Several years ago, a young pastor assumed leadership of his father’s church. The church was located in a large city with an increasing population and technological advancements. Feeling the pressure of his new position, the pastor prayed, “Lord, help me to be perceived as intelligent and wise to this fast-growing city of mostly nonbelievers.”
His thoughts stopped him. “How am I going to communicate that I follow a man who created the heavens and the earth, was born of a virgin, walked on water, and conquered death and not be perceived as foolish?”
This question presents a familiar crossroad for many pastors worldwide. They ask themselves, “Do I continue to trust what the Bible says? Or do I conform to this world and deconstruct Scripture to teach a more palatable message?” While most church leaders know the correct path, some lack the courage to voice their conviction.
In John 5, Jesus doesn’t shy away from proclaiming the truth—even as He’s being persecuted by those who seek to kill Him. On the contrary, He actually doubles down: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life” (v. 24). This would’ve been a perfect opportunity for Jesus to pacify His accusers and escape. Instead, He boldly proceeds with a fourfold witness of Himself. He first references John the Baptist’s foretelling of the coming Messiah. Then, He presents God the Father, who sent and testified of His Son. God’s Word is the third witness, but Christ’s accusers don’t recognize eternal life in Him. Finally, He cites a witness that the Jewish leaders can’t deny. “For if you believed Moses,” said Jesus, “you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me” (v. 46).
As a former pastor, this verse represents a standard that I won’t ignore. I can either accept all of Scripture or none—and that includes Genesis.
The Bible’s opening verse says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The beauty of simplicity is masterfully displayed as God (Elohim, the plural name for God in Hebrew) through His Word introduces Himself to man as Creator. Later, John begins his gospel in agreement with Moses and the book of Genesis:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:1–3)
The enemy, however, wants nothing more than to obstruct mankind from knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. As the father of lies (John 8:44), he persuades the creation to deny its Creator—and to hesitate to share His truth.
At the Institute for Creation Research, we seek to equip the church to be bold ministers of God’s Word. ICR’s resources—books, magazines, podcasts, and more—provide scientific responses to secular attacks on biblical inerrancy. As we begin this new year, we renew our mission to help pastors lead, feed, and defend their flocks in the midst of today’s societal pressures.
Thank you for your support of ICR’s biblical creation ministry. For over 55 years, our research has demonstrated how science truly affirms Scripture. Your financial gifts make this possible. Together, we’re making an eternal difference, and we believe the best is yet to come.
*Mr. Gadberry is interim director of development and donor relations at the Institute for Creation Research.
