Darwin's Sad Legacy

The common thread throughout Darwin’s life was his continual struggle with the issue of death and suffering. He was never able to reconcile the existence of death, disease, and struggle with the character of a loving God:

I cannot persuade myself that a beneficent and omnipotent God would have designedly created the Ichneumonidae with the express intention of their feeding within the living bodies of Caterpillars, or that a cat should play with mice.1

Darwin was unable to understand why a loving Creator God would allow the horrible things he witnessed in nature and everyday life. Animals fed on one another; creatures ripped each other apart; women died in childbirth, etc. The world seemed heartless and cruel. Darwin’s eventual expansion of the concept of evolution seemed to provide a somewhat positive purpose for the suffering and death he could not explain.

Two of Darwin’s biographers went so far as to imply that the death of his daughter, Annie, caused Charles to walk away from his Christianity:

Annie’s cruel death destroyed Charles’s tatters of beliefs in a moral, just universe. Later he would say that this period chimed the final death-knell for his Christianity . . . . Charles now took his stand as an unbeliever.2

While there is no evidence that Darwin was ever a believer in biblical Christianity, his writings reveal that Annie’s death did cause him to doubt the existence of a loving God. Ultimately, as he developed his concept that lesser creatures evolved into more complex creatures (i.e., evolution by natural selection), he viewed cruelty in nature as the natural order of things. In other words, struggle and death were required for the onward progression of evolution.

Darwin was not, however, driven away from “the faith” by Annie’s death. Even in his twenties and after sailing on the famous ship the Beagle, Darwin had already rejected the true history of the world as found in Genesis and doubted the truth of the Christian faith. He did not have the right foundation of thinking to help him deal with the question of death and suffering:

Whilst on board the Beagle I was quite orthodox . . . But I had come, by this time, to see that the Old Testament from its manifestly false history of the world . . . was no more to be trusted than the sacred books of the Hindoos, or the beliefs of any barbarian.3

Thus, even at this early age, Darwin had rejected the book of Genesis (along with the entire Old Testament). Instead, he accepted the concept that the earth was millions of years old and that death has always been a part of our world. The core tenets of his belief in evolution were time and death.

The issue of suffering still troubles countless people, both believers and non-believers. But Genesis tells us of a time before sin when there was no death. Only the biblical account of history adequately explains the origin of death and suffering—they are the result of man’s sin. And only the biblical account adequately explains why Christ the Creator came to earth 2,000 years ago—to shed His blood to die on the Cross, but to be raised from the dead to conquer death.

Ultimately, Darwin’s rejection of history as given in Genesis left him without a foundation upon which to correctly interpret the world in which he lived. Furthermore, the bad fruits of his faulty thinking are all around us today. People have increasingly turned their backs on the Word of God, thinking the Bible is untrustworthy (and thus its message of salvation as well). Too often an evolutionary worldview has been used to justify people’s view on such things as abortion and racism. After all, humans are just animals, aren’t they?

Charles Darwin is honored by the world because he thought like the world. The tragedy was that this godless search for truth left him unable to understand the world in which he lived. What a lesson for our culture today.

This article is from Anwers in Genesis.

What is a Christian worldview?

Question: "What is a Christian worldview?"

Answer: A “worldview” refers to a comprehensive conception of the world from a specific standpoint. A “Christian worldview,” then, is a comprehensive conception of the world from a Christian standpoint. An individual’s worldview is his “big picture,” a harmony of all his beliefs about the world. It is his way of understanding reality. One’s worldview is the basis for making daily decisions and is therefore extremely important.

An apple sitting on a table is seen by several people. A botanist looking at the apple classifies it. An artist sees a still-life and draws it. A grocer sees an asset and inventories it. A child sees lunch and eats it. How we look at any situation is influenced by how we look at the world at large. Every worldview, Christian and non-Christian, deals with at least these three questions:

1) Where did we come from? (and why are we here?)
2) What is wrong with the world?
3) How can we fix it?

A prevalent worldview today is naturalism, which answers the three questions like this: 1) We are the product of random acts of nature with no real purpose. 2) We do not respect nature as we should. 3) We can save the world through ecology and conservation. A naturalistic worldview generates many related philosophies such as moral relativism, existentialism, pragmatism, and utopianism.

A Christian worldview, on the other hand, answers the three questions biblically: 1) We are God’s creation, designed to govern the world and fellowship with Him (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:15). 2) We sinned against God and subjected the whole world to a curse (Genesis 3). 3) God Himself has redeemed the world through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ (Genesis 3:15; Luke 19:10), and will one day restore creation to its former perfect state (Isaiah 65:17-25). A Christian worldview leads us to believe in moral absolutes, miracles, human dignity, and the possibility of redemption.

It is important to remember that a worldview is comprehensive. It affects every area of life, from money to morality, from politics to art. True Christianity is more than a set of ideas to use at church. Christianity as taught in the Bible is itself a worldview. The Bible never distinguishes between a “religious” and a “secular” life; the Christian life is the only life there is. Jesus proclaimed Himself “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6) and, in doing so, became our worldview.

http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-worldview.html

Devil or Angel?

In the world of politics it is sometimes tough to discern just exactly who is the devil and who is the angel. What it appears to this writer is that too often the identity (devil or angel) of the one in question is being determined not by the real character of the person but his/her acceptance or rejection of a certain program. What faithful disciples of the republic must make clear is that the character of the man chosen is everything. If he has weak character he will not be a good leader even if in general he seems to agree with ones view. Those with weak or greatly flawed character (every person on earth is flawed so forget about the idea of finding one who is not) will work to please men in order to “make others happy” or will work toward a self serving agenda.



Since President Obama has been elected there has been a steady chorus of those crying devil as well as those crying angel. Michael Moore and his cohorts are greatly displeased because President Obama has not followed their radical agenda for America. Moderates are equally upset because he has surrounded himself with radicals and made several moves as it he may really try to please the radicals.



Why the mixed signals from the President? Why does he act as if he knows exactly how to fix the economic problem and then with full force pass a non-stimulus stimulus? Why does he speak of the greatness of capitalism and then try to take over industry? Why does he talk about being a tough negotiator and then give the Russians exactly what they wanted in Europe? President Obama does not know who he is; therefore he cannot know what he stands for. He like Bill Clinton before him grew up in a totally dysfunctional home. He learned to talk his way out of and into whatever he wanted. He learned that to get what he wanted he had to deceive some. He is an expert when it comes to talking therefore he is at his best when talking. That is why he makes so many speeches. That is why he thinks if he can just talk to someone he can persuade them to see things his way. He has used this tactic his entire life to get his way. He is an expert when it comes to manipulating the discussion. He is an expert when it comes to pitting one group against another in order to get what he wants. He is a man who has zero or almost zero core values. He makes his decisions based upon what he prefers at the time, what will promote him, or what will make those who he wants to please happy. That is why he stayed in the church with Rev. Wright for twenty years. What Rev. Wright was saying was in material to him, what mattered to him was that Rev. Wright was promoting him to the thousands who frequented that church. What was important to him was that he was gaining followers. It did not matter to him whether they shared his views or not, he has always been able to talk his way out of everything why would being President change that?



Here is a new flash for President Obama, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is not grandma, he is the devil in the flesh. He views the President’s desire to talk as a weakness. He believes that the President’s desire to talk is evidence that the god of Islam is working in his favor. The President’s actions are actually empowering him.
Kim Jong 11 is not like momma, a globe trotting hippy child of the sixties, he has created the closest thing to hell on earth for his own people. He thinks that the President is plastic and weak and he believes that if he keeps the pressure up that he will get what he wants. The people of the United States of America are not living in a hut in Kenya; unaware of the world around them. A smooth line can obviously fool some of them since President Obama was elected, but they are gradually realizing the truth that this President is struggling. He is struggling not because he is the devil or because he is an angel. He is struggling because he does not know who he is, therefore he also does not know where he stands.



Like Mr. Atlas he is trying to lift the world. The problem is he is standing in quick sand with no solid values to keep his feet from sinking.

EXPERIENCE THE TRUTH!

I am writing the same thing this week because I don't want you to forget about the Truth. If you haven't already, check out the Truth Project. The link is listed below....just click it and go see for yourself. We are having this at our church right now. So, speaking from experience this is something every Christian should see.
Have a great week and EXPERIENCE THE TRUTH!

The Truth Project......Isn't it time for everyone to know the Truth?

If you are ready for a Christian World View, this is the place for you. You will learn more than you can imagine plus, you will be able to pass on to your children and your grandchildren the truth, God's Truth.

Thank You

A Lesson in Civics

It’s Now or Never

The United States of America basically has two political parties. Although there have been a number of third parties over the years few of them have had an impact on a national election. Ross Perot probably changed the election of 1992 in Bill Clinton’s favor. 2000 was so close in some states that Pat Buchanan or Ralph Nadar may have changed the result there. The point is that elections are a two horse race on most occasions.

Although this writer has never been to the track he has watched important horse races on television. He has even tried a few times to pick the winner. His reason for choosing a horse however is not scientific. He chooses based on color of the horse; a pretty colored horse has a big advantage to this viewer. He also chooses by looking at the jockey. If the jockey has a unique name, or a winning streak, or has never ridden in the race before, that horse might get the nod. If the horse is a good looking horse, has a good story like, “They were just about to make glue out of him when we found him,” has a jockey with a unique name, and is a big underdog, this writer is in! Of course, a real horse person would most likely suggest that these criteria are not the best criteria to choose if one wants to win.

American voters often use the wrong criteria when choosing who to vote for. Both current parties in this two party system have sold out to the “borrow and spend” mentality. While the Dems. Are known as the big spending party, ( and rightfully so) the Repubs. are not far behind. One might argue that the Repubs. spend on better stuff than the Dems. Which could be defended but the point is that neither understand the problem.

While deficit spending during times of war might be justified, deficit spending any other time reflects on the part of both parties a materialistic and socialistic mind set. There are few true conservatives in either party. Many who parade around as conservatives are right on one issue. Some contend that they are conservative because they are against abortion. Some contend that they are conservative because they are against homosexual marriage. True conservatism views the world through a prism of absolute principles that are applied to every issue, not just one. Stealing from the next generation in order to live high now is not conservative, it is immoral. Accepting perks from corporations which suggest inappropriate influence is not conservative it is unethical. Voting oneself a pay raise is not conservative it is prideful and arrogant.

The only way for America to recover is for her people to return to the principles that are absolute and they are found in the Word of God. If every person who claims to be a believer would vote those principles consistently, and live those principles consistently America would make a true transformation. Unless that happens we are witnessing the beginning of the end. Now is that reason to give up? No, no, no, we must fight on regardless of the cost. The transformation must begin within!

Math for Dummies Anyone?

The Government of the United States led by President Barak Obama has decided to purchase your old car. Your old car may only be worth $500.00 but the government will give you$3,500.00 to $4,500.00 for that old car. Since this writer has one vehicle that qualifies for this “great deal” he should immediately go to the dealer of his choice and take advantage of this extra money.

Now before we get too excited about this deal we must ask a few questions: First where is the money to buy these cars coming from? Second is this money borrowed or is it from an excess cash fund that this government has? Third does borrowed money really help an economy that is laboring with huge debt? Fourth is it legal or ethical to take money from one person in order to buy another person a car?



Question 1: This money is coming from the United States Government which means that in reality it is coming from the American tax payer’s pockets. So in essence the Government has decided to give some of my money to someone else so that they can buy a car. Sounds unfair to me, but that’s just me.



Question 2: Since the United States Government is spending trillions more than it is taking in this money is borrowed. The United States Government is borrowing money from anyone and everyone that they can in order to buy new cars for some people. Something is not right about a government that is broke, borrowing money to buy cars for people. The really sad part is since I am a citizen of this government part of that IOU is my responsibility.



Question 3: Since car sales help car manufacturers, car dealers, and car salesmen it is important that they sell enough cars to stay in business. This writer has numerous friends who are involved in the car industry and he certainly wants them to prosper. Does government borrowing and spending really help any of these people in the long run? The answer is no it absolutely kills them. These sales are false and although business picks up today what happens when the program runs out of money? They are right back where they were last month. Living high on borrowed money is not sustainable it is a short term feel better pill. Kind of like taking pain killer with a kidney stone. Helps ease the pain but does nothing to help the stone go away. Unless the stone is addressed or passed the pain will return with a vengeance. Borrowing now to buy now feels good, no doubt about it, but when the borrowed is spent the pain returns and economically speaking the pain is worse because now there is a debt.



Question 4: It is immoral for a government to take money away from one citizen in order to make a direct payment to another. Who is deciding that someone needs a new car worse than this writer needs tuition money to put his child through school? Who is deciding that someone needs a new car more than this writer needs to pay a friend to work on his own car that does not qualify for the cash for clunkers?



The current President of the United States has chosen to use smoke and mirrors instead of real math. He has convinced the American people that borrowing more money will make the recession go away and return national prosperity. He has a Harvard degree so he is not a dumb person, but he lacks wisdom and judgment and his economic philosophy violates every single principle of sound economics. He has bought the big lie of John Maynard Keynes that government spending stops recessions and returns prosperity. Although a big rush of government cash may relieve some short term suffering it does great damage to the long term economic health of the nation.



It would appear that the popularity of the cash for clunkers program shows us that our President is not the only one who needs a quick course in “Math for Dummies.”

One Race

Jesus taught His followers to love God and love others. He even told a story that is often referred to as “The Story of the Good Samaritan” to illustrate His teaching of how human beings are to treat each other. These principles are to cross all ethnic, gender, and age group lines that we sometimes draw to declare our own comfort zone.


This writer as a child lived in an “all white” town. Now understand the term “all white” in those days did not really mean “all white” it meant “no black.” There were quite a few Native Americans who resided there but somehow they were not separated in the minds of most like the African Americans were. Many of the friends of this writer had the letters “ski” on the end of their names which usually meant Eastern European heritage and Catholic faith. While this Western European and Baptist faith white boy was not threatened by the Native Americans, the Eastern Europeans, or the Catholics he was intimidated by African Americans. He had never been around African Americans. Their color was drastically different. Their language while basically the same when they spoke it, sounded different. At that time (late 60’s,) there was much racial tension in a large city not to far from this small town. The race riots played out on the evening news every day in his home. It made his mother afraid and it gave him reason for caution when black Americans were present. Hate was not the problem. This white kid simply did not understand who they were or why on TV they were mad at everyone. At 10 years old, he had not walked one step in their shoes much less a mile.


At thirteen, his father was transferred to a place with a small population of African Americans. He went to school with them. They played together at school, on the field, the court, and the track. They rode around with him and he rode around with them. They became friends. He was no longer intimidated. He was no longer afraid. He went to college and again they lived in the same dorm together. They played on the same field, rode the same bus, ate the same “cafeteria food” and ran on the same track. He came to the realization that there is one race. He realized that he could use their blood and they can use his for life saving surgery. Too much sun will give them both skin cancer. Too much fat will reshape both. Both are affected by male pattern baldness. While there are different ethnic groups there is one race!


Now for the big shot over the bow. I really wish that our President would not suggest that no one but African Americans understand what it is like to be discriminated against. Granted this writer does not know nor does he pretend to know what it is like to be African American, he has always been white. He does understand discrimination. He did not go through puberty until he was sixteen and most of his friends went through it at age twelve or thirteen. He understands working harder than others in athletics and still struggling to stay up. He understands what it was like to be told my a major corporation in May of 1980 “Your not the color we need right now”, (thank you Jimmy Carter). He understands what it is like to have to compete against huge wealthy ranches when showing cattle, or showing pigs in competition with huge hogs farms. He understands what it is like to belong to a civic club and be ostracized because stuffy rich people who by birth or worldly accomplishment feel superior and act it out. He understands what it is like to be told that you are a “can’t miss” candidate for a job only to discover that an insider got the position. Let’s face it discrimination is a part of this life and always will be. Each and every one has to decide whether these experiences will make him bitter or better. Government needs to have basic guidelines in some of these areas but no man or government can stop discrimination. It happens every day in every way imaginable. There will always be people who prefer their own color over those of another color, and those who want what they want regardless of what is fair and right.


This writer assumes that because of his believe system he is going to be discriminated against (evangelical Christian). He does not whine or moan of how bad he has it; he simply works harder to inform people of the truth. He assumes that because he is a white male there will be some who will not like him (Latino Supreme Court nominees). He assumes that because of his age there are some jobs where younger people will be preferred (Young preachers). He has decided to continue to trust the Lord and do his best.


Grow up Mr. President, move out of your resentment and “they are picking on me because I am black” mentality. While I can never understand what it is like to be black. Don’t you dare pretend that you and your ethnic group are the only ones to understand discrimination. This writer’s family did not come over here on a slave ship but they did come on a debtor ship. Not what one would call the upper crust. What’s the beef anyway; Mr. Gates is a Harvard professor and you are the President of the United States, not too bad for a couple of guys who have been discriminated against. Keep in mind men it is not too late to get better!