The ‘vital mission’ for atheists: discrediting the supernatural
Editorial
by David Catchpoole
Speaking of false prophets, Jesus warned his disciples, “You
shall know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16)
Hence my dismay when certain church leaders say that Charles Darwin’s evolutionary
ideas do not challenge Christianity. Are they not aware of the tragic fruits of
Darwin’s writings?
University of Chicago evolutionary biologist Jerry Coyne observed that the impact
of Origin of Species was such that Darwin “in the end so convinced
his readers that they not only bought his ideas, but in the process jettisoned three
thousand years [sic] of religious explanation for life and its apparent
design.”1
Cambridge University evolutionist Simon Conway Morris agrees that Origin
puts paid to biblical creation, and that Darwin knew what he was doing:
‘In this vital mission to discredit the supernatural, nothing has proved more
important than The Origin of Species.’—Evolutionary biologist Peter
A. Lawrence, University of Cambridge
“First and foremost, The Origin is an exorcism of the doctrine of
special creation, and conducted by one of the most skilled exorcists science has
ever seen.”1
Look why Yale University evolutionists Ira Mellman and Graham Warren sing the praises
of evolutionary theory …
“The greatest scientific advance of the last 1,000 years was providing the
evidence to prove that human beings are independent agents whose lives on earth
are neither conferred nor controlled by celestial forces.”2
… and:
“Although it may be more conventional to measure scientific progress in terms
of specific technological developments, nothing was more important than providing
the means to release men and women from the hegemony of the supernatural.”2
(Emphasis added.)
What better way to discredit Christ as Creator (and therefore Lord and Saviour)
than by denying supernatural creation itself.
Those are fighting words, denying that we are here for a purpose—to humbly
love and serve our Creator, who is Spirit (Mark 12:30, John 4:24).
Jesus made it clear that one is either for or against Him (Matthew 12:30)—so no-one, including atheists, is truly
‘neutral’. Thus, atheists’ gloating over evolutionary theory’s
challenge to the church should not be surprising.
What’s more, their passion and sense of purpose in proclaiming
evolution (e.g. the billboard pictured) ought to be a wake-up call to church leaders
who see no problem with Darwin’s ideas. Cambridge University evolutionist
Peter Lawrence’s words are singularly revealing:
“In this vital mission to discredit the supernatural, nothing
has proved more important than The Origin of Species.”1
(Emphasis added.)
Indeed. What better way to discredit Christ as Creator3 (and therefore Lord and Saviour) than by denying
supernatural creation itself.4
Christians therefore have a vital mission to overturn the atheists’
‘vital mission’—hopefully winning them over in the process, that
they might give due credit to their Creator, rather than trying to discredit
Him. That’s what this magazine is all about.
No atheist could logically refute Gordon Howard’s arguments defending the
supernatural (p. 32), for example. And check out our other features covering geology
(e.g. pollen grains in supposedly ‘too old’ rock—p. 16), paleontology
(yet another ‘living fossil’—p. 23), biology and design (especially
Dr Andrew Hodge’s “The Life is in the Blood”—p. 12), anthropology
(the ‘ape-men’ demolition beginning on p. 24 is actually intended for
all readers) and cosmology (David Coppedge beautifully highlights the Saturn
age problems for evolutionists—p. 44). These articles are written specifically
to give anyone professing belief in evolution, and denying divine design, reason
to think again.
So, please, pass this information on to those who need to hear. The true vital mission
field is huge. And the need is urgent.
Readers’ commentsDavid G., Australia, 26 May 2011
The great irony of atheist denial of the supernatural in favour of evolutionary tales is that it makes the protest meaningless: why would any random collection of matter be any more significant or worthy of attention than any other. The piles of matter giving forth on their atheism that you quote, are just unimportant piles of matter: why should we listen.
But Christian belief (and a belief more consistent with the way people live) is that personality/love is basic to existence (that is God: person/intelligence and love) was before matter and therefore prime over it; and we, in his image, are linked to the basic nature of the real world. Matter is by comparison transient and with no value in isolation for intelligence. Put it the other way, that intelligence is derivative from matter, and it turns to dust before one’s very eyes!
Ian B., Australia, 7 June 2011
David G., you are so right! The primary need of all us humans is to be loved. You can argue that we need food, shelter, sex etc as well, but if we cannot operate in love, life is so empty and meaningless. How does that fit with the THEORY of evolution?
Peter W., United Kingdom, 7 June 2011
Theistic evolutionists are simply bad Bible scholars. Death either entered the world through sin (the Bible) or through Design with God using evolution. If the latter, then the entire Gospel is a lie and if the former then evolution is. These two philosophies / doctrines are diametrically opposed and irreconcilable.
Louis R., United States, 7 June 2011
Great article. Nice and concise way to put forth the arguments for Creation. Unfortunately, American churches are still afraid to deal with this topic while student go to adulthood with nagging questions … Keep up the good work.
Guy N., Luxembourg, 9 June 2011
Whatever people may say - Jesus lives! He proved himself in my life. David Catchpoole responds:
And in mine, too! Thanks, Guy, very much.
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Further reading
References and notes
- This was part of his response when approached (along with
10 other modern-day scientists) for his assessment of Darwin’s Origin
in the 150th year of publication. (Re)Reading The Origin, Current Biology
19(3):R96–R104, 2009. Return to text.
- Mellman, I. and Warren, G., The road taken: past
and future foundations of membrane traffic. Cell 100,
99–112, 2000. Return to text.
- John 1:3, Colossians 1:16; see also Jesus Christ our Creator
creation.com/trinity, creation.com/incarnation.
Return to text.
- Especially Genesis creation, with its history of the origin
of sin and death—the very reason for the Gospel. See creation.com/goodnews,
creation.com/seedbed and creation.com/nt.
Return to text.
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