In This Issue

• INTELLIGENT DESIGN OR EVOLUTION?

• JENNINGS ON JESUS AND PAUL

• HIGHER GROUND

• WINE IS A MOCKER

• MORE INFORMATION...

INTELLIGENT DESIGN OR EVOLUTION?

There is a conflict going on today over the effort to present Intelligent Design (ID) as an alternative view along with Evolution in science books in public education. Eight school board members in [Dover] Pennsylvania favoring the inclusion of Intelligent Design along with Darwinian Evolution were voted out of office. The state of Kansas has been subjected to ridicule by the media for requiring the teaching of ID along with evolution in Kansas schools. The objections to ID are that it is injecting religion into public schools and it, unlike evolution, is not scientific. Both these objections are wrong.

It is true most religious people believe our world is the product of intelligent design, but there are those not connected with organized religion that also hold this view. The teaching of this in public schools does not require the naming of the Intelligent Designer. Further it is a mistake to say the evolutionary explanation for all things is scientific. Unless the definition of science has changed, it still deals with established facts that can be replicated or demonstrated. Where is the experiment that demonstrates the development of a complex system from nothing or from primeval matter? Has any matter been found which is eternal? Can the origin of life be demonstrated in evolution? 

The truth is, Intelligent Design and Evolution (involving accidental, progressive change leading from dead matter to living organisms), both rest on faith. Since both systems are based on faith, which is more logical?

Did our universe begin accidentally with a "Big Bang?" Prove it! How did life begin? Prove it! What was the source of the original explosion? What material was in existence that could be exploded? What other great explosion has produced anything orderly? Unless these and related questions can be answered and demonstrated, can anyone say that evolution is based on scientific fact? (We are not discussing evolution in the sense of change within species whether by mutation, natural selection or manipulation by man.)

Does the universe exhibit evidence of intelligent design?

* The Bible tells us the "heavens declare the glory of God" (Ps 19:1). Consider the stars. Under clear viewing conditions about 3000 are visible. These stars, including our sun and the planets, move in such a predictable manner in their ecliptic and zodiac that their position can be charted thousands of years before or after the current date. If airlines depend on intelligence to plan their schedules, is it unreasonable to think intelligence was behind the creation or formation of the heavenly bodies?

* Think of the human body. The Psalmist said "for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." We are told each individual has his or her own unique DNA, which is like a master plan, or blueprint determining what the individual will be like. There are innumerable combinations of DNA because all DNA has thousands of chemical units. If all complex plans we know about are the result of intelligence, is it unscientific to conclude there must be intelligence behind the DNA of all living things? We recognize man can manipulate DNA, but can he create DNA? Is it sensible to think DNA is the result of an unexplained explosion? Does an accidental explosion of unknown source of unexplained material sound like a logical explanation for complex DNA?

* Consider the human brain. It is only about 1400 cubic centimeters (about 85 cubic inches) in size, but it is capable of so much enabling us to see, hear, think, reason, experience joy or pain, remember, will and make decisions. It grows as needed. It never needs batteries and does not need rebooting. If computers (machines with intelligence) had to be invented by man and programmed by intelligent beings, why are those who believe in intelligent design behind the human brain looked on as fools or fanatics? 

The Bible describes those who deny the Creator: "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'" (Ps 14:1)

- Robert W. Goodman

JENNINGS ON JESUS AND PAUL

The major television broadcast networks venture into the field of religion sometimes, often during a season the world identifies with "Christianity" (Easter, Christmas). Recently the viewing public had opportunity to see another Peter Jennings ABC documentary, "Jesus and Paul, the Word and the Witness."

The show that aired on Monday night, April 5, was virtually a carbon copy of the previous Jennings work (In Search of Jesus, June 2000). In the former effort and in this one, Jennings did not find the Jesus Christ of the Bible. And he certainly didn't come close to the real apostle Paul. (There is no reason to believe he was looking!)

The misinformation conveyed in these programs is a product of the mind-set that gives more weight to human sources than inspired writers. To Jennings, the speculations and pronouncements of mostly liberal theologians is more attractive than the actual words of Jesus and Paul (and less demanding morally). He is more concerned with how contemporary "experts" and "specialists" interpret tradition than attending to the writings left by the Holy Spirit. 

The documentary ABC aired Monday night (April 5, 2004) was noticeably slanted toward liberal "scholarship" that questions, denies and re-writes biblical history; that assumes a human superiority above the divine text. Along with that, it was bold in identifying Catholic ritual and modern religious rock music with the story of Jesus and Paul. Scenes from Catholic ritual predominating the visuals, and religious rock was used as the primary musical background. The content of the documentary was formed based on what is religiously and politically correct; what is marketable and what is demeaning of Christianity. The show never came to terms with the simple teaching of the Bible; was an exercise in comparing what one "scholar" says to another; left out vital context in quoting what Paul wrote; portrayed Paul as a "nasty" anti-Semite and eventually claimed, "he was making it up as he went along!" And, according to the scholars, "he had no idea that his ideas would ever become a blueprint for the 20th century." (I assume the "scholar" would extend that opinion to the 21st!)

I cannot offer any favorable recommendation of these major media religious documentaries, not even for some impractical academic purpose. Too much misinformation; too much distortion; too much bold unbelief in the biblical record. I agree with one reviewer on a website blog who said, "If even a fraction of what I mention [critical of Jennings] is true, then we're looking at something more akin to intellectual dishonesty than simple omissions."

The real Paul said: "But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ," (Gal. 1:11,12). And, "the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord," (1 Cor. 14:37). 

- Warren E. Berkley, Expository Files, May, 2004

HIGHER GROUND

"And seeing the multitudes, he went up on a mountain, and when he was seated his disciples came to him. Then he opened his mouth and taught them ..." (Matthew 5:1,2).

We have a fascination with height. Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on earth, at over 29,000 feet in elevation. Millions travel just to look at it, and its allure as a trekking and climbing destination is legendary. Other peaks of far less altitude are also famous and prized as destinations. Most nations, states, and districts note their "highest points" and these are often featured as tourist destinations.

This fascination is not limited to geography. The tallest building, tallest man, and tallest animal are also items of note. Stories of giants, whether true (Goliath) or myth (the giant of Jack's beanstalk) continue to provoke interest. We like the unusual, of course, but size, and especially height, seems to have a particular appeal.

It is easy to see that the Bible features mountains prominently. Examples include Ararat, where the Ark eventually landed (Genesis 8:4); Sinai where the Law was given to Moses (Exodus 19:20); Nebo, upon which Moses died (Deuteronomy 32:49); and the Mount of Transfiguration where Jesus' authority was confirmed to the Apostles (Mark 9:2ff). Good things often happened upon mountains. God is often associated in special ways with the hills. The Psalmist proclaimed, "I will lift up my eyes to the hills - From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1,2).

Given this background, it is not surprising to read that Jesus went upon a mountain and there taught His disciples. We might well expect that. The geography of Palestine and the natural acoustical quality of such a setting also encourage its selection. But may we also infer a more spiritual application? Jesus taught from "higher ground" not only in the physical site of His sermon, but also in His moral, ethical, and theological perspectives. He was vastly superior to His contemporaries among the Jewish religious leaders in all these respects. His sincerity and truthfulness surpassed their hypocrisy. His love for the lost overshadowed their selfishness. His reverence for God made a mockery of their pride.

Genuine Christianity, when compared with any other religion or philosophy, is higher ground. It provides the greatest view of humanity, the only true revelation of God, and the single real hope that man can possess. As much as we love the scenery of Mount Everest, the engineering marvel of a huge sky-scraper, or the grace and power of a "7-footer" on the basketball court, the awesome heights of the Way of Christ are much greater. Jesus promised, "you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). His truth is incredibly beautiful. May we proclaim it and follow it always.

- Michael Brooks

WINE IS A MOCKER

I drank for happiness and became unhappy.

I drank for joy and became miserable.

I drank for sociability and became argumentative.

I drank for sophistication and became obnoxious.

I drank for sleep and woke up tired.

I drank for strength and felt weak.

I drank for relaxation and got the shakes.

I drank to make conversation easier and slurred my speech.

I drank for confidence and became doubtful.

I drank for courage and became afraid.

"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise." (Prov. 20:1)

- anonymous, via Whit Sasser’s Exhortations and Stuff

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