tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40968839330617048032024-03-05T13:43:44.156-08:00Confronting DarwinBenjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-84466161076624946762010-07-20T22:03:00.000-07:002010-07-20T22:03:38.839-07:00Evolution's Racist Roots (Guest Post)<div style="text-align: left;">The following article is a guest post from my friend Ethan: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>The theory of Evolution claims that every living thing descended from a single-celled organism over millions - and even billions - of years. Eventually, that process created man, the highest form of life today.<br />
The result of this belief is that some animals are lower on the evolutionary chain then other animals. Go a little further and apply this to humans, and you will reach the conclusion that some humans are lower on the evolutionary scale then others. This means that there are separated 'races' of people, and that some people groups are closer to animals then others.<br />
<br />
Darwin understood this when he wrote <i>Origin of Species</i>. In fact as I read through the book I find that one of the major goals of the book is to show that some men are more highly evolved then others. The subtitle of the book is very telling: <i>The Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life</i>. Darwin's later book, <i>The Descent of Man</i>, is even worse then Origin of Species in its claim that some men (namely white men) were more highly evolved then others. On the last page of <i>The Descent of Man</i>, Darwin wrote this:<br />
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<blockquote>The main conclusion arrived at in this work, namely, that man is descended from some lowly organized form, will, I regret to think, be highly distasteful to many. But there can hardly be a doubt that we are descended from barbarians. The astonishment which I felt on first seeing a party of Fuegians on a wild and broken shore will never be forgotten by me, for the reflection at once rushed into my mind--such were our ancestors. These men were absolutely naked and bedaubed with paint, their long hair was tangled, their mouths frothed with excitement, and their expression was wild, startled, and distrustful. They possessed hardly any arts, and like wild animals lived on what they could catch; they had no government, and were merciless to every one not of their own small tribe. He who has seen a savage in his native land will not feel much shame, if forced to acknowledge that the blood of some more humble creature flows in his veins. For my own part I would as soon be descended from that heroic little monkey, who braved his dreaded enemy in order to save the life of his keeper, or from that old baboon, who descending from the mountains, carried away in triumph his young comrade from a crowd of astonished dogs--as from a savage who delights to torture his enemies, offers up bloody sacrifices, practices infanticide without remorse, treats his wives like slaves, knows no decency, and is haunted by the grossest superstitions.</blockquote><br />
In other words what Darwin is trying to say is that he rather descend from a “that heroic little monkey... or from that old baboon” then from another human being which he calls a savage. In short he is saying some men are equal to or lower then apes! Thus, we can see that racism is at the very root of the evolutionary worldview.<span class="__wave_paste" data-wave-annotations="" data-wave-xml="The following article is a guest post from my friend Ethan ________________________________<line></line><line></line>The theory of Evolution claims that every living thing descended from a single-celled organism over millions - and even billions - of years. Eventually, that process created man, the highest form of life today.<line></line><line></line>The result of this belief is that some animals are lower on the evolutionary chain then other animals. Go a little further and apply this to humans, and you will reach the conclusion that some humans are lower on the evolutionary scale then others. This means that there are separated 'races' of people, and that some people groups are closer to animals then others.<line></line><line></line>Darwin understood this when he wrote <i>Origin of Species</i>. In fact as I read through the book I find that one of the major goals of the book is to show that some men are more highly evolved then others. The subtitle of the book is very telling: <i>The Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life</i>. Darwin's later book, <i>The Descent of Man</i>, is even worse then Origin of Species in its claim that some men (namely white men) were more highly evolved then others. On the last page of <i>The Descent of Man</i>, Darwin wrote this:<line></line><line></line><blockquote><line></line>The main conclusion arrived at in this work, namely, that man is descended from some lowly organized form, will, I regret to think, be highly distasteful to many. But there can hardly be a doubt that we are descended from barbarians. The astonishment which I felt on first seeing a party of Fuegians on a wild and broken shore will never be forgotten by me, for the reflection at once rushed into my mind--such were our ancestors. These men were absolutely naked and bedaubed with paint, their long hair was tangled, their mouths frothed with excitement, and their expression was wild, startled, and distrustful. They possessed hardly any arts, and like wild animals lived on what they could catch; they had no government, and were merciless to every one not of their own small tribe. He who has seen a savage in his native land will not feel much shame, if forced to acknowledge that the blood of some more humble creature flows in his veins. For my own part I would as soon be descended from that heroic little monkey, who braved his dreaded enemy in order to save the life of his keeper, or from that old baboon, who descending from the mountains, carried away in triumph his young comrade from a crowd of astonished dogs--as from a savage who delights to torture his enemies, offers up bloody sacrifices, practices infanticide without remorse, treats his wives like slaves, knows no decency, and is haunted by the grossest superstitions.</blockquote><line></line><line></line>In other words what Darwin is trying to say is that he rather descend from a “that heroic little monkey... or from that old baboon” then from another human being which he calls a savage. In short he is saying some men are equal to or lower then apes! Thus, we can see that racism is at the very root of the evolutionary worldview."></span><span> </span>Ethan Sausvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07431513980805526246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-57579885193584604922010-04-22T10:05:00.000-07:002010-04-22T10:14:54.424-07:00Ken Ham Presents a Creationist Perspective on Earth DayToday being the 40th anniversary of Earth Day there will be a lot of buzz in the media about the ever-increasing need for environmental awareness, and the release of films like James Cameron's <span style="font-style: italic;">Avatar</span> will continue to press the environmental agenda to save the planet from ourselves.<br /><br />How should Christians respond to Earth Day? Ken Ham presents a well-reasoned Christian perspective on the issues in his new article <a href="http://www.visionforumministries.org/issues/news_and_reports/earth_day_a_creationist_perspe.aspx">published here</a>.Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-78211266383484670132010-03-03T10:34:00.000-08:002010-03-03T11:01:27.447-08:00Chile is No Stranger to Earthquakes<p>In an article published on CNN.com (March 1), John van Wyhe – founder and director of Darwin Online – commented on the recent magnitude 8.8 earthquake that devastated Chile on February 27.</p><p></p><blockquote>...A quake similar to Saturday's struck almost exactly the same part of Chile on February 20, 1835 – almost exactly 175 years ago.<p></p><p>On that occasion, the young English naturalist and geologist Charles Darwin was in Chile as part of his voyage on HMS Beagle....</p><p>Darwin spent the next weeks investigating the effects of the earthquake. He found that rocks lined with recent marine shells were now elevated above the tide. The island of Santa Maria was raised an average of about 3 meters (9 feet).</p><p>Combining his own observations with those of many local people, Darwin attempted to reconstruct the event and to understand why it had occurred. He found that three volcanoes had erupted along the Chilean coast at about the same time as the earthquake.</p><p>Not only did he collect widespread evidence of the uplift of the coast during the earthquake, but traveling inland and into the mountains, he discovered a series of remains of marine shells – proof that the shifting that had recently uplifted the coast by a small amount had occurred over and over in the recent geological past.</p> <p>The experience convinced him that the great geologist Charles Lyell was right – mountain chains were not created by sudden immense catastrophes, but grew almost imperceptibly, the product of thousands of successive uplifts over almost endless geological time...</p><p><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/03/01/vanwyhe.quake.chile.darwin/index.html?iref=allsearch">Read the rest of the article here –></a><br /></p></blockquote><p>As Creationists we need to continually return to the subject of <a href="http://confrontingdarwin.blogspot.com/2009/07/responding-to-judge.html">assumptions and worldview.</a> </p><p>Notice how van Wyhe describes Darwin's progression of thought:<br /></p><ol><li>"He found that rocks lined with recent marine shells were now elevated above the tide."</li><li>"...traveling inland and into the mountains, he discovered a series of remains of marine shells..."</li><li>This provided "proof that the shifting that had recently uplifted the coast by a small amount had occurred over and over in the recent geological past."</li><li>Therefore, "Charles Lyell was right – mountain chains were not created by sudden immense catastrophes, but grew almost imperceptibly, the product of thousands of successive uplifts over almost endless geological time..."</li></ol>Hopefully you can detect some of Darwin's underlying assumptions here. His observations were probably perfectly accurate, but his understanding of those observations was skewed by his precommitment to Lyell's "old earth" ideas.<br /><br />You may be asking, "Couldn't gradual geological uplift actually do that? What could be wrong with Darwin's interpretation?"<br /><br />My beef with Darwin's explanation is very simple. A relatively recent, worldwide flood catastrophe is <span style="font-weight: bold;">just as viable</span> an explanation (in my opinion, much more viable) for marine fossils coming to rest in high-elevation mountainous areas. Claiming that long periods of time and slow gradual change <span style="font-weight: bold;">must have been responsible</span> for this phenomena, clearly demonstrates Darwin's prejudice against the Biblical account of the Flood.<br /><br />You may agree or disagree with me on this. All I ask is that you simply acknowledge the fact that <a href="http://confrontingdarwin.blogspot.com/2009/07/responding-to-judge.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">we all have assumptions</span></a>, and those assumptions invariably affect the way we view the world – for better or for worse.Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-21357779026544050632010-02-16T21:30:00.000-08:002010-02-16T21:35:50.416-08:00We Have a Winner!Ladies and gentlemen, we just had our very first drawing on Confronting Darwin... *drumroll please*<br /><br />Congratulations to the Haugh family from Virginia for winning a free copy of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Mysterious Islands</span>! I hope the film is a real blessing to your family and inspires you to explore Creation with a new wonder for the Creator!<br /><br />And thank you to everyone who participated in the drawing. Stay tuned in the future, there may be more!Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-42505224195616004482010-02-15T20:03:00.001-08:002010-02-15T20:04:55.132-08:00Contest Results Coming Very SoonTomorrow I will announce the winner of the drawing (<a href="http://confrontingdarwin.blogspot.com/2010/02/its-darwins-birthday-and-ive-got.html">see previous post</a>). Stay tuned!Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-52161174373258695612010-02-12T10:50:00.000-08:002010-02-12T11:05:32.419-08:00It's Darwin's Birthday, and I've got Presents!Charles Darwin is 201 years old today! Right now there are countless people around the world celebrating - it's <a href="http://www.darwinday.org/">Darwin Day</a>!<br /><br />Perhaps though, you're not particularly excited about the "man behind the theory" and would rather let February 12 go by just like any other day. Or maybe you are reminded of the intensity of the conflict and your concern for the future of science and education has been renewed.<br /><br />Whatever the case, I have a present for you.<br /><br />Between now and 11:59 p.m. CST, February 14, leave a comment on this post and your name will be entered to win a free copy of Vision Forum Ministries' new film "The Mysterious Islands," an action documentary which tells the story of a father and son who journey to "Darwin's Eden" - the Galapagos Islands - to tell the true story of that remarkable place, and demonstrate how it evidences the handiwork of the Creator!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.themysteriousislands.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEO8V5doupl6cH3I7GFifx0gzGxF9O9CTRv8zu_zJ4CddgR2woO3IHsl2C2oGdrCe9ArMieowIGO8k0oJdykKk0CNbiAnVsLCTwqkPkcrySaoqAjyYs32xI603el-ZOsqOknmyzcJ5xwU/s400/20091124050401!The_Mysterious_Islands.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437434956677512098" border="0" /></a><br />This is a completely free offer, no strings attached. Just leave a comment and let me know you want to participate. Comments are moderated, but I will be able to see them and note when they are submitted.<br /><br />Want to learn more about "The Mysterious Islands?" <a href="http://www.themysteriousislands.com/">View the official movie site and watch the trailer here</a>.<br /><br />This contest will end at 11:59 p.m. CST, February 14.Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-2517929111170056642010-02-11T21:12:00.000-08:002010-02-11T21:37:40.647-08:00One Year Anniversary of Confronting Darwin!Well folks, it's already been a year. Confronting Darwin was officially started on February 11/12 of 2009, the "year of Darwin," and 49 posts later it's grown slow and steady since then. I realize that my posts have been few and far between - that's the nature of trying to author 3 blogs at once, and work a full-time job and lead a normal life. I do hope that you will continue to come back, or subscribe to my RSS feed to receive updates when I post.<br /><br />Here are a few of the more significant posts I've put up this past year:<br /><br /><a href="http://confrontingdarwin.blogspot.com/2009/02/what-led-darwin-astray-part-i.html">What Led Darwin Astray? Part I</a><br /><a href="http://confrontingdarwin.blogspot.com/2009/02/what-led-darwin-astray-part-ii.html">What Led Darwin Astray? Part II</a><br /><br /><a href="http://confrontingdarwin.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-research-paper-featured-on-dougs.html">My Research Paper Featured on Doug's Blog!</a><br /><br /><a href="http://confrontingdarwin.blogspot.com/2009/05/thats-not-science_7269.html">That's Not Science!</a><br /><br /><a href="http://confrontingdarwin.blogspot.com/2009/05/darwins-famous-finches-compared.html">Darwin's Famous Finches: Compared</a><br /><br /><a href="http://confrontingdarwin.blogspot.com/2009/05/ligers-and-zorses-sure-but-orangutan.html">Ligers and Zorses Sure, but Orangutan-men?</a><br /><br /><a href="http://confrontingdarwin.blogspot.com/2009/05/stone-forest-in-desert.html">The Stone Forest in the Desert</a><br /><br /><a href="http://confrontingdarwin.blogspot.com/2009/05/evolutionsuperfluous-to-practical.html">Evolution...Superfluous to Practical Science</a><br /><br /><a href="http://confrontingdarwin.blogspot.com/2009/05/what-do-we-do-with-environment.html">What do we do with the Environment?</a><br /><br /><a href="http://confrontingdarwin.blogspot.com/2009/05/darwin-and-racism.html">Darwin and Racism</a><br /><br /><a href="http://confrontingdarwin.blogspot.com/2009/07/responding-to-judge.html">Responding to the Judge</a><br /><br /><a href="http://confrontingdarwin.blogspot.com/2009/11/mr-darwin-about-that-book-of-yours.html">Mr. Darwin, about that book of yours...</a><br /><br /><a href="http://confrontingdarwin.blogspot.com/2010/01/creation-museum.html">The Creation Museum</a><br /><br />Make sure you check out the headlines tomorrow. It's international "Darwin Day." You'll find statements like the following:<br /><blockquote>"Two centuries after Darwin's birth, the theory he labored over for a lifetime has never been stronger, more vibrant, nor more widely accepted."<br /><br />"Religious freedom ends where professional obligations begin."<br /><br />"...the timeless truths of the Bible and the discoveries of modern science may comfortably coexist. We believe that the theory of evolution is a foundational scientific truth, one that has stood up to rigorous scrutiny and upon which much of human knowledge and achievement rests. To reject this truth or to treat it as "one theory among others" is to deliberately embrace scientific ignorance and transmit such ignorance to our children."<br /><br />"It would ease Darwin's oft-troubled mind to know that his ideas have not only vaulted science into the Third Great Age of Discovery but helped draw religion out of its embattled us-versus-the-heathen past and to the dawn of a new age of tolerant universalism."</blockquote>You and I both know that we engaged in battle. It is certainly one of THE MOST DEFINING battles of our time, and as the rest of the church begins to succomb to pressure and apologize let us rise, unapologetic and bold, to proclaim the truth!Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-78219005421372542402010-01-07T21:04:00.000-08:002010-01-08T18:47:50.438-08:00The Creation MuseumLast month (December), I was able to go up to Cincinnati OH for the <a href="http://bberkom.blogspot.com/2009/12/sufficiency-of-scripture-conference.html">Sufficiency of Scripture Conference</a>, and as part of the conference package attendees got a free pass to the Creation Museum!<br /><br />If you're familiar with my blog <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span> you already know that Creation science is one of my main interests, so this was a dream come true! It was far beyond what I had imagined and I'm so thankful that Answers in Genesis put this one-of-a-kind museum together to showcase the <span style="font-style: italic;">true</span> history of the earth and the majesty of God's Creation.<br /><br />I don't have time to write in-depth about my visit, but enjoy the following images I took with my new Canon 7D. (These have been lightly edited, but my computer is being cranky so I couldn't spend more time on them).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4XBsBIG2645uQAf2UN1MEooN6TcrySnREXpsn1LQM2x-G5P5ERvDmfdeyGVr7Buh0BZZMBmNeKt3DJuz67DR7xT2XxntIkQs_W0qLy778t4UJtaHJXY2cuchKlCrrr6ifzSN8V2ov7E/s1600-h/creation_museum-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4XBsBIG2645uQAf2UN1MEooN6TcrySnREXpsn1LQM2x-G5P5ERvDmfdeyGVr7Buh0BZZMBmNeKt3DJuz67DR7xT2XxntIkQs_W0qLy778t4UJtaHJXY2cuchKlCrrr6ifzSN8V2ov7E/s320/creation_museum-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424228627846188258" border="0" /></a>The "Tree of Life" display<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWA5nYovP2DWyD_dzYyrUGqscdVhEjmtLBprXEt9dvAshVBX67LxbIHM57a_POkkbx80pskMgZJ_6gX41OipSXy20iv9hs7ITPUQyQ6RNtZhdk7_tFXsaU4cH5bcZgv8YburViGI1uzc/s1600-h/creation_museum-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWA5nYovP2DWyD_dzYyrUGqscdVhEjmtLBprXEt9dvAshVBX67LxbIHM57a_POkkbx80pskMgZJ_6gX41OipSXy20iv9hs7ITPUQyQ6RNtZhdk7_tFXsaU4cH5bcZgv8YburViGI1uzc/s320/creation_museum-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424228631865280882" border="0" /></a>"Now the serpent was craftier than any beast of the field..."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKHn6_3SL4BbDckiAxeADla3KfVr9-B3DPsAqtXk59HhrC8h32ToXPnQJ32aMWTUJib9HCEWLOc-62yRd2yLJoYMSgbyEkOtkDfMDZsWPLf_uCa20rzk4JO8VrI27tWnkPn2NWmRIHeI/s1600-h/creation_museum-5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKHn6_3SL4BbDckiAxeADla3KfVr9-B3DPsAqtXk59HhrC8h32ToXPnQJ32aMWTUJib9HCEWLOc-62yRd2yLJoYMSgbyEkOtkDfMDZsWPLf_uCa20rzk4JO8VrI27tWnkPn2NWmRIHeI/s320/creation_museum-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424228639021788450" border="0" /></a>Adam, after the Fall<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1uz3nSA-WYNGzeBcnw1ipKcP_e0cqmFHRuEAqtXiBnWAcsDKcZazSBxQCu7816r1fsp_OsBVDbBceDLzyrd6cZ5qOqd37nmzfQhMv2wDeICaNKQx6LRKY7X_w8scpcwJDq_6dj9zSTc/s1600-h/creation_museum-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1uz3nSA-WYNGzeBcnw1ipKcP_e0cqmFHRuEAqtXiBnWAcsDKcZazSBxQCu7816r1fsp_OsBVDbBceDLzyrd6cZ5qOqd37nmzfQhMv2wDeICaNKQx6LRKY7X_w8scpcwJDq_6dj9zSTc/s320/creation_museum-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424228620503298370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9eNSWCcHF5d4n9IyJ768QmBftm9rh5i2gVF3_CBnpg66DO18cd3TJ3ym3M8Si_DImd_hpAaJRpq7ShbNv_sI3Ul1sFGfO3JRm0RwfeGpNvJx-wa4_aU5aAoj-XOH4SyoknyNXqVdUlo/s1600-h/creation_museum-4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9eNSWCcHF5d4n9IyJ768QmBftm9rh5i2gVF3_CBnpg66DO18cd3TJ3ym3M8Si_DImd_hpAaJRpq7ShbNv_sI3Ul1sFGfO3JRm0RwfeGpNvJx-wa4_aU5aAoj-XOH4SyoknyNXqVdUlo/s320/creation_museum-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424228637443780882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_0t3eQvYk7TyG9C5Cn9yb2lVxQn-KNmfa_tF5tFriRY7FQFQFNyp0BZcEa_LKuJgZru8C6akjnm3lQJU-NXa1-VjL6TP0X47x6-nZDKZ53tvI6tIT67XrwQKFxOCOWtPJDTIxyyagqA/s1600-h/creation_museum-11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_0t3eQvYk7TyG9C5Cn9yb2lVxQn-KNmfa_tF5tFriRY7FQFQFNyp0BZcEa_LKuJgZru8C6akjnm3lQJU-NXa1-VjL6TP0X47x6-nZDKZ53tvI6tIT67XrwQKFxOCOWtPJDTIxyyagqA/s320/creation_museum-11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424229346490693250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-maSeXnS5sPmETJyI24qYOOcCtHr53NG3hv_S4AZjl3qyxt4YkmJsNMFIkgGmoaXOGl0yJYIoFMsGoW-TALChPo_CreBxek5sWzlVPB1I4DGro2uwqMG4VUqsE-Ju7b0hpX7Iw2NolA/s1600-h/creation_museum-12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-maSeXnS5sPmETJyI24qYOOcCtHr53NG3hv_S4AZjl3qyxt4YkmJsNMFIkgGmoaXOGl0yJYIoFMsGoW-TALChPo_CreBxek5sWzlVPB1I4DGro2uwqMG4VUqsE-Ju7b0hpX7Iw2NolA/s320/creation_museum-12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424229350625296082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShR4SYpxy1D_MRc1T_uPPPZQt8M6pnQQa-oooJgd2q8Jwf_Q-jhvnFcHlZmO8XbHsqWoLW1DyX8cYRkwP5FRMdkZcdZJ7sZqKRBfeS-HDlL1yb6swy3O5c1R0CZ3EjNkTMXAJX4ums_Y/s1600-h/creation_museum-6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShR4SYpxy1D_MRc1T_uPPPZQt8M6pnQQa-oooJgd2q8Jwf_Q-jhvnFcHlZmO8XbHsqWoLW1DyX8cYRkwP5FRMdkZcdZJ7sZqKRBfeS-HDlL1yb6swy3O5c1R0CZ3EjNkTMXAJX4ums_Y/s320/creation_museum-6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424228779457377778" border="0" /></a>The construction of the Ark<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitne4SW0gQNVzk2vYusNruaR3_JL_u0VvBIj_qPQ91W8nlKPdmurf6xw689uNgyGs7w3oNw1wrmXJhoKxPbiYkhPmwO6czAi_1zykTx6VxUXnO91OX8C1FtvqVJyYAwBFQB_LBx-DjnGM/s1600-h/creation_museum-7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitne4SW0gQNVzk2vYusNruaR3_JL_u0VvBIj_qPQ91W8nlKPdmurf6xw689uNgyGs7w3oNw1wrmXJhoKxPbiYkhPmwO6czAi_1zykTx6VxUXnO91OX8C1FtvqVJyYAwBFQB_LBx-DjnGM/s320/creation_museum-7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424228783984752322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholGN7a7GrEG0yJPIRbRhpDsI56C-SXZ0cTBG_yPzkNxEoOsqZDqxqos2UGixx-hGAhixMYBb_Tg6PJgDxmg8LxUrbG3aJGZAvS5emwwHlKnR5dgx_Qlp3LT43TEbDwpNC8umU_w25rmo/s1600-h/creation_museum-8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholGN7a7GrEG0yJPIRbRhpDsI56C-SXZ0cTBG_yPzkNxEoOsqZDqxqos2UGixx-hGAhixMYBb_Tg6PJgDxmg8LxUrbG3aJGZAvS5emwwHlKnR5dgx_Qlp3LT43TEbDwpNC8umU_w25rmo/s320/creation_museum-8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424228787459679298" border="0" /></a>Only Noah and his family were saved (this was a really neat miniature)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzz4PtGiFKVkjegkpWsdldkQbSD99E9ZHEhvPB9hWhJ8YI0lWNaEPA2BPFnMv7ENrfMU0z3RnLK4HComNUYiVBMdIyRxDEQQ4wUSj9xiWIMiCefSQ0uBDshbRRabOeR24nimtXO_HPDA/s1600-h/creation_museum-9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzz4PtGiFKVkjegkpWsdldkQbSD99E9ZHEhvPB9hWhJ8YI0lWNaEPA2BPFnMv7ENrfMU0z3RnLK4HComNUYiVBMdIyRxDEQQ4wUSj9xiWIMiCefSQ0uBDshbRRabOeR24nimtXO_HPDA/s320/creation_museum-9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424228790350987810" border="0" /></a>And the Ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat (another neat miniature)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFxJmEc-xUi0MzuqNvQhHNCu1ThZhVNxyG3oEgYiRnENZSGl14hhJzklq0CMyFHk7W5CCcIkcvgnTkuw7xtxc6JL0LkKaMHOTfbQRM3KgyExhuqPAhxOP5Cp2Y_nga4AcZrjBcnh9O2Y/s1600-h/creation_museum-10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFxJmEc-xUi0MzuqNvQhHNCu1ThZhVNxyG3oEgYiRnENZSGl14hhJzklq0CMyFHk7W5CCcIkcvgnTkuw7xtxc6JL0LkKaMHOTfbQRM3KgyExhuqPAhxOP5Cp2Y_nga4AcZrjBcnh9O2Y/s320/creation_museum-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424228795405487426" border="0" /></a>Noah offering a sacrifice of thanks to the Lord<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qjhr_rd1ybOfK-OOtQNpNHXNYSUbo5gBOcga85kr_kg4mIbQCvv8vjSc2m3GtZKHH1irWs4OmsFOTpVYRgcX_cWqnemq6ki0L_dy2OrTkZYPCwYOPBQTIODGsftyGnacSdAktx8fmcg/s1600-h/creation_museum-13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qjhr_rd1ybOfK-OOtQNpNHXNYSUbo5gBOcga85kr_kg4mIbQCvv8vjSc2m3GtZKHH1irWs4OmsFOTpVYRgcX_cWqnemq6ki0L_dy2OrTkZYPCwYOPBQTIODGsftyGnacSdAktx8fmcg/s320/creation_museum-13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424229355460095266" border="0" /></a>Our film <a href="http://www.themysteriousislands.com/">The Mysterious Islands</a>, for sale in the "Dragon Hall" bookstore<br /></div>Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-82693347963147672572009-11-24T07:00:00.000-08:002009-11-24T07:46:38.507-08:00Mr. Darwin, about that book of yours...November 24, 2009 – 150th Anniversary of Publication of Darwin’s <span style="font-style: italic;">Origin of Species</span><br /><br />It is nearly impossible to calculate just how deeply our culture has been affected by the writings and ideas of Charles Darwin. This year – 2009 – has been a landmark year for evolutionists. On February 12 they celebrated the 200th birthday of the founder of their evolutionary faith, and today they celebrate the 150th anniversary of his magnum opus, <span style="font-style: italic;">On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life</span>. In his autobiography Darwin comments on the initial publication and public reception of <span style="font-style: italic;">Origin</span>.<br /><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">“It is no doubt the chief work of my life. It was from the first highly successful. The first small edition of 1250 copies was sold on the day of publication, and a second edition of 3000 copies soon afterwards. Sixteen thousand copies have now (1876) been sold in England; and considering how stiff a book it is, this is a large sale…”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> It has sometimes been said that the success of the Origin proved “that the subject was in the air,” or “that men’s minds were prepared for it.” I do not think that this is strictly true… What I believe was strictly true is that innumerable well-observed facts were stored in the minds of naturalists ready to take their proper places as soon as any theory which would receive them was sufficiently explained.”</span> – Charles Darwin, Autobiography (Barnes & Noble, pg. 50-51)<br /><br />There are a few comments I will make about Darwin’s remarks. First of all, he is being very honest when he describes <span style="font-style: italic;">Origin</span> as a “stiff book.” I cannot claim to have read the whole thing cover to cover (though I plan to soon), but from what I have read I heartily concur. Very stiff indeed.<br /><br />In the second paragraph notice what Darwin believes about the human mind. He tries to make the case that his theory of evolution (originally “transmutation) was merely a systematized framework for “well-observed facts.” In other words, people already had all the data they needed, and all that they lacked was a proper context for that data so they could draw substantial conclusions. This is completely backwards.<br /><br />All men bring certain presupposed ideas or “presuppositions” to the table when discussing any issue, whether it be science, art, ethics and so on. These presuppositions are inescapable. What this means is that no one can truly be “neutral.” Certain things must be assumed before the data is examined. Conclusions are reached based on the available data and based on the worldview grid through which you interpret that data.<br /><br />My point is simply this. No scientist has a truly “open,” “unbiased” mind, and “raw factuality” is a myth. Some people believe that the universe is the handiwork of a sovereign Creator God, while others believe that it is nothing more than the result of random processes over eons of time. THESE ARE BOTH FAITH CLAIMS, and will incontrovertibly influence their respective interpretations of the data.<br /><br />Why is this important? Because today, November 24, 2009, you are being told that the only true science is that which acknowledges the supremacy of human reason over the Revelation of God. If you haven’t yet realized it, we are in the midst of a battle, and it’s outcome will determine the course of countless generations to come. Take a moment to consider just how much one little book has influenced the way we do education, government, healthcare, family life, science… and the list goes on.<br /><br />Ideas have consequences. Don’t stand idly by and watch the things you hold most dear crumble before your eyes – take a stand for truth today!Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-47101492490317640582009-10-16T06:45:00.000-07:002009-10-16T06:48:11.250-07:00How did the animals fit on the Ark?John Morris comments on this issue in this mornings issue of "Days of Praise."<br /><br /><em>"Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch." (<a href="http://www.icr.org/bible/Genesis/6/14" target="_blank">Genesis 6:14</a>)<br /><br /></em>Details surrounding the story of Noah and the Flood have long caused laymen and theologians alike to stumble and compromise.<br /><br />None could argue that the wording was not clear. God had commanded Noah to build a wooden boat of huge dimensions and to take on board representatives of land-dwelling, air-breathing animals. The Flood, Scripture reveals, devastated the entire world. But nineteenth-century theologians, pressed on by Hutton, Lyell, and others proposing the new uniformitarian interpretation of earth history, became convinced that the scriptural account must be understood in a figurative sense. Their twentieth-century counterparts repeat this error, promulgating the non-biblical idea that the Flood was only local.<br /><br />Some have wondered how Noah could gather all the animals, but the Bible simply says they "went in two and two unto Noah into the ark" (7:9), evidently migrating to the location on God’s command.<br /><br />Their care while on the Ark has also been raised as a problem. But, in all likelihood, the animals entered a state of semi-dormancy, as nearly all of their descendants do today when faced with danger over which they have no control and from which they cannot flee.<br /><br />Scripture supports this idea in our text: The word "rooms," which is more properly translated "nests" everywhere else in Scripture, implies a small place to sleep or nestle, rather than a large cage. The job of caring for the animals may have been difficult, but our gracious God would have seen to it that it was possible. Questions like these are no cause for compromise. JDMBenjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-90139993286752537772009-10-03T15:42:00.001-07:002009-10-04T19:07:20.570-07:00The Mysterious Islands - Coming Out Next Month!<a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-04376658138675057 visible" href="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6516998&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"></a><object height="225" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6516998&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6516998&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="225" width="400"></embed></object><br /><br />Here's one film you won't want to miss. <span style="font-style: italic;">The Mysterious Islands</span>, a groundbreaking new adventure documentary that explores the errors of Darwinism at the very "birthplace" of evolution - the Galapagos islands.<br /><br />This film project is very special to me since I did some research earlier this year on Darwin's voyage and visit to the Galapagos islands, especially his speculation about the finches he found there. <a href="http://www.visionforumministries.org/issues/news_and_reports/bberkompas.aspx">Read my article on why "Darwin's finches" actually disprove his theory!</a><br /><br />From the press release:<br /><blockquote>As the world prepares to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin’s landmark book, On the Origin of Species, Vision Forum has unveiled details on a new documentary, filmed on the Galapagos Islands, that debunks the conclusions Darwin reached during his storied trip to this island chain during the voyage of the HMS Beagle. Shot and directed by the award-winning Jon and Andy Erwin of Erwin Brothers Motion Pictures, the 90-minute film, entitled The Mysterious Islands, is set for release in early November, just weeks prior to the November 24 anniversary date of Darwin’s influential book...<br /><br />“Christians look to Jerusalem, Muslims to Mecca, but for the followers of Charles Darwin, the Galapagos Archipelago is the spiritual homeland to their evolutionary faith,” Phillips observed. “Our film — shot on ground-zero of evolutionism — will be a counter-offensive to the Darwin adulation that blows holes in the conclusions he formed while observing the wonder-filled creatures that inhabit the Galapagos Islands.”</blockquote><a href="http://www.themysteriousislands.com/">Visit the official <span style="font-style: italic;">The Mysterious Islands</span> website here</a>, watch the trailer, read about the documentary team, their adventure and some historical facts surrounding Darwin's theory you may not have been aware of.<br /><br />Show your support and let others know about the film - <a href="http://www.facebook.com/themysteriousislands">become a fan on Facebook</a>!Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-70988630369164395482009-08-11T14:04:00.000-07:002009-08-11T14:06:12.607-07:00Video Clips from the Galapagos IslandsThis was shot on the Canon 5D Mk. II during Vision Forum's expedition to the Galapagos Islands this past March.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="230"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6056492&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6056492&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="230"></embed></object>Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-45995724788175318932009-08-03T13:36:00.000-07:002009-08-03T13:43:22.279-07:00A Contrast<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >"Man with all his noble qualities, with sympathy which feels for the most debased, with benevolence which extends not only to other men but to the humblest living creature, with his god-like intellect which has penetrated into the movements and constitution of the solar system - with all these exalted powers - Man still bears in his bodily frame the indelible stamp of his lowly origin." - <span style="font-weight: bold;">Charles Darwin</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;">"O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? <span style="font-weight: bold;">For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet</span>: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!" - <span style="font-weight: bold;">Psalm 8</span> [emphasis added]<br /></span> </p>Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-85825385944765010302009-07-31T20:28:00.001-07:002009-07-31T20:30:06.885-07:00(2007) Bill O'Reilly Show discusses the grand opening of AIG's Creation MuseumIn which Ken Ham gets virtually no opportunity to argue for his views, and the validity of his museum... That's the media for you. Tell me what you think about this.<br /><br /><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-004872208103957554 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/HajP5pE4BE0&hl=en&fs=1&"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-004872208103957554 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/HajP5pE4BE0&hl=en&fs=1&"></a><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HajP5pE4BE0&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HajP5pE4BE0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-30607444837907761732009-07-31T17:59:00.000-07:002009-07-31T18:01:58.690-07:00Becoming Charles Darwin<p>In this video, Bill Potter explains how he came to play the part of Charles Darwin at Vision Forum's recent debate between John Calvin and Darwin at the Reformation 500 in Boston. I think you'll like it!</p><br /><object height="225" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=5568250&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=5568250&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="225" width="400"></embed></object>Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-85296750467304982892009-07-29T11:03:00.000-07:002009-07-29T15:04:04.129-07:00The Voyage that Shook the World<a href="http://creation.com/">Creation Ministries International</a> will be releasing an exciting new documentary called <a href="http://creation.com/cmis-year-of-darwin-documentary">The Voyage that Shook the World</a>, which comes as a challenge to the hyper-Darwinian dogma being propagated all over the world this year - Darwin's 200th birthday. Here are two trailers for the film.<br /><br /><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-004872208103957554 visible" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/1-0DzcG3y0k&hl=en&fs=1&"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-004872208103957554 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/1-0DzcG3y0k&hl=en&fs=1&"></a><object height="304" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1-0DzcG3y0k&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1-0DzcG3y0k&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="304" width="500"></embed></object><br /><br /><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-004872208103957554 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/zI6SVU7dbK4&hl=en&fs=1&"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-004872208103957554 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/zI6SVU7dbK4&hl=en&fs=1&"></a><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zI6SVU7dbK4&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zI6SVU7dbK4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-2673898595096726632009-07-20T10:15:00.001-07:002009-07-20T10:15:55.248-07:00Coming Soon! Origins: The Mysterious Islands<object height="225" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=5342849&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=5342849&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="225" width="400"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/5342849">Origins "The Mysterious Islands" Teaser</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user587851">Leclerc Brothers Motion Pictures</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p>Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-85577722177335305612009-07-07T16:18:00.001-07:002009-07-07T16:18:43.772-07:00All Three of My Blogs Have Been Redesigned!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bberkom.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZfhy800P7vwOSB-rR71jxK2vvE64NpOmbwBrXtd4vVaIwG2LAA0cQdbEQU-l1WjJlHngnA983E-m1qc778IDmTfvcLZlybJX_3li906BNjzPl2QZMqxh6GPafkEFrZkPbyySihSnMYU/s400/For+His+Name%27s+Sake.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355860671549450034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://confrontingdarwin.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWFE5L6HMZPVkeQ2Ecw9x3kOEmGM5W4TfvpK9dU8tI5UsWPJ6oHQbst5ZZja07hUXCF1_8gsw4Gsaa_5Y8wGkzRZ77aVQwjBP7obkelvKG9BPZngo9cB5L6TFY9X7ivKYMwMi3KtBN6c/s400/Confronting+Darwin.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355860664757461826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bberkomart.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiou_KW5Z8R_3RgxMp1emjR6RChin6U0RNX5YhEFdZzwag1oCXplog1c_d7RRpFD8ZxiDg8CmyJbY6K-CsQAsvYP4gE5as358qRn8WidxVYI-uSuZr2PAFfNaP6Zx5w1kYDGyTnMekR83k/s400/Brushstrokes.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355860660489475362" border="0" /></a>Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-2336345396254606062009-07-06T12:43:00.000-07:002010-03-03T11:02:30.479-08:00Responding to the JudgeThis is an article I pulled from the archives of my <a href="http://bberkom.blogspot.com/">personal blog</a>, in which I responded to a judge's evaluation of a little poem I wrote about Creation, and commented on the controversy in general.<br />___________________________________________________________<br /><br />You already know that so-called "science" and "religion" are at odds today. They're seen as mutually exclusive, so if you want to engage in science, of course you must suspend your beliefs and be "objective." Be careful that you don't come to the table with any preconceptions or a cohesive, decided worldview or you will inevitable skew the scientific process and commit the sin of "subjectivity" in your research. Right?<br /><br />Well, actually no. With that view we now have a problem; how can any scientist be certain that certain laws of nature that were true yesterday will hold true tomorrow? We're trying to be objective here! Why would he expect anything in nature to be uniform or constant, if he doesn't first assume that the laws of nature will continue to act as they always have? You see, the scientist that relies solely on unadulterated observation has no good reason to believe that anything will be the same when he wakes up tomorrow morning. No reason at all.<br /><br />Think about his underlying worldview for a moment. First of all he has outlawed God from the universe--supernatural reality is absurd in his view, and oh so "non-scientific." So what is he left with? Well, to be honest, absolutely nothing. Literally! ;) Without an initial creative act, how could someone postulate that something came from nothing, matter came from non-matter? "Well, that's just one of those things we have to accept by faith!"...though they probably wouldn't express it quite that way. :) Big problem guys. You can't explain to me how something came from nothing, even though that is the fundamental factor for your theory to even have a chance of working?! Evolution falls apart on this point.<br /><br />Obviously evolutionists have a strong commitment to something which prevents them from acknowledging the Creator, and causes them to approach a field which they have no ideological right to, because in their worldview they have no basis for the uniformity of nature. Dad posted some excellent thoughts on this topic <a href="http://berkompasclan.blogspot.com/2008/03/facts-don-speak-for-themselves.html">here</a>.<br /><br />So whatever happened to objectivity Mr. Scientist? You see, we all have preconceptions and fundamental beliefs. But when you're asked to capitulate your position and be "objective," realize that the atheist intends to remain armed.<br /><br />All that by way of introduction, here's the real reason I decided to address this topic. Last week I received the judge's comments on my writing, photography, sketching and painting from the Young Birder of the Year competition, which I recently won. The professional feedback is really valuable and encouraging to me. I try to make a conscious effort to show forth my faith in my work, and last year I wrote a short poem expressing the clarity with which Creation points to its Creator. Read it here: <a href="http://bberkom.blogspot.com/2007/10/confrontation.html">"This Must Be God's Hand"</a>. I realize it's kind of a simplistic piece--I'm not a poet--but I tried to capture something of the wonder of nature and how it rebukes the atheist, materialist worldview.<br /><br />As I excitedly scanned over the judges' reactions I was shocked to learn that I wasn't being "objective!" I mean, I try to be a good ornithologist and be careful about my observations, but all along I guess I was self-deceived. In the spirit of the literary masterpiece, "Little Mouse and the Big Hungry Bear," there's only one way to be a good, objective scientist. It's easy. Simply accept...evolution? Wait a minute...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"This poem definitely evokes wonder. As your study of birds progresses, you may find yourself needing to consider what scientists believe to be the truth of evolution. It's demonstrably visible in the process of speciation, which is going on before our eyes and in our lifetimes. Nothing is static in the natural world, and evolution is an ongoing and vital process that should not be summarily dismissed as random or theoretical..."<br /><br />"I think your style would benefit from a healthy dose of objectivity. Check your beliefs and pre-conceptions at the door and write about and describe what you see and feel. Focus not on how you believe a bird came to be or its purpose in the grand scheme, rather the bird itself, its nature, behavior and essence..."<br /><br /></span>Don't get me wrong. I really appreciate all the comments and insights that the judges bring to my work, but when someone questions the authenticity of doing science from a Christian worldview, I need to respond to that. (If only to clarify what I believe on the subject and how I should answer when questioned) And I don't mean to offend any of these people who lent their time and effort to the judging process--they weren't being harsh. But they are wrong in assuming that a belief in evolution is the only "objective" way to approach science.<br /><br />You know what I find ironic? In the second quote, he tells me to remain objective in my observations, then immediately turns around and tells me to be subjective. See that? If I started to inscribe my personal feelings about a bird in my notebook, how objective is that? Interesting.<br /><br />It all comes down to definitions. When an atheist says "be objective" he means, "Abandon this silly notion that God exists and is the sovereign Creator of the universe." "Stop worshiping the Creator, and instead worship the creature."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures." --Romans 1:18-23<br /><br /></span>What a telling passage. It's an age-old problem folks. We need to understand that the only rational way of doing science is by first accepting God, as He has revealed Himself in Creation and in Scripture, as the only stable foundation for studying the complexities of the things He has created, and continues to sustain through his almighty power and sovereignty. <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-8555022480266320382009-05-30T09:08:00.000-07:002009-05-30T15:58:16.880-07:00Darwin and Racism<div style="text-align: left;">I came across this article today published by CBN. Paul Strand takes a look at the extremely racist underpinnings of historic Darwinism and it's consequences in society over the past century and a half. From the article:<br /><blockquote>Darwin's book on human evolution, <em>The Descent of Man</em>, revealed him as what John West calls "a virulent racist." <p class="adjusted">"He did write extensively about how evolution by natural selection creates unequal races, and that in the evolutionary scheme of things, blacks are the closest to apes," he explained. West is the author of <em>Darwin Day in America</em>.</p> <p class="adjusted">"It's not just residual racism," he added. "He's using his scientific theory as a justification for racism and countless scientists after Darwin latched on to that."</p></blockquote><p class="adjusted"></p></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/547627.aspx"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Read the article - "Confronting Evolution's Racists Roots" </span></span></a><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></div><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>Another resource I recommend is the book <span style="font-style: italic;">Darwin's Plantation: Evolution's Racist Roots</span>, by Ken Ham and Charles Ware. This work has been highly criticized and slandered by countless reviewers (see Amazon.com), but what would you expect? They document the ugly legacy of evolutionary racism and genocide - an aspect of Darwinism which many modern scientists seek to conceal.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.visionforum.com/booksandmedia/productdetail.aspx?productid=75532"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqEJ974bQAPFaUenthhpL-REUjoRHEthko69ci173xkpHK9m83D5ZcAl04JqgsV_8sQf7ReKEwgdSKVenRcu7jH9QfSw7I9VxP0MU60Z_vEKZp-WllCGmArtH1BMorupuIvWBstHgHAmP/s400/Darwins_plantation.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341667691701345090" border="0" /></a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.visionforum.com/booksandmedia/productdetail.aspx?productid=75532">Darwin's Plantation: Evolution's Racist Roots</a><br /></div><br />A few thoughts and excerpts from the book:<br /><blockquote>“Biological arguments for racism may have been common before 1859, but they increased by orders of magnitude following the acceptance of evolutionary theory.” - Stephen Jay Gould, a leading evolutionist (Ontogeny and Phylogeny, 1977)</blockquote>Jim Fletcher, upon visiting the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C., wrote:<br /><blockquote>“The railroad car, once you realize what it represents, forces you in...The odd smell - which many visitors say must be the smell of death - can’t be scrubbed away. It shouldn’t be, for it reminds our senses in a visceral way of what happens when men leave God, and malevolent ideas go unchallenged....When Adolph Hitler looked for a ”final solution“ for what he called the ”Jewish problem“ - the fact of the Jews’ existence - he had only to recall what scientists like Ernest Haeckel and liberal theologians embraced: that a purposeless process, known as evolution, had generated all of life’s complexity, including civilization itself. It had done so through a pitiless procedure of the strong eliminating the weak. As the influence of this idea spread, the Bible was increasingly taught as myth.” (from Darwin’s Plantation, pg. 23-4)</blockquote>Evolutionary thought regarding the origin of races, and the timescale of human development, was lived out in men like Hitler, and produced racial genocide such as that which occurred in Australia. Gathering "specimens" (especially fresh ones) was quite lucrative and highly valued by science because it provided evidence for “missing links.” Grave robbing and murder were rampant. The British museum received somewhere around 10,000 specimens, and today the Smithsonian holds the remains of over 15,000 individuals.<br /><blockquote>"Edward Ramsay, curator of the Australian Museum in Sydney for 20 years starting in 1874, was particularly heavily involved. He published a booklet for the museum that gave instructions not only on how to rob graves, but also on how to plug bullet wounds from freshly killed "specimens." Many freelance collectors worked under his guidance. For example, four weeks after Ramsay had requested skulls of Bungee Blacks, a keen young scientist sent him two of them, announcing, "The last of their tribe, had just been shot." (Darwin’s Plantation, pg. 25)</blockquote><blockquote>"Today, Darwinism and evolutionary thinking also enable ordinary, respectable professionals - otherwise dedicated to the saving of life - to justify their involvement in the slaughter of millions of unborn human beings, who (like the Aborigines of earlier Darwinian thinking) are also deemed “not yet fully human." (Darwin’s Plantation, pg. 26) </blockquote>All of this is shocking and horrifying, but we must understand that without God, man truly <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> reduced to a beastly state, and will try to justify brutality under the guise of "science" and "progress."<br /><br />In a future post, we will examine some of Darwin's personal views regarding slavery (commonly cited as evidence that evolution is not an inherently "racist" worldview), the perception of interracial marriage in the early 1900's, and the Biblical view of race.Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-28487948997247696612009-05-28T10:21:00.000-07:002009-05-28T10:38:27.490-07:00The "Missing Link"In this episode of <a href="http://generationswithvision.com/default.aspx">Generations</a>, Creationist radio host Kevin Swanson comments on "Ida," the supposed "missing link" which was unveiled recently, (and which the media has popularized as our "great great aunt") as well as a number of other issues regarding evolution. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;" class="title"><a href="http://generationswithvision.com/RadioShow.aspx?sid=1162"><span style="font-size:180%;">Finally Found – The Missing Link! </span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i> <!--subtitle--> What it Would Take for a Rational Person to Believe in Evolution</i><br /></div>Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-45537059665446470782009-05-26T15:12:00.000-07:002009-05-26T15:12:00.473-07:00Blog Redesign in the WorksHowdy folks. This is just a heads-up that <span style="font-style: italic;">Confronting Darwin</span> is ready for a redesign. The light text against the black background is difficult to read, and I want to spruce the general design a bit. So here's a sneak-peek at one of my mockups.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOoDqngJBwOa8FUAIlOhGSq6KJVS6Z6sukT7IQh-Vt2t6_EEAIn13EzZJUV-VAO8KjMno3oY0HkKkdsOnh1qpD_cC1ghwH7I-uYBNZr8j3OJs8xr9H7ZWXHPK3slx5Mmqm5x8KOcxwAqG/s1600-h/Darwin-Blog-Template.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOoDqngJBwOa8FUAIlOhGSq6KJVS6Z6sukT7IQh-Vt2t6_EEAIn13EzZJUV-VAO8KjMno3oY0HkKkdsOnh1qpD_cC1ghwH7I-uYBNZr8j3OJs8xr9H7ZWXHPK3slx5Mmqm5x8KOcxwAqG/s400/Darwin-Blog-Template.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339967346479480658" border="0" /></a><br />Now I just need to get this into HTML format to use as a template...Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-25285450137714576102009-05-26T10:37:00.000-07:002009-05-26T10:42:32.795-07:00The Work of His Fingers<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Before the mountains were born</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Or You gave birth to the earth and the world,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />~Psalm 90:2<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JN_j2SVpexCkcs45g07w55dCIGdE4biMMZtLLNH9a_rQVZj8Dj2lZCd2c-WHkdbyJgSTfvcIswRHSLNc02-pMv_05Ot4O0e3rXgkO0aGL8qRHL_VQEneGoUc9yBEkhJfmpy-Os5W59YD/s1600-h/Grand+Canyon.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JN_j2SVpexCkcs45g07w55dCIGdE4biMMZtLLNH9a_rQVZj8Dj2lZCd2c-WHkdbyJgSTfvcIswRHSLNc02-pMv_05Ot4O0e3rXgkO0aGL8qRHL_VQEneGoUc9yBEkhJfmpy-Os5W59YD/s400/Grand+Canyon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340188883783382514" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I intend to post some commentary and images from my trip to Grand Canyon at some point. For now, I hope you enjoy the image. It's a truly spectacular sight.<br /></div></div>Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-70954580183615431992009-05-25T16:42:00.000-07:002009-05-25T14:04:06.948-07:00What do we do with the environment?<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Attenborough blames Genesis for ecological devastation</span><br /></div><blockquote>"The influence of the book of Genesis, which says, "The Lord God said 'go forth and multiply' to Adam and Eve, and that the natural world is there for you to dominate. You have dominion over the animals and plants of the world." And that basic notion, that the world is there<span style="font-style: italic;"> for</span> us, and that if it doesn’t act to serve our purposes it is dispensable--that has produced the devastation of vast areas of the earth’s surface. Of course, this is a great simplification. But that’s why Darwinism and the fact of evolution is of great importance, because it is <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> attitude [Creationism] which has led to the devastation of so much, and is why we’re in the situation that we’re in." - <span style="font-weight: bold;">David Attenborough</span><br /></blockquote><br /><br /><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-002407032347149418 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/uz7U4k522Pg&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-002407032347149418 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/uz7U4k522Pg&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-002407032347149418 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/uz7U4k522Pg&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-002407032347149418 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/uz7U4k522Pg&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-002407032347149418 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/uz7U4k522Pg&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-002407032347149418 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/uz7U4k522Pg&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-002407032347149418 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/uz7U4k522Pg&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-002407032347149418 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/uz7U4k522Pg&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 15px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-002407032347149418 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/uz7U4k522Pg&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></a><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uz7U4k522Pg&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uz7U4k522Pg&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Biblical view of environmental stewardship</span><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />First of all, I want to quote what God <span style="font-style: italic;">actually</span> said in Genesis (since Attenborough's paraphrase was less-than-accurate).<br /><blockquote>Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so. - <span style="font-weight: bold;">Genesis 1:26-30</span></blockquote>For the sake of time (mine and yours) I will briefly summarize the issue in four bullet points, addressing the macro-level arguments from a Creationist, Christian perspective. I will be referencing a <a href="http://www.acton.org/ppolicy/environment/ppolicy_environment_theology_m_protest.php">Protestant position paper</a> on the issue, published by the <a href="http://www.acton.org/">Acton Institute</a> in their 2007 release, <a href="http://www.acton.org/ppolicy/environment/ppolicy_environment_theology_monograph.php">Environmental Stewardship in the Judeo-Christian Tradition</a>, which I believe to be a succinct, solid overview of the Christian position on environmental stewardship.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >I. Biblical Stewardship: Conditions and Qualifications</span><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;">"Two groups of interrelated conditions are necessary for responsible stewardship. In one group are conditions related to the freedom that allows people to use and exchange the fruits of their labor for mutual benefit (Matt. 20:13—15). These conditions–<span style="font-weight: bold;">knowledge, righteousness, and dominion</span>–provide an arena for the working out of the image of God in the human person. In another group are conditions related to <span style="font-weight: bold;">responsibility</span>, especially to the existence of a legal framework that holds people <span style="font-weight: bold;">accountable</span> for harm they may cause to others (Rom. 13:1—7; Exod. 21:28—36; 22:5—6). These two sets of conditions provide the safeguards necessitated by human sinfulness. Both sets are essential to responsible stewardship; neither may be permitted to crowd out the other, and each must be understood in light of both the image of God and the sinfulness of man."</span></li></ul><ul><li>Thus we are not free to do whatever we please with God's creation (including our own bodies by the way), but are restrained in our actions by the principles of righteousness and responsibility laid forth in His Word, and are accountable to the sanctions and authority of His Law. Dominion is therefore not the mindset that "if [the earth] doesn’t act to serve our purposes it is dispensable." It is the solemn obligation laid on humanity to care for the earth in a manner consistent with the created order. </li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >II. We are "Created in His Image"</span><br /><ul><li>Mankind is NOT a product of natural processes (a.k.a. “mother earth”).<br /></li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/media/image/cartoons/after-eden/mother"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 367px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCBvBCoYWQOD4LMI6Rj_mtL3MTGbyJwx4E7y8VknYmgkxl1UidfoY1yKtCkr39e0Qn53FuyXV-bZUYKD_mxDSRZcw2JoaDUHcQetOwdUdRIAd9LsZtn7gZ1KLMHK9KFiOxPXKvg4-yEJc/s400/Mother+Earth.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339857717304609714" border="0" /></a><br /><ul><li>The predominant view today is one where man - as a "child of nature" - must necessarily subordinate himself to "mother earth," and assume an equal or inferior position to the natural world around him. So, if an endangered field mouse and a farmer happen to occupy and use the same plot of land, the farmer automatically gets the boot.<br /></li></ul><ul><li>According to Genesis man and woman were given a privileged status in Creation, and were commanded by God to exercise stewardship and dominion. The Lord said, "Rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth." </li></ul><ul><li>This brings us to what is commonly called the "Creator / Creature distinction." God is God, and we are His creatures and subject to His rule. In our capacity as stewards, we are to act as responsible agents of His benevolent rule, not autonomous destroyers of His good gifts.<br /></li></ul><ul><li>Having established the clear Biblical <span style="font-style: italic;">hierarchy</span> of the created order (God - man - natural world), let's make sure we have our <span style="font-style: italic;">priorities</span> straight. As we said above, we do not advocate the subordination of man to the earth (i.e. the field mouse analogy), but instead place first priority on human well-being. “The quest for the humane treatment of beasts by lowering people to the level of animals leads only to the beastly treatment of humans.” By keeping mankind in his Biblical role as steward, we not only promote the betterment of society, the freedom for economic growth, and the health of the environment, but we stridently oppose the environmental slavery which drives so many countries (especially third-world countries) in the exact opposite direction.<br /></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >III. Biblical Checks and Balances</span><br /><ul><li> “People, alone among creatures on earth, have both the rationality and the moral capacity to exercise stewardship, to be accountable for their choices, to take responsibility for caring not only for themselves but also for other creatures. To reject human stewardship is to embrace, by default, no stewardship.”</li></ul><ul><li>Government is not to usurp the responsibility of individuals to exercise stewardship - it exists to restrain evil and to encourage and reinforce righteousness. When people become enslaved to the natural world by tyrannical governmental measures, free market economies become impossible, innovation is stifled and poverty prevails (i.e. third-world countries are sacrificed as a result of stringent environmental measures imposed by wealthy nations)</li></ul><ul><li>"Our stewardship under God implies that we are morally accountable to him for treating creation in a manner that best serves the objectives of the kingdom of God; but both moral accountability and dominion over the earth depend on the freedom to choose. The exercise of these virtues and this calling, therefore, require that we act in an arena of considerable freedom–not unrestricted license, but freedom exercised within the boundaries of God’s moral law revealed in Scripture and in the human conscience (Exod. 20:1—17; Deut. 5:6—21; Rom. 2:14—15)."</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >IV. Conclusion</span><br /><ul><li>“Patrick Moore, one of the founders of Greenpeace International, said in an interview in the New Scientist in December 1999, "The environmental movement abandoned science and logic somewhere in the mid-1980s\... political activists were using environmental rhetoric to cover up agendas that had more to do with class warfare and anti-corporatism than with the actual science...." What we have said above indicates that Moore was right in his critique of the movement to which he made such an important early contribution. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Too often, modern environmentalism has become anti-human, anti-freedom, anti-economic development, and anti-reason. </span>It is time to reverse this trend.” [emphasis added]<br /></li></ul><ul><li>“On the basis of a biblical worldview and ethics, as well as of sound science, economics, and public policy principles, we believe sound environmental stewardship celebrates and promotes human life, freedom, and economic development as compatible with, even essential for, the good of the whole environment. While we do not rule out all collective action, we believe market mechanisms are frequently better means, in both principle and practice, to environmental protection. They are less likely to erode important human freedoms and more likely to be cost-effective and successful in achieving their aims. While we understand that passions may energize in the pursuit of sound environmental policy, we also believe that reason, coupled with a commitment to "do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with … God" (Mic. 6:8), must ultimately guide environmental policy."<br /></li></ul>Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096883933061704803.post-69130026087057262442009-05-19T10:24:00.001-07:002009-05-19T16:17:28.682-07:00The Devolution of Law<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.visionforum.com/booksandmedia/productdetail.aspx?productid=44582&categoryid=126"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQN3nsC8Lwe8Oh2BKVrLRVGDGtE2sfQkQQqsFVjaWS2uy8-prCDyXVWrXqQhjzib3lngNR1Us6p8H8W5a5tO6gmpoYggz8NnPfzrMhHaT-M9ujYbO5VxuQ3OmuXNBRzZOAaKEurvoQIIY/s400/Devolution-of-Law.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337587295263915218" border="0" /></a><blockquote><br /><span style="font-style: italic;" id="ProductDetail1_lblDescription">"Evolution has affected the thinking of our culture at every level: theology, family life, art, business, law, and public policy. Even Christians have become afraid of the Bible in some of the most practical ways, and as a result, our families are falling apart. This is not a day for timidity and complacency. In this message, Doug Phillips explains how the Word of God gives answers to every area of life, including law, how Christians may identify evolutionary assumptions that have crept into our way of thinking, and how they may powerfully give an answer to the lies of cultural evolutionists."</span></blockquote>Benjamin Berkompashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820435200585146698noreply@blogger.com0