January 2024
Dear Friend of Creation,
New Year celebrations are a big deal. They attest to the fact that God has built into His Creation a marker for the passing of time – one that excites people all over the world!
Recall that the Bible tells us of a purpose for the “two great lights”, the sun and the moon. It was “for seasons, and for days and years” (Genesis 1:14-16). Indeed, our 24-hour division of time, all the way down to minutes and split-seconds, is based on how the earth’s surface is cycling relative to the sun. And a new year is simply the beginning of a new “season” of revolving around the sun – a fresh cycle, a fresh season.
“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven… (Ecclesiastes 3:1). There is, in fact, a great deal of wisdom in time management, according to the Bible (Psalm 90:12), and in asking: What is the purpose and opportunity for each season in life? Do you do that for yourself? At Creation Moments, we ask that kind of question throughout the year. What are we to do within the purpose and mission of our calling?
As you can see from the top of this letter, we have a mission of “Proclaiming Evidence for Truth”. In the Lord, there is always a season for planting and harvesting, for sowing seeds of truth and reaping a harvest of souls! And we are happy to plant seeds of truth which free people from the chains that come from unbelief! As the Scripture also says about time, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).
Jesus told His disciples to continue in His word – because as they did so, they would know the truth, and the truth would make them free (John 8:31-32)! So, what we see from Scripture is that the seeds of truth yield a harvest of freedom! For example, once people realize that the whole of Scripture is trustworthy, that it is true even where it contradicts so-called science like evolution, they open up to the entire word of God. And the word of God is the “sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17), who moves and frees hearts and minds from the lies and chains of the devil. The Spirit brings liberty, freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17)!
If we stray from what the Bible teaches, we will find ourselves believing lies, and we will become bound by chains of darkness, of false philosophy – unable to discern right from wrong and, therefore, under the control of those who hate God. “Armed with cruel hate”, Satan, in fact, is described as the one who “deceiveth the whole world” in Revelation 12:9.
The abandoning of biblical inerrancy leads us down a slippery slope. The constant pressure of a world culture which embraces evolutionism, hedonism, humanism, socialism, globalism and all sorts of false “isms” has taken its toll. Why believe the Bible about creation when “science” says evolution trumps creation? And if the Bible is wrong about creation, why believe it about family structure and dynamics? Why believe the Bible about homosexual relations or gender identity in the face of pagan arguments for legitimizing the perverse if the Bible can’t be trusted?
And if that’s the case, why not just pick and choose those parts of the Bible that “make sense” in terms of what we would like to think, or what our culture says? In other words, if the Bible can’t really be trusted, why not just conform the Bible and the church to the sensibilities of the society rather than transform people’s minds to the truth of Scripture?!
All of Scripture begins to unravel for those who start down this slippery slope. Pretty soon, they are left with darkness instead of discernment, with form instead of function, and with platitudes instead of power.
In the 14th Century, a Franciscan Friar and theologian named William of Ockham popularized a notion which would later bear his name: Ockham’s Razor. It came to be of great use in theology, philosophy, and science. The principle can be stated: “All things being equal, take the simplest (the most efficient) explanation”. Just as truth is freeing, truth is also straightforward!
Great scientists have all appreciated this “fundamental sophistication of simplicity”. Albert Einstein, for example, put it this way: “Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler” – once again, “efficiency”! Indeed, all the greatest principles and formulas of science boil down to pretty simple equations, including: E=mc2, F=ma, E=hf, W=E=Pt, PV=nRT, V=IR , P=VI, and ΔS≥0. From fundamental equations such as these – involving great truths about energy, mass, force, acceleration, frequency, work, power, time, pressure, volume, temperature, voltage, current, electrical resistance, and entropy – all kinds of scientific truth have been derived. And all kinds of engineering and technological feats have been designed and accomplished.
Ockham’s approach also helped lead back to the idea that theological doctrine must come from Scripture, from supernatural revelation – not human philosophy. The Catholic Church had arguably piled a large number of corruptions and complications onto the essential doctrine of Salvation in Christ – many taken from pagan philosophy and against which the Protestant Reformers reacted. Ockham’s Razor, “take the simplest explanation”, set the groundwork for Martin Luther who essentially argued: “Let’s get back to the text; let’s get back to the Bible!”
Genuine truth is unencumbered by excessive overlays. That’s why it’s called the “Naked Truth”! The genuine truth is “efficient”. The devil would complicate our lives, and his lies can be subtle and very powerful delusions. But we do not err when we stand on the Scriptures!
“Proclaiming evidence for truth”, including the foundational truth of creation and its importance to the gospel, has never been so crucial. Neither has it had such potential for fruitfulness as at this season in world history with its increasing paganism and unbelief. Not only is the message ripe for our times, but the vehicles of media and communication by which it is carried around the world are growing in ways unimagined just a short time ago. This is why the Bible exhorts us to use our time wisely, and to “redeem the time because the days are evil”! Thank you so much for sharing the call to biblical truth with us this year and next. May the New Year of 2024 bring you blessings beyond measure!
Yours in Christ,
Mark Cadwallader, Board Chairman
P.S. I’m absolutely delighted to get the New Year off to a great start by bringing you Instincts by Design: Instinctive Behaviors of Humans & Animals in Creation.
This extraordinary book takes you and your family (ages 14 and up) on a fascinating exploration of the biblical and scientific wonder behind the instincts within humans and animals. Within its 194 full-color pages, you will find the most logical, rational explanation of these complex instincts is that God created everything!
- How does a baby know when to inhale and exhale?
- Why is the instinct to sleep one that we cannot override?
- What instincts help brainless jellyfish hunt and kill their prey?
- How do more than 5,000 species of birds journey thousands of miles every year?
- Why would God give horses the ability to sleep standing up?
Last month, I introduced you to my newest book – The Beauty of Truth – and I want to give you one more opportunity to receive this as a special thank you in the New Year! The book is 230 pages in length, contains 50 updated and expanded essays, and there are illustrations throughout! In one way or another, all of the essays exalt Christ, verify the reliability of Scripture, and describe various rampant deceptions, juxtaposing those with the beautiful truth of God in Christ! The Beauty of Truth will help give you, or someone you love, a “love of the truth”!
Check out this early review from one of our supporters: “Mark is the best writer on the Planet when it comes to merging science, culture and Scripture!”
To receive both Instincts by Design and The Beauty of Truth – or to receive either one alone – simply click here to order and to make your donation.
Or call us toll-free at 1-800-422-4253 during regular office hours (Mon – Th 8:30am-4:30pm CST).
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