Atheist and pantheist philosophers called upon the preacher to present his “strange” positions. And they brought him before their symposium of like-minded thinkers.
This preacher, realizing who his audience was, began by proclaiming the truth of creation and its Creator. He did this by declaring the truth of the invisible, omnipresent Maker of heaven and earth and all things in it – including human beings. The preacher then told those philosophers how human beings know within ourselves that there is such a Creator God who is not far from us because “in Him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
He went on to say how men need to repent – to change their minds concerning the true God and their responsibility before Him – because Jesus Christ has brought reconciliation with our Maker and eternal life, having been raised from the dead.
The Apostle Paul’s sermon to the philosophers at the Areopagus in Athens – Mars Hill – demonstrates “creation evangelism” in action. The account in Acts 17 says that some of the hearers mocked the message, others said they would have to listen to it again, while still others believed and became part of the church in Athens.
Founder of the modern creationist movement, Henry Morris, attributed the coining of the phrase “creation evangelism” to the Rev. Walter Lang, who at the start of the movement in 1963 founded The Bible Science Association which has continued for over 60 years, becoming the ministry known today as Creation Moments.
In a world increasingly subjected to false philosophies, Walter Lang saw the importance of creation science for strengthening the faith of Christians that the Bible is fully trustworthy. And he saw its importance for creation evangelism in the lives of those seeking faith in the first place!
– Mark Cadwallader, Creation Moments Board Chairman
SEE ALSO WHY CREATION EVANGELISM IS SO VITAL TODAY
Painting: Paul preaching at Mars Hill, by Raphael. 316
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