Feedback: Opposition to Creation Museum

The very idea that $25 Million will be spent on a Creationist Museum is absurd in and of itself, but even more so considering the number of actual living human beings in dire need of help. What about the poor and the homeless in America and abroad? Millions suffering and dying everyday by starvation, war, disease, lack of water, lack of shelter, and so on. Why not use this money to help out those less fortunate than us? Isn't THAT what Jesus taught? Isnt't THAT what compassionate Christians should energize themselves as individuals and as a group to help combat? The hypocrisy is stunning and there is no good argument to support the notion that building a museum prosthelytizing a theory based entirely on faith is more important and more desperately needed than to actually help your fellow man. Jesus weeps for you and cringes in disgust by these inexplicably selfish actions. You are the heathens.

–C. M., U.S.

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Preface: As the Creation Museum nears the opening date, we've received more and more opposition from non-Christians, and we expected that:

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.“

Much of this opposition is disingenuous in saying certain parts of the Bible are true or important (that Christians are to help the poor and needy), while ignoring the rest of Scripture (where we are to disciple and teach and proclaim the Gospel). This email is but one criticism that we commonly take the time to answer.

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The very idea that $25 Million will be spent on a Creationist Museum is absurd in and of itself,

It is actually $27 million due to expansions, but regardless, what is so absurd? For the level of professional workmanship and design that has gone into this state–of–the–art, cutting–edge museum that glorifies God and His Word, $27 million is relatively inexpensive, especially when compared to the Field Museum's recent $17 million exhibit. So, why are you not writing to them about the absurdity/wastefulness of their exhibit?

Our funds have come through faithful donations by fellow Christians. We receive no government tax money, unlike other institutions or museums that push their humanistic religious beliefs, that could have been spent feeding the homeless and hungry.

but even more so considering the number of actual living human beings in dire need of help.

And you think their salvation from this sin-cursed world through Jesus Christ is not a worthy need? This is what the Creation Museum is all about. We are not here to merely teach that God's Word is true about creation, but to see people saved. It appears that priorities need to be sorted out:

Mark 8:36 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?“

What about the poor and the homeless in America and abroad?

We agree that these are troubling issues and they need to be dealt with, and indeed there are hundreds—if not thousands—of ministries that do just that, taking care of the poor and homeless. The Church (that is, Christians as a whole) shares the burdens as a whole and we are one specialized aspect of the Church. The Bible points out an incredible analogy with regards to this in 1 Corinthians 12:12-28. Please take moment to read this passage.

If all gave money to feed the poor, then who would give them shelter? Who would teach them, who would give medical care, and so on? These ministries are vital and many at AiG donate to these ministries. Have you?

Also, something you probably did not consider is that those who give to the Creation Museum do so sacrificially—both money and time. What people donate to us is often given after they have already given to their local churches, communities, and other charities.

Millions suffering and dying everyday by starvation, war, disease, lack of water, lack of shelter, and so on.

This should be a stark reminder for everyone that we live in a sin–cursed world. It is because of sin that there is starvation, war, disease, lack of water, lack of shelter, and so on. And many of our supporters devote their time and money to helping those in need. As a matter of fact, when hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, Answers in Genesis asked its supporters to give to relief efforts, and also set up our own relief effort. Because of AiG's generous supporters, we were able to provide thousands of supplies to those in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, many of whom lost almost everything in the hurricanes. Please see the following articles: Katrina Outreach, AiGPrayer.org | Katrina Relief Effort 9/12, Katrina Outreach Update 9/19, Katrina Outreach Update 9/22-9/26, Given in the love of our Creator, Jesus Christ 9/27, and Doors opened, hearts softened after Hurricane Katrina 3/8/06.

Also, we have a prison ministry that has reached about 200 prisons so far (with hundreds to go). We receive hundreds of letters a year from prisoners who are indigent. We can't send them money, but we can send them materials that will help them while in prison to walk with Christ and let them know that there is hope, and that they are accountable to God for their actions.

How many secular museums do you know of that give materials to prisoners or to those who are poor and homeless?

Why not use this money to help out those less fortunate than us? Isn't THAT what Jesus taught?

That certainly is something that Jesus taught. Jesus also taught us to disciple people in all nations and teach them to obey everything that He has commanded (Matthew 28:19-20), which is a primary aspect of the Creation Museum. On what basis do you judge that some of Jesus' commands are not to be obeyed and others should be?

But first let's think about why there are so many of those less fortunate. Secular museums spend millions of dollars indoctrinating people to think that there is no God and accordingly that we are not accountable for our actions (since they claim we are just animals). Because the Bible's foundation has been taken away, generation after generation has strayed further from the truth of God's Word. And if someone doesn't believe God's Word about creation, salvation, etc., then why would they have any reason to believe it when it says to take care of those who are less fortunate?

Incidentally, it is inconsistent with the teachings of molecules-to-man evolution to help those in need. After all, evolution progresses as the weak die off and the “fittest“ survive with less competition. But imagine a museum that calls people back to the Word of God and lets them know that the Bible is trustworthy and authoritative. We want the museum to teach that the Bible's history is true—and because its account of history is true, so is its message of salvation. We want thousands of people to come to know the Lord and receive Christ as Lord. Then imagine all these people truly believing God's Word and then truly believing Jesus' teachings about taking care of the poor instead of viewing them as being “no different than a fruit fly.“

Isnt't THAT what compassionate Christians should energize themselves as individuals and as a group to help combat?

That is what millions of Christians are doing, including those who support, volunteer for, and work at AiG and the Creation Museum. But why would an evolutionist help, or even care?

The hypocrisy is stunning

How so? As individuals at AiG, we give to missions who help the poor and homeless. As an example, I (Bodie) have helped build a home and a church in Mexico, and gave money to feed the poor in those regions. And now, that church is reaching out to its community. Others in the ministry sponsor children in poor countries, donated to tsunami relief, etc.

and there is no good argument to support the notion that building a museum prosthelytizing a theory based entirely on faith

So you must be in opposition to the many secular museums that hold high “faith“ in the evolutionary religion. Then by all means, please show me the emails that you send them. I'm interested, especially considering the massive money they have spent on exhibits alone!

is more important and more desperately needed than to actually help your fellow man.

Again many parts to the body, we can't all be the eye or all be the ear.

Jesus weeps for you and cringes in disgust

Where does the Bible say this? And also, on what basis do you speak for Christ? Again, when you do this, you are raising your own thoughts above God and His Word. Besides, since we are doing what the Lord has commanded in the great commission, then this statement is without merit.

by these inexplicably selfish actions.

How are our actions selfish, especially when we sacrifice so much to do the Lord's bidding with the museum? We have already seen people saved in the museum—and it isn't even opened yet! What makes you think Christ would cringe, when people are coming to know Him through the museum?

You are the heathens.

So are you now trying to speak for God and say who is saved? We will pray for you to realize that the Bible is true in all areas. It is for this reason that the Church and AiG work together to help people in their needs, whether feeding the poor, giving shelter, ministering to needs or other things.

The Creation Museum is just one small aspect of Christ's Church that is reaching people around the globe. Seeing people come to know the Lord at the museum already is a tremendous blessing. Unlike the many secular, evolution–based museums—some of which survive in part with tax money—the Creation Museum teaches that the Bible is true, and is being built with donations from people who love God and His Word and who want to see God receive the glory in a museum.

In Christ,

David Wright and Bodie Hodge