In my experiences as both a pastor and as a U.S. Navy Chaplain, I have seen the sad reality that numerous Christians simply do not know what the Bible says—and moreover, they can’t logically defend it. One of the reasons this is true is a lack of solid biblical teaching from the pulpits of our churches. So therefore, we might ask: “How do we begin addressing this and other doctrinal issues that are plaguing the modern-day church? Can we in fact make a difference?”
I am a firm believer that we can make a difference as we commit and return to the faithful teaching of God’s inerrant Word. We must recognize that as we commit ourselves to proclaiming the truths of Scripture, we will become a serious threat to the Enemy.
Genesis—Foundation for All Biblical Doctrine
Clearly, we must also be willing to boldly declare that the book of Genesis is the foundation for all biblical doctrine and truth (see Answers with Ken Ham). As believers in Christ, we can be thankful that we have the Holy Spirit who both leads and strengthens us as we stand firm against the attacks from the forces of darkness against the creation account.
One of the ways our church has been addressing the creation/evolution issue has been through our Sunday night discipleship training series, “The Relevance of Creation: Building a Biblical Worldview in a Fallen World.” Without a doubt, this series has been a tremendous catalyst in returning Talbot Park Church back to the authority of the Bible. I have been co-teaching this course with my dear friend and spiritual mentor in evangelism, Mr. Dick Krol, another AiG supporter. When we began this series a few weeks ago, the response from the congregation was overwhelmingly positive, and we continue to receive excellent comments and reports.
Many of our members are sharing with us that they have never before heard these foundational truths from Genesis 1–11. They agree with our belief that the secular world has infiltrated our congregations with the lies of evolution, millions of years, and “humanistic theology.” As their pastor, I experience the joy seeing their spiritual eyes being opened each week as we examine the pages of Scripture together and see the Holy Spirit at work in their lives.
It’s time, as children of the living God, to make a bold commitment to return to the faithful preaching and teaching of the book of Genesis. Far too many believers are afraid to admit that they may have been misled about the authority of the Bible. As we continually address this reality within our congregation, lives are being visibly changed as a result.
Clearly, the attacks against Genesis have increased greatly over the years, but we can praise God that ministries like Answers in Genesis are leading the way for the Body of Christ to make a stand for truth.
In the 2006 Creation College Handbook, AiG President Ken Ham offers his insightful perspectives, including:
Psalm 11:3 states, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” If you destroy the foundations of anything, the structure will collapse. If you want to destroy any building, the best way is to destroy the foundations. Likewise, if you want to destroy Christianity, destroy the foundations which are established in the book of Genesis.
Is it any wonder that Satan is attacking Genesis more than any book? The biblical doctrine of origins, as contained in the book of Genesis, is foundation to all other doctrines of Scripture. Refute or undermine in any way the biblical doctrine of origins and the rest of the Bible is undermined. Every single biblical doctrine of theology, directly or indirectly, ultimately has its basis in the book of Genesis.
I am excited to see what the Spirit of the living God is doing in the life of our church as we get back to the foundational truths of the Scriptures. My prayer remains that as we rely on His power, we will make a difference for eternity! http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2006/12/18/building-biblical-worldview