Category: Creation Science

The Hope of Creation

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans 8:22 KJV).

Having recently taken our family pet dog to the veterinarian, I was reminded again that the curse of sin affects all creatures, not just us.

In the waiting room, an enormous Great Pyrenees dog limped with “flopping” hind legs. Puzzled, I asked the nurse what was wrong with it. She said “old age.” The dog was 12 years old—roughly 60 in human years—and suffered from severe arthritis. The aging dog could not stand for long. My mind immediately recalled today’s Scripture—“the whole creation….”

If we were to go to heaven and ask Adam, “Given the chance to do it all again, would you eat that forbidden fruit?,” I wonder what he would reply. That sin was certainly enjoyable but it had such awful consequences. Adam foreknew death for himself and Eve, but not the long-term and extensive damage. He had no idea that his one act of unbelief and disobedience would impact over 10 billion people and innumerable animals and plants. They would all suffer the repercussions—disabilities, disease, and death—for something he did. He had no idea that his sin would require the Creator’s very life!

Everywhere we turn, we see problems, problems, and more problems! It is such a comfort to know that our Creator God has abounding grace and pity toward us. It was not His will that such difficult human, animal, and plant conditions would exist. He has not left us hopeless and helpless. All hope for creation rests solely upon the Lord Jesus Christ. No pope, priest, “prophet,” president, preacher, pundit, professor, or person has any power to undo what Adam did. Scientific analyses, political agendas, social movements, economic theories, religious participation—all the works and thoughts of weak and faulty men such as ourselves. Oh, how Jesus Christ is so desperately needed here. He is the answer to all our problems.

Rather than looking within ourselves, or looking to others like ourselves, let us look in the Holy Bible to learn that Jesus Christ is the only Hope for heaven and earth and all their hosts. He will set it all right in His time! 🙂

Our special edition 150th Bible Q&A: “Who wrote the book of Hebrews?”

Young and Old(er) Men

Monday, May 11, 2015

“The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head” (Proverbs 20:29 KJV).

Young or old(er), today’s Scripture says we both have something of which to be proud.

As a young man, I realize that I cannot speak as an old(er) one. All I can say about advancing in years is what I have witnessed in the lives of others. With the passage of time, there is an increasing disconnect between the inner man and the outer man. As we age, what our inner man wants to do is often not what our outward man is even capable of doing. While our physical bodies grow slower and frailer as the decades pass, our soul and spirit still want to behave as we did in our younger decades. Such an oddity is captured by the phrase, “the young at heart.”

Today’s Scripture says that a young man has one chief reason to boast—his strength. Generally, his bones have more calcium than an old man’s, so a young man’s bones are heavier and stronger. Also, the young man’s muscles have not deteriorated yet. The older man, however, has a chief reason to boast too—his grey head. His hairs are not receiving melanin to the extent that a young man’s hairs are, so his hairs have greyed and eventually they will turn completely white.

With age comes wisdom. “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31). A grey-haired (older) Christian is someone who has not only had experience in life in general, but who has had experience in God’s life (true life). That is the “beauty of old men.”

The young Christian man will not be able to boast forever—if the Lord tarries, reality assures us that his body will become old. Likewise, the old(er) Christian man will not boast forever—when the Lord comes, reality assures us that his body will become brand new! So, in the Lord’s grand design, it will all level off eventually. We just need to literally “give it some time….” 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What is the difference between a minister, a pastor, and an evangelist?”

The Crown of Thorns

Monday, April 13, 2015

“And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!” (Mark 15:17,18 KJV).

What is the significance of the crown of thorns?

Matthew 27:29 affirms: “And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!” “And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands” (John 19:2,3).

After scourging (lashing) Jesus, the soldiers braided a crown of thorns and forced it onto His head! Mocking Him, they put a purple robe on Him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They knelt before Him to further tease Him. They punched Him to humiliate Him. He could have called down tens of thousands of angelic soldiers, but He chose not to. He could have instantly destroyed those Roman soldiers, but He chose not to. All of creation watched in horror as the Creator manifested in human flesh was beaten mercilessly. The most graphic event in human history was just beginning but He chose not to fight it.

Pause and think about the crown of thorns. Where did thorns first appear in the Bible? When God cursed the ground because of Adam’s sin, “thorns and thistles” sprung up (Genesis 3:17,18). The land that Adam once loved and tilled would now be a burden… and literally a pain. Thorns are part of the curse of sin.

Jesus Christ being forced to wear a crown of thorns emphasized Him bearing the curse of sin. Yes, He was the rightful King of creation, but He had to pay our awful sin debt first. Now resurrected, He has since taken off that crown of thorns, never to don it again. One day, He will return, wearing “many crowns” (Revelation 19:12), to rule and reign, proving He is indeed KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Did John really write ‘The Gospel of John?’”

Paradise Lost… And Re-Gained

Monday, March 30, 2015

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1 KJV).

This is one of the most well known Bible verses. While it is often used to teach that God created everything, this verse is missing something. What is it?

Has it ever occurred to you that Genesis 1:1 mentions heaven and earth, but makes no reference to hell? A lake of fire and brimstone that burns forever and ever, the most horrible place in which one could be imprisoned, did not exist in Genesis 1:1. It was never God’s intention for such a place to exist. All of God’s creatures were to remain in paradise with Him.

“God created hell” was true only after Lucifer devised his plan of evil and caused an angelic rebellion in God’s perfect creation. The Lord Jesus affirmed that the place of eternal hellfire was never intended for mankind: “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). However, mankind chose to join that angelic rebellion. Therefore, he will be consigned to the same punishment to which his leader Satan is destined.

When a lost person goes to hell today, we must never, ever, ever blame God. Creation and our conscience testify that there is a Creator God and that we will face Him in judgment (Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:13-16). If people want to escape that eternal wrath against our sin, there are Bibles in 90 percent of the world’s languages. There are Christian missionaries and Gospel literature worldwide. Everyone is “without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

Thus, for one to go to hell is to do so after jumping over every barrier God erected to keep him or her out of hell. If they do not want to know about Jesus Christ and what He did for them at Calvary, that is not God’s fault. “The Lord is… not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Because of Adam, man lost paradise and gained hell. But, because of Jesus Christ, man can re-gain paradise and lose hell (Romans 5:1-21)!

Behind the Scenes #8

Thursday, March 19, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

First Corinthians chapter 2 says: “[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. [10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit…. [14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” To lost people, those who do not have God’s indwelling Holy Spirit, God’s Word is “foolishness.” They study the natural creation in science, and understand and speak of complex natural phenomena, but when it comes to the sixth-grade English (King James) Bible, they are without understanding. It is not a lack of intellect but an absence of the Author of the Bible!

Today’s Scripture says that the God of creation has made known unto us His eternal counsel. To all generations, through His written and preserved Word, He has revealed His innermost thoughts. While the vast majority is uninterested in His love, grace, wisdom, and purpose, let us not be among the many who lack discernment to see “behind the scenes” (and who want to stay blinded!). They emphasize what they can see and completely miss the invisible; they have no spiritual sight to see what really matters, and, sadly, many are content with closed hearts, minds, eyes, and ears!

Friends, by simple faith in Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork alone as sufficient payment for our sins, we can glorify our Creator today. Once we are saved unto eternal life, His Spirit will come and live within us, and give us the capacity to understand His Word. Then, we can join Father God in His work that will literally span all eons of eternity future. Creation will be restored to its original glory one day, and how Father God wants us to join with Him in seeing it accomplished! 🙂

Behind the Scenes #7

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

Ephesians 1:9-10 explains Father God’s plan in and for creation: “[9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.”

Father God desires to glorify His Son Jesus Christ in heaven and on earth. Throughout the “Old Testament,” the Four Gospels, and early Acts, we read about God’s will for the earth, how He would use the nation Israel to restore the earth to Himself and rid it of Satan’s sinful influence. It was not until He revealed it to Paul that we learn how Father God will rid heaven of Satan’s sinful influence by using us, the Church the Body of Christ. Via these two groups, God’s original plan for creation will be accomplished!

Revelation 4:11 says, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” All of the offices of government in heaven and earth, Jesus made them to carry out His Father’s will in heaven and earth (Colossians 1:16,17). When Lucifer/Satan usurped these offices, heaven and earth were polluted. Hence, we see this fallen creation today, not bringing Jesus Christ praise and glory but abounding with sin! We need not wonder why disease, death, and decay are all around us.

We can use scientific analyses to study the material world, but unless we have Bible study, we will never understand why the material world functions so magnificently and yet is filled with so many problems. Unless we read the Holy Bible, we will always wonder why creation exists and wonder what the Creator intends to do to achieve His purpose (regardless of rebellious creatures).

Now, we can finish this devotionals arc….

Behind the Scenes #6

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

No greater Bible definition for “sin” exists than Isaiah 53:6ab: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” Jeremiah 44:16 supplements: “As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.”

In the heart of every person is a sin nature, deceit and desperate wickedness (Jeremiah 17:9). This part of man rebels against the God of the Bible. Our sin nature causes us to live according to our own decisions. Sinners seek to be their own authority, their own god: in their minds, they are self-sufficient. They refuse to hear any counsel from the Creator God. They want no one to be accountable to, and they want no one to tell them what to do. Our sin nature is the origin of all the dastardly acts every human has committed. It is not God’s fault when sinners sin. May we never accuse God of wrongdoing when we choose to ignore His instructions!

How sad that a marvelous field of study such as science (the method whereby we benefit from medical research and technological advances) has been so manipulated that it is now used as a method to “turn every one to his own way.” We can simply invent an origin that does not involve a holy God (thus no accountability for our sins), take scientific data and force it to fit our imagination (thus replacing the Bible), and then call it “science” (“justifying” ourselves). When someone exposes the flaws in our reasoning, we just dismiss them as “religious bigots” and “superstitious Bible-toters.” No wonder in graduate school we scientists are urged to not falsify data (the implication is that, in science, the temptation is there to report only what we want!).

Still, if we just humble ourselves and believe the Bible record, we will have the “why” question answered for us….

Behind the Scenes #5

Monday, March 16, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

Imagine, if you will, an inventor has just given you a new product, the first of its kind. You are the first to use it. Apart from an instruction manual (which hopefully you get with the product!), you have no idea of its purpose. You could sit there and inspect the product, you could disassemble it, you could learn how it functions, and so on, but unless you have some written explanation as to its purpose, you are wasting your time guessing! The product will be meaningless to you if you cannot use it as the inventor intended.

This crude illustration epitomizes the flaws of the strict, rationalistic, empirical nature of the scientific method. We must observe a natural process before we can proceed to explaining it and testing our hypothesis (tentative explanation) with data gathered. That idea must then withstand scrutiny and future testing if it is to be elevated to a theory or model. Otherwise, the hypothesis is rejected and must be refined.

As you can see, science is limited to answering only the “how” question. Science is useful in discovering how something works. But, why does the something work? What is its purpose? Science cannot answer it and it will never be able to answer it. The “why” question cannot be answered because “why” is something immaterial; science, strictly speaking, is concerned only with the material (visible) world. Science has no authority in the invisible (spiritual) realm: it cannot be used to ascertain intention.

As Bible-believing creationists, it is not we who are closed-minded, for we admit the study of the natural world leads us to understand just how orderly-structured and fine-tuned our universe is (and exists so for a purpose!). The close-minded individuals are those who refuse to see and hear anything but what their eyes see and their ears hear. They can explain how the universe works, but why it works, to the “why” question they close their eyes, ears, minds, and hearts….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “The Son of man hath not where to lay his head?”

Behind the Scenes #4

Sunday, March 15, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

Today’s Scripture follows five verses (verses 6-10) that survey the Creation story of Genesis. Recall verse 6: “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.” “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Hebrews 11:3).

John 1:1-3 says: “[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Verse 14 explains that the “Word,” the Creator, was none other than Jesus Christ.

Today’s Scripture says, “The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.” The God of the Bible had a plan in creation, and Scripture calls that plan “the counsel of the LORD.” It “standeth for ever.” In spite of what will happen, that purpose will still be brought to fruition. This plan contains “the thoughts of [the LORD’S] heart,” and He has made those thoughts known to “all generations.” As Psalm 100:5 says, “His truth endureth to all generations.”

What was and is Father God’s purpose in creation, His “counsel,” the “thoughts of His heart?” In the form of the Holy Bible, we have the instruction manual of creation, “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). God’s Holy Spirit caused those precious inspired words to be written centuries ago in Hebrew and Greek, He preserved them through history via manuscript copies, and He translated them into English so that we could have them today (the Authorized King James Bible).

While we can study the material world through scientific analyses, unless we use the Creator’s Manual, it is we who will have closed minds….

Behind the Scenes #3

Saturday, March 14, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

We read just prior to today’s Scripture: “[6] By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. [7] He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. [8] Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. [9] For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. [10] The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.”

These verses summarize certain events of the Creation account of Genesis chapter 1. God spoke the heaven and the earth into existence. “Let there be…” and there was! He brought forth the heaven, the heavens, and all their contents (stars, planets, nebulae, et cetera). He gathered the waters on the Earth, and He gathered waters above Earth. The Psalmist says that since He is a great and powerful God, we should “fear” (reverence) Him and “stand in awe of Him.” He has the power to do mighty works with the mere spoken word! This entire universe and all of its contents, He thought them up from nothing, and then He made them from nothing… taking only six literal days, without working up a sweat, too!

The “heathen” (nations, Gentiles) and the “people” (Israel) have their own agenda. As sinners, they do not want the Creator’s will accomplished in creation. They do not want Him to rule over them (cf. Psalm 2:1-3; fulfilled at the Cross according to Acts 4:25-28). The Creator God, the God of the Bible, is a wise, powerful Being. Oh, may we praise Him dear name! No matter what mortal men may say or do, no matter how many tantrums they pitch or arguments they pose, God’s will for creation shall surely be brought to pass….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Do angels really watch us?”