Volume IV, Issue 5

The Apologetic Blind Spot

      The past decade has witnessed a renewed interest in the study of apologetics among the younger generations of Christians.  This is evidenced by the number of colleges and seminaries now offering degrees in apologetics.  More proof of this can be seen in the ever-growing list of popular apologetic books from authors such as Norman Geisler, Ravi Zacharias, Lee Strobel, Josh McDowell, William Lane Craig, and others. 

      As someone who is passionate about defending the Christian faith from its attackers, this is a welcome development.  While we applaud their efforts and enjoy much of their work, the vast majority of popular apologists have ignored one crucial area of research in Christian apologetics.  This area just happens to be one of the most important, if not the most important, subject of study today because of the many attacks at this point.  As a result, biblical Christianity is not really being defended in its entirety.  The church is not “earnestly contending for the faith” (Jude 3), but only a part of it.

      A major question must be addressed when it comes to apologetics.  What is the overall goal of apologetics?  We know that apologetics simply means to give a defense, but just what is it we are defending?  Is it belief in God?  Is it more specific than that, such as belief in Jesus Christ?  Is it defending the entire Bible, which would encompass these two questions and much more?

      If the true answer to this question is that the goal of apologetics is to defend the belief in God, then most apologists are doing a great job.  However, if the answer to the question is that we are to defend the entire Bible, then I believe the proverbial elephant is still in the living room, and only a few are talking about it.

      You see, most apologists do a fantastic job of defending the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the authenticity of the New Testament canon, and the historicity of numerous events in Scripture.  However, when it comes to the Creation and Flood accounts in Genesis, most apologists ignore or undermine what the Bible teaches.  Instead of defending what Genesis actually teaches, they attempt to only defend the concept that God (or a god) created everything.  For some reason, they are not interested in defending all that Scripture has to say.  Even worse, many of them promote ideas directly contrary to God’s Word.

      For example, many of these apologists have resorted to using the Big Bang theory as supporting the biblical notion that the universe had a beginning.  There are many problems with this.  First, the Big Bang theory is continually being changed or tweaked in efforts to explain the latest data.  Second, the Big Bang is fraught with numerous problems.  Finally, and most importantly, the Big Bang contradicts the Bible’s account of creation.  

      It is a poor strategy to use erroneous ideas in an effort to defend the Bible.  God knows how He made everything and He told us how and when He did it.  He is fully capable of revealing that information to us in easy-to-understand language.  

      Without a straightforward understanding of Genesis 1 – 11, it is impossible to make sense of the world around us or to properly defend God’s Word.  Without a straightforward understanding of Genesis 1 – 11, the Bible unravels into helpless contradictions.  It is amazing that so many gifted apologists willingly reject or ignore this truth.  

      I recognize that these are some bold claims and space does not allow for a full defense of this position.  My first book, Old-Earth Creationism on Trial highlights the contradictions that occur when one rejects the clear meaning of God’s Word.  It is time for the church to wake up and realize that God’s Word can be trusted and that God means what He says and says what He means.        

Radio Time for Tim’s Book

      Old-Earth Creationism on Trial is now available through most major bookstores, such as Amazon.com and Christianbook.com.  It is also available through the Answers in Genesis online store, as well as the Master Books (division of New Leaf Publishing) online store.

       I was recently interviewed by Larry Spargimino of Southwest Radio Bible Church concerning the book.  The program is broadcast on roughly one hundred stations around the country, and my particular interview is currently set to air on October 22^nd.  Please see their website to see if you happen to live within their listening audience.

      On Wednesday, September 24^th, I will be participating in two live radio interviews.  The first will take place at 12:00 (noon) for The Bob Dutko Show on WMUZ out of Detroit.  The second will be from 2:00 – 3:00 in the afternoon for WVCY America and will feature live call-in guests.  Both of these programs have large listening audiences and can even be heard online in case you are not within range of one of their stations.

      I am very excited about these new opportunities.  Please pray that I will speak clearly and accurately and that God would calm my nerves.  

News

      Here are few news items about the ministry that you may be interested in knowing.

-          Tim will be speaking at Living Waters Bible Camp on October 31^st & November 1^st during their annual Creation Apologetics Conference.

-          Believe it or not, Tim finally broke down and started a facebook account.  This will provide an easy way to offer updates without sending out a mass email.  Feel free to add me to your friends’ list to receive these regular updates.

-          Tim recently had an article published on the Answers in Genesis website.  Here is the link for that article: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2008/08/18/young-earth-is-relevant 

-          Tim was accepted into the Ph.D. in Apologetics and Theology program at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently working on his first class.

Miscellaneous

     As always, if you have any questions, comment, concerns, corrections, ideas, prayer requests, etc., please email us and let us know.  Also, thank you for your prayers.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers throughout this month.

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