Creation emphasis

I just recently returned from "Creation College 2" near Cincinnati, OH. What a great conference. We were given awesome insight into a biblical view of scientific observations. These insights are truly helpful in our evolutionary humanistic uniformitarian driven society.

If we could only take the view that is being proposed for Genesis 1-11 at this conference and apply this hermeneutic to the entire Scritpures, giving Scripture its authority when it speaks in its many different genres (noting, of course, that the genre will shape the way we understand God's message). What a blessing to hear many different denominations affirm Luther's view of Genesis 1-11, which, of course, I would argue to be the apostolic view. This reminds me of that all-too-short walk to Emmaus, when Jesus, beginning with Moses and the Prophets, explained (interpreted) to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. What a walk that would be. I'm sure my heart would be burning for more too!

In getting back to the conference, which was all about the authority of Scripture concerning Genesis 1-11, it was a joy that all were affirming the creation account and various scientific explanations in light of that account, but truly a shame that some did not take the same approach to Scripture in other aspects of doctrine. Maybe this is a beginning point for reading The Word the way it was intended, but probably not. I can't help but be a little optimistic though, but I know that narrow is the road, and our personal bias gets in the way all too often.

For some highlights, the Creation Museum (which you can see updates at http://www.answersingenesis.org/museum/) was spectacular. Although much work still needs to continue for an April 30th, 2007 opening, it will be an amazing museum. As I was walking through it, I couldn't help but be overjoyed with three specific findings.

The first one concerns a room in the museum which is a must see in the walk (literally, since the museum is a journey and not just a compilation of unconnected "old stuff"). This room is specifically dedicated to Martin Luther (the ONLY church father to appear in this museum journey!). It will include the nailing of the 95 Thesis as well as a replica of the Gutenburg Press machine. The idea one cannot help but come away with is that Martin Luther was the "main man" in getting the authority of Scripture back where it should be (how sad that in many cases today even so-called "Lutherans" fail in properly dealing with the Scriptures).

As we continued our walk, we came to an area that had the library so far collected for the staff. Of the small number (about 3 large library shelves large), most of which included texts and books concerning specifically science, was the whole of Luther's Works. My excitement grew, until I realized that I, myself, didn't even own that collection of books. So, in good Lutheran format, guilt took over (but I do plan to have the whole of his works on the computer when we get the money, and maybe in book form since being at the museum...is that works righteousness?).

The last thing for my eyes was the office space, including Dr. Ken Ham's office. What I noticed in the Board Room was also a great surprise. On a formidable wall of the room you could see 5 labeled pictures. These pictures presented the vision and main ideas of Answers In Genesis. One of the pictures was Martin Luther posting the 95 Thesis with the bold lettering of "The Authority of Scripture" above. I can't help but be encouraged by the way this group is trying to handle Genesis 1-11 in the way we do, and doing such an amazing job at that.

The Creation Museum will be a great journey into the history of man, as the Bible presents it. Ken uses the 7 C's presentation angle which includes: Creation, Corruption (the Fall of man), Catastrophe (Noah's flood), Confusion (The Tower of Babel), Christ, Cross, and Consummation. All presentations will focus on God's Word and people will be taken through the journey of the history of the world from a biblical worldview. What a great idea, and they are doing an excellent job. They have a state-of-the-art projector for the Astronomy room which gives a tour of outer space and a great testimony is shared in the process as well as handling some of the most popular fallacies put forth by evolutionists, like the starlight problem, which is no problem at all from a biblical worldview. This museum will be an amazing testimony to the world. I am already planning our family's trip in the future.

In the future planning, AiG is planning to build a full scale ark...that's right, full scale on the property! That will be awesome. We have some terribly inaccurate pictures of the ark in our society - including the picture found on the cover of the most recent summer '06 magazine from "Higher Things," which ironically begins the article saying: "How distorted are our views of Noah and the great flood!." I say, "How ironic that we are calling the kettle black, when we artistically design or use an ark that doesn't even come close to the proportions that the Bible speaks of concerning it." It would be great to have a real picture of this massive vessel as Answers In Genesis wishes to construct; something like 450 by 75 by 45, three levels, etc., and full scale too!

In no AiG speaker on staff was there any push of doctrine outside of Genesis 1-11 in regards to science. I was greatly encouraged by their work, professional attitude, and excitement for holding to Scripture alone as the ultimate authority. If we can only get others to build off of this base for the rest of God's Holy Words! Maybe this is just the beginning. Most of the attendees were not Lutheran, but very receptive to the instruction, especially Dr. David Menton (who is Lutheran). His last talk entitled "God's Girders" was absolutely awe-inspiring. He even had almost everyone in the room saying "Amen" or shaking their heads 'yes' when he went into detail as to man not coming to God on his own. He told us that Adam was a hider, not a seeker. God is the seeker...do we think we are better than Adam? The absolute answer from the gallery was "No." We are only worse physically, spiritually, mentally, etc. And if Adam didn't confess and seek God, we certainly aren't going to either. It is God's work, he's the seeker! I had never thought of defending God's work in us concerning decision theology from Genesis 3! But it is certainly there, and hundreds of people heard it and agreed with it. Praise God for his work both to justify us and sanctify us. We are not worthy. But that's always been the point: he makes us worthy.

Dr. Menton (Anatomy) was outstanding, Dr. Lisle (Astronomy) was excellent, and the other speakers were very sound in doctrine as well. I was only disappointed in the devotional leader and "pastoral elective" leader, who is not an AiG speaker. He did not show the same professional attitude towards the program and content. All things completed, I feel very equipped for the future storms concerning this much battled ground called science. As Luther has said:

"If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved and to be steady on all the battlefield besides is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that one point."

Amen. May God continue to lead us and equip us to engage the battle so that none will be lost, but many found.