The Shouting Universe

For as long as I can remember in school, I was told the same thing about how all life on earth began and evolved: "Yes, there are challenges. Yes, there are improbabilities - if not impossibilities - needed to be overcome. But, trust the scientists who agree that given enough time, anything can happen." That's what I heard in high school biology and in college. That's what we're told in the media, and from about everyone else in our society.

The modern theory of Darwinian Evolution is now accepted on a mass scale, and if you're one of the few who believe something to the contrary, you are looked at as though you believed the earth were flat. I'm not kidding - this comparison was made by my college professors. "Evolution is not JUST a theory," they say. I discovered then that all major proponents of Darwinian Evolution are aware of the holes in their philosophy, and are secretly hoping no one will notice that their worldview just can't hold water.

I still vividly remember my Biology 101 course where on the first day of class, my professor took the time to explain to us: "This course is entirely about Evolution, and everything we will discuss will go back to Evolution. Evolution is true, and it is a theory just like our current understanding of gravity is a theory - which means it's a fact." These words were pretty intimidating to me as an 18 year old freshman, but I did something way back then that still makes me chuckle ... after that first lecture I approached my professor's desk, introduced myself, then told her that I didn't believe in Evolution. I provided some of my reasoning, and indicated that it would be up to her to convince me by the end of the course. She took up the challenge by stating that it would be no problem for her because Evolution is provable on many levels.

Spoiler alert: by God's grace I passed. But as I progressed through the material, I began to realize some important shortcomings in the modern theory of evolution. The first is that the explanations for the origin of life were (and still are) pretty laughable. I'm sorry, but the theories about non-life spawning life near a volcano, in a soup-like substance, maybe / maybe-not being struck by lightning, embarrasses me. And these theories embarrass scientists too. What's worse is that we can't seem to replicate the process in the laboratory under perfect conditions and odds that we control! Secondly, we look at the similarities between lifeforms and determine that because Evolution can happen on a micro level, and does produce new species, we take the leap that greater useful complexity arises through natural selection! They don't stop with new species evolving, they must insist that new organs, new functions, and new kinds of lifeforms are developed through this process. Textbooks have cute little cartoons to demonstrate new developments, but don't explain *how* this happens.

As I handed in my final exam I leaned in and whispered to my professor: "I wasn't convinced..." She looked at me, smiled, and nodded.

Not too long ago, I finished reading one of the classic books against Evolution: Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution by Michael Behe. He and I don't see eye to eye on many things, but I would highly recommend this book to help refine your understanding of why Evolution is a flawed theory. He approaches the subject differently than many non-evolutionists do, for example, he doesn't argue from the fossil record. Instead, he argues that the fatal flaw in Darwinian Evolution is that they can't explain their theory on a molecular level.

"Anatomy is, quite simply, irrelevant to the question of whether evolution could take place on the molecular level. So is the fossil record. It no longer matters whether there are huge gaps in the fossil record or whether the record is as continuous as that of U.S. presidents. And if there are gaps, it does not matter whether they can be explained plausibly. The fossil record has nothing to tell us about whether the interactions of 11-cis-retinal with rhodopsin, transducin, phosphodiesterase could have developed step-by-step." (pg. 22).

Behe says later:

"It is now approximately half a century since the neo-Darwinian synthesis was formulated. A great deal of research has been carried on within the paradigm it defines. Yet the successes of the theory are limited to the minutiae of evolution, such as the adaptive change in coloration of moths; while it has remarkably little to say on the questions which interest us most, such as how there came to be moths in the first place." (Bold Mine; pg. 28).

The real genius of his argument is the idea that complex systems (whether they be organs, or even functions within a cell), reach a point of irreducible complexity. Behe defines it this way:

"By irreducibly complex I mean a single system composed of several well-matched, interacting parts that contribute to the basic function, wherein the removal of any one of the parts causes the system to effectively cease functioning. An irreducibly complex system cannot be produced directly (that is, by continuously improving the initial function, which continues to work by the same mechanism) by slight, successive modifications of a precursor system, because any precursor to an irreducibly complex system that is missing a part is by definition nonfunctional." (pg. 39).

Darwin's Black Box covers 3 powerful examples of irreducibly complex systems that I found very compelling: the eye, blood clotting, and the immune system. Each of these examples are so powerful and persuasive because of everything involved in these systems. I know enough to know that the eye is a remarkable system, so remarkable in fact that there are countless components that comprise its sheer brilliance. Darwinian Evolution would have us believe that the eye developed in slow, gradual changes over time. But the question is rightly asked: what use is a partial eye to natural selection without key components to make it functional? For instance, an eye without a retina is useless, hence the idea that the eye must have arrived in its completed form by a designer.

"The result of these cumulative efforts to investigate the cell-to investigate life at the molecular level-is a loud, clear, piercing cry of "design!" The result is so unambiguous and so significant that it must be ranked as one of the greatest achievements in the history of science. The discovery rivals those of Newton and Einstein, Lavoisier and Schrodinger, Pasteur, and Darwin. The observation of the intelligent design of life is as momentous as the observation that the earth goes around the sun or that disease is caused by bacteria or that radiation is emitted in quanta." (pg. 233).

It is this last idea that I appreciate but must go much further than he does, because Christians don't just believe in some unknown designer who fashioned life's complexity. Rather, we believe in the one and only God of the Bible, the triune God that we worship and love. Now having said that, I believe that there is incredible use in being able to address and discuss Evolution with people in today's society, because almost everyone you meet believes in Darwinian Evolution. People will want some kind of explanation, and this can help to address their concerns so that you can ultimately point them to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Last week I was talking with an atheist friend about the gospel, and the subject of Evolution suddenly made its way into the conversation. He thought, just like most people think, that Evolution is a scientific reason not to believe in Christianity and the Bible. Using some of the reasoning in Behe's book, I was able to demonstrate the unfoundedness of Evolution. I then immediately made the connection to the reality of God's existence: that the Bible says God has clearly revealed Himself in creation, and in the moral Law written on everyone's heart. My friend didn't like hearing any of this (no sinners do), but Behe is right that molecular biology is shouting at us: "design!"

We know, as Christians, that the entirety of the expanding universe is proclaiming the clear existence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This is why our appeal to fellow sinners has merit, and why we ought to have great courage when speaking about the truth to others. I'm encouraged by the account of Paul's interaction with Agrippa where he tries to persuade the King to repent and believe in Christ:

"24 While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad." 25 But Paul *said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth. 26 For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do." 28 Agrippa replied to Paul, " In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian." 29 And Paul said, " I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains."" (Acts 26:24-29, NASB).

One thing is clear: God has revealed Himself to all men everywhere, and requires our repentance. By our love of the Lord and His gospel, and by the love we have for our fellow man, we should be looking for opportunities to make known the great God whom we serve with our whole heart.

"10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men," (2 Corinthians 5:10-11a, NASB).

We Knew this Day was Coming. Now What?

We knew this day was coming, and I wasn't at all surprised when I heard of the court's decision to make same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states. Let's not kid ourselves: it is a terribly sad thing to have witnessed the Roe v. Wade decision of our time. My family and I were on vacation when I saw the news all over Facebook, along with so many profile pictures updated to include the rainbow colors in support of the court's decision.

James White has warned for years that we will soon see the Tsunami of apostasy wash through the visible church. I knew he was right when I saw with my own eyes professing Christians use this as an opportunity to announce their sexuality all over social media. What made these situations even more heart-breaking was that other professing Christians "liked" these "coming out" posts on Facebook, and left supportive comments stating how "proud" they were for being true to themselves.




Chief Justice John Roberts is spot on when he said this in his dissenting opinion:

"The majority's decision is an act of will, not a legal judgment."

Yup. Contrast that with Justice Kennedy's majority opinion:

"The right to marry is a fundamental right inherent in the liberty of the person, and under the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment couples of the same-sex cannot be deprived of that right and that liberty."  

The problem with the majority's opinion is that marriage isn't discussed in the U.S. Constitution. The dissenting justices rightly say: "The right it announces has no basis in the Constitution or this Court's precedent."

One final quote from the dissenting opinion that is remarkably important:

"But this Court is not a legislature. Whether same-sex  marriage is a good idea should be of no concern to us. Under the Constitution, judges have power to say what the law is, not what it should be. The people who ratified the Constitution authorized courts to exercise “neither force nor will but merely judgment.”

The dissenting justices are absolutely correct. Later that Friday evening, to add insult to injury, the White House displayed rainbow colors across the property to show support for the LGBT movement. The Disneyworld Cinderella castle did the same, along with a dozen other government and popular locations. It's obvious that our government doesn't care one bit about offending those of us who believe in real marriage.

In the few days since the ruling, I've noticed a significant change in people's attitudes about the whole subject. It's as if people can't contain their newfound freedom to express all kinds of sexuality. People also seem shocked to discover there are those of us who still believe that marriage is exclusively between one man and one woman. More people are now unwilling to engage Christians in conversation about this subject because it has been settled in their minds. It seems to me that our society thinks we have nothing worthy to say on the subject.

But you know what I think is really going on? All of the Facebook rainbow profile pictures, the declarations of how "proud" and "courageous" LGBT people are, pop culture making this whole thing cool and "normal," the marches and parades in support of their lifestyles, the decades that organizations persuaded the American public, liberal politicians, and judges who think they're legislators ... All of this is an attempt to suppress the truth in unrighteousness, just like God said in the Bible. Even with all of this time and money and energy spent to try to hold down the truth, they still know their actions are sinful in God's sight. That's why the world hates us: because they know that the wrath of God abides on them (just as it did us), and they don't want to face the reality that someday a final Day of Judgment is coming where everyone will have to answer for his/her actions.

So what now? What will you say to your co-workers who try to get a reaction out of you? How will you respond to your neighbors, your friends, and your family? Should you speak up to the LGBT friends in your life?

I believe that we should begin and end with a message of love, compassion, hope, and truth. In every gospel conversation with unbelievers I begin by letting them know my motivation is out of love for them and for God. And yes, level the playing field - what I mean by this is to explain that you are a sinner, just like they are a sinner. As we are all born into this world, we deserve death, judgment, and eternity in Hell. I believe that we need to discuss what sin is, otherwise, how will people know what to repent from?

As hard as it is, this means that some discussion may need to take place about how homosexuality, bi-sexuality, polygamy, trans-genderism, or other various forms of sexual expression, are sinful in God's sight. The Bible is very clear on this subject. On the flip side, there is a positive message that we have to proclaim: gender is a gift from God. Maleness and femaleness is a blessing that God alone gets to define. He has also given the gift of marriage: one man and one woman for life. The complementarity that a man and a woman experience together are obvious in nature: biologically, psychologically, and emotionally. I can testify how my life was radically changed when I married my beautiful wife. From singleness to marriage, a woman has a strong domesticating effect on a man. Likewise, the man offers a woman support and stability that she longs for. They also produce life by creating children together. I've found it very worthwhile to point out to people that only a man and a woman can create children ... something a man and a man, or a woman and a woman can never do. It's biologically impossible.

What about LGBT people that are sincerely attracted to members of the same gender? I recommend acknowledging it, because I believe in many cases they do have a predisposition to same-sex attraction. But, just because someone has same-sex attractions doesn't give them the right to act on these desires. We live in a fallen world, and as such, every one of us has predispositions for some sinful desires. Take Grumpy, for example ... one of the seven dwarfs. Let's say for the sake of argument that he believed his orientation was to be grumpy, and that everyone should just accept that that's who he is, period. Should we, and all of society, bow to this assertion? I would think not. Grumpy has no right to be grumpy because God requires that he give thanks to God for the many blessings given to him. In a similar way, LGBT are called by Christ to turn from their sinful desires and dreams, and turn to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Something I'm hearing more and more from professing Christians who consider themselves LGBT is this: "So you're saying that since I only have same-sex attractions, I am to remain celibate for the rest of my life? I'm to be alone and unhappy forever?"

I would respond with gentleness and care at this point. I might say something like this: "Jesus does require that you turn from your sins, which includes same-sex behaviors, yes. This may not be easy, and the Lord does say that you should consider the cost of abandoning your desires, and embracing the desires of Jesus. It is certainly possible that God removes same-sex attractions from you once you are saved. It is also possible that He gives you opposite-sex attractions. However, this isn't promised by the Lord in this life. What Jesus does promise is to provide grace that is sufficient for you, whichever path He has decided that you walk down. If you think this is impossible, and that your orientation is too strong, know this: God's grace is more than sufficient to help you overcome your desires. In fact, some Christians in the early church were once homosexuals and Scripture says this about their former homosexual lifestyle: "Such were some of you..." (1 Corinthians 6:11). He also promises never to forsake or leave His children. And most important of all, He promises to give you eternal life, where your sins are forgiven once for all. Then, you will have the hope of a future resurrection where your new body no longer has remaining sin and temptation. I say this to you: repent, for today is the day of salvation. Trust in Jesus to forgive you of your sins, and to deliver you from your sinful ways. Jesus is the only hope for sinners."

I would urge the reader: if you love your neighbors, speak the truth in love to them. Tell them the good news about what Jesus Christ has done on behalf of sinners. We, more than anyone, have reason to be joyful and thankful because we know the true and the living God. We have been redeemed from our sins, and we know the good life that Jesus promised. While the Lord has given us the freedom to do so, might we be faithful witnesses for His gospel. Look for opportunities to be salt and light in our society living in darkness.

13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16, NASB).

Such were some of you

Do you feel it? ... The pressure? I sure do, and it is steadily increasing. On the news, in my twitterfeed, and at the workplace. Everywhere I turn I see and hear discussion about the promotion of homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Can I be honest about something: I'm a Christian man and I don't particularly enjoy talking about this subject.

But you know what? It is being crammed down our throats, and there is no way to avoid this issue. I wish that we could; I wish there was a way to not focus on this. But as Christians we should "always [be] ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (1 Peter 3:15b, NASB).

Therefore, if we want to be honest and engage the people around us with the gospel then this issue is bound to come up. The issue is partially about homosexuality, to be sure, but it goes deeper than that. Our message is one of hope for a lost and wicked generation: Christ came to save sinners and has accomplished His purpose on the cross of Calvary. Going beyond the brunt issue of sexual preferences, the underlying issue is the rulership of God over the lives of humanity. 

You see, God is the Creator of heaven and earth and He has the sole right to determine what is right and what is wrong. We shouldn't deny that homosexuals have same-sex attraction. In fact, the Bible acknowledges this. However, simply because one has a desire to do something does not mean it is morally good. For example, the thief has a desire to steal from others and this is declared as sinful in Scripture. Even though stealing might bring temporary happiness to the thieving person, it can only bring negative consequences. It harms others and himself in the long run. The same is true of homosexuality.

Paul, describing the church at Corinth, says: "Such were some of you..." (Emphasis MINE). This begs the question: what were they? He explains just prior to saying this, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God." Corinth was a wicked city, full of wicked people. In God's free grace, He delivered many Corinthians from the consequences of their sins. Praise be to God that He did not just declare them not guilty of their iniquities! No; He then saved them from themselves and their sinful lifestyles! Notice: "Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God."

What we have to proclaim to our fellow citizens is a message that everyone needs to hear: God is just and holy, and we are not. He gave us laws to obey, and we have broken them every day of our lives. Because of this we deserve to die, face His judgment, and be cast into Hell to pay for our crimes for all eternity. But God sent His one, unique Son - God in human flesh - to live the perfect life we could not, and die on the cross in the place of His people. We are commanded to turn from our wicked ways and trust in Christ to save us from our sins. We must count the cost, because Jesus requires the utter denial of ourselves in order to follow Him.

Ironically, the world doesn't have a problem with Jesus or with Christians, until we arrive at this point: repentance. Jesus preached it; He requires it of all people everywhere because there is a final Day of Judgment coming where we will all stand before His judgment seat.

Did Jesus shy away from this issue? Surely he must have known how unpopular it sounds to the culture (then and now)! 

Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:1-3, NASB). 

Faced with 2 difficult scenarios, Jesus was asked whether the murder of innocents by Pilate, or the tragedy of a tower collapsing and killing people, meant that those people were greater sinners than the rest. The Lord put things in perspective for those asking and simply said this: "...unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." This is our message - the wrath of God abides on you. Therefore, turn from your sins, towards Christ, trusting Him to save you.

I say all of this, knowing Christ's message is a hard message. Even the disciples were frustrated about Christ's message: "This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?" (John 6:60, NASB).  Here was Jesus' response to the disciples: 

But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble? What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” (John 6:61-65, NASB).

The Lord of all things, however, knew what he was doing - He still knows what he is doing. Rather than appealing to worldly wisdom to persuade the culture, Christ preached a message of repentance and faith in himself. This is our message to proclaim today.

Even though many who call themselves Christians keel over at the first sign of pressure from the world, we cannot do this. We can either be friends with the world or with God. My pastor said it best recently: 

"The only power the world has over you is what you give to it by loving the things in the world." 

Amen!

We need to be a people concerned about God's truth found in His inspired Word. We need to live lives consistent with the message we claim to believe in. We need to speak to our friends, family, coworkers and acquaintances about the gospel of Jesus Christ, all in humility and love. May we not shy away from the opportunities Christ has given us, especially while we have freedom to do so.

I will leave you with this, one of my favorite texts of Scripture: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58, NASB). 


Thanks for reading,
Rusty