Before I begin, let me emphatically state that I love the Book of Genesis, and wholeheartedly believe its revelation of a six day long creation process by God Himself, to the exclusion of molecule-to-man evolutionary processes.
I also love the ministry of Answers in Genesis, and look forward to visiting their Creation Museum as often as time permits as it is being built less than two hours from my hometown.
However, in the article “A Growing Grassroots Movement,” I believe that Ken Ham has gotten it wrong.
In it he highlights the fact that fundamentalist Christians are becoming a growing force in America, to the point that the clash of cultures between them and the secularists could be described as a “culture war.”
Ham makes note that the secularists want freedom from the fundamentalists–those who stand for Creationism, the public display of the Ten Commandments, the right-to-life (specifically in regards to the Terry Schiavo case), etc. He states, “The message of the cartoon is that the secular humanists want freedom from Christian morality–and Christianity as a whole.
“‘Creationism’ is one of the three items listed, an indication of how secular humanists see groups like AiG as a major threat … and want freedom from them.”
How can we share the Gospel with a people that we are chasing off? I don’t recall Paul, John, or even the Christ working up a grassroots movement to impose Christian morality upon pagan Rome. Far from it!
Jesus and the Apostles worked to refine believers, to get “the world” out of them. They did not work to get “the world” out of “the world.” You cannot make a pig sing an opera anymore than you can get the lost to accept and desire Christian morality. First, the pig must be changed; first, those of the world must be changed.
I have zero problems with Creationism ministries working toward educating believers and affirming their faith, strengthening them in the knowledge of Christ and His work. However, it is senseless and time-wasting to enforce that education upon those who have no basis for believing it. That’s right, evolutionary teachings belong in the schools. A lost child has no reason to believe Genesis, nor should we work to make it mandatory if the parents do not want it. The lost child is responsible to their parents (the fifth commandment), not to Creation ministries.
If only as much effort was spent loving the lost and sharing with them the Evangel as was spent working to force them into our molds, then we would see a true change. That is how early Christianity spread. And that is how it must still be spread today.
“The culture wars” that Ken Ham and others claim we are a part of only results in our pearls being cast before swine. We are to preach the Gospel to them first; that is our responsibility. And like it or not, the Gospel message does not include legislated Creationism, banned homosexuality, and so on.
To the Lost
If you are reading this and you are an unbeliever (i.e., do not believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior), I apologize on behalf of my brethren who would like to see their beliefs (for lack of a better word) forced upon you. Jesus’ message is one of love, and that must be our message as well. If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9, paraphrased).
Don’t worry about homosexuality, evolution, euthanasia, war, or anything else. You have your entire life still to worry about the details. However, today is the day of salvation (see 2 Corinthians 6:2). If you don’t get another chance to make a decision concerning anything else in the world, your eternal fate is not affected. However, your fate hinges upon the decision you make right now for Christ. Simply believe.
To the Saved
Focus on what’s important with regards to the lost. Make evangelism the primary goal of your life. Read the Great Commission over and over again until the message you are to preach is clear in your mind. Then go out and preach it, keeping love first and foremost. Hateful attitudes and intolerance amongst Christians is destroying the work of those who are simply trying to preach the Gospel.
I also recommend taking some time at The Purpose to fellowship with others who are dedicated to evangelism.