Welcome to this weeks Bible in the News.

Time and time again the secular media pushes the idea that “science" is at odds with the Bible. That to believe in the Bible is almost to believe in a fairy tale and that modern science has helped mankind to rise above the archaic fantasies and legends of the ancients. For this reason there is no need to believe in a God. The floodgates are opened to the doctrines of humanism - do what you like as long as you do not hurt another being. The theory of evolution is championed as the method that has produced the universe in which we operate and generated life upon this planet. There is no higher authority than chance and therefore there is no requirement to adhere to any restrictions to human enjoyment. This is at complete odds with the teachings of the Bible.

Evolution in Education

In 1925, less than 100 years ago, the State of Tennessee put on trial John Scopes. His charge was that he taught evolution in his state funded school. He was found guilty and fined. How things have changed in 100 years!

John Scopes was put on trial
for teaching Evolution
in 1925 (image source: Wikipedia)

We are now in a full reversal of this - it being more likely teachers will be struck off for refusing to teach evolution as fact. In 2013 a new National Curriculum was introduced into the UK. Within it it contains, in the Year 6 programme of study, a section entitled ‘Evolution and Inheritance’ which includes the following requirements:

Pupils should be taught to:

• Recognise that living things have changed over time and that fossils provide information about living things that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago.
• Recognise that living things produce offspring of the same kind, but normally offspring vary and are not identical to their parents.
• Identify how animals and plants are adapted to suit their environment in different ways and that adaptation may lead to evolution.

This is what is being taught, as fact, to 10 year olds in the UK. The concept of “millions of years”, (a statement at odds with the Bible’s timeline of around 6000 years since creation), shows how ingrained the idea now is in the worldly education system which has completely removed God from itself - within 100 years! A great article on the unbelievably unscientific basis for the new curriculum can be found here: http://www.truthinscience.org.uk/tis2/index.php/news-blog-mainmenu-63.html.

For those seeking general advice on the issue the latest Bible Magazine from January 2015 has many articles on evolution. In particular there is an article entitled “Evolution or the Bible? What do we tell the Children?” which gives practical advice to parents dealing with evolution being taught to their children.

The indoctrination of society through a biased education means that to challenge the idea of evolution is now perceived as insane and ludicrous. The simple words of the Bible are considered as nonsense by the wise of this world:

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

"For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day:” Exodus 20:11

The 'war against Science'

The latest, March 2015 issue of National Geographic Magazine illustrates the hostility now held towards the Biblical account of creation. In a bold typeface the cover reads “The War on Science”. The issue deals with sections of American society at odds with the claims of modern science.

A list of statements at variance with mainstream thinking are listed:
• Climate Change (Does not exist) 
• The Moon Landing (Was Fake) 
• Vaccinations (can lead to autism) 
• GMO (is evil) 

Mixed in with these fairly well established concepts is the big one: "Evolution (Never Happened)”. Yes, they have put this topic up there with “The Moon Landing (Was Fake)”. In their view those who hold to the idea that Evolution does not explain the origin of life are like "conspiracy theorists” who deny the moon landings and don’t accept that climate change occurs.

The truth about the evolutionary process

The secular media is not willing to admit though that the whole idea of life being brought about by a process of evolution, is in fact, based on assumption and faith.

True science is based on observable results. Collins English Dictionary defines Science as “the systematic study of the nature and behaviour of the material and physical universe, based on observation, experiment and measurement and the formulation of laws to describe these facts in general terms”. All would accept this. If something can be observed we know it to be true.

The various subsections of "Evolution"

The problem with society around us is that the idea of observable science is mixed in with the assumptions of scientists. It is rare that this is ever clearly distinguished. The assumption is often presented as an observable fact.

Scientists measure and observe the world around them. Evolutionists assume the laws which they discover have always been there. They do this because they do not believe in a being outside of those laws. 

Within the concept of “evolution” there are smaller definitions.

1. Cosmic Evolution - the origin of space and matter
2. Chemical Evolution - the origin of higher elements 
3. Stellar Evolution - the origin of stars and planets
   
4. Organic Evolution - the origin of “life” from non living matter
   
5. Macro Evolution - the changing from one kind to another
   
6. Micro Evolution - variations within kinds
   

All of these different subsections are lumped together under the general label of “Evolution". Of all of these there is only one which can be truly be observed today. The last one, variations within kinds.

We can observe the different varieties within various kinds of animals. There are different kinds of chicken, kinds of dog and kinds of cow. The chicken however, will always be a chicken. We never see a chicken becoming a donkey. This, observable fact, is in keeping with the Biblical record:

"And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.” Genesis 1:24

Evolutionist Scientists extrapolate from their observance of the development of variations within kinds of animals. They assume that one kind of animal could of eventually changed into another kind of animal. This is their answer to how the various kinds of animals came into existence. They then extrapolate further and use this concept to explain where things like elements and matter has come from. The big problem of course is that, scientifically speaking, nothing can come from nothing. This fact is got around with the mystical theory of the "big bang”  - where nothing somehow exploded and became everything. Again assumption - but often presented as fact.

If Evolutionist Scientists and the media were honest they would have to accept that because these extrapolations have never been observed, they actually require faith for them to believe this. Faith in the idea that by adding billions of years variations would eventually produce completely different kinds of animal. That new information could be added to the Gene pool. Faith that everything exists down to chance. For those of us who believe in an Almighty God we see these variations as an amazing example of His wonderful wisdom in His creation,  in building in flexibilities into what he has created. We have no problem in believing that He created the earth in 6 days.

Both of these views require faith. We have a choice of what to believe.

Observable Science is not at odds with the Bible

Having a belief in the Bible is not at odds with observable science. One of the most mis-represented things in the media is the impression that all credible scientists believe in Evolution. This is absolutely not the case.

A quick Google for “creation scientists” will throw up a number of lists of Creation scientists who are experts in their fields and contributors to modern science. The fact they believe in Creation and in intelligent design has nothing to do with the observable scientific discoveries they have unearthed.

Sir Isaac Newton is well known as one of the greatest scientists who has ever lived. Many people do not realise that this man held a deep belief in God and that he looked at his scientific investigations as a way to a greater knowledge of a creator God.

He stated: "This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent Being. … This Being governs all things, not as the soul of the world, but as Lord over all; and on account of his dominion he is wont to be called “Lord God”, or “Universal Ruler”. … The Supreme God is a Being eternal, infinite, absolutely perfect."

Far then from being opposed to observable science, a belief that all things have been created will allow a scientist to expect patterns and logic in what he observes. This was certainly a benefit in Isaac Newton’s case. 

Who is our rock?

Observable Science is not at odds with the Bible. The Bible is not at “war” with true science.

In terms of the origin of life we do have a choice though. To accept the Biblical account of creation or to adopt the assumptions of Evolutionist scientists.

The question we have to answer for ourselves though, is upon what will we place our trust? The evidence needs to be weighed up and a personal decision made. Which ever way we turn we will need faith. Faith in the Bible or faith in the ever changing evolutionist theories.

Here on 'Bible in the News' we often speak of the amazing prophecies which show the Bible to be a solid foundation on which to trust. The things predicted and that have been fulfilled prove that the scriptures have been caused to be written by a being outside of the usual rules of science. An all-powerful being who can foresee the future unlike any man.

Once this is understood and believed then one starts to trust in the Bible. Scientifically speaking it is not possible to turn “water into wine” as we are told Jesus did. Scientifically speaking it is not possible to part the Red Sea as we are told Moses did. We have faith in these things because we understand God is outside of the general laws he has created. We understand this because of our appreciation for things like Bible prophecy.

The condemnation of the fool

If we decide that evolutionary science is right. If we decide there is no God then we have to accept that we condemned by the Bible.

"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” Psalm 14:1

In Romans 1 we have a passage which is most relevant to this consideration and gives us pause for thought:

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”
Romans 1:18-25

We contend then with society around us. The Bible is at war with the ideas of the Evolutionist mainstream secular media. It is at war with the ideas of man which has explained away mankind's existence by removing God from their minds… but it is not at war though with true science - with Science which is observable.

This has been Matt Davies joining you. Tune in again next week for another Bible in the News.