January 1999 Newsletter

• With man—“nothing is impossible!”—Ken Ham
• A cult or not a cult?
• Another speaker—Carl Kerby!
• The passing of Clayton Vaught
• Prayer points
• Be a Berean giver!
• Didyaknow?
• Feedback
• Man eating kangaroos?
• The more important question!
• Community rallies to support Creation Museum!

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With man—“nothing is impossible!”—Ken Ham

Wait a minute! There’s something wrong with that title! The Bible declares: For with God nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37). Who would ever be so arrogant as to claim that “with man, nothing is impossible?”

Well, this is the exact statement I heard when I visited NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida in November! As we traveled around the center as part of a guided tour, I was frankly impressed at the achievements scientists have made.

What an awesome feeling it was to see the huge Saturn rocket that was responsible for launching the spacecraft that took man to the moon. This is said to be the most complicated machine ever made.

You could hear the gasps from the tourists as they also observed the massive machine that takes the space shuttle out to the launch pad. And it was an awe-inspiring sight to see the space shuttle on the launch pad ready for its next trip into space.

But as we listened to the narration in various places on the tour, over and over again we heard man praised for his achievements. At one place, after hearing about some of the things these NASA scientists have achieved, the narrator then said that with man “nothing is impossible.” Because of the technology that man has developed, and the knowledge gained, NASA boldly makes the claim that ultimately man can do anything he sets out to do.

In fact, one of the astronauts who narrated part of the tour said, “Whatever we can conceive, we can achieve.”

Now, where have we heard such an arrogant statement before? It seems as if man thinks he is a god who can do anything he wants to.

As I listened to these statements, an event in history came immediately to mind:

And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do (Genesis 11:4-6).

At the time of the Tower of Babel, people arrogantly thought they could achieve whatever they wanted. However, God judged their rebellion and scattered them over the Earth.

Why does NASA have this same philosophy that they think that “nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do?”

Remember that not long ago, the headlines in newspapers and lead stories on television news programs declared that NASA scientists had found evidence of life on Mars from a so-called Martian meteorite found on Earth. At the time, a number of scientists were very skeptical—but NASA was adamant. Millions around the world were led to believe that NASA had found evidence of life on Mars. As a result, the president of the United States pledged more funds for NASA.

Even though the media have by and large not reported it, the scientific world has actually now rejected this supposed find. One article that appeared in Science magazine (Issue 20, Nov. 1998) recently, had the headline “Requiem for life on Mars.”

The underlying reason why NASA scientists “observed” evidence for life on Mars was because they so want to find evidence for evolution. As you read through the material produced by NASA (e.g., look up their web site at jpl.nasa.gov and find its “Origins” page) you will find it permeated with evolution. The material makes it clear that the main reason for NASA’s very existence is that they want to find evidence for evolution—they already accept it as fact.

For instance, read the following statement from NASA’s own material to see what your tax dollars support:

This discussion paper reports the findings of three dozen biologists, planetary scientists, astronomers, and cosmologists assembled by NASA and the National Research Council at the request of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. They met in Washington, DC on October 28-30, 1996. In a workshop format, the group considered emerging directions in space science and identified origins as a unifying theme for future initiatives.

The study of origins follows the 15 billion year long chain of events from the birth of the universe at the Big Bang, through the formation of the chemical elements, of galaxies, stars and planets, through the mixing of chemicals and energy that cradled life on Earth, to the earliest self-replicating organisms and the profusion of life.

Discoveries in just the past few years provide the first scientific basis for believing that life may be widespread in the universe, in our solar system and beyond. We also have a new comprehension of the development of the universe, its constituent galaxies and stars, the number and variety of planetary systems, and the processes that shape them. For the first time in history, we have achieved the level of understanding and technical capability necessary to fill in “missing links” along the chain of origins by exploring on the Earth and outward in space, in the present and backward in time. To do so, we need to understand more about the processes leading to the origin of life, about habitats suitable for life, and about the origins of the building blocks of the universe. Answers to these questions are within reach.

Major advances over the next 15 years can be realized by continuing and building upon the multidisciplinary programs that have brought us to this point. The current and planned space science programs of NASA begin the next steps in the quest for ORIGINS and pose the technology challenges needed for subsequent steps.

Notice carefully that “origins,” totally from an evolutionary perspective, is seen as THE unifying factor of the space program.

Ever since the temptation in the garden of Eden, when Satan said, For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:5), man has been in rebellion against God, trying to be god himself.

And because of the rebellion and arrogance of the people at the Tower of Babel, God brought judgment upon the earth.

The philosophy of NASA sadly reflects the philosophy of America as a whole. There are some Bible-believing scientists within the NASA programs. But I can’t help but think that as NASA as an institution continues to shake its fist at God, believing it can accomplish whatever it wants to in the name of a philosophy of origins that directly defies His Word, God is going to judge this program (and the nation) for its arrogance.

Sincerely,

Ken Ham

A cult or not a cult?

As a ministry that proclaims the authority of the Bible in an increasingly secular, anti-God society, Answers in Genesis, not surprisingly, receives opposition. Although the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area has generally welcomed Answers in Genesis to the region (see p. 11), there is a vocal minority in opposition. One of their tactics has been to label Answers in Genesis a cult!

Two years ago, when opposition to AiG’s Creation Museum first heated up, some opponents tried to link Answers in Genesis with the Free Men of Montana and the Waco cult (one rumor was that we were even stockpiling weapons!). Even recently, a letter-writer to a local paper likened Answers in Genesis to the Jim Jones suicide cult! We called the paper’s editor to register our concerns; the editor indicated that the letter-writer was merely expressing an opinion, and that the paper was not obligated to check out the Jim Jones innuendo. We politely disagreed, pointing out the paper’s printed policy of not publishing libelous items.

Last month in Texas a secular reporter who covered our seminar in Wichita Falls printed the cult rumor again.

Answers in Genesis, of course, holds to the fundamental beliefs of conservative Christianity, as opposed to the cults who generally: 1) add to Scripture; 2) believe in “works” salvation; and 3) are led by a strong “charismatic” teacher. It should be noted, too, that Answers in Genesis staff attend a variety of Bible-believing churches in the area. In addition, 25 of these churches signed a letter of support for Answers in Genesis, a list that also included a prominent local judge, a radio station manager, and some of our future neighbors near the museum site.

We take solace in the Scripture that declares that when we stand for the Truth, we should expect opposition (Scripture). Please pray for Answers in Genesis that it will continue to be a good witness for Christ and His Word in this community, and nationally and internationally.

Another speaker—Carl Kerby!

Another effective communicator on the Book of Genesis has joined the AIG speakers” bureau!

Carl Kerby, one of the founding board members of AIG, is now available to address churches and youth groups. Based out of Chicago, Mr. Kerby can bring a powerful message on the authority and foundational importance of the Book of Genesis. Using Ken Ham’s overheads, Mr. Kerby has already proved himself effective in exciting people about trusting in the authority of Scripture from the very first verse. In Japan this summer, he spoke to more than 1500 Christians in various church settings. He was exceptionally well received.

Ken Ham highly recommends Mr. Kerby to you for ministry, including Sunday services. For his availability, call Mark Looy at 859-272-2222, ext. 402.

The passing of Clayton Vaught

Answers in Genesis is mourning the loss of staff member Clayton Vaught who went home to be with the Lord December 2, after a long battle with a chronic liver condition.

Clayton moved to Northern Kentucky with his family from El Cajon, California four years ago to become one of AiG’s first employees. Clayton was the warehouse supervisor and was actively working until just days before his death. He used his strength to provide for his family, knowing that his time on Earth was limited. He was also known for his willingness to help others. He fought the good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith.

Clayton leaves behind his wife, Cathy, daughter Lindsey, 16 and son Casey, 14. Lindsey hopes to attend Bob Jones University in the year 2000.

Prayer points

Please pray

• that God would comfort the Vaught family as they mourn the loss—but celebrate the homegoing—of husband and father Clayton Vaught, one of AiG’s first employees.
• that God will bless AiG’s efforts in building a Bible-honoring museum in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area.

Be a Berean giver!

Here’s Galatians 6:6-7: Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. The word “things” in verse 6 actually refers to the students” duty to share material wealth with their teachers.

Verse 7 reminds us that if we sow (i.e., give material wealth) in the wrong places, we will get what we pay for.

AIG defends and proclaims the authority of the Word of God from the very first verse. Are all the ministries and charities you support doing that? Could you inadvertently be helping to spread error with your gifts?

We encourage you to be like the Bereans (Acts 17:10,11). Be certain that when you do your Galatians 6:6 duty, that you are sharing your material wealth with defenders of the Word, not perverters.

Call Paul Laude, CFP, at ext. 302 for help with possible donations associated with insurance, investments, wills, and trusts.

Didyaknow?

Did you know that Hitler had an evolutionary world-view?

Because of his belief in evolution Hitler (and Nietzsche before him) thought that he could produce a superior “master race” by the selective breeding of the German Aryan bloodline. Because of this belief, a group of blond-haired, blue-eyed Germans immigrated to a remote area of Paraguay in South America to carry out what they called a “purification and rebirth of the human race.”

Half a century and three generations later, their experiments lay in ruins. Because of mistakes in the genes of humans (called mutations), which are a result of sin and the Curse, the close inbreeding of this small group meant that the mutations were concentrated in these few individuals. As a result, they actually bred a generation of very slow people mentally, not a “master race.”

Had these people started their thinking with answers from Genesis instead of evolution, they would have looked at the world differently. They would have understood that only the first two people were perfect before sin. They would also have realized that sin affects everything, including our genes. They should have known that God brought in a law against close intermarriage at the time of Moses.

Evolution failed the test!

(Taken from the January 19, 1999 broadcast of the Answers. . . with Ken Ham radio program. Call Mary at ext. 403 for a radio log of stations.)

Feedback

I recently had the opportunity to hear your message. Wow, were my eyes opened!

I have been “one of those Christians” who never had a problem with evolution, thinking that God could have used evolution to bring about man. I feel God has brushed off the scales from my eyes!

I just want to thank you for being bold in preaching the Word and opening the eyes of duped Christians like me.—V.K., OK

Dear Ken:

I purchased The Answers Book and what a revelation I encountered! Outstanding information on the “races!”

I grew up in a small town in Virginia where the people are very racist. I know now exactly why! We have been indoctrinated in this society with “evolution philosophy.” I always knew there was something wrong with putting down people of different shades of skin, but it took your ministry and the Holy Spirit’s guidance for the truth to be revealed!

I have memorized many aspects of this (book) to use in my own personal witnessing of the Gospel from Genesis!

May God continue to bless AiG’s Ministry.

—J.K., Virginia

Dear Ken,

I am an assistant pastor in the greater Dayton, Ohio area. I have subscribed to Creation magazine now (and someone gave) me a copy of your Genesis Solution video. What a blessing they have been!

Keep on teaching the truths of God’s Word! You are doing a fantastic job! —C.R., Ohio

Man eating kangaroos?

Australian Aborigines tell of stories of huge, carnivorous kangaroos, similar to dinosaurs! A recent fossil discovery suggests this!

The current issue of Creation magazine examines this extraordinary find. It will also report on:

• A top scientist who rejects Darwin!
• Sea salt and how it supports a young Earth!
• Cloning—is it right or wrong?

Subscribe to this family magazine ( 4 issues, $22) by calling 1-800-778-3390.

The more important question!

At Answers in Genesis, we are engaged in addressing one of life’s most important questions: where did we all come from? Actually, there is an even more important question, one which happens to have its answer in Genesis.

That question is: where are you going? In other words, when you die, will you enjoy eternal fellowship with the Creator, or be condemned to everlasting punishment and separation from Him? While AIG is involved in the necessary defense of the faith, as commanded in I Peter 3:15, it is also an “evangelistic” outreach to those who are lost. The truths in the book of Genesis can be powerful witnessing tools in the presentation of the Gospel. You see, many non-Christians cannot accept the claims of Scripture—and hence the Gospel message itself—because they believe the Bible is untrustworthy, including Genesis.

Also, many of these people wonder why evil, blood shed, and death exist in this world if there is a Creator. By explaining to non-believers that we live in a fallen world (Genesis 3) and that we are suffering from over 6,000 years of the Curse, we can offer profound truths that are highly illuminating to non-believers. Many people have come to know the Lord/Creator of the universe through such “creation evangelism.”

To enable us to preach the Creation/Gospel message, we ask that you prayerfully consider donating to AIG, a non-profit ministry that relies on donations for most of its outreach expenses. Even if you can’t give, please drop us a line and let us know how our ministry has blessed you. And please pray for AIG.

Community rallies to support Creation Museum!

In late November, over 350 supporters turned out on a chilly morning to rally on behalf of AiG’s Creation Museum. The rally, which was held on the site of the proposed museum, was hosted by Ken Ham, who announced that AIG (the day before) had filed an appeal with the Boone County Circuit Court to challenge the County’s denial of AiG’s zone-change application for 25 acres of land in Northern Kentucky (near Cincinnati). On this site, AIG proposes to build a 95,000-square-foot complex. The museum would take up about one-third of the building, and would present world-class exhibits defending the authority of the Bible from the very first verse.

Since the rally, almost 2,000 signatures (at press time) of area residents have been collected on petitions in support of the museum. Two years ago in a phone poll conducted by one of the local papers, 96% of the people who responded indicated that they were in support of the museum. Therefore, it is just a very small but vocal minority of people who are in opposition.

At the museum rally, Ken told the crowd that the decision by Boone County Commissioners to deny AIG its rezoning application, when examined in the light of its own Plan, “is arbitrary and capricious, and clearly violates our constitutional rights. We are therefore appealing.”

Ken summarized the major points listed in the appeal:

• The county had argued that the interchange near AiG’s proposed property “may support some commercial highway service establishment, especially if casino gambling occurs in [nearby] Lawrenceburg.” Ham responded: “The commission wants to stop our ministry from building on this property, but would have welcomed gambling-related business. This is blatant viewpoint discrimination.” He added: “This and other actions have demonstrated that the county violated the First Amendment rights of AiG and attempted to interfere with the free expression of AiG’s Biblical viewpoint.”
• The county accepted a “minority report” submitted by one of the Planning Commission members, which was never adopted by any committee of the Commission. This illegal “minority report” wrongly stated that Industrial-1 zoning “does not include office land uses,” and therefore AiG’s application must be denied. Ham countered: “This is absolutely wrong and not a matter of interpretation. The county’s own zoning laws clearly state that offices are principally permitted uses on Industrial-1 property.”
• County commissioners also stated that the “necessary” infrastructure was not available at the property. Ham told the crowd: “The Comprehensive Plan says only that we would have to provide “adequate” infrastructure. Through the reports of experts we proved how it could be done, and also discovered that some public schools and other facilities in the county have provided their own infrastructure. After telling us that we should show how we would provide the infrastructure, and then we do just that, now the county says we can’t rezone the property because it doesn’t have “necessary” infrastructure in place! This is a type of Catch-22, and shows the clearly arbitrary nature of their decision.”

Ham told the rally: “Answers in Genesis remains committed to this site. We are confident that our attorneys can argue a convincing case before the Circuit Court, and that the Court will overturn this unfair decision and will require the county to follow its own Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Regulations.”

Even those who don’t live in the region can indicate their support of the project by writing to the new Fiscal Court of Boone County. In your letter (or fax) you can state (respectfully) that you are in support of the project, and hope that the new Fiscal Court will reconsider the zoning application of Answers in Genesis.

The letter or fax can be addressed to Judge Executive Gary Moore, Boone County Fiscal Court, P. O. Box 900, Burlington, KY 41005; fax (859) 334-3105. Thank you.

Note: check our web site to read the full appeal and to see photos of the museum rally—www.AnswersInGenesis.org