The Beginning of Knowledge
As our children and young people have returned to
school and college, I’ve noticed the returning of an old debate,
Creation vs. Evolution. There’s a new twist to this argument brought
about by a concept known as "Intelligent Design". As I write
these lines there is a huge controversy at Iowa State University
because a professor has dared to suggest that Intelligent Design (ID)
should be included as an alternative theory to evolution in science
classes. You would think that in a day when "tolerance" and
"diversity" are championed, that the notion of intelligent
design would be welcomed as another plausible theory to consider in
the subject of origins. But instead, 124 professors have signed a
petition against allowing ID to be represented in the science classes
at ISU. That sounds a lot like intolerance and censorship to me.
What is Intelligent Design? It is the belief that the
Earth is so unique and its life forms so complex, that there must have
been an "intelligent designer" behind it all. We who are
Biblical Creationists go farther than that. Though we are grateful for
ID’s rejection of evolution and acknowledgment of some kind of
Higher Power that designed everything, we believe in the literal
account of creation in Genesis and we acknowledge the Creator to be
the God of the Bible, Jehovah, the Most High God who revealed Himself
to Abraham. We believe He chose the nation of Israel through which
came the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who lived, died, and rose again for
our justification. We believe there is no other name, no other Savior,
no other mediator through whom we can be saved. We believe Jesus is
THE way, the Truth, and the Life. We believe salvation is by grace
through faith in the person and finished work of the Lord Jesus. We
believe it is both possible and necessary to know Christ in a personal
way, having a relationship with the Creator that is real, relevant,
and reassuring.
At least 3 times in scripture we are told, "The
fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge/wisdom" (Ps.
111:10, Prov. 1:7, 9:10). No matter where or how our children are
educated, let’s make sure we teach and train them to fear the LORD.
The Bible puts it this way in Jer. 9:23-24, "Thus says the LORD,
‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom...but let him who glories,
glory in this, that he understands and knows ME, that I am the
Lord..." Yes, this is the beginning of knowledge. Tragically,
most educators today intentionally ignore God, suppress the truth, and
"professing to be wise, they become fools", Rom. 1:22. And
they are "always learning and never able to come to the knowledge
of the truth", II Tim. 3:7.
May we who know the Lord in a personal way, "Let
our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works and
glorify our Father in Heaven", Mt. 5:16.
"O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder;
Consider all the worlds thy hands hath made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God to Thee;
How great thou art, How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior, God to Thee;
How great thou art - How Great Thou Art!"