The Case for a Creator

[from John Woodward] On Christmas day I have enjoyed a nice celebration with family, a delicious meal, and some extra time to relax with a book. I've had this volume on my shelf for months: The Case for a Creator, by Lee Strobel.

I have appreciated two of his other of his popular books on apologetics: The Case for Christ, and The Case for Faith. Although the content of these books can mostly be found in other texts, Mr. Strobel is gifted at organizing the topics in an engaging way. He writes with a reasonable tone and uses interviews from scholars in various areas of expertise to strengthen the Case's academic witness and lighten the tone of the book with some narrative and dialog.

So the eleven chapters of The Case for a Creator retain this good formula while covering topics and issues pertaining to Creation versus Darwinian evolution.

Readers of Mr. Gray's Age of the Universe will be particularly interested in chapter seven of Strobel's book: The Evidence of Astronomy: The Privileged Planet. It opens with this quote from Nobel Laureate Arno Penzias: "Astronomy leads to a unique event, a universe which was created out of nothing, one with a very delicate balance needed to provide exactly the conditions required to permit life, and one which has an underlying (one might say 'supernatural') plan" (p. 153).

The Young Biosphere Creation model that is promoted on this blog offers a sound interpretation of Genesis one that avoids unnecessary stumbling blocks to students of astronomy.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1) should be taken at face value. (In other words, the sun, moon, and stars were created at the "beginning," rather than on day four.) Without compromising biblical authority, this view allows for the scientific data of astronomy to compliment Scripture rather than compete with it.

I look forward to delving into more of The Case for a Creator...

USC Lancaster Lecture

A New Approach to the Interpretation of Genesis 1:16: Same conclusions from a strengthened route

Delivered at USCL 7-11-09 by Gorman Gray

ABSTRACT

Books have been written and conferences devoted to detailing proper methodology for biblical hermeneutics. This presentation will attempt to emphasize the psychological barriers we humans encounter which sometimes prevent sound Bible interpretation. With that cautionary background, we will carefully observe the pattern of God’s procedures on each of the daily activities and apply it to Genesis 1:16, the fourth day, That pattern constrains and explains the interpretation of that very crucial verse of Scripture.

During the six day creation, in every case God 1) Decides to do something, then He 2) Does what He decided to do and finally, He 3) Delights in what He did after completion. This pattern effectively prohibits the commonly accepted interpretation that God created or made the two great lights and the stars on day four. Rather, I will show that God "gave them in the expanse of air" for signs, seasons, days and years on day four, having already, created those bodies with the stellar heavens and planet earth in verse one before any days were possible.

The edited transcript of this lecture is now at the main web site:

http://www.ageoftheuniverse.com/USCL_Lecture.html

Two Volumes of God's Revelation

The Young Biosphere Creation model is based on a grammatical-historical exposition of Genesis 1.  One benefit of this interpretation is that it allows the general revelation of astronomy (Psalm 19:1-6), the harmonize with the special revelation of God's written Word (Psalm 19:7-9). We treasure the Bible as inspired by God and profitable (Psalm 19:10-11; 2 Tim. 3:16,17), and are receptive to the ministry of the Holy Spirit Who illumines, convicts, and empowers believers in Christ.

Here the two volumes of God's revelation are celebrated with complimentary roles.

Psalm 19

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

 1 The heavens declare the glory of God;

    And the firmament shows His handiwork.

 2  Day unto day utters speech,

    And night unto night reveals knowledge.

 3  There is no speech nor language

    Where their voice is not heard.

 4  Their line has gone out through all the earth,

    And their words to the end of the world.      

    In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,

 5  Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

    And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.

 6  Its rising is from one end of heaven,

    And its circuit to the other end; 

    And there is nothing hidden from its heat. 

         

 7  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;

    The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

 8  The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;

    The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

 9  The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;

    The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

 10 More to be desired are they than gold,

    Yea, than much fine gold; 

    Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,

    And in keeping them there is great reward. 

         

 12 Who can understand his errors?

    Cleanse me from secret faults.

 13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;

    Let them not have dominion over me. 

    Then I shall be blameless, 

    And I shall be innocent of great transgression. 

         

 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

    Be acceptable in Your sight, 

    O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

[ posted by John W.]

An endorsement

Here is a recent endoresement from a reader of Age of the Universe.

"The main-stream creationist insistence on a six thousand year old universe, it seems to me, is the weak point in the creationist framework. With that resolved, everything falls into place and should make sense to anyone with an open mind. As science digs deeper into the complexity of living things, it becomes obvious that evolution is no more than a superstitious fantasy. Unfortunately, creationism seems determined to flounder on the rock of a seven day universe. You have now removed that rock. I believe you have done a great service to the faith."

Colonel Leonard Gaston PhD. USAF RET

Creation Research Society Conference (S.C.)

I just want to express deep thanks to those of you who helped in prayer on our trip to South Carolina and the address I gave to my friends there.  I  agree with them about everything except the 6000 year old universe and planet earth. but that point is so cardinal with them that it was a surprise that they allowed me in at all. Anyway, things went well and Alice and I are both convinced it was well worth our time and effort to participate. There were two meetings simultaneous so mine was attended by only 20 or 30 people.  Alice has summarized it in the paragraph following.

 

Trip summary:

 

John Morris, son of Henry Morris who was the "father of the modern creation movement," attended Gorman's lecture. Since his father died two years ago, John Morris is now president of the Institute for Creation Research. The Morris family is so steeped in young universe theory, they have always been quite critical of Gorman's young biosphere position. However, after the lecture John Morris actually said, "It makes more sense than I had thought," or similar words. Only God knows what will become of this, but right now we are encouraged by two very promising invitations. Because of this conference Dr. Robert Brown, professor emeritus and former head of Geoscience Research Institute at Loma Linda has invited us to be his houseguests so that Gorman could participate in a session at Loma Linda Church. Dr. Brown has always espoused Gorman's view, but many of the upcoming younger scientists do not. That could be very interesting. So we would ask for your prayers for God's will in these future possibilities.    (By Alice.)

 

Last May an enthusiastic benefactor offered to pay for the advertising in World Magazine.  So as a result about 50 books were sold so far with many more in prospect. Today I brought 50 more to the book binder because I have only one book left which will go tomorrow, I suppose.  Anyway, I always seem to have enough encouragement to keep me energized and chafing at the bit to extend the breadth of this very important correction to the creationist movement. I am certain that the ramifications of the CRS conference at USCL  (University of South Carolina at Lancaster) will not be known for some time...  Anyway, time will tell and prayer changes hearts.   I want the holy name of Jesus to be glorified.