Answers in Genesis: Upholding the Authority of the Bible from the Very First Verse

Sorry to have to tell you this, but according to a Reuters news report on Yahoo.com , you are more related to Australians than you ever realized—this article claims we are more similar to kangaroos than secular scientists ever thought possible! Now how is that for disturbing news? The report claims:

Australia’s kangaroos are genetically similar to humans and may have first evolved in China, Australian researchers said Tuesday. Scientists said they had for the first time mapped the genetic code of the Australian marsupials and found much of it was similar to the genome for humans, the government-backed Centre of Excellence for Kangaroo Genomics said. “There are a few differences, we have a few more of this, a few less of that, but they are the same genes and a lot of them are in the same order,” centre Director Jenny Graves told reporters in Melbourne. “We thought they’d be completely scrambled, but they’re not. There is great chunks of the human genome which is sitting right there in the kangaroo genome,”

Well, I hope that puts some bounce in your step for today! Here is the entire article:
news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081118/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_australia_kangaroos

WOW

It is great to read reviews of ANSWERS magazine like this one from other ministries:

Wow! I just finished Answers, special focus: planet earth. All superlatives apply. As a layman, my eyes would often glaze over when reading about global warming or the geologic column. But after working my way through the clearly written articles in this issue, the big picture is coming into focus. The brain fog is drifting away.

You can read the entire item at:
cetministries.wordpress.com/2008/11/08/october-december-2008-answers-magazine-review

NORMAN THE MINIATURE BULL

Another new addition at the Creation Museum Petting Zoo—a donation to the zoo of Norman, the miniature bull! Here is a photo of Norman as Gomer our pet camel looks on!

OFF TO FLORIDA

With the below freezing weather we’ve been having in the mid-West, one could think I was going to Florida this weekend for the weather—but I will be speaking at Calvary Chapel, Kendall (Miami) Saturday night and Sunday am and pm. The details are on our AiG website event calendar. I will be giving the same basic talk Saturday night and at the services Sunday morning—but two totally different talks Sunday night.

DEVOTION

Run for refuge to lay hold

(Hebrews 6:18) That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Only after the spotlight of the Law of God shined on us to reveal our sins did we run for refuge to lay hold on the hope of sins forgiven thru the blood of the Lord.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying

Ken

AiG staff during their regular staff prayer time were given a sneak preview recently of just some of the actors, costumes, and props to be used in the upcoming live nativity and “The Road to Bethlehem” Christmas program on the grounds of the Creation Museum.

Here is a summary of what is happening at AiG and the Creation Museum (with details below) which begin December 12:

A Live Nativity (from 2:00 p.m. to closing each day December 13–January 4; closed Christmas Day; Christmas Eve closes at 3:00 p.m.)—FREE

An incredible “Road to Bethlehem” reenactment: this will be at special times as per the details below—FREE

Christmas lights—an absolutely outstanding display of Christmas lights throughout the gardens that will rival some of the best (including green dinosaurs?): from dusk to closing—FREE

Creation Christmas Concert

CHRISTMAS EVE –CREATION MUSEUM IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE. To commemorate the greatest gift ever–the gift of God’s Son to provide the gift of salvation—AiG is opening the entire Creation Museum free of charge on Christmas Eve (10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.)—our gift to the public to remind everyone of the gift of God’s Son as a Savior.

Christmas Feast Dinner

“Kreate a Kookie” workshops

Each person who attends any of these programs will be given a free “From Creation to Bethlehem” gospel booklet that presents the gospel message clearly, beginning in Genesis.

Detailed Information on Christmas Programs

This information can also be obtained from the special Christmas page on the museum site.

(Live Nativity from 2:00 p.m. to closing each day—closed Christmas Day)

Dec. 12 at 6:00 p.m.: The Road to Bethlehem: A Free Nativity Event

Interact with a Roman Centurion, Innkeeper, and others as you stroll through the lighted museum gardens. Guests will make their way to the manger, where a live nativity scene portrays that first Christmas.

Dec. 12 at 8:45pm Creation Christmas Concert

Nationally known recording artist Ray Cummins will join forces with sculptor/composer/author Buddy Davis to present a live Christmas Concert in our Special Effects Theater. Joining them in a special guest appearance will be actress/recording artist Geri Campbell. You’ll be able to join in on some popular favorites of the season as well as hearing new compositions by these popular artists. Dec. 12 and 19, show time is 8:45 PM Dec 26, show time is 8:00 Cost: $2.00

Dec. 13 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Dec. 13 at 6:00 p.m. The Road to Bethlehem: A Free Nativity Event

Interact with a Roman Centurion, Innkeeper, and others as you stroll through the lighted museum gardens. Guests will make their way to the manger, where a live nativity scene portrays that first Christmas.

Dec. 14 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Dec. 15 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Dec. 16 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Dec. 17 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Dec. 19 at 6:00 p.m. The Road to Bethlehem: A Free Nativity Event

Interact with a Roman Centurion, Innkeeper, and others as you stroll through the lighted museum gardens. Guests will make their way to the manger, where a live nativity scene portrays that first Christmas.

Dec. 19 at 6:30 pm “Christmas Feast” Dinner at the Creation Museum

Begin a wonderful holiday tradition for your family by dining with us on December 19 at our beautiful Christmas Feast. Served in the newly designed King’s Palace Dining Halls, the buffet will be imbued with holiday colors, lights, and sounds. Cruise style seating will allow you to meet new friends or gather up the family and fill the whole table of six yourselves. As you enjoy the fine meal and conversation you will also be blessed by the beautiful décor. Follow this repast with a journey on the Road to Bethlehem where our actors will re-create for you a live experience as you journey through our lighted garden to that precious stable in Bethlehem. You will want to return with friends and family to make the journey again and to enjoy that quiet moment of encounter where you will contemplate, perhaps with new meaning, the great gift of Christmas. Afterward, you are invited to be our guests at a Christmas Concert as nationally renowned guitarist Ray Cummins joins sculptor/composer/recording artist Buddy Davis in bringing you a memorable performance of classic Christmas melodies as well as some new compositions in our Special Effects Theater. Cost for the whole evening is only $30 per person. Seating is limited so call today for your reservations at 800-778-3390. Reservation deadline is December 1.

Dec. 19 at 8:45pm Creation Christmas Concert

Nationally known recording artist Ray Cummins will join forces with sculptor/composer/author Buddy Davis to present a live Christmas Concert in our Special Effects Theater. Joining them in a special guest appearance will be actress/recording artist Geri Campbell. You’ll be able to join in on some popular favorites of the season as well as hearing new compositions by these popular artists. Dec. 12 and 19, show time is 8:45 PM Dec 26, show time is 8:00 Cost: $2.00

Dec. 20 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Dec. 20 at 6:00 p.m. The Road to Bethlehem: A Free Nativity Event

Interact with a Roman Centurion, Innkeeper, and others as you stroll through the lighted museum gardens. Guests will make their way to the manger, where a live nativity scene portrays that first Christmas.

Dec. 21 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Dec. 22 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Dec. 22 at 6:00 p.m. The Road to Bethlehem: A Free Nativity Event

Interact with a Roman Centurion, Innkeeper, and others as you stroll through the lighted museum gardens. Guests will make their way to the manger, where a live nativity scene portrays that first Christmas.

Dec. 23 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Dec. 23 at 6:00 p.m. The Road to Bethlehem: A Free Nativity Event

Interact with a Roman Centurion, Innkeeper, and others as you stroll through the lighted museum gardens. Guests will make their way to the manger, where a live nativity scene portrays that first Christmas.

Dec. 24 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity–Museum open free to public from 10-3

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Dec. 25 CHRISTMAS DAY—CREATION MUSEUM CLOSED

Dec. 26 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Dec. 26 at 6:00 p.m. The Road to Bethlehem: A Free Nativity Event

Interact with a Roman Centurion, Innkeeper, and others as you stroll through the lighted museum gardens. Guests will make their way to the manger, where a live nativity scene portrays that first Christmas.

Dec. 26 at 8:45pm Creation Christmas Concert

Nationally known recording artist Ray Cummins will join forces with sculptor/composer/author Buddy Davis to present a live Christmas Concert in our Special Effects Theater. Joining them in a special guest appearance will be actress/recording artist Geri Campbell. You’ll be able to join in on some popular favorites of the season as well as hearing new compositions by these popular artists. Dec. 12 and 19, show time is 8:45 PM Dec 26, show time is 8:00 Cost: $2.00

Dec. 27 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Dec. 27 at 6:00 p.m. The Road to Bethlehem: A Free Nativity Event

Interact with a Roman Centurion, Innkeeper, and others as you stroll through the lighted museum gardens. Guests will make their way to the manger, where a live nativity scene portrays that first Christmas.

Dec. 28 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Dec. 29 at 2:00 p.m. “Kreate a Kookie” workshop

You’ll be able to ice your own cookie and decorate it in your favorite holiday design. Workshop is located in our Morris/Whitcomb area at 2:00 PM. Cost is $1.00 per person.

Dec. 29 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Dec. 30 at 2:00 p.m. “Kreate a Kookie” workshop

You’ll be able to ice your own cookie and decorate it in your favorite holiday design. Workshop is located in our Morris/Whitcomb area at 2:00 PM. Cost is $1.00 per person.

Dec. 30 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Dec. 31 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Dec. 31 at 4:00 p.m. The Road to Bethlehem: A Free Nativity Event

Interact with a Roman Centurion, Innkeeper, and others as you stroll through the lighted museum gardens. Guests will make their way to the manger, where a live nativity scene portrays that first Christmas.

Jan. 1 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Jan. 2 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity; 6:00 p.m. The Road to Bethlehem: A Free Nativity Event

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Jan. 3 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Jan. 4 at 2:00 p.m. Free Live Nativity

Join us for our free live nativity event on the beautiful grounds of the Creation Museum during our 2008 Christmas Celebration: “Bethlehem’s Blessings”

Devotion

No limitation

(2 Kings 23:25) And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.

The Lord Jesus Christ has no limitation for what He will do through the person who wholly gives himself to Him.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

A piece of software, designed by fallible man whose “heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9) and who “suppresses the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18), has made predictions about evolution and religion!

Here is the report from New Scientist:

God may work in mysterious ways, but a simple computer program may explain how religion evolved. By distilling religious belief into a genetic predisposition to pass along unverifiable information, the program predicts that religion will flourish. However, religion only takes hold if non-believers help believers out - perhaps because they are impressed by their devotion. “If a person is willing to sacrifice for an abstract god then people feel like they are willing to sacrifice for the community,” says James Dow, an evolutionary anthropologist at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, US, who wrote the program - called Evogod…Dow is by no means the first scientist to take a stab at explaining how religion emerged. Theories on the evolution of religion tend toward two camps. One argues that religion is a mental artefact, co-opted from brain functions that evolved for other tasks…Another contends that religion benefited our ancestors.

Yes—humans certainly do “suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”

You can read the entire report at:

www.newscientist.com/article/dn13983-religion-is-a-product-of-evolution-software-suggests.html

ANSWERS TO QUIZ

I included a photograph in a recent blog as a quiz to see who could guess where the photograph was taken. We have received a number of responses. Here is one with the correct answer:

In response to the quiz you have on blog (11/19/08): I believe you are on the Washington DC Subway … I hope you had a great time at the conference! Thank you very much for writing your blog! It is one of the first things I read every morning. My family and I really enjoyed visiting the Creation Museum this past summer! Thank you for your wonderful ministry!

Here is one with the wrong answer:

Where in the world is Ken Ham? Hee hee…Ken you’re getting as famous as Carmen Sandiego! Wasn’t it someplace in Michigan? Blessings!…P.S. Quizzes are fun!

NEW ADDITION UPDATE

The new addition to the Petting Zoo (Reese the donkey) is doing well. Here is a photograph:

SCHOOLS DROP HOLOCAUST LESSONS

According to a London (UK) Times online article:

Schools drop Holocaust lessons to avoid offence. Teachers are dropping controversial subjects such as the Holocaust and the Crusades from history lessons because they do not want to cause offence to children from certain races or religions, a report claims.

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/education/article1600686.ece

The BBC reports it this way:

Schools ‘avoid Holocaust lessons’…Some schools avoid teaching the Holocaust and other controversial history subjects as they do not want to cause offence, research has claimed. Teachers fear meeting anti-Semitic sentiment, particularly from Muslim pupils, the government-funded study by the Historical Association said.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6517359.stm

The London Mail (online) had this headline:

“Teachers drop the Holocaust to avoid offending Muslims”

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-445979/Teachers-drop-Holocaust-avoid-offending-Muslims.html

DEVOTION

Seriously

(2Kings 22:11) And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.

What God wants is response to His Word – first to take what He has said seriously and to respond to it as the message to us from the God of the Universe.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying

Ken

Dr. David Crandall of our Answers Worldwide division has just returned from traveling to and fro across the world to represent AiG in various countries. While in Malaysia, Dr. Crandall reports that he gave away 150 copies of my book The Lie to pastors and other key people.

Here is a report from the missionary involved in distributing The Lie:

It’s good to report we were able to distribute all the books. We had seven left, which we took with us to Singapore, where the church just happened to have seven pastors who did not yet have The Lie. Victor did a wonderful job helping me there. We spoke Sunday at the Gospel Light Christian Church, which partners with Doane Baptist Church missions outreach into China and Asia.

I preached two services on “Restoring our Foundations in Genesis,” and Vic preached a shorter version during an evening service for Telegu workers from India. A member of the church had an Answers in Genesis book table in the foyer, which sold out completely of Ken’s and other books.

Two church members pledged to help us get creation science into a university and government schools. A Telegu returning to India plans to help us schedule in Bangalore, where I have previously been invited to a Bible school and Indian pastors who graduated from my alma mater in Tacoma, Washington.

We praise the Lord for the way AiG is going worldwide as we equip Christian leaders around the world.

Florida This Weekend

This Saturday and Sunday I will be speaking at Calvary Chapel–Kendall in Miami, Florida. This is my final speaking event out on the road for 2008 (though I still have speaking events at the Creation Museum this year). On Saturday evening and Sunday morning, I will be giving the same basic message at each service—then two different presentations Sunday evening. You can obtain the details from AiG’s event calendar.

Norman Joins Petting Zoo

A miniature Jersey bull calf named Norman has now joined the museum’s Petting Zoo. Norman is 8 months old and was donated to us by an AiG supporter who lives near Columbus, Ohio. I have included a photo of Norman settling in to his new home.

Quiz for My Blog Readers

Last weekend I made a quick visit to a city for a special conference with Christian leaders (I was an attendee, not a speaker this time). See if you can guess where I was? Look at this picture taken in the city’s subway by my colleague on his cell phone. Many of you should be able to guess correctly. You can let me know at:

correspondence@answersingenesis.org

Devotion

Done everything

(Jeremiah 3:12–14) Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever. Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD. Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion

The return to God just involves acknowledging sin. How hard really is it to do? The Lord Jesus Christ has done everything to make the sinner welcome.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

We very much enjoyed visiting the museum and spending a few moments with you. We were very impressed with the quality of the museum and overjoyed for our boys to be in a place that reinforced everything we have been teaching them. . . . We have stocked up on homeschool curriculum and look forward to learning more through the AiG materials. . . . [T]hank you, and we pray that God will continue to expand your ministry to the world!

—Jason & Cristy Nave Ben, Jacob, Caleb, Luke, & Nathan. I posted on my blog (www.crazynaves.blogspot.com) about our trip to the museum if you would like to read it.

If you want to read a great summary of what you will see at the Creation Museum—read their blog posting. I have also included two photographs taken of the Nave family when they visited.

Way to Go Ashley!

We receive many emails from people complimenting the AiG staff from visitors to the Creation Museum or those who talk to our customer service reps or who meet AiG staff in one way or another. This week we received an email from a Creation Museum visitor who had interaction with a young lady who works part-time in the museum’s Dragon Hall bookstore. Ashley is homeschooled and the daughter of AiG speaker Dr. Tommy Mitchell. The visitor wrote:

My family and I recently visited the Creation Museum and were most impressed. Everything is world class, and we are proud to be charter members. Also, we met Ashley Mitchell in your bookstore and just wanted to comment on her excellent customer service skills. She went far above and beyond the call of duty in helping us, and we really appreciated her Christ-like attitude. She even convinced us to buy sour “cream and onion” crickets! She should be in sales.

Don’t Miss the Live Nativity

Don’t miss the spectacular live nativity and Christmas light display at the Creation Museum December 12–January 4. For details and times, be sure to see the calendar on the museum website:

http://www.creationmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/calendar

Devotion

Take the first step

(Hosea 14:1-2,4,8) “O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously . . . . I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely . . . . From me is thy fruit found.”

It is a trap to think that we are not sincere enough to return to the Lord Jesus Christ. He wants us to take the first step even if we have to use a printed prayer.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

We have received considerable positive feedback recently concerning the very popular and growing Answers magazine. Here are two recent feedback items:

1. I can only saw WOW to your “Planet Earth” edition! I think everyone should read this magazine and see the subscriber’s-only videos. I’ve been studying (and teaching) Genesis in the Bible for years, and this issue ties everything all together in a neat little package for me! I’m am absolutely unscientifically oriented, but you have made everything so understandable.

Kudos and a heartfelt thank you to the authors, editors, designers, publisher . . . . You have done a first-class job!

I am so excited and delighted by this issue; I will cherish and share it with others . . . . All of your other magazines are also excellent. I share the kids’ [pullout] inserts with my grandkids. However, this issue just really spoke to the very core of my being. What a testimony to the glory of God! Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for producing this most excellent magazine.

2. I am a . . . wife and mother of three teenagers who attend public school . . . . both my husband and I are appreciative of the fact that the publication is available and believe it is an important resource for our children as they attend public school.

I really like the structure of the magazine. I like the fact that you code the articles as semi-technical. I really like the up-to-the minute culture news, where you keep us informed on the latest findings and current topics. A couple of years ago, I thought that some of these articles were slanted, and seemed a little spiteful to me in their defense of creationism. I haven’t felt like that lately–the articles and information stand on their own, which is what the Bible does, and needs no defense. So, I have appreciated that shift (whether it was real or just my imagination) . . . .

My kids love Jesus and are growing up in the Christian faith, but I know that there will be times that they are challenged and that they will doubt. To have Answers magazine as a tool for them to clearly and scientifically answer those doubts will help them. Ultimately, this is a faith issue, but I believe as we [keep] moving forward towards the end times, that God will somehow make it more clear scientifically that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, because He wants that no one should perish.

So, thank you for listening to my ramblings. We have so many consumer choices out there, but this is one that my husband and I believe in.

If you haven’t subscribed to this phenomenal family magazine to equip your family and be a witness to others, then I urge you to join nearly 70,000 subscribers and obtain this world leader in biblical apologetics for your home, church, public library, etc. You can obtain subscription information from AiG’s website.

Give a Gift Subscription for Christmas

Why not give a gift subscription of Answers magazine to someone for Christmas? This would be an investment with a return far more valuable than silver or gold (or the stock market!). You can give gift subscriptions through AiG’s website.

Millions Reached Through Peru Ministry

Dr. David Crandall (Director of AiG Worldwide) reports a great response to the creation conference held in Peru this last week (Dr. Crandall and Bodie Hodge from AiG spoke at the conference and at a number of other locations). There were over 400 people in attendance who were all very eager to hear the Word.

Dr. Crandall also had an unexpected opportunity to do a 45-minute interview on the largest Christian TV network in all of South and Central America, which he’s told is seen by millions. The presentations given at the conference were also shown on the television network as well. The conference was hosted by Creous and Elizabeth Ramdath, who were a part of the ITS (International Training Seminar) sponsored by AiG and held here this past April.

Dr. Crandall reports that the Peru outreach has been a great opportunity to see how God is using AiG to multiply the creation ministry around the world!

Newest Addition to the Petting Zoo

Around 7:45 a.m. Sunday morning, the newest addition to the AiG Petting Zoo arrived (in freezing conditions!).

Reese (baby) and Buttercup (momma)–both miniature donkeys—are doing well!

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

Dr. Terry Mortenson (an AiG speaker, writer, researcher) has co-edited a unique new book that I wanted to inform you about. This is a book for the serious scholar—but a very needed resource for the church today. Here is Terry’s report on this book:

I would like to draw your attention to a new book in defense of young-earth creationism. It is called Coming to Grips with Genesis: Biblical Authority and the Age of the Earth (Master Books, 2008) and is available in the AiG web book store.

I am co-editor of the book and one of the 14 contributing authors (nearly all of whom are members of the Evangelical Theological Society). With forewords by Dr. John MacArthur and the late Dr. Henry Morris, this book is unique among creationist books as it defends young-earth creationism historically, exegetically and theologically (but it does contain an appendix recommending creationist books and DVDs that present the scientific evidence for a global Flood and recent 6-day creation). The book is written in honor of Dr. John Whitcomb, co-author (with Dr. Henry Morris) of The Genesis Flood (1961), which launched the modern creationist movement. Many of the authors are former students of Dr. Whitcomb.

The chapters deal with such topics as the New Testament evidence for young-earth creationism, the church’s belief in young-earth creationism for the first 1800 years, the role of Ancient Near-Eastern literature in the exegesis of Genesis, the framework hypothesis, the chronological value of the Genesis 5 & 11 genealogies, strong evidence that Genesis 1 is history, not poetry, myth, song, prophetic vision, parable, or any other kind of non-literal genre of literature, a careful analysis of the Genesis Flood account, an analysis of the biblical teaching on death, and the character of God as it relates to millions of years.

My co-editor and I have worked hard to make this scholarly work understandable also to serious-minded lay people. The target audience is seminary and Bible college professors and students, pastors, missionaries, and well-read lay people, and as such we hope that many seminaries and Christian colleges will want to use it as a primary or secondary text in a variety of courses. We believe it will make a very significant contribution to the debate in the Church worldwide about the age and history of the creation.

Many Christians in America and around the world think that the age of the earth is not important but rather is a divisive side-issue and that the Bible is not clear about the age of the earth. This book will show any Christian who is serious about his faith in the Bible as the inspired, inerrant Word of God that Scripture indeed is clear on this issue and that it really does matter enormously what we believe about the age of the creation. As we argue, the idea of millions of years strikes at the very heart of the issue of the authority of the Word of God. What the Bible teaches about creation, death, the character of God, the Flood, and the genealogies of Genesis 5 and 11 are foundational to the gospel that we are all proclaiming to a lost world that has been thoroughly indoctrinated in the ideas of evolution and millions of years.

So, I strongly urge you to get and read this book and encourage others (especially pastors, missionaries, seminary and Christian college professors, and other Christian leaders) to do so also. Consider making it a Christmas gift to some of these people.

For the cause of God’s truth, Terry

Why not purchase a copy as a gift for Christmas for your pastor, college professor, etc.?

Please pray this book has a great effect on challenging Christians/Christian leaders to stand boldly on biblical authority beginning with Genesis.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying

Ken

God haters are becoming much more aggressive in this country. Take the website www.godout.org. Here are some excerpts:

THE GREAT AMERICAN GOD-OUT! is a newly demarcated holiday wherein … individuals are encouraged to combine their supportive efforts to help prevent and cure disease. Even if just for one day–people will live as as if there is no god; people will live as if there only exists the goodness of self and others to sustain healthy living!

THE GREAT AMERICAN GOD-OUT! will also provide people the opportunity to lobby for genuine separation of church and state and live–even if just for one day–as if there are no barriers to having access to our Constitutional rights.

Join in the efforts to educate, organize, celebrate and spread the word about THE GREAT AMERICAN GOD-OUT! Get the facts–get evolved!…Nov. 15, 2007 marked the first ever GREAT AMERICAN GOD-OUT! celebration in New York City and featured many distinguished guests including Dr. Michael Shermer of Skeptic Magazine, Ellen Johnson of American Atheist, Margaret Downey of Atheist Alliance International, Fred Edwords of American Humanist–members of the Secular Coalition of America–and so many more! …

The purpose of the Great American God-Out! (GAGO) is to encourage people to think about the possibility of morality existing independently of theology and to abide by humanistic principles–live as if there is no god–even if only for one day …

They encourage people to play a thought game:

1. Say there is no god, would you no longer love your family, friends, children, pets or significant others? Why or why not?
2. Say there is no god, would you stop hoping for a cure for cancer? Why or why not?
3. Say there is no god, would you stop caring about the health of the environment? Why or why not?
4. Say there is no god, would you want orphaned children to find loving homes? Why or why not?
5. Say there is no god, would you want auto-engineers to design a safe car that gets great gas mileage? Why or why not?
6. Say there is no god, would you want Osama Bin Laden to be captured? Why or why not?
7. Say there is no god, would you want child-abusers to be punished by law? Why or why not?
8. Say there is no god, would you teach children to be selfish? Why or why not?
9. Say there is no god, would you steal money from an unattended purse? Why or why not?
10. Say there is no god, would you steal an item from a large department store? Why or why not?

FINALLY: Say there is no god, identify at least one reason you would still have to keep on living, be happy and that would bring meaning to your life. (Think hard–you can do this!)

Actually, it is a great game to think about as this will help you understand what these people want Americans to become—and what they are trying to turn generations of children into (largely through the public education system). You see, if there is no God—no absolute authority—no ultimate meaning or purpose in life, then we may as well steal, murder or do whatever—in fact one may as well end it all now , as what is the point anyway!

SECULAR HUMANIST GROUP VISITING CREATION MUSEUM TODAY

A skeptics group from Indiana University–Bloomington is visiting the Creation Museum today. (This must be their version of the “Great American God-out” day!). This group’s constitution states:

The purpose of the Secular Alliance of IU is to join together atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, skeptics and humanists on IU’s campus to promote a naturalistic way of thinking over one which is based on belief in the supernatural. This group’s members trust in the importance of science, reason, and logic in order to better understand the world around us. Our goal is to unite people with similar beliefs, and to discuss these beliefs.

Their promotion of the Creation Museum event from their website states:

Are you ready to marvel at the wonders of Creationism! Prepare yourself to enter a world where religion is science, science is fraud, and faith is the answer to all disbelief. On Saturday, November 15th, we will be making our way down to Kentucky to visit the recently established creation museum…Why should you go? It’s important for any secular thinker to understand how dangerous and manipulative religion can be. The creation museum doesn’t even function as a pseudoscience; yet somehow, they are able to convince thousands of visitors that creationism reveals the true origins of the universe, and many are left with confidence that their christian beliefs have been proven.

Obviously they are very worried about the Creation Museum! They hate the creation/gospel message being presented so powerfully in the culture. They have to as the message of AiG and the Creation Museum undermines the foundation of the secular humanists—it hits at the heart of their secular worldview!

This group is quite ‘evangelistic’ in their atheist preaching. For instance, one item from their website states:

Thursday, November 7th, members of SAIU stood out on the street corner in front of Ballantine to answer peoples’ questions about atheism and to advertise the group. We successfully got 30 people to sign up on our listserv, another 50-100 interested with business cards and brochures, and a handful of heated discussions.

It seems as though a lot of people were interested in the group, and many may and hopefully will show up at our next meeting this Sunday. It’s an event we should do again in the future.

A person also states on their website:

Even if we don’t learn anything about science on this trip, at least we will learn something about fundamentalism and religion. There is nothing, as far as I know, preventing us from openly challenging claims made by tour guides, signs, plaques, etc., as long as we are being courteous and not disruptive (I guarantee we will be escorted out promptly).

As long as they are courteous and not disruptive of course, they are very welcome! I really do trust they are not like some of the secular humanists who have come to the Museum and deliberately caused trouble.

Anyhow—our staff will make them welcome! We need to pray that the Lord will use what they see and hear to convict them concerning their need of salvation—after all, that is what the Museum is all about.

Devotion

We have One

(Hos 13:14) I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

We are the prey as death laughs at our distress, but, we have One who put His face in death’s face & said He would destroy death for us, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying

Ken

As we speak at conferences and other meetings, we experience so many people expressing their hunger for the truth of God’s Word, for answers, and for resources. I just experienced this in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Terry Mortenson just experienced this at his recent speaking engagements in White Plains, New York. We see the hunger growing more intense in this nation.

I wanted you to experience what it is like for the various speakers when they are speaking in the field. Put yourself in their position: you have given your presentations—and people line up to talk to you. Here is a summary of what it is like:

Most of the people had never heard information like this before, and many were very compromised in their thinking on origins. But there was great hunger for the resources, and people asked lots of questions. There were also a few people who were quite resistant to the message.

A fireman in his early 40s, who came to faith later in life, spoke to me. He is obviously passionate about following Christ and His Word. But he had recently gone to seminary and now teaches part time at a local Christian college, where he was partly influenced by the old-earth systematic theology texts that were used in courses he took. He was very appreciative of my talks on Noah’s Flood and why the age of the earth matters. I also was able to email him on Sunday afternoon my 2006 ETS paper critiquing the old-earth views in two of the systematic theology texts that he used in seminary. He already wrote me back and said the paper was very helpful to him.

A man from Jamaica who works with a ministry to university students there asked if I would come to Jamaica next year as part of the 60th anniversary for his mission. He has already emailed me to pursue that idea.

A Hispanic lady wanted to know what was available in Spanish, and I was able to point her to our website, where we have a lot of resources in that language . She and her husband (who doesn’t speak Spanish) bought some resources in English to study together.

A middle-aged couple bought the New Answers Book 1 and started reading and discussing it in the restaurant at lunch on Sunday. Two men sitting near them overheard their conversation and asked about it. The couple ended up giving the book to the men and bought another copy Sunday night.

A public high school principal (who is a keen young-earth creationist) told me, “You held my 6-year-old daughter’s attention for two straight hours and that’s a record.” He also knows the man who angrily walked out of the church on Sunday morning saying, “If that is what I have to believe, I’m going to the Unitarian Church.” The principal later told me, “Don’t worry about him. He’s coming to our house for dinner next weekend. We’ll work on him.”

A woman in her late 30s who goes to a different church said after my talk on why the origins issue matters, “I’ve never heard anything like this, and I’ve never thought about the issue of death before sin. My head is spinning. I’m really going to have to think about this.” I encouraged her to do so, just as I had when I started my talk by challenging people to be like the Berean Jews in Acts 17:11.

A missionary who witnesses to and leads Bible studies for diplomats at the United Nations was thrilled with my talks. He has been going through an email-format Bible study on Genesis 1–11 with a missionary friend in Moscow, Russia, who became a convinced young-earth creationist as a result of taking an apologetics course that I taught when I was living in Hungary in the late 1990s. For over 10 years the missionary in Russia has been influencing other missionaries all over the world through his email-led studies, just as he has been doing with this guy ministering at the U.N. This guy now sees more clearly the foundational importance of Genesis and is presently teaching a study on Genesis 1–11 to some U.N. diplomats and staffers. He told me that this study has garnered the best attendance of any Bible study he has done at the U.N. That is so encouraging. I offered to help him in any way I could by coming to speak to his group some time. He said he’d think about that, especially because of all my international experience.

On Saturday, I also did an interview with a reporter for a Christian newspaper. He is also an administrator at a college, where, of course, evolution is taught as fact. He has quite a little ministry to students on the side exposing them to creationist arguments and resources, which they have never encountered before. He also anonymously donated a number of DVDs (all by PhD creation scientists) to the college library. But a Christian friend of his who works in the library told him that the library leadership has refused to put the DVDs in the library. He’s working behind the scenes to see what can be done about this censorship. He is so excited about the ministry of AiG, and through his contacts with many churches in New York City, he wants to try to get a major creation seminar in the City some time in the near future.

Devotion

No one to

(Hosea 13:9) O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.

We have no one to blame but ourselves for the consequences of our sin, and from those consequences we have no one to help us but the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken

The “Year of Darwin” is fast approaching. Evolutionists are gearing up for major Darwin celebrations and a major push on Darwinian evolution like never before as we approach the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin’s major book On the Origin of Species.

We will be telling much more about the “Year of Darwin” over the next several months. However, I wanted to bring to your attention that AiG has put together two very special “Answers For Darwin” conferences for 2009, conveniently located for many of our supporters on both coasts—and . . . they are free. These conferences will equip Christians and challenge non-Christians.

You can find out all the relevant information from AiG’s special Answers for Darwin website. Write the dates down in your calendar and consider attending these two powerful conferences that will deal with the real foundational problems in this nation—the spiritual problems that have led to the collapse of once Christian America.

“Must-visit” Experience

More and more visitors from other parts of the world are coming to the Creation Museum. Here is a report from an excited couple who visited from the U.K. recently:

My wife and I have just returned to our home . . . in the UK from a holiday in the USA during which we travelled from Vermont to Florida and many points in between. However, the highlight of our trip was a visit to the Creation Museum in Kentucky on 29/30 October . . . .

Barbara and I had been planning a visit to the USA as part of our retirement/40th-wedding-anniversary celebrations for some time, and when Ken Ham visited our church with the Answers in Genesis team several years ago and mentioned the building of a Creation Museum, we took note and decided to include it in our tour . . . .

We were so impressed with all the exhibits, the professional way in which everything was done, the delicious food at Noah’s Café and, most importantly the way the Gospel was so accurately presented woven in to the 6-day-creation account. Not only that but the fast maturing grounds were a delight to walk around with waterfalls and lake . . . .

What we hadn’t planned for was being able to meet Ken Ham and Buddy, whom, of course, we had met in the UK before, so this was a pleasant surprise. . . . The staff were all so friendly and the bookshop very inviting. . . . All in all we had a fantastic day, relaying this “must-visit” experience to our hotel receptionist at the Holiday Inn Express in nearby Lawrenceburg, which was excellent and an easy drive for those of us who drive on the “wrong” side of the road. . . .

Many thanks indeed, and we look forward to paying another visit perhaps with our grandchildren in a few years time. Oh that such a museum could be built in the UK.

U.K. Residents—Beware

One of the most spectacular, evolutionary, intensely agenda-driven productions to ardently indoctrinate children in Darwinian evolution is on its way to the United Kingdom. The Mail Online reports:

T-rex comes to town: Stunning £10m [$20 million US] show with life-size dinosaurs stomps towards Britain

Dinosaurs are roaming the earth once again—in a spectacular £10million show set to conquer these shores next summer. Based on the award-winning BBC TV series Walking With Dinosaurs, The Arena Spectacular has won widespread acclaim during two sell-out tours in Australia and America and promises to be one of the most groundbreaking shows ever seen in Britain.

Mark Looy and I attended a Walking with Dinosaurs program in the USA recently, and we wrote a detailed web article to warn people that this is not just some entertainment with a few evolutionary statements—this is a deliberate attempt to indoctrinate children to believe they are just animals in the Darwinian evolution of life. Here is a link to the article we wrote recently:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2008/11/04/staged-evolution-walking-dinosaurs

Devotion

Only One

(Hosea 13:4) Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.

It took a Great Savior to deliver captive Israel from Egypt, and it takes a Great Savior to deliver us from the judgment for our sins—He is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying

Ken