Facts & Faith
1992 Quarter 3
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Temblors Touch Off Questions
Earthshaking Events
Even if you have been vacationing on some far off, uninhabited island, you must have heard by now that southern California is still being rattled by aftershocks from recent magnitude 7.4 and 6.5 earthquakes. In the few weeks since those quakes, more than 5,000 aftershocks have been recorded. California has endured nine magnitude 6 and 7 earthquakes in the last five years. Considering the increasing proximity of these quakes to the San Andreas fault, everyone here has become (understandably) more concerned about earth movements.
This concern about earthquakes certainly is not limited to Californians. Of late, people all over the globe have had their confidence in terra firma shaken, both emotionally and physically.
Earthquake Predictability
One of the questions about earthquakes I am asked most frequently is "When will seismologists be able to predict the big ones?" Scientists here in California are probably closer than others to being able to do so. But, even here, the prospects are not encouraging.
At Parkfield, a tiny village midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco and directly over the San Andreas fault, magnitude 6 and 6.5 earthquakes have been occurring every 22 years for the last century and a half.1
Extensive data from seismographs surrounding the site and some good computer modeling have permitted the first confident prediction of an earthquake. The last big Parkfield quake hit in 1966; seismologists expect the next one between 1984 and 1992. If nothing happens in Parkfield by the time the year ends, we will all know that more data and better modeling are needed even for such seemingly simple cases as Parkfield.
Another region of noticeable seismic regularity runs right through the area where I reside and where the Reasons To Believe offices are located. Seismologists at Pasadena's U. S. Geological Survey and California Institute of Technology have noted a progression of six moderate quakes since 1987 traveling northward from Whittier to Pasadena and beyond.2 These quakes, occurring about once a year, already have marched halfway to the San Andreas fault. The concern has been that, when the San Andreas is reached, the big one may be touched off.
A magnitude 6 earthquake did occur right on schedule, but not exactly in the predicted location.3 The quake struck much closer to the San Andreas than expected (only nine kilometers from it) but to the east rather than to the north of the previous one. Then, the big quakes of Landers and Big Bear struck on the other side of the San Andreas. Obviously, prediction is more complicated than we had hoped.
Earthquake Avoidance
Often people outside California ask me why I am not moving the ministry to a safer place. Frankly, I think there is no safer or better place for Reasons To Believe than where it is now. While it is true that seismological evidence shows big earthquakes striking frequently in California, other states stand a good chance of experiencing less frequent but much larger quakes.4
Because of soil and other conditions, earthquake energy tends to dissipate more quickly with distance in California than it does in other states.5 Further, superior construction standards and preparedness here mean that large quakes generate amazingly few casualties and minimal damage. California quakes ten times more powerful than those striking Armenia and Turkey resulted in less than a thousandth the loss of life. In fact, friends in the insurance business tell me that the risk of damage and casualties in California is lower than in many parts of the United States and of the world.
Additionally, we are reminded in Amos (chapters 5 through 9) that we cannot run away from natural disasters. Whether earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, or whatever, there is always a risk to be faced. Our confidence must be in the Lord.
Earthquakes and God's Love
The apologetics question about earthquakes I hear most often is "Why would a loving God allow us to experience the horrors of earthquakes?" I can give one answer from my limited human understanding, and that has to do with His provision for man's food needs.
Without earthquakes, nutrients essential for land life would erode off the continents and accumulate in the oceans. In a relatively brief time, land creatures, at least the advanced species, would starve. But, thanks to tectonic plate movements (the movements that generate earthquakes), nutrients eroded into the oceans are recycled back to the continents.
If the number and intensity of earthquakes on planet Earth were any smaller, the rate of nutrient recycling would be insufficient to support land-based life. If the number and intensity of earthquakes were any greater, human civilization, certainly , urbanization, would be impossible. The rate of earthquake activity is just right. The next time you feel an earthquake, try thanking God for His perfect providence.
In the case of other disasters, too, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and blizzards, you may be comforted to learn that here again the number and intensity are ideal for sustaining the best conditions for life on Earth. Though it is painful to suffer or see others suffer through these disasters, we can acknowledge that they are, on a grand scale, a manifestation of God's care.
Earthquakes and Prophecy
The Bible question I am asked most frequently concerning earthquakes is "How do earthquakes fit into end-times prophecy?" The book of Revelation predicts at least seven earthquakes for the period just prior to Christ's return.
The first of these (Revelation 6:12) is a "great earthquake" occurring at the beginning of "The Day of Wrath," a three-and-a-half-year span before the physical return of Jesus Christ to planet Earth. This earthquake must be large, for it terrifies all the inhabitants of the earth and moves every mountain and island.
The second (Ezekiel 38:19) is another "great earthquake," shaking the whole land of Israel and causing panic and destruction among the invading troops of Magog. This earthquake and concurrent events result in the extinction of the armies of Magog while the Jews in Israel remain safe and secure.
The third earthquake (Revelation 8:5) punctuates the announcement that the trumpet dooms are coming. The intensity, destruction, and location of this earthquake are unspecified.
The fourth earthquake (Revelation 11:19) occurs after the unleashing of the seven trumpet dooms. The intensity, destruction, and location of this shaker also remain unspecified.
The fifth quake (Revelation 11:13) is described as "severe." It occurs when the two witnesses, slain at the temple site in Jerusalem, ascend to heaven. This quake destroys one tenth of the city of Jerusalem and kills 7,000 men, plus women or children.
The sixth (Revelation 16:18-19) is the "greatest earthquake of man's history." The capital city of the anti-Christ (the end-times world dictator) splits into three parts, the cities of the nations fall, and all the islands and mountains move.
The final temblor (Zechariah 14:4) occurs when Jesus Christ's feet land on the Mount of Olives. The mountain literally splits in two. This brief treatment is sketchy, at best, and I acknowledge that many other perspectives on these events and their timing have been presented by evangelical scholars. I challenge each person to make his own study of the matter.
When Jesus mentioned (in Matthew 24) widespread earthquakes as one sign of the beginning of the end of the age, He seems to have been talking about the current era. For a further discussion of end-times prophecy and its fulfillment in our day, you may wish to obtain the tape album, End-Times Prophecy, listed in the RTB catalog and in the "Resources' section of this newsletter (pp. 14-15).
--Hugh Ross
References
- Monastersky, Richard, "Perils of prediction," Science News, 139 (1991), p. 377.
- Monastersky, Richard, "Do recent L. A. quakes herald a larger shock?" Science News, 140 (1991), p. 405.
- Monastersky, Richard, "California faults unleash week of turmoil," Science News, 141 (1992), p. 293.
- Monastersky, Richard, "Ancient quakes signal future Northwest risk," Science News, 141 (1992), p. 22.
- Monastersky, Richard, "The relaxed style of western quakes," Science News, 141 (1992), p. 222.
Origin of Life Update
In past issues we have discussed new evidence for the rapidity with which life arose on Earth and under conditions which were unfavorable, to say the least. Knowing that many of you would yearn for more details, we asked origin-of-life expert Dr. Walter Bradley, a professor at Texas A & M, to write an article for us on this subject. He plans to have it ready for the Christmas issue.
We have also asked Dr. Bradley to comment on last month's announcement of the discovery that a certain RNA molecule was observed to perform an important function of protein assembly.1-3 Some researchers are already jumping to the conclusion that there must have existed a primordial RNA that evolved into proteins, DNA, and modern RNA, and thus that life originated by natural processes.
Meanwhile, we have just received word that the book Dr. Bradley wrote with Drs. Charles Thaxton and Roger Olson, The Mystery of Life's Origin,4, will soon be back in print. We have requested that our order be included in the first print run, and we will let you know as soon as we have copies available.
--Hugh Ross
References
- Waldrop, M. Mitchell, "Finding RNA Makes Proteins Gives 'RNA World' a Big Boost," Science, 256 (1992), pp. 1396-1397.
- Pace, Norman R., "New Horizons for RNA Catalysis," Science, 256 (1992), pp. 1402-1403.
- Gibbons, Anne, "Biologists Trace the Evolution of Molecules," Science, 257 (1992), pp. 30-31.
- Thaxton, Charles B., Bradley, Walter L., and Olsen, Roger L., The Mystery of Life's Origin (New York: Philosophical Library, 1984).
Big Bang Update
The last issue of Facts & Faith reported on five discoveries that converged to become "the discovery of the century, if not of all time," in the words of physicist Stephen Hawking. Since that issue, two more discoveries have been made new and different measurements of the cosmic background radiation and the best-to-date measurements of the expansion rate of the universe),1 bringing the total to seven monumental breakthroughs in man's knowledge of the origin and development of the universe. Each adds to the weight of evidence for the God of the Bible.
What an incredibly rapid unfolding of God's testimony in nature we are seeing! What an exciting time to be alive and to be involved in spreading the Good News of His kingdom. My astronomer friends tell me that we are on the brink of even more breakthroughs. I look forward to sharing them with you in future articles.
References
- Cowen, R., "Closing in on the Hubble Constant," Science News, 142 (1992), p. 4.
Field Report
A highlight of the past quarter was a return trip to Focus on the Family's radio studio, which has moved from Pomona, California, to Colorado Springs during the past year. Dr. James Dobson invited Hugh and Dr. Duane Gish, well known speaker with the Institute for Creation Research, to discuss their contrasting views on the age of the universe and on the exegesis of Genesis One. Their interaction extended to two days' programs, which aired August 13 and 14, Look for a report on the response to these broadcasts in the next issue of Facts & Faith.
New venues for RTB ministry during the past quarter included Christ Community Church (Hobart, Indiana), Lake Hills Community Church (Laguna Hills, California), and the North American Christian Convention (held this summer at Anaheim Convention Center). Attendance at each event by far exceeded expectations. In fact, the two convention seminars drew standing-room-only crowds. The audiences' enthusiasm for the message was evident at each meeting. Discovery of the big bang radiation ripples (reported in "Science in the News," Facts & Faith v. 6, no. 2) continues to generate interest and opportunities. Hugh was invited to join guest hosts Jerry and Sandy Bernard July 13 on the "Praise the Lord" show (Trinity Broadcasting Network) to help viewers understand the scientific and spiritual significance of recent findings in astronomical research.
The staff of World Vision, at a recent chapel meeting, wanted that same information. They were thrilled and encouraged to hear how God is making His sovereign control over the events of creation more clearly evident than ever. Several expressed their belief that such evidence has never been needed more than it is today.
Hugh's "super seminars," part of the summer program at Forest Home Christian Conference Center here in southern California, continue to stir excitement. Several campers have stopped by our information table to share encouraging stories of lives changed through RTB books and tapes and talks.
Other outreach opportunities of the past quarter include the following:
Business and Professional Groups - The Open Forum for Skeptics, which meets for lunch on the first Monday of each month, continues to draw newcomers. We are glad to report that some of the original skeptics are now committed Christians, actively involved in fellowship with other believers.
Radio - on KABC, Los Angeles, God's judgment was the subject chosen by host Dennis Prager for his "religion on the Line" panel, which included a rabbi, a priest, and Hugh; on WYLL, Chicago, Dick Staub, host of "Chicago Talk," invited Hugh to interact with callers on two occasions, first to discuss the meaning of the recent big bang discoveries and second to dialogue with a history professor from Temple University who has written a book on UFO abductions; on KLTT, Denver, John Leffler interviewed Hugh on a variety of topics, including the scientific evidence for a transcendent, personal, loving Creator.
Television - Our weekly "Reasons To Believe" show on Trinity Broadcasting Network continues to air Wednesday evenings at 9 (PDT) and Monday mornings at 8:30 (PDT). Letters from viewers indicate that God is using the program to fill a crucial gap for many people by providing a solid basis for faith and effective resources for outreach.
Churches - The Harvesters Class of Sierra Madre Congregational Church devoted a Sunday morning session to discussion (led by Hugh) of the CBS special "Ancient Secrets of the Bible" and of the recent big bang discoveries.
Conventions - Reasons To Believe had exhibit booths both at the North American Christian Convention (mentioned above) and at the annual convention of the Christian Home Educators Association in Anaheim, California.
Word from the Editor
The Question of Orthodoxy
I can't seem to resist questions with "yes and no" as the answer. Bear with me as I devote a few lines to one of these that has been raised often--and appropriately--since the inception of Reasons To Believe: Are we at RTB orthodox Christians?
In the most important sense of the question, our answer is clearly, emphatically, resoundingly, "Yes." Orthodox is defined by The Living Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language as "conforming to the Christian faith as represented in the early church creeds."
I appreciate the word creeds in this definition, for it represents something stronger than what is expressed by the words doctrines and dogma. Creeds are statements of personal faith. They give us the opportunity to say, "I believe in...," not just "I believe that...." Creeds focus on the core issue of Christianity--the person of Jesus Christ, His deity and His redemptive work, also His oneness with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
The doctrinal statement of Reasons To Believe, published in previous issues, goes a little beyond these basics for the sake of clarifying our position on other issues of vital concern to inquirers, such as the inerrancy and uniqueness of the Bible, the virgin birth of Christ, God as Creator, and the imminent return of Christ, etc. (see p. 7). You may consider that statement as an expression of the convictions of the entire staff of this organization.
We have kept it brief so as to focus on what is essential for establishing and growing in a relationship with the Lord. History, from the Pharisees onward, reminds us that lengthy elaboration tends to become divisive and exclusive rather than corrective and protective.
There is one definition of orthodox, however, that does not always apply to us. That definition is "conventional." Our fact-based evangelistic appeal, though it is just as dependent on prayer and on the work of the Holy Spirit as any other approach, has often been described as "unconventional." We use that approach because it seems best suited to many people's needs and has proven effective. And it does fit Biblical precedent (see Acts 17, for example).
Our interpretation of certain passages of Scripture may also be deemed "unconventional" because we dare to believe that the Bible is both internally and externally consistent. A correct understanding of any given verse or portion of God's Word will be perfectly consistent with all other verses or portions. Further, each will be consistent with the facts of nature (including human history), which God also authored and in which His existence, character, and personality are revealed. God's revelations are not in competition for supremacy, though many feel compelled to set one above the other whenever limited understanding makes them difficult to reconcile.
God calls us to be patient and diligent, not quick and careless, in working toward understanding and reconciliation of apparent conflicts between the Word and the real world. If we want to be truly orthodox in our Christian faith, we will take that call seriously.
--Kathy Ross
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Science cannot blaspheme, --author unknown. Submitted by Marj Howland of St. Albans, West Virginia. Mrs. Howland reconstructed this piece from memory of her university days some 50 years ago. |
Let us Reason - Dinosaurs and Cavemen: The Great Omission?
Part Fourteen in a Series
One cannot help but notice in reading the Genesis creation account just how detailed and specific it is in describing certain steps God took in creating life. It is also obvious that Genesis One provides an extremely concise summary of creation events. Since the dinosaurs were the largest of all land animals and the cavemen (here I use the word in reference to the bipedal primates with man-like features) the most intelligent besides humans, many people find it hard to imagine that the creation of such important species would receive no specific mention.
Three Common Responses
One response to this omission of mention is to doubt the credibility of the account and, thus, of the Bible. The presumption is that whoever was responsible for recording the account was too ignorant to recognize the importance of dinosaurs and cavemen, and such ignorance does not reflect inspiration by God.
A second response is to read into various Scripture passages, especially some in Job, references to dinosaurs and/or cavemen.
A third response is to deny the historicity of dinosaurs and/or cavemen.
I see problems in each of these responses, and I would like to offer an alternative view.
A Second Look at Importance
How long has man been aware of and interested in the existence of dinosaurs and cavemen? Only in recent times, a tiny fraction of the span of man's history. If we consider that God was communicating on a single page to all mankind throughout the ages the work of creating He did, those creatures greatly diminish in their importance.
The evidence from the first three chapters of Genesis and from all other Biblical references to the physical creation may reveal something important about the purpose of the account. More than just giving an overview of God's great works in creating our physical realm, Genesis One seems to focus on those creation miracles that prepare the way for His creation of Adam and Eve. In other words, the Genesis creation account describes the most important steps God took preparatory to His goal of creating mankind.
Each one of the Genesis One miracles is significant to the maintenance of the human race. Given that both the dinosaurs and the cavemen were fully extinct by the time God created the human race, neither of these life forms would figure in the economy of man. Thus, both would fall short of making the top ten.
Scriptural Mention
In my studies on this subject, I have found no Bible scholar who would claim any explicit references to cavemen and/or dinosaurs in the Bible. And even the claims for implicit references belong only to the last 150 years, the years during which the existence of dinosaurs and cavemen has been known to man. To be sure, before 1850 some scholars interpreted the behemoth and the leviathan of Job 40 and 41 as referring to some unknown, extinct creatures of monstrous proportions. They took these passages literally rather than metaphorically, though the context suggests they are metaphorical.
The problem with a literal interpretation of Job 40 and 41 is that no creatures on earth, alive or extinct, fit the descriptions. No dinosaurs, for example, ever breathed fire or smoke or had bones of iron or brass.
The writer of Job 40 and 41 left many clues that these chapters are to be taken figuratively. The words as and like appear 15 times in the New International Version (17 times in the New American Standard Bible). The point of the passage is to convey the fearsome impression that these creatures make on human beings who might encounter them.
As a final note, the Hebrew word for "behemoth", behemot, also shows up in the plural form, behemah, in the description of land mammals created late on the sixth creation day (see Genesis 1:25). Since dinosaurs were reptiles, not mammals, "behemoth" would probably not be used in reference to them.*
Real Creatures or Hoaxes
I know of no scholar or layman who denies the reality of dinosaurs. There is just too much evidence. National monuments in both the state of Montana and the province of Alberta, for example, contain so many dinosaur fossils that they litter the ground where tourists can see and touch them.
Dinosaur bones are not only numerous, but they are also well-dated. And, because of the wealth and the quality of the data, only a few problems with frauds have arisen.
The situation with the cavemen, or, as scientists refer to them, the hominids, is different. AU the bones found to date would fit easily into a box the size of a coffin, and in no case is a complete skeleton available. In no case, either, are the bones precisely dated.
Partly as a result of the sparcity and poor quality of the evidence, some fraudulent claims have arisen. Hoaxes are difficult to ferret out when so little hard fact is available. However, the existence of a few frauds does not mean that all of paleoanthropology is one giant fake. Bones actually do exist. There is real evidence that cannot be denied, a consensus that is agreed upon by both Christian and nonChristian researchers.
No Omission
I find no reason to doubt that dinosaurs and cavemen are real. In fact, they make captivating subjects for further study and research. But, however fascinating they may seem to our curious minds, neither can I find any special significance for them in God's plans and purposes for creating, sustaining, and redeeming mankind. From my perspective, the absence of any reference to them in Genesis may be disappointing to a modern reader, but it is not so puzzling, nor does it represent a serious omission.
--Hugh Ross
* For a long time I was puzzled as to which creatures the "behemoth" and the "leviathan" might be. I may have found the answer on my first trip to Africa. One scholar I met pointed out that two creatures account for more human deaths than all other creatures (larger than the fly) combined. They are the hippopotamus and the crocodile (or alligator). When I went back to Job 40 and 41 with this information in mind I saw that the metaphors fit these creatures very well.
For further discussion, let me recommend: 1) our new videotape, Cavemen, Dinosaurs, and the Fossil Record, and 2) our booklet, Genesis One: A Scientific Perspective. See the resources section and the order panel at the back of this newsletter.
What Do We Believe?
Many people who are just becoming acquainted with Reasons To Believe may appreciate clarification of our position on the basic tenets of the Christian faith. The following paragraphs express the key doctrinal convictions of our staff and board of directors.
Scripture - The Bible (Old and New Testaments) gives the true and trustworthy Word of God to man, written in the words and literary style of men. It says everything God intended to say as He inspired men to write it, and He has provided ample evidence of its complete reliability--historical, scientific, and spiritual. The Bible is our supreme and final authority in faith and conduct, and it is meant to be taken literally unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
Creation - The physical universe, the realm of nature, is the creation of God. It affirms God's existence and gives a trustworthy revelation of God's character and purpose. God declares that through His creation all mankind may come to recognize His power, His love, His justice, and His mercy, and thus the way to find eternal fellowship with Him. An honest study of nature--its physical, biological, and social aspects--can prove useful in a person's search for truth.
God - God is one, and apart from Him there is no God. He exists simultaneously and eternally as three persons--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father is the author and initiator of love. Jesus Christ, the Son, is God in bodily form, a tangible expression of all that the Father is, and offers the only way to eternal fellowship with the Father. The Holy Spirit imparts truth, convicts of sin, and turns individuals to Christ. As a person repents of spiritual autonomy (sin) and submits to Christ, the Spirit irrevocably indwells that person and places him or her into Christ's Body, the Church.
Man - Created in the image of God to fellowship with God and give Him glory, Adam, the first man, chose to go his own independent way. As a result, the fellowship was broken, the image distorted, and the sin nature passed on to all of Adam's progeny.
Redemption - God has acted sovereignly to bridge the gap that separates people from Himself. He sent His Son, born of a virgin, attested by miracles and by a sinless life, to bear the full penalty for all man's sin.
The Resurrection - Jesus Christ rose bodily from the dead, conquering sin, death, and all the powers of Satan. He now lives to indwell all who recognize their sinfulness, repent, and turn their lives over to His authority.
The Church - All people who have personally made this transfer of authority belong to the Church. These people are neither perfect nor sinless, but their lives are coming more and more under the control of the Holy Spirit, expressing His love, joy, peace, and other Christ-like qualities.
The Second Coming - Jesus is coming back. We do not know the day or the hour, but we do know the signs for which He told us to look. We also know the certainty of His promise to return and to judge all mankind. Those who have received His offer of life will go to eternal blessings in His presence (heaven); those who have rejected it, to eternal separation from Him (hell).
The Great Commission - Christ has commissioned His people, the Church, to go into all the world to disciple, to baptize, and to teach everyone everywhere to obey His Word. Because it is impossible to obey Him without trusting Him, we seek to trust Him more and more so that as a result, our obedience will increase and our lives bring forth much fruit to the honor of God.
Letters
"I found the summer 1992 edition of your newsletter very interesting. (I borrowed it from a friend as I do not yet have a subscription.)
"As a new Christian with an engineering/technical background, I found the article 'Big Bang Breakthrough...' by Dr. Hugh Ross a refreshing surprise. It was also a departure from most available Christian literature that is aimed at non-technical people ...."
--Charles, San Clemente, California
"I first heard Dr. Ross on Dobson's 'Focus on the Family' radio program and promptly ordered The Fingerprint of God, which I devoured from cover to cover.... You are helping me to 'put on the armor of God,' scientifically, logically, and rationally ...."
--Betty, Andover, New Jersey
"I purchased the 'New Reasons to Believe' video, and it has been so popular at the hospital where I work that I have yet to see it! We so desperately need a bridge between science (true science) and religion, and your ministry is providing that ...."
--Jud, Lexington, Kentucky
"Please send me your newsletter and any information that you can freely give me. I am not a believer and my intellect wants to challenge your findings."
--Jim, Lheodare, Alabama
"I am a missionary with the Navigators ministry in Kenya. I work with high school students in the Nairobi area. I was given a copy of Dr. Ross' book, The Fingerprint of God, and someone also sent me an audiotape on 'Resolving the UFO Mystery.' I have used much of your material in speaking on creation and evolution here in the Kenyan and expatriate schools. It has been very helpful.
"Dr. Ross mentioned in the tape a regular letter you send out with up-to-date information in the areas of science, philosophy, and theology about creation and evolution. I would very much like to receive this letter and a catalog of other materials....
"The evolution-creation debate is raging here in Kenya. Most Kenyans believe in creation but have so little information available to them to reasonably explain their position. I am regularly asked to speak on this topic and would like to keep up to date with new discoveries and ideas. "
--John, Nairobi, Kenya
"Thanks for sending me the Facts & Faith magazines....
"We live on the Oregon Coast, away from everything. We bought a satellite dish just to get TBN, and we wait all week to watch Dr. Ross on the TBN channel. Wish you could come to Portland!
"For years we have supported Institute for Creation Research in El Cajon. Dr. Morris writes good books. Am I going to be confused in the future since I supported their ideas about creation? What do we non-scientists know anyway?
"Your explanation of Genesis is exciting, especially since the 'brain' people are getting and accepting the message of the Gospel this way. We are living in a wonderful and exciting time in history!"
--Nora, Cloverdale, Oregon
From the President's Desk
Dear friends,
My sons, Joel and David, this summer turned 7 and 4, respectively. I'm sure you who are parents will understand what I mean when I say that they must be counted among my best teachers. Over the past few months, Kathy and I have observed in David, as we did in Joel, the spiritual awakening that takes place somewhere in a person's third or fourth year. (I can imagine that there's spiritual development in one- and two-year-olds as well, but we adults have a hard time perceiving it.)
When Joel was barely three he would ask deep questions at bedtime: "Why can't we see God? How can God know all our thoughts? How can God listen to everyone's prayers at once? Why do people have to die? Why did Jesus have to die? What is it like to live in heaven? How can both Jesus and God be God? Why does Jesus want to be the boss?" At first we wondered if these questions were just a sure-fire delay of sleep (which he has resisted since birth), but their continued discussion over breakfast convinced us they must be sincere.
About four months after this spiritual interest arose, Joel asked me what he needed to do to receive salvation. After I told him, he replied that he would commit his life to Jesus when he was older. Right now, he said, he wanted to be his own boss. Before Joel's fourth birthday, however, I overheard him discussing the steps to salvation with one of his friends. Later, I asked Joel about his own situation. He answered, "Oh, I gave my life to Jesus last week." When I asked him why, he told me that he had not been doing too well running his own life and that he realized Jesus wanted to give him a lot right now.
David is a study in contrasts with Joel, and neither Kathy nor I expected him to respond to the Lord at age 3. He seemed mostly absorbed with mastering movement and interacting with concrete reality. He showed no interest in abstract things. To our surprise, he began asking spiritual questions at about 3-1/2. Unlike Joel, he wanted only brief answers. We knew him better than to push him. Joel was less inclined to be patient, however. He felt compelled to warn David that hell is a horrible place and that now is the best time to choose heaven.
True to character, David resisted Joel's pressure at the time. But, a few weeks ago, riding in the back seat of our car, David asked his brother to lead him in a prayer of commitment to Jesus.
Joel wanted Kathy and me to be the first to know of David's new life. He also wanted us to know that David does not yet understand much about living for Jesus, and that we still need to teach David lots of important things. His concern gave us the opportunity to explain that we all have lots more to learn, and that the best way to teach David is for each of us to continue learning and sharing with each other what we learn.
David seems to absorb most when no one thinks he is paying attention. Lately I have heard him talking to both real and imaginary friends about the Lord and about the return of Christ.
I tell these stories not just because I am a proud father. I want you to know how much these boys are teaching me about presenting spiritual truths to others. Joel has taught me not to underestimate anyone's capacity to comprehend the mysteries of God. His hunger to learn counts for much more than his experience or education.
David has made me more aware that people learn in different ways, that receptivity to spiritual truth may have much to do with the means by which we present truths. David has encouraged me to become more creative and multi-faceted in my teaching methods.
I invite you to consider that God may be challenging you, too, to practice some new ways and means to communicate the truths of the Gospel. May God richly bless you with the spiritual insight to see and to seize the opportunities He lays before you day by day.
Sincerely,
Hugh Ross
As I See It -- On Your Marks, Get Set, Go!
The word apologetics may be more familiar today than it was a decade or two ago. And yet there are still many people to whom it sounds strange. It comes from a Greek word, apologia, which means to make a defense or to make a case for one's cause (Thayer's Greek Lexicon). That cause may be anything about which people argue passionately, but in the case of Reasons To Believe, apologetics refers to defending the cause of Christ, making a case for personal faith in Him.
Though there are more Christians (both numerically and proportionately) alive today than at any time in history, the opposition to Christianity seems stronger than ever. The exhortation of I Peter 3:15 has never been more urgent: "But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense [apologia] to every one who asks you to give an account of the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (NASB). Jude 3 also tells us "to contend earnestly for the faith."
Whether we're involved in sales, athletics, chess, the military, or any other type of contest, the old adage applies: "The best defense is a good offense." We believe this applies in Christian apologetics, too. Notice the emphasis of the I Peter passage. It begins with an exhortation to give Jesus Christ His rightful place, a uniquely "set apart" place, above everything else in our hearts. In practical terms, this means opening and exposing our hearts to Him on a continual basis, letting Him point out areas where repentance and change and growth are needed, allowing Him to build godly character in us and to renew (i.e., "renovate") our minds.
The implied promise is that people will see the hope that grows out of this personal relationship with the Lord, and some will even ask about it. When the questions come, it's time to ask God for wisdom, as James 1:5 tells us. James not only assures us that we will receive it but also describes the wisdom God provides: "pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, and without hypocrisy" (3:17). Such wisdom has the best chance of being received by inquirers and will keep us out of debates. It will fulfill the requirements of "gentleness and reverence."
Being ready to make a defense also suggests the preparedness that comes from study. A growing knowledge of the Scriptures is vital. Participation both in individual study and in small-group Bible study can be an invaluable benefit not only to our familiarity with and understanding of the Bible but also to our fluency in articulating what we have learned.
Additional study is important, too. Though some people need only to hear a clear and simple presentation of the Gospel to receive Christ, others will not be able to respond so quickly. Knowing the kinds of questions and challenges we are likely to face in discussing our faith with these others and preparing responses to their questions and challenges can give us a sense of readiness that invites and encourages opportunities for discussion. Whether we see ourselves as the "philosophical" or "intuitive" or "prove-it-to-me" types, the verse in I Peter indicates that we are to be ready to answer every type of person. So, we would do well to think about the needs of a wide variety of people. To us, that thinking means equipping ourselves with an array of apologetics tools provided by a variety of authors and teachers such as Francis Schaeffer, Josh McDowell, F. F. Bruce, J. P. Moreland, Hugh Ross, and many others.
Whatever we have studied and prepared, however, will be worthless unless we combine our preparation with discernment and compassion. Often the questions and challenges people raise serve as tests of our sincerity and character or as smoke screens covering hidden moral and emotional issues. Through compassion we can "have mercy on some, who are doubting," while through discernment we can "save others, snatching them out of the fire" Jude 22, 23).
The work of a Christian apologist is unique. Virtually every cause, movement, ideology, religion, and cult has its apologists, and typically they counter every argument with another argument, sometimes with hate, estrangement, and even the sword. Were Christianity just one more cause or philosophy or religion, perhaps it would encourage such tactics, but it is not and does not. The Christian apologist's calling reflects the character of the God he serves. As in every Christian service, there is "a still more excellent way," and that way is love (I Corinthians 12:31-13:13).
We hope it has become obvious that the verses cited above are applicable not just to a select few Christians, to certain "specially-gifted" ones, but to each and every one of us. Not all of us are called to make Christian apologetics a career, but apologetics is, in a sense, the life's work of each follower of Christ. Given the current level of antagonism toward Christianity, we would say that this is no time for any believer to go AWOL. The Lord has commissioned us for service; so let's all get involved and reap the blessings that follow.
--Mark T. Clark and Kathy Ross
Dr. Clark, an RTB speaker and a hotline team leader, serves as an Assistant Professor of Political Science and as Director of the National Security Studies program at California State University, San Bernardino. He holds a Ph.D. in international relations from the University of Southern California.
Puzzles & Paradoxes
Hotline volunteer Frank Britton recently submitted the following puzzle designed by his friend, Steven Roscoe, a teacher of gifted children. I hesitated to use it because of its potential to be construed as a not-so-subtle appeal for funds, but it does exemplify the kind of patient, persistent, systematic problem solving required to unravel some challenging Biblical questions such as "Who is the Angel of the Lord?"
Find the numeric value of each of these letters:
| S | E | N | D | |
| + | M | O | R | E |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| M | O | N | E | Y |
I am pleased to tell you that many Facts & Faith readers responded to the paradox presented in our last issue (v. 6, no. 2). For the sake of our new readers, here's a restatement of the problem: Psalm 104:5 says that God set the earth on its foundations, and it cannot be moved. A sizable and growing group of Christians claims that this verse tosses out scientific notions and establishes the "fact" that the Earth is the stationary center of the universe. Their interpretation is supported by those who wish to discredit the Bible and to mock those who take it seriously. How can this conflict be resolved?
Replies came from a secretary, a poet, a financial advisor, a chemist, and many others whose areas of expertise I do not know. Most of the respondents tackled the problem by looking up key words in a Hebrew lexicon; a few made reference only to the English Bible. All agreed that the resolution is simple and straightforward. The main difficulty lay in figuring out how anyone could create a problem from this passage of Scripture.
Dale Smith (of Burlington, Massachusetts) used Job 26:7 as a helpful cross reference. That verse, which says that God "hangs the earth on nothing," rules out the idea of any sort of material foundation. As Dale said, along with Joe Dayle Banning, Anne Marie Sarutto, Christian Coleman, and Sue Neal, "...It is no great stretch to identify the 'foundation' in Psalm 104:5 with earth's orbit as described by modern science. In that case, the verse reassures us that the earth will not slip or totter or waver from its established course in space." As Vonda Francisco-Sims (of Fresno, California) adds, "...Nothing outside of God's will can remove it, causing all life on earth to end."
Victor Kraatz (of Omaha, Nebraska) offers this perspective: "As I see it, the context is focused upon the certainty of the character and being of God. Upon this same certainty stands the foundation of our justification and righteous standing before God, through Christ. The verse has nothing at all to do with the earth's revolving on its axis or movement in space.... The perspective is earthly, looking heavenward, praising the unchanging character of God and using the certainty of His establishing the earth as an evidence of His character."
--Kathy Ross
The Near Side -- Horse of a Different Color
I recalled chuckling with George and Mary over an indolent cup of coffee about George's eccentric Uncle Joe, a retired star of "B" Westerns who had stuffed his faithful horse Chester when the creature died. Here in the living room, though, the full-grown palomino looked so out of place that he almost seemed to violate the laws of nature.
Evidently, the beast was the focal point of bitter domestic strife, for George had pulled me aside when he took my coat and whispered, "Uncle Joe has come to live with us. Whatever you do, don't mention the H-O-R-S-E!"
It promised to be an evening of treading on egg shells.
Mary greeted me warmly but with eyes still red from recent tears. The living room was her pride and joy, done in simple, clean lines. A masterpiece of harmony and proportion in cream, glass, and lacquered wood. Her heart must have stopped when the movers said, "Where do you want the horse, lady?"
Almost as if he sensed Mary's hostility, Chester stood furtively behind the piano, as if he were trying to hide. I did my best not to gape, but my eyes were drawn there by an evil force of fascination. For one thing, the taxidermy was of poor quality. The stuffing had shifted, and the thing looked something like a camel in a horse costume.
Mary invited me to sit down. George and Mary are good friends, and usually our conversation flows freely, but tonight we could barely force out a trickle of uncomfortable small talk. George made a few solemn pronouncements about the weather. Mary weakly lamented rising supermarket prices.
As we spoke, Uncle Joe's horse seemed to grow and fill the room. How could we spend the evening without acknowledging his presence, I wondered. His eyes seemed a bit skewed and ... suddenly I realized Mary had asked me a question.
"What? Sorry. I didn't quite catch that."
"Coffee or tea?" Mary repeated.
"Oh, nothing for me, thanks," I said absently. At once I realized my error, remembering that it was coffee for which I had been invited.
"Coffee, please!" I blurted out.
George poured three cups. For a while, there was a hiatus in the conversation. The only sounds came from the clinking of the cups against the saucers, the ticking of George's watch, and my own swallowing, which, try as I might, I couldn't silence.
I set my cup on the coffee table and observed to my hosts that education was becoming very expensive indeed. This comment apparently reminded George that the Pirates were in a slump.
Out of the comer of my eye, I detected a pink gleam by Chester's mouth, and I simply had to take a quick glance to reassure myself that it really was just a sag of the lip and not a tongue sticking out.
That glance was a mistake, however, because it left me with the nagging impression that our silent companion stood with a definite list leftward.
A sort of nervous exhaustion began to sweep over me, and my mind drifted for a moment.
"You must be wondering about the horse," Mary said.
With alarm I realized that she had noticed me absentmindedly closing one eye and craning my neck to compare Chester with the plumb of the Venetian blind cord behind him.
"No, I'm not," I yelped. "Not really!"
George gave me a long, meaningful look.
Just then we all heard the clicking of footsteps on the front walk. George turned around to get a look out the picture window.
"Oh, no," he groaned. "Here comes my brother-in-law. Look, whatever you do, don't mention religion!"
--Rob Kroeger
Rob is a post-doctoral research assistant in Particle physics for the University of Tennessee, currently working at the Stanford Linear Particle Center. He writes fiction for fun.
Meet our Staff
Standing cheerfully amid tall stacks of orders from recent outreaches is shipping and warehouse manager Jill Theis. Jill makes sure you receive the books and tapes and any other materials you order, maintains the inventory, and instructs a volunteer regiment in the particulars of shipping and of postal regulations. Together Jill and the volunteers keep RTB, the post office, and UPS on the move.
Jill has a special fondness for volunteers because she once served as one herself. Responding to a call for help issued in Hugh's Paradoxes Sunday school class at Sierra Madre Congregational Church, Jill began giving several hours a week for three or four months. When the shipping position opened, she applied, and she joined the RTB staff in May 1991.
A southern California native, Jill was born and raised in Monrovia. She attended Citrus College and graduated in 1986 from Cal State Long Beach in liberal studies, with the goal of working toward a teaching credential. Her marriage to Joe Theis that same year and the birth of their son David in 1987 changed those plans, but she has used her skills by volunteering in school classrooms.
Though raised in a Lutheran church, Jill says her spiritual awakening came just a few years ago. One Christmas Eve she and a friend decided to try a new church for a change and ventured into Sierra Madre Congregational.
"I felt the Spirit of God there that night, and I wanted to know Him. I knew I didn't have something that the people around me had," she recalls.
But it wasn't until David's life was threatened (at 6 months) by meningitis and Joe faced a quadruple bypass just a few months later that she realized she really didn't have control over her life.
"My only option was to yield control to Christ. The issue all my life had been one of submission. I wasn't prepared to submit to God or to anyone else," she confesses. But after these crises she was ready, and she did.
Jill and her family live in Sierra Madre where David attends Bethany Christian Preschool. Jill and David love to travel with Joe, an engineer for Amtrak, especially on his run from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara. Jill and Joe play volleyball and tennis regularly. Jill likes to run, too. In May she entered the annual Mt. Wilson Trail Race and finished third in her division. No wonder the mountain of mail orders at RTB doesn't daunt her!
--Daphne Trager
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