《The New Answers Book 2》(Ken Ham etc.) Table of contents

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that it’s not a matter of who has the better (or the most) “facts on their side.” We need to understand that there are no such things as brute facts—all facts are interpreted. The next time evolutionists use what seem to be convincing facts for evolution, try to determine the presuppositions they have used to interpret these facts. Then, beginning with the big picture of history from the Bible, look at the same facts through these biblical glasses and interpret them differently. Next, using the real science of the present that an evolutionist also uses, see if that science, when properly understood, confirms (by being consistent with) the interpretation based on the Bible. You will find over and over again that the Bible is confirmed by real science.

But remember that, like Job, we need to understand that compared to God we know next to nothing (Job 42:2–6). We won’t have all the answers. However, so many answers have come to light now that a Christian can give a credible defense of the Book of Genesis and show it is the correct foundation for thinking about, and interpreting, every aspect of reality.

Therefore, let’s not jump in a blind-faith way at the startling facts we think we need to “prove” creation—trying to counter “their facts” with “our facts.” (Jesus himself rose from the dead in the most startling possible demonstration of the truth of God’s Word. But many still wouldn’t believe—see Luke 16:27–31.) Instead, let’s not let apparent facts for evolution intimidate us, but let’s understand the right way to think about facts. We can then deal with the same facts the evolutionists use, to show they have the wrong framework of interpretation—and that the facts of the real world really do conform to, and confirm, the Bible. In this way we can do battle for a biblical worldview.

Remember, it’s no good convincing people to believe in creation, without also leading them to believe and trust in the Creator and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. God honors those who honor His Word. We need to use God-honoring ways of reaching people with the truth of what life is all about.

• 
  Chapter 3 Are Biblical Creationists Divisive?
  

It is claimed that the insistence on accepting Genesis as narrative history introduces dissension by majoring on a “minor” doctrine. However, as will be shown, quite the opposite it true.

Biblical creationists1 are often accused of causing division in the Church. It is claimed that their insistence on accepting Genesis as narrative history introduces dissension by majoring on a “minor” doctrine. However, as will be shown, quite the opposite it true.

Who Is Really Being Divisive?

Far too often, people have the wrong impression about what it means to be divisive. Those who are divisive are those who are against the clear teachings of the Bible. Paul made this clear in his letter to the Christians in Rome.

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple (Romans 16:17–18).

Jude also confirmed that unbiblical beliefs cause divisions:

But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit (Jude 1:17–19).

Jude wrote that these divisions are caused by sensual, or worldly minded, beliefs. This should serve as a warning to those who accept man-made ideas that are opposed to the clear teachings of Scripture.

What are some of those clear teachings of Scripture?

1. 
   Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin (Genesis 2:17, 3:17; Romans 5:12).
   
2. 
   Man and animals were originally vegetarian (Genesis 1:29–30).
   
3. 
   The week is composed of seven normal-length days (Genesis 1:1–2:4; Exodus 20:11).
   
4. 
   All people are descendants of Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:26–28, 3:20).
   
5. 
   People began to wear clothing after sin entered the world (Genesis 3:7, (21)).
   
6. 
   Thorns and thistles resulted from the curse God placed on His creation after sin entered the world (Genesis 3:18).
   
7. 
   The flood of Noah’s day was global in extent (Genesis 6–8).
   

These are not new doctrines—Paul, the other apostles, and Christ himself accepted these teachings. They (and biblical creationists today) understood that Genesis is a record of actual historical events. As a corollary of this, biblical creationists accept, based on careful study of the Bible, that the earth is thousands of years old (not billions).

The questioning of these teachings by many in the Church began in earnest around two hundred years ago. This was not due to a reexamination of Scripture, but rather because the culture had begun to teach an earth history of “millions of years.”2 The acceptance of the culture’s ideas about the past has led to the reinterpretation of Genesis to fit with these man-made ideas. Some of these reinterpretations are the framework hypotheses, gap theory, progressive creation, and theistic evolution.

Each of these views attempts to combine the secular/evolutionary view of millions of years with the biblical view of history. In doing so, these views reject one or more of the clear teachings listed above. For example, each view rejects that the Genesis flood was a global event. Whenever one combines a man-made view with the Bible, something has to give. In most cases, this something is the Scripture. When one mixes the Word of God with another belief system, the result is doctrines that deviate from the Bible’s clear teachings.

Sadly, these compromising beliefs have infiltrated many churches, Christian colleges, and seminaries. When a biblical creationist teaches people what the Bible plainly says, he is often told by adherents of these compromising views that he is being divisive. However, according to Paul, the ones causing division are those who deny the doctrines clearly taught in Scripture. The divisive ones are those who mix the Bible with secular views and refuse to heed the call to return to the clear teachings in the Bible.