It’s like a conducted tour
Editorial
A favourite place I take people to on a geological excursion is a lookout high above a long, wide, valley. I let folk enjoy the experience before talking about geology.
Eventually I begin. “No one saw how this valley was carved, so we have to use our imagination. Geology is like that. Most geologists look at what is happening now, e.g. frost, wind, rain, and water. Because their effects today are so gradual, and they assume that rates have not changed much, they imagine that they would have needed millions of years to erode such a big valley.”
My audience is looking around at everything while I talk.
“There are other geologists who look at things differently. Those who believe the Bible’s account of Noah’s Flood imagine this whole area was once covered by water kilometres deep.” I point up to the sky, indicating the depth of water.
“They envisage that this valley was carved by that water as it receded from the land into the ocean.” I wave across the valley, indicating how the water flowed.
“It happened very quickly.”
As I speak, the people take in the size of the valley and the embankments and ridges on either side and in the distance. They can appreciate the height of the plateau on which we are standing and can imagine the enormous volume of water flowing across the landscape in vast channels below us—channels that are now empty. As they look and listen, the reality of Noah’s Flood becomes obvious to them.
It is always a thrill to see the impact this has on people. On one tour a young lady brought a friend, who told me that he was studying for a Ph.D. in geology and was an atheist. After enjoying the scenery, the fellowship, the food, and the commentary, he told me at the end of the tour with a friendly smile, “I get it.”
You can think of Creation magazine as an excursion through the countryside. You meet new people, you visit new places, see new things, and discover a new way of looking at your world—all through the lens of Creation. Think of the attractive illustrations in its pages as if you were standing in a park and looking at the view.
In this issue you will meet many interesting people who share about creation. Biochemist Peter Borger (pp. 40–43) has worked in science laboratories in countries around the world. Grandmother Judy Finnessy took a strong stance on creation with her denomination (pp. 50–52) and was successful. And the Feedback pages (pp. 4–5) allow people from many walks of life to share their thoughts about creation—and Creation.
We are all on a journey, and it helps when others tell us their experiences. In this issue we can even ‘hear’ from ‘prehistoric’ people through what they made. Those who built Stonehenge (pp. 36–38) in southern England were not primitive but clever. Their ideas and achievements are not an archaeological mystery when we look at them through the eyes of Bible history.
It’s not just people that you meet in Creation magazine, but animals too. This issue features the gallant gorilla (pp. 28–31). You may be delighted to discover many things about these magnificent creatures that are different from what you may have heard.
There is much more you will see and learn. As you travel on this issue of Creation magazine you will have a wonderful tour. You will learn to see your world differently from our prevailing culture, and be able to say, “I get it.” And you will be able to help someone else ‘get it’ too.
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