Thursday, February 28, 2013

Joel Osteen a Consultant on Upcoming Bible Miniseries

Posted by Christine Pack

A new miniseries entitled The Bible will be shown on the History Channel in March 2013. This miniseries was produced by former Touched By An Angel actress Roma Downey and her husband, Mark Burnett. Unfortunately, and as much as I would like to be genuinely excited about this upcoming program, I have concerns about what message this miniseries might convey. Roma Downey, although a lovely and talented actress, is a devout Roman Catholic with New Age type views. Her close friendship with fellow Touched actress Della Reese resulted in New Thought minister Della Reese performing the marriage ceremony for Roma Downey and her husband, Mark Burnett. (You can learn more about Della Reese's New Thought/New Age beliefs here.)  The Wall Street Journal also reported on Dec 16, 2012 that "Word of Faith" pastor Joel Osteen worked closely with the producers on this film, as well as megachurch pastor Rick Warren and TD Jakes, another Word of Faith/prosperity preacher. (You can review the Board of Advisors for the Bible miniseries here.) With this is mind, I'm thinking there will be some serious theological weaknesses in the final product. From the Wall Street Journal article titled 'The Voice' Creator Mark Burnett Hears a Higher Calling:
In recent years (Producer Mark) Burnett and (his wife, actress Roma) Downey have become friends with celebrity televangelist Joel Osteen, who preaches at a church in Houston that is home to the largest congregation in the U.S. Mr. Osteen is advising Mr. Burnett on the show.
"He's been to [our church] several times and we come over to their house for dinner and things like that," Mr. Osteen said.
Trailer for the upcoming miniseries:




 Additional Resources 

Theological Errors of the History Channel's Bible Miniseries, Part 1

Rick Warren Lays Out The Theology of The History Channel Miniseries, The Bible

Roma Downey on Being Catholic

The History Channel’s Bible Miniseries Mishandling of God’s Word

T.D. Jakes Working The Crowd

Touched By An Angel, But Which Kind?

The Bible Miniseries Board of Advisors

Dr. John MacArthur Names Joel Osteen a "Mouthpiece For Satan"

Pastor Justin Peters Biblically Exposes the Word of Faith "Prosperity Gospel"

Joel Osteen Not Sure If Jesus Christ Is the Only Way to Heaven

Joel Osteen's New Age Teaching and Worldview

Monday, February 18, 2013

Natural = Better? [UPDATED]

Posted by Sola Sisters

When it comes to food, does "natural" automatically equal "better?" If this is your thinking, I have some food for thought for you. While I do agree that eating food that is less processed is probably more healthy than eating food that is highly processed, we also should remember that Jesus himself declared ALL foods clean:
“Nothing outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him ‘unclean.’” After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him ‘unclean’? For it doesn’t go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods “clean.") (Mark 7:15-19, my emphasis)
Another thought: When Adam and Eve sinned and brought about the Fall, ALL of the world was cursed, including the plants.
"To Adam, God said, 'Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, You must not eat from it, Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life." (Gen 3:17)
"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." (Rom 8:22)
So going back to nature and revering natural, plant-based food, treatments, etc. as automatically better, or somehow more pure, is faulty thinking. The plants were also subject to the curse.

Some more verses to consider:
"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed." (1 Tim 4:1-6, my emphasis)
Obviously, we need to follow biblical principles when it comes to food, and in this area, God's word is not completely silent on the matter: we ought not be gluttonous, we mustn't make food an idol, and we should give thanks for what the Lord has provided. But what I am finding today is that many Christians I run into have the most incredibly strong opinions when it comes to food, often to the point of attaching spiritual significance to their food choices. Now, perhaps I'm ultra-attuned to picking up on this, having once been enslaved myself to legalistic ideas about food that involved, yes, attaching spiritual significance to my food choices. You see, as a New Ager, I had been a militant vegetarian, who only ever ate anything organic, whole grain, and minimally processed. At the time, I don't think I would have said that I viewed my choices as being morally superior to other people's choices, but looking back, it's absolutely clear to me that I did. And then, even as a new Christian, I still held on to some of my (militant) ideas about food, and for a brief season in my early Christian walk accepted the Hebrew Roots teaching about following the Leviticus food laws. I am somewhat embarrassed to admit this, but I was one of those who would chastise, brow-beat and question the intelligence and diligence of anyone who didn't have some arduous Food Plan for themselves and for their families.  However, as God began to sanctify me over time, He also was really working in my heart about my food legalism. But it has taken me 10 years to get to the place I am now. Ten years.

Please hear what I'm saying: I am not saying that anyone else is in bondage to food legalism, or that anyone who desires to make healthier food choices is automatically a legalist. What I am doing is sounding the alarm that Christians ought to be on guard against unwittingly taking on worldly concepts about their food choices. I'm saying this because the New Age teaching I was under has gone from being something that only a very small minority of people in this country believed and acted upon to becoming pretty much mainstreamed. This subtle New Age teaching is everywhere in the culture now, and the teaching is this: your food choices have a moral component to them. But this is simply not true, and I think I've biblically made my case about this.
"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer." (1 Tim 4:1-5)
Please also understand, again, that I am not saying we shouldn't be wise about our food choices, but at the same time, we can take this too far, until it almost becomes an obsession with some. The problem I see is when Christians begin to equate eating processed food with being sinful, OR the inverse: they sometimes seem to equate eating unprocessed food as being somehow more righteous or more virtuous, as if there were some moral/spiritual component to our decisions about food. Having said all that, my personal preference is still to eat a minimally processed diet, lots of fruits and veggies, etc. In fact, I have been teased by some friends that I must be part Amish, because I grind my own wheat for making bread (yes, I really do). But at the same time, I want to be balanced in my thinking, and be able to be like Paul, content in any and every circumstance. What this means for me is that I desire, by God's grace, to be content whether I am eating as I prefer, that is to say, food that is fresh and minimally processed, or, whether I'm eating a Chick-Fil-A sandwich and waffle fries on the fly.
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:11-13)
And one last thing: I would also add that it seems that people (even Christians) who go overboard with all of this stuff seem to forget that we all will die one day. We are so easily distracted from eternal things......looking for perfect health and/or long, physical life. Perhaps we should remember that our lives are but a vapor (James 4:14) and focus more on our glorified bodies that only union with Christ will bring (Philippians 3:20-21), though I am somewhat leery of even posting this comment, over concern that fellow Christians will say I am advocating mistreating our bodies, which I most assuredly am not. Fellow Christians, I am simply exhorting that we not make food - mere food - more important than it is. Let's not make food an idol.

For additional teaching on this from God's word, please see Colossians 2:16, Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8, 9 and 10.

(Please note that the post above was made by a former health food idolator and "natural" junkie. Please bear this in mind before the knives come out.....this is not an issue I've thought through carelessly or lightly. In fact, this article has been brewing in my brain for many months now. I have been researching, discussing, thinking about, and basically living out my ideas about food for more than 30 years now, beginning when I was 14 years old and used my own money to begin buying Health magazine. I know that food is a highly charged topic in the time we live in, and with that in mind, may we all endeavor, by God's grace, to always be submitting all of our ideas to the authority of God's Word.)

photo credit: moirabot via photopin cc


 Additional Resources 

Does the Root Word of "Pharmaceutical" (Pharmakeia/φαρμακεία) Mean That Pharmaceutical Drugs Are Rooted In the Occult/Sorcery? (Sola Sisters)

Alternative Medicine: A Mind Blowing Magical Mystery Tour  (Free, online e-book exposing the unsubstantiated claims [both currently and historically] made about many "natural" remedies)

Are We All Syncretists Now? A Conversation About Evangelical Christianity and Alternative Medicine with Historian Candy Gunther Brown (Dr. Al Mohler)

The Debate About GMO Safety is Over
 (Forbes Magazine)

The Whole Foods Movement and the Developing World

Wellness: The New Age Trojan Horse in Healthcare (Marcia Montenegro)

Update: Ingrid Schlueter Interviews Marcia Montenegro and Christine Pack (Crosstalk at VCY America 4/26/11) to Discuss The Wellness Article - you may listen here

Hospitals: A New Dark Age? (Marcia Montenegro)

Tapping: The Next Big Thing in Alternative Medicine (Sola Sisters)

No Scientific Evidence For "Chi" or "Qi"
 (NYU Langone Medical Center)


Problems with Alternative Medicine (Marcia Montenegro)

 Warnings About Homeopathy 

 Warnings About Alternative Treatments 

Alternative Medicine: A Mind Blowing Magical Mystery Tour
  (Online e-book exposing the unsubstantiated claims [both currently and historically] made about many "natural" remedies.....I highly recommend this eye-opening, FREE ebook)
The Truth About Nutritional Supplements (Fitness Magazine, 10-01-2009)

Safety and Regulation of Dietary Supplements (NPR radio interview, 7-16-2014)

Dietary And Herbal Supplements Could Interfere With Prescription Drugs (Medical News Today)

Herbal Supplements May Not Mix With Heart Medicines (Mayo Clinic)

5 Risky Herbal Supplements: Even Though They're Natural, Some Herbal Supplements Can Be Dangerous (Web MD)

Warning: Herbal Supplements Don't Always Go Well With Heart Drugs (U.S. News and World Report)


Severe liver damage from certain dietary aid supplements  (Examiner, links to archived New York Times article, 11-3-13)


 Warnings About Essential Oils 

The Christian and Essential Oils: A Few Thoughts [UPDATED] (Sola Sisters)

Essential Oils Revisited (Sola Sisters)

Aromatherapy: Biblical Path to Healing or Demonic Deception? (Chuck and Julie Cohen)

A Critique of David Stewart's Healing Oils of the Bible (Marcia Montenegro)

How To Use Essential Oils: A Step-By-Step Guide (satire, warning: some mild language)


 Warnings About Essential Oil Toxicity 


Essential Oil Safety: Documented Side Effects, Injuries, and Deaths from Essential Oil Ingestion (Hub Pages)

Eucalyptus Oil and Essential Oils Poisoning (The Royal Children's Hospital - Melbourne, AU)

Can Aromatherapy Oils Poison You? How Tiny Particles 'May Damage Liver and Kidneys' (Daily Mail, UK)

Hidden Dangers of Essential Oils: The Frightening Truth About Natural Remedies Such as Olbas Oil Which Can Cause Heart Problems, Convulsions and Eye Ulcers (Daily Mail, UK)

Danger for Cats: Essential Oils (Articulate Animals Blog)

Warning About Peppermint Oil Overdose (New York Times)

Shannon: Haddad and Winchester's Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose, 4th ed.

Toxic Effects of Essential Oils - Addresses Oils Taken Orally and Externally (The Research Pedia)


 Sola Sisters Facebook Wall Threads - Essential Oils 


Sola Sisters Facebook wall - February 23, 2014
Sola Sisters Facebook wall - April 24, 2014
Sola Sisters Facebook wall -April 26, 2014
Sola Sisters Facebook wall - June 28, 2014 (general warning about essential oils) 
Sola Sisters Facebook wall - June 30, 2014 (critique of essential oils/YL by Chuck and Julie Cohen)
Sola Sisters Facebook wall - July 11, 2014 (should Christians partner with companies who market their products with unbiblical spiritual concepts?)
Sola Sisters Facebook wall - July 28, 2014 (discussion re: Sola Sisters' concerns about YL/alternative)

 John Ankerberg Resources and Articles 

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Can't Be a Christian AND a Young Earth Scientist? Tell It To These Guys.

Posted by Christine Pack


I can't even begin to express how instrumental Answers in Genesis was in helping to form my biblical worldview. As a new Christian, I was still pretty evolutionary in my thinking. Then along came AIG.  I remember going through their LONG list of Young Earth scientists and just being amazed! And here's why: I had always been told and taught, from grade school all the way up through college, that science had "proved" evolution. Evolution was "fact." So, having had this life-long indoctrination, the first time I ever heard of "Young Earthers" as a new Christian, I immediately thought (okay, I'm just being honest here), "cult!" But then several years later, along came Answers in Genesis, and here were all these scientists, many of them with multiple and advanced degrees in the sciences.  In other words, it's not like these were guys with their PhDs in Literature or something, weighing in on subjects they hadn't studied. These were scientists who had studied Archaeology, Biology, Zoology, Geology, Physics, Chemistry, Palaeontology, etc., etc., and who, after studying the evidence, were saying, "It points to Young Earth, and here's why...." Bottom line: I just really like how these scientists, working alongside Answers in Genesis, have turned that condescending, worldly dismissal of the Young Earth view on its ear. There are no "village idiots" in this bunch, my friends. You can say a lot of things about this group of scientists, but one thing you can't say is that they're stupid. In fact, I believe that God is using the ministry of Answers in Genesis to respond to the mockers of this age:
"It is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.' Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" (1 Corinthians 1:19-20)
From the Answers in Genesis website:
 Can Creationists Be Real Scientists? 
Many secular and atheist groups mock Answers in Genesis and the Creation Museum for not being scientific. However, some of the most influential scientists past and present have been and are creationists (see below). 
Read our position 
See what others are saying 
 Some Modern Scientists Who Have Accepted the Biblical Account of Creation: 
■ Dr. William Arion, Biochemistry, Chemistry
■ Dr. Paul Ackerman, Psychologist
■ Dr. E. Theo Agard, Medical Physics
■ Dr. Steve Austin, Geologist
■ Dr. S.E. Aw, Biochemist
■ Dr. Thomas Barnes, Physicist
■ Dr. Geoff Barnard, Immunologist
■ Dr. John Baumgardner, Electrical Engineering, Space Physicist, Geophysicist, expert in supercomputer modeling of plate tectonics
■ Dr. Jerry Bergman, Psychologist
■ Dr. Kimberly Berrine, Microbiology & Immunology
■ Prof. Vladimir Betina, Microbiology, Biochemistry & Biology
■ Dr. Andrew Bosanquet, Biology, Microbiology
■ Edward A. Boudreaux, Theoretical Chemistry
■ Dr. David R. Boylan, Chemical Engineer
■ Prof. Linn E. Carothers, Associate Professor of Statistics
■ Dr. Rob Carter, Marine Biology
■ Prof. Sung-Do Cha, Physics
■ Dr. Eugene F. Chaffin, Professor of Physics
■ Dr. Choong-Kuk Chang, Genetic Engineering
■ Prof. Jeun-Sik Chang, Aeronautical Engineering
■ Dr. Donald Chittick, Physical Chemist
■ Prof. Chung-Il Cho, Biology Education
■ Dr. John M. Cimbala, Mechanical Engineering
■ Dr. Harold Coffin, Palaeontologist
■ Timothy C. Coppess, M.S., Environmental Scientist
■ Dr. Bob Compton, DVM
■ Dr. Ken Cumming, Biologist
■ Dr. Jack W. Cuozzo, Dentist
■ Dr. William M. Curtis III, Th.D., Th.M., M.S., Aeronautics & Nuclear Physics
■ Dr. Malcolm Cutchins, Aerospace Engineering
■ Dr. Lionel Dahmer, Analytical Chemist
■ Dr. Raymond V. Damadian, M.D., Pioneer of magnetic resonance imaging
■ Dr. Chris Darnbrough, Biochemist
■ Dr. Nancy M. Darrall, Botany
■ Dr. Bryan Dawson, Mathematics
■ Dr. Douglas Dean, Biological Chemistry
■ Prof. Stephen W. Deckard, Assistant Professor of Education
■ Dr. David A. DeWitt, Biology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience
■ Dr. Don DeYoung, Astronomy, atmospheric physics, M.Div
■ Dr. Geoff Downes, Creationist Plant Physiologist
■ Dr. Ted Driggers, Operations research
■ Robert H. Eckel, Medical Research
■ Dr. André Eggen, Geneticist
■ Dr. Dudley Eirich, Molecular Biologist
■ Prof. Dennis L. Englin, Professor of Geophysics
■ Dr. Andrew J. Fabich, Microbiology
■ Prof. Danny Faulkner, Astronomy
■ Prof. Carl B. Fliermans, Professor of Biology
■ Prof. Dwain L. Ford, Organic Chemistry
■ Dr. Kenneth W. Funk, Organic Chemistry
■ Prof. Robert H. Franks, Associate Professor of Biology
■ Dr. Alan Galbraith, Watershed Science
■ Dr. Paul Giem, Medical Research
■ Dr. Maciej Giertych, Geneticist
■ Dr. Duane Gish, Biochemist
■ Dr. Werner Gitt, Information Scientist
■ Dr. Warwick Glover, General Surgeon
■ Dr. D.B. Gower, Biochemistry
■ Dr. Robin Greer, Chemist, History
■ Dr. Stephen Grocott, Chemist
■ Dr. Vicki Hagerman, DMV
■ Dr. Donald Hamann, Food Scientist
■ Dr. Barry Harker, Philosopher
■ Dr. Charles W. Harrison, Applied Physicist, Electromagnetics
■ Dr. Mark Harwood, Engineering (satellite specialist)
■ Dr. George Hawke, Environmental Scientist
■ Dr. Margaret Helder, Science Editor, Botanist
■ Dr. Harold R. Henry, Engineer
■ Dr. Jonathan Henry, Astronomy
■ Dr. Joseph Henson, Entomologist
■ Dr. Robert A. Herrmann, Professor of Mathematics, US Naval Academy
■ Dr. Andrew Hodge, Head of the Cardiothoracic Surgical Service
■ Dr. Kelly Hollowell, Molecular and Cellular Pharmacologist
■ Dr. Ed Holroyd, III, Atmospheric Science
■ Dr. Bob Hosken, Biochemistry
■ Dr. George F. Howe, Botany
■ Dr. Neil Huber, Physical Anthropologist
■ Dr. James A. Huggins, Professor and Chair, Department of Biology
■ Evan Jamieson, Hydrometallurgy
■ George T. Javor, Biochemistry
■ Dr. Arthur Jones, Biology
■ Dr. Jonathan W. Jones, Plastic Surgeon
■ Dr. Raymond Jones, Agricultural Scientist
■ Prof. Leonid Korochkin, Molecular Biology
■ Dr. William F. Kane, (Civil) Geotechnical Engineering
■ Dr. Valery Karpounin, Mathematical Sciences, Logics, Formal Logics
■ Dr. Dean Kenyon, Biologist
■ Prof. Gi-Tai Kim, Biology
■ Prof. Harriet Kim, Biochemistry
■ Prof. Jong-Bai Kim, Biochemistry
■ Prof. Jung-Han Kim, Biochemistry
■ Prof. Jung-Wook Kim, Environmental Science
■ Prof. Kyoung-Rai Kim, Analytical Chemistry
■ Prof. Kyoung-Tai Kim, Genetic Engineering
■ Prof. Young-Gil Kim, Materials Science
■ Prof. Young In Kim, Engineering
■ Dr. John W. Klotz, Biologist
■ Dr. Vladimir F. Kondalenko, Cytology/Cell Pathology
■ Dr. Leonid Korochkin, M.D., Genetics, Molecular Biology, Neurobiology
■ Dr. John K.G. Kramer, Biochemistry
■ Dr. Johan Kruger, Zoology
■ Prof. Jin-Hyouk Kwon, Physics
■ Prof. Myung-Sang Kwon, Immunology
■ Dr. John G. Leslie, Biochemist, Physician, Archaeologist
■ Dr. Jason Lisle, Astrophysicist
■ Dr. Alan Love, Chemist
■ Dr. Ian Macreadie, molecular biologist and microbiologist:
■ Dr. John Marcus, Molecular Biologist
■ Dr. Ronald C. Marks, Associate Professor of Chemistry
■ Dr. George Marshall, Eye Disease Researcher
■ Dr. Ralph Matthews, Radiation Chemist
■ Dr. John McEwan, Chemist
■ Prof. Andy McIntosh, Combustion theory, aerodynamics
■ Dr. David Menton, Anatomist
■ Dr. Angela Meyer, Creationist Plant Physiologist
■ Dr. John Meyer, Physiologist
■ Dr. Albert Mills, Animal Embryologist/Reproductive Physiologist
■ Colin W. Mitchell, Geography
■ Dr. Tommy Mitchell, Physician
■ Dr. John N. Moore, Science Educator
■ Dr. John W. Moreland, Mechanical engineer and Dentist
■ Dr. Henry M. Morris (1918–2006), founder of the Institute for Creation Research.
■ Dr. Arlton C. Murray, Paleontologist
■ Dr. John D. Morris, Geologist
■ Dr. Len Morris, Physiologist
■ Dr. Graeme Mortimer, Geologist
■ Dr. Terry Mortenson, History of Geology
■ Stanley A. Mumma, Architectural Engineering
■ Prof. Hee-Choon No, Nuclear Engineering
■ Dr. Eric Norman, Biomedical researcher
■ Dr. David Oderberg, Philosopher
■ Prof. John Oller, Linguistics
■ Prof. Chris D. Osborne, Assistant Professor of Biology
■ Dr. John Osgood, Medical Practitioner
■ Dr. Charles Pallaghy, Botanist
■ Dr. Gary E. Parker, Biologist, Cognate in Geology (Paleontology)
■ Dr. David Pennington, Plastic Surgeon
■ Prof. Richard Porter
■ Dr. Georgia Purdom, Molecular Genetics
■ Dr. John Rankin, Cosmologist
■ Dr. A.S. Reece, M.D.
■ Prof. J. Rendle-Short, Pediatrics
■ Dr. Jung-Goo Roe, Biology
■ Dr. David Rosevear, Chemist
■ Dr. Ariel A. Roth, Biology
■ Dr. Joachim Scheven Palaeontologist:
■ Dr. Ian Scott, Educator
■ Dr. Saami Shaibani, Forensic physicist
■ Dr. Young-Gi Shim, Chemistry
■ Prof. Hyun-Kil Shin, Food Science
■ Dr. Mikhail Shulgin, Physics
■ Dr. Roger Simpson, Engineer
■ Dr. Harold Slusher, Geophysicist
■ Dr. E. Norbert Smith, Zoologist
■ George S. Smith, M.S., Chemistry
■ Dr. Andrew Snelling, Geologist
■ Prof. Man-Suk Song, Computer Science
■ Dr. Timothy G. Standish, Biology
■ Prof. James Stark, Assistant Professor of Science Education
■ Prof. Brian Stone, Engineer
■ Dr. Esther Su, Biochemistry
■ Dr. Charles Taylor, Linguistics
■ Dr. Stephen Taylor, Electrical Engineering
■ Dr. Ker C. Thomson, Geophysics
■ Dr. Michael Todhunter, Forest Genetics
■ Dr. Lyudmila Tonkonog, Chemistry/Biochemistry
■ Dr. Royal Truman, Organic Chemist:
■ Dr. Larry Vardiman, Atmospheric Science
■ Prof. Walter Veith, Zoologist
■ Dr. Joachim Vetter, Biologist
■ Dr. Stephen J. Vinay III, Chemical Engineering
■ Sir Cecil P. G. Wakeley (1892–1979) Surgeon
■ Dr. Jeremy Walter, Mechanical Engineer
■ Dr. Keith Wanser, Physicist
■ Dr. Noel Weeks, Ancient Historian (also has B.Sc. in Zoology)
■ Dr. A.J. Monty White, Chemistry/Gas Kinetics
■ Dr. John Whitmore, Geologist/Paleontologist
■ Arthur E. Wilder-Smith (1915–1995) Three science doctorates; a creation science pioneer
■ Dr. Clifford Wilson, Psycholinguist and archaeologist
■ Dr. Kurt Wise, Palaeontologist
■ Prof. Verna Wright, Rheumatologist (deceased 1997)
■ Prof. Seoung-Hoon Yang, Physics
■ Dr. Thomas (Tong Y.) Yi, Ph.D., Creationist Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering
■ Dr. Ick-Dong Yoo, Genetics
■ Dr. Sung-Hee Yoon, Biology
■ Dr. Patrick Young, Chemist and Materials Scientist
■ Prof. Keun Bae Yu, Geography
■ Dr. Henry Zuill, Biology 
 Is There Evidence of Discrimination Against Creation Scientists? 
Contemporary Suppression of the Theistic Worldview 
Do Creation Scientists Publish in Secular Journals?
Do Creationists Publish in Notable Refereed Journals?
Bias in Higher Education 
Peer Pressure and Truth
Revolutionary Atmospheric Invention by Victim of Anti-creationist Discrimination 
Science Magazine Refuses to Hire Creationist
(Online source)

 Additional Resources 

Answers in Genesis Curricula

Answers in Genesis for Kids

Answers in Genesis Articles Archive

The Creation Museum

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Former Sovereign Grace Ministries Founder Calls For Christian Leaders To Separate From CJ Mahaney Due To Class Action Sex Abuse Case

Posted by Christine Pack
Brent Detwiler, one of the Sovereign Grace Ministries founders, has called for prominent Christian leaders to separate from Sovereign Grace Ministries pastor C.J. Mahaney due to an ongoing sex abuse class action lawsuit that has been brought against Sovereign Grace Ministries. Mahaney, who is currently a member of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals and The Gospel Coalition, is a well-known speaker at Christian conferences, and is scheduled to speak at the upcoming Gospel Coalition National Conference, scheduled for April 8-10 in Orlando, Fl.

Some of the leaders Detwiler has called upon  to separate from Mahaney are John Piper, Voddie Baucham, Mark Driscoll, Al Mohler, Mark Dever, Paige Patterson and Ed Stetzer.


 Janet Mefferd Interviews About the SGM Class Action Lawsuit 
 Additional Resources 

Former respected SGM youth leader Nathaniel Morales accused of abusing boys for decades in Montgomery Co. (ABC affiliate, WJLA) [UPDATE: Morales convicted]

Sovereign Grace Ministries and Abuse: Time to Speak Out (Patheos)

Lawsuit Claims Sovereign Grace Ministries Concealed Sex Abuse

Sovereign Grace Ministries: In Sex Abuse Case, Courts Shouldn't "Second Guess" SGM's Pastoral Counseling

Flagship Churches Prepare To Leave As Lawsuit Charges C.J. Mahaney's Sovereign Grace Ministries With Covering Up Child Sex Abuse

Copy of Lawsuit Filed Against Sovereign Grace Ministries

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Being Persistent In Prayer

Posted by Christine Pack


And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?  (Luke 18:1-7)

photo credit: SalFalko via photopin cc


Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Seeds Family Worship: A Recommended Resource

Posted by Christine Pack

Fathers and mothers, are you looking for a great resource for teaching Bible verses to your children? Well, here's a no-brainer. Seeds Family Worship is a ministry out of Nashville, Tennessee that has produced eight wonderful CD's with catchy, original songs that are basically straight Scripture. The eight CDs are:
Seeds of Courage 
Seeds of Faith 
Seeds of Praise 
Seeds of Purpose
Power of Encouragement
Seeds of Character
The Character of God
Purity
And the best part? The music is really, really good. Anyone who knows me knows that I am slightly obsessed with music. As part of their schoolwork, my children sing little ditties to learn grammar and composition rules. And for some mysterious reason that I don't quite comprehend, the fact that these ditties are set to music somehow makes the rules "stick" better. Why does music act in this way on our brains? I'm sure there have been scientific studies done on this that I'm not aware of, but for myself, I'm just glad to know this fact, and pleased to have a resource that has set Scripture verses to music in such an appealing way. When my children are struggling with discouragement or sadness, or any of the myriad of struggles we humans face in this dark and dying world, I'm happy to know that, alongside Shurley Grammar rules taking up residence inside their brains, there are also many Bible verses. Amen, parents?

To hear a sampling of Seeds Family Worship, you may go to their website here, or you may watch their video (below) of Psalm 55:22, from the Power of Encouragement CD. (Just a note: Seeds Family Worship has produced only a handful of videos, so don't get too attached to the videos. The bulk of their ministry is in their audio CDs.)



Some of my favorites from the Seeds Family CDs (in no particular order) are:
■ Undivided Heart (Psalm 86:11-13, Seeds of Praise)
■ Teach Them (Deut 6:4-7, Seeds of Character)
■ Mighty To Save (Zephaniah 3:17, Seeds of Praise)
■ Walk In His Ways (Psalm 128:1, Seeds of Faith)
■ God Is Unchanging (Hebrews 13:8, The Character of God)
■ Do Not Be Anxious (Phil 4:6-7, Seeds of Courage)
■ He Humbled Himself (Phil 2:3-5, 8, Purity)
■ No Greater Love (Remain in Me) (John 15:13-14, Seeds of Faith)
■ Amen (Rev 7:10, 12, Seeds of Praise)
■ Sing Praise to Him (1 Chron 16:9-10, Seeds of Praise)
■ Listen To Me (Psalm 34:11-14, Seeds of Purpose)
■ Delight (Psalm 1, Seeds of Character)
■ If God Is For Us (Rom 8:28, 31, Seeds of Purpose)
■ God is Everlasting (Psalm 90:1-2, The Character of God)
■ Crushed (Psalm 34:18, Seeds of Courage)
■ Fishers of Men (Matthew 4:18-20, Seeds of Purpose)
■ Out of the Mud (Psalm 40:1-2, Seeds of Courage)
■ Be Still (Psalm 46:10, Seeds of Praise)
■ The Word of the Lord (1 Peter 1:24-25, Seeds of Faith)
■ Cast Your Cares (Psalm 55:22, Power of Encouragement)
■ Soar Like Eagles (Isaiah 40:29-31, Power of Encouragement)
■ Never Be Shaken (Psalm 62:1-2, Seeds of Courage)
■ God is Holy (Isaiah 6:1-3, The Character of God)
■ Delight Yourself In The Lord (Psalm 37:4-6, Seeds of Purpose) 
■ Delight Yourself In The Lord (Psalm 37:4-6, Seeds of Purpose) 
■ Be Joyful Always (1 Thess 5:16-18, Seeds of Purpose)
■ Young (1 Tim 4:12, Seeds of Courage)
■ We Trust (Psalm 20:7, The Character of God) 


 Additional Resources 

Christian Music

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Finding God's Will?

Posted by Christine Pack

Have you ever heard or even believed yourself that there was a "perfect will for your life" that you somehow had to find? I believed this, as a new Christian. I was surrounded by dear and well-meaning Christians who talked a lot about "finding God's perfect will for your life," and I became very confused about what this meant. It was so distressing to me, thinking that there might be this mysterious "perfect will" somewhere "out there" that I was supposed to discern or uncover or dig for or find, like searching for buried treasure. And that perhaps I had somehow missed it, stumbled over it, gotten away from it, etc.


It was therefore a tremendous blessing for me, soon after I had become ensnared by this thinking, to find Pastor Bob DeWaay's very excellent and biblical  teaching on the topic of God's will for our lives. Bob's teaching helped me so much, and really steadied my thinking in this area. I therefore strongly encourage anyone who has been confused by this errant teaching to either read Bob's articles on the topic of God's will or listen to his Critical Issues Commentary radio programs on the same topic. Both are linked below.

Also, for those who are concerned about Bob DeWaay's health, which has been poor in the last few months, here is an update from his daughter.  Prayers for Bob and his health would be greatly appreciated.

photo credit: somebaudy via photopin cc

 Articles 
God's Will and Christian Liberty
God's Revealed Will
 Radio 
God's Will Radio Series

 Additional Resources 

Just Do Something: How to Make a Decision Without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Open Doors, Random Bible Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky, etc.  - by Kevin DeYoung

Just Do Something - by Kevin DeYoung (audio)

Unbiblical Teachings on Prayer and Experiencing God

Is That You Lord?: Hearing the Voice of the Lord, a Biblical Perspective (Pastor Gary Gilley)

Christian Dream Interpretation?