Recently ICR participated in an international apologetics conference that had creation as its topic. Dr. Henry Morris III delivered a keynote address outlining the biblical argument for creation. Three ICR scientists spoke on topics related to genetics, the fossil record, Grand Canyon, and the Flood. However, ICR was clearly a minority participant, as many in the conference held to some form of old-earth creation.
Nonetheless, one professor told me afterward she was refreshed by ICR's presentations because they emphasized that "this is what the Bible says." A doctor friend remarked after the conference that she would rather God scold her for taking the Bible too seriously than for Him to say, "You didn't take My Word seriously enough."
One of the big impressions from academic conferences like this is that very brilliant individuals will do just about anything to manipulate God's Word to conform to the wisdom of men. But God doesn't have a high view of man's wisdom:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen…That no flesh should glory in his presence. (1 Corinthians 1:27-29)
Those who would advocate more "sophisticated" understandings of the biblical accounts of creation, Adam and Eve, the Fall, the Flood, and other historical narratives--because of the musings of Christian "philosophers" or scientists who favor "creation by evolution"--are themselves exalting the words of men over the Word of God. And when these men and women are hailed as leaders in the evangelical world--as progressive, as sophisticated, as harmonious, etc.--what does that say about the present state of Christianity?
Our feature article this month addresses just the tip of this iceberg, exposing the drift taking place among Christians who claim to believe in the inerrancy of Scripture. And because these individuals are leaders in evangelical churches, schools, and seminaries, the hazard is more profound.
Movements like Intelligent Design--which refuses to name the Designer as Jesus Christ--along with organizations like Reasons to Believe (Hugh Ross) and BioLogos (Francis Collins), which attempt to harmonize evolution and the Bible, are peddling their "sophisticated" views into hundreds of local churches, Christian schools, colleges, and seminaries. Your pastor may be a graduate of one of these schools.
Does your church have a stated position on creation? Does your church leadership embrace "creation by evolution" in any form? How informed is your church about biblical creation and the errors of evolutionary thinking? How certain are you that your child's Christian school teaches biblical creation and not theistic evolution or some other error?
God is not the author of confusion (that description belongs to someone else). And His Word was not given only for theologians and scientists to figure out because of their supposed sophistication. Read it for yourself. Count on His Holy Spirit to illumine your mind and heart (that's a promise). And take His Word seriously. It's the best way to protect yourself from spiritual hazards.
* Mr. Ford is Executive Editor at the Institute for Creation Research.
Cite this article: Ford, L. 2010. Taking God Seriously. Acts & Facts. 39 (6): 3.
