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Creation Museum
Chris E. Steele
Imagine that — a multi-million dollar, high-tech
museum that depicts the creation account and stories of the book
of Genesis as scientific and historical fact. The Creation Museum
in Petersburg, Kentucky opened its doors to the public on Memorial
Day. Oh, but this has caused a stir in the so-called scientific
community! More than 600 “academics” have signed a petition
warning parents and teachers that students who accept the arguments
the Creation Museum presents as scientifically valid, are “unlikely
to succeed in science courses at the college level.” This
is an interesting argument since one of the founders of the museum
is a former science teacher.
Are science and Bible truth opposed to one another?
Pure and basic scientific principles do not contradict the biblical
account of creation, which would include the fact that dinosaurs
and man lived on the earth at the same time. This may go against
the thinking of some atheists or compromising intellectuals “Christians,”
but it is not illogical nor is it unscientific.
Are we not just a little curious as to why, after
several decades of teaching the theory of evolution as fact in the
classroom, that polls consistently show nearly half of Americans
believe God created human beings in their present form less than
10,000 years ago, and only about 13 percent believe God had nothing
to do with the origin of life? The controversy even entered into
the Republican presidential debate recently, when three of the candidates
raised their hands when asked who did not believe in evolution.
The executive director of the National Center for
Science Education still insists, “The science in the museum
is so inaccurate it's really going to further undermine the public
understanding of science in the United States.” One science
teacher said that children who visit the museum are going to be
confused now, and teachers are going to be accused of lying. According
to these folks about 151 million people (half the population of
United States—according to the poll above) and their children
are confused and their understanding of science has been undermined.
Evidently the opponents of the Creation Museum
have forgotten their roots. Some of the greatest scientific minds
in history were deeply religious and believers in God and the Scriptures.
An interesting article written by Wayne Jackson at ChristianCourier.com
lists several of these. Some research from brother Jackson’s
work are included here.
Johanne Kepler (1571-1630) was one
of the greatest astronomers that ever lived. In his writings he
spoke of God as Creator of all things.
Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) was a remarkable
mathematician and philosopher who maintained that perfect knowledge
comes only through Christian revelation.
Robert Boyle (1627-1691) is called
the “father of modern chemistry.” He studied both the
Scriptures and science equally.
Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) has
been called “one of the greatest names in the history of human
thought.” He also studied both the Scriptures and science.
Of Michael Faraday (1791-1867) it
was said, that he “is ranked as one of the most brilliant
experimentalists science has ever known.” He believed that
“the unity of the universe derived from the unity and benevolence
of its Creator.”
Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) is the
father of modern bacteriology with great contributions to medicine
and chemistry. Pasteur’s discoveries had a humbling effect
on him as he thought of divine creation.
George Washington Carver (1864-1943)
marveled at God’s fascinating creation. He said his work on
the peanut was an attempt to discover why God made it.
Wernher Von Braun (1912-1977) was
one of the pioneers of modern rocketry and was perhaps the leading
force behind America’s space program. He wrote: “It
is as difficult for me to understand a scientist who does not acknowledge
the presence of a superior rationality behind the existence of the
universe…”
Are we not just a little curious once again, as to why teachers
are not telling us about all of the beliefs and accomplishments
of these renown scientists?
At the grand opening of the Creation Museum some
scientists, teachers, and “moderate Christians” were
picketing outside with signs saying, “Thou shalt not lie.”
This was directed toward the creators of the museum, but there’s
an old saying, “If the shoe fits…”
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