v Wade, 1973 Over 40,000,000 unborn babies aborted in the United States since 1973. 4) Science textbooks With the largest purchasers of science textbooks coming from liberal states like California, what choices are available? 5) Darwin Sunday a) Next year 2009 will be the 150th anniversary of the release of the book “Origin of Species.” b) Next year will also be the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birthday. c) Charles Darwin is buried in Westminster Abbey. Is Evolution or Darwinism the real problem? No, sin is. Is there a teaching, in the Bible, about the root of evolutionary thinking? The deep seeded message of evolution is explaining life without God. In Genesis 3, Satan seems to saying to Eve, “You can become more then you are without God.” Genesis 3:1-7 1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. The great lie of evolution is that we are God and we can become more than God created us to be. Evolution tolerates religion, but it does not tolerate God. Resources for more information: Shattering the Myths of Darwinism, Richard Milton The Evolution of a Creationist, Dr. Jobe Martin Creation & Evolution 101, Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz Darwin’s God, by Cornelius Hunter The Lie, by Ken Ham The Case for a Creator, by Lee Strobel Darwin on Trial, by Phillip Johnson Darwin’s Deadly Legacy, by D. James Kennedy (DVD) Apologetics, Foundations, Science, News 2008-06-18T15:42:00-06:00 http://creationconnection.org/blog/entry/who_is_adam_part_2_the_first_and_last_of_a_chosen_bloodline/ /blog/entry/who_is_adam_part_2_the_first_and_last_of_a_chosen_bloodline In part 1, we looked at what the Bible tells us about who Adam is and his importance to the human race, here we place Adam and Jesus side-by-side to take a closer look at how Adam and Jesus are similar. We will be looking at 3 areas… In Part 1, we looked at what the Bible tells us about who Adam is and his importance to the human race, here we place Adam and Jesus side-by-side to take a closer look at how Adam and Jesus are similar. We will be looking at 3 areas… 1. Chosen Bloodline 2. Reflect the Image of God 3. Miraculous Beginning My basis for bringing Adam and Jesus together is not to elevate Adam to a status that is not his. In no way am I suggesting that Adam is a type of god or that he was going to become a god. In the same way, I am not attempting to lower, devalue or tarnish the deity of Jesus. His place as the Son of God and His position as the second person of the Trinity is firmly established and clearly understood by His Word and by His works as shown in the Bible. However, I am attempting to bring these two men together, because there is something to be learned from their connection. The apostle Paul demonstrated this connection with strength and clarity in 1 Corinthians 15 and in Romans 5. Let us consider Paul’s words much as we would consider any man worthy of respect and accolade because of his study of God’s Word, his famous meeting of Jesus on the road to Demascus and because of the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit obvious in Paul’s writing. He is connecting Adam and Jesus because there is a picture we need to see of God’s mighthy hand at work throughout the history of mankind. The First and the Last of a Chosen Bloodline In the third chapter of the book of Luke, Jesus has been baptized and God has recognized Jesus as the one in whom He has found favor, then Luke transitions to the genealogy of Jesus. In the Greek, genealogy means “a book of one’s lineage, i.e. in which his ancestry or progeny are enumerated.” Because genealogies are simply a list of names we may often skip over these parts of the Bible and move on to something of seemingly greater importance or interest. Let me encourage you to take a little more time and interest here, for it is in this specific genealogy (and others in scripture) we see the hand of God move through history. Shaping a people for a purpose (the Israelites), satisfying the promise of a covenant (Abraham’s covenant) and fulfilling the destiny of great prophecies (Isaiah, Daniel, Jeremiah, etc.), all in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus, the “Lion of the tribe of Judah,” comes from the line of Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, who was later to be renamed by God to, Israel. Jesus also came from a line of kings. The head of this kingly line was David as promised in Jeremiah 33:14-16, “cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.” The most important connection we can identify in the genealogy of Jesus is the one made with Adam, the head of the human race and the first of the chosen bloodline. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul opens with an apologetic on the authority and validity of the resurrection of Jesus, then he turns to the order of the resurrection and how sin came to be and why Jesus’ death and resurrection were even necessary. “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Romans 5:12 In a broad stroke over these three verses, Paul is telling us that this risen Savior, Jesus Christ, died so that fallen humanity could be made alive. We know that death entered the world as a direct result of Adam’s sin (Genesis 3), but even beyond that, death is in this world because of your sin and mine. We must remember that sin and death are firmly locked with one another. Death is the penalty for sin. Because we are descendants of Adam, we are born with a sin nature “as in Adam all die.” The Good News is Jesus paid a price we could not pay, He gave His life freely on the cross, defeated death and if we will confess our sin, repent (turn away) and make Jesus Christ, Lord over our lives then we will be made righteous and dwell with the assurance of eternal life in heaven with God. Paul goes on in this chapter… “The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.” 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 What Adam destroyed, Jesus made new again; Adam gave life to humanity, Jesus gives life to the redeemed of humanity; Adam is of the earth, Jesus is sent from heaven above (Philippians 2); in the end, we have born the image of being born of humanity and one day, those who are in Christ, will bear the image of redemption. Our next “Who Is Adam?’ will look at the Image of God. Grace Be With You, Tommy 1 Peter 3:15 Apologetics, Theology, Foundations 2008-05-20T20:37:00-06:00