Reaching OutIssue #69

Welcome toReaching Out,

a different kind of magazine

to serve the community.

Our goal is to offer

Biblical solutions

to the problems facing

our society today.

What’s Inside?Four regular columns:

The Church in Society . . . . . . . . 3

The Christian Home . . . . . . . . . . 5

The Bible and Science . . . . . . . . 8

The World Today . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Feature Article for Youth

Trojan Horses Today! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Reaching Out - page 2

Up on a mountainside a young man set up his tentamong some trees, and settled in for a few days’ studyand meditation. He wanted to be alone with God.The first night after midnight he awoke to the

sound of some scraping on his tent floor. By the lightof the moon he could just make out what was causingthe commotion: a skunk was nosing among hisbelonging, right there, inside the tent with him.He felt for a stick he had used in hiking the pre-

vious day. The skunk had turned away and was busy;he could probably dispatch him with one blow. But no,when he thought what the skunk might do in dying, hedecided to lie low instead. The skunk soon satisfiedhimself that there was nothing of interest to him in thetent and waddled out. Our young man heaved a sigh ofrelief. The skunk hadn’t even left an odor in the tent!There is a lesson for us in this story of the young

man and the skunk. Often our lives are invaded andour peace disturbed with criticism, unjust accusations,mistreatment, or mockery. Human nature cries, “Strikeback! Hit the skunk!” But wisdom tells us that hittingthe skunk will only raise a stink.When Jesus faced similar situations He usually

held His peace. “And the high priest arose, and saidunto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it whichthese witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace”(Matthew 26:62, 63). “And when he was accused ofthe chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how manythings they witness against thee? And he answered himto never a word; insomuch that the governor mar-velled greatly” (Matthew 27:12-14). “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye shouldfollow his steps: who, when he was reviled, reviled notagain; when he suffered, he threatened not; but com-mitted himself to him that judgeth righteously”(1 Peter 2:21, 23). You and I are going to meet many “skunks” in life.

Let’s not suppose we have to fight them all, check outwho said what in every case, defend ourselves, loseour peace, get angry. Remember, it’s the part of wis-dom to not fight that kind of creature. Just let themwander off into the darkness they came from.—adapted from Spanish editorial by Leland

Seibel, Luz de la Vida, August 2000

Don’t Hit the Skunk! –Dallas Witmer

Editor: Roger L. BerryBoard: Joe Weirich, Allan Miller, Wayne Miller, James Yoder, Clay ZimmermanRegular Columnists: Lester Troyer, Marlin Kreider, Elvin Stauffer, Clay Zimmerman, Roger L. BerryReviewers: Glenn Kilmer, Lewi Graber

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Reaching OutRoger Berry, Editor6872 State Highway KSeymour, MO 65746

“Reaching Out” Published Quarterly Issue #69, 4-2011

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Reaching Out - page 3

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, nei-ther will your Father forgive your trespasses.Matthew 6:15.

Between the awful contrasts of eternal destina-tion—that is—eternal damnation in Hell, versuseternal glory in Heaven—there lies but a singlefactor—forgiveness. This means that forgivenessis the single most important subject we could pos-sibly address. It is the greatest treasure thatbelievers in Jesus Christ can attain. The questionbefore us is not whether we are good enough ordeserving enough of forgiveness (we are neither).The only question is whether we have been recon-ciled to God, having attained forgiveness for ourtransgression through the Gospel of His SonJesus Christ. In the day when we stand beforeGod in judgment, the transformation that onlyGod’s forgiveness has wrought, is the only way ofescape standing between us and eternal damna-tion. Our purpose then, is to identify both themeans and the evidence of the reality of forgive-ness.

We tend to take this all-important subjectrather glibly, as though it were a simple matter ofpersuading God of our worthiness. We think wecan juggle enough good into our lives to neutralizethe evil, or take our chances based on being atleast as good as the next person. Let’s back up forthe bigger picture. What is the basis of God’s for-giveness? Even if God can forgive, why should He?Finally, how does He do it?

First—God doesn’t forgive out of justice.Justice puts a “not guilty” verdict out of the ques-tion. In fact, the Bible shows plainly that thehuman condition is contrary to any possibility ofacquittal—our sinful condition being abhorrent toGod: As it is written, There is none righteous, no,not one (Romans 3:10). For all have sinned, andcome short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). He

that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneththe just, even they both are abomination to theLORD (Proverbs 17:15).

Since God tolerates no unrighteousness, howthen could God get into the business of forgivingsinners? Justice does not come down on the sideof forgiveness, but on the side of condemnationand just punishment. Justice then, would seem tostand as an adamant roadblock to forgiveness.

Second—God does not forgive on the basis ofHis love alone. This is proved by identifying whatit is that God truly loves—and truly hates aboveall else: Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hathanointed thee with the oil of gladness above thyfellows (Hebrews 1:9).

Thus, even the love of God finds perfect expres-sion in being against evil. The love of God doesnot suppress the standard of His righteousness,but upholds it. God’s zero-tolerance for sin wasrevealed when He drove Adam and Eve out of theGarden of Eden—and brought the sentence ofdeath upon them—the first time they sinned.Clearly then, the justice of God, and the love ofGod, cannot be compromised in the course of for-giving our sins.

Yet we know that God does love us, that Hetruly is just, and that He does indeed forgive sin.And God accomplishes this without violatingeither His love or His justice. So let’s identifywhat truly is going on here.

First, the Bible teaches that in the salvation ofsinners, mercy (directed toward us in God’s love),and truth (characteristic of God’s justice), havemet together. This means that the God who lovesrighteousness, also loved us so much that He pro-vided a way to save us from our sins. This is whyChrist came into the world to seek and to savethat which was lost. So how does God justify the

Forgiveness

The

CHURCH in SOCIETY

–Lester Troyer

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sinner, that is, make him right? He does it at Hisown expense in the shedding of the blood of HisSon, for the washing away of our sins. That bloodof God’s Son, is the only cleansing agent for sin.Thus, the sinner can be forgiven, and God’sapproval and acceptance proceed without compro-mising the righteousness of God.

Some take the position that Jesus was literallymade a sinner when He bore our sins on thecross, and that in doing so, He actually provokedthe wrath and judgment of God against Himself.Not so. The perfect sinlessness of Christ wasnever compromised through death on the cross forour sins. Being contaminated in the process wouldhave disqualified Him from saving us. (He was thejust One, dying for the unjust, that He mightbring us to God).

Secondly, the plan of God for saving sinners isconfirmed and vindicated in the change broughtabout in those who repent and believe in Jesus. Itbrings about a transformation of character. Therighteousness of God is expanded and enhanced asthat righteousness is expressed through thosewho are saved.

In other words, the salvation of every sinneryields a net gain of righteousness and forgiveness.The deeds of the flesh are put away, giving placeto the fruit of righteousness. The corrupt treethat bore evil fruit becomes the good tree thatyields good fruit. The one who has been savedbecomes an ambassador of salvation to others,holding forth God’s mercy and forgiveness towardothers. He is ready to forgive others their tres-passes, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgivenhim. Holding grudges is below God’s standard ofmercy. It is the mark of an impostor, as beingunfit for the righteous household of God.

Once in a church service (I was a first-time visi-tor), a beautiful little girl in front of me was driv-ing a small wheeled toy back and forth across theback of the pew. In a moment when she was dis-tracted, I quickly snatched the toy, expecting toengage her in a friendly game. Wrong move! Sheinterpreted this as an act of war. It appeared forthe moment that I was on a course of making anenemy for life.

As I learned to know the family, the lightdawned. This girl with her siblings had little expe-rience with the peace and security of consistentadult control and supervision. At a childish,immature, toy-box level, it was every man forhimself. Forgiveness was uncommon. The field ofvision was limited to the wrong of the other play-ers. (“He hit me first. She can’t have my Legoblocks,” etc.) While the parents seemed totallymerciful, the failure of injecting justice into child-ish squabbles did not equip the children forhealthy relationships, and easily destroyed the joy

of playing together. The needed discipline wouldhave yielded pleasure far greater than gettingone’s own way.

But that is all of us. The adult players of thisgame are equally sensitive to their own rights andpleasures. This focus keeps strict account of oth-ers’ offenses (seeing them as acts of war), evenwhile overlooking and excusing one’s own sins ofequal magnitude. The Bible calls it the beam inthe eye. There is only one answer here—stop thegame until the foreign matter is removed fromthe eye.

Sadly psychology—even Christian psycholo-gy—often fails to clearly define the terms of jus-tice and mercy as it relates to forgiveness. Adultoffenders are frequently encouraged to operate attoy-box levels of dealing with “hurts.” Supposedly,this is accomplished through a drawn-out processof emotional healing (including reliving theoffenses), hopefully culminating in eventual for-giveness. But such a process might be bettercalled “forgiveness on ice.” It is a miserableprocess, for it attempts to concoct a healing balmfrom a poisonous root of bitterness.

In contrast, God’s way is spiritual healingthrough personal repentance (removing the beamfrom the eye—getting one’s own sins out of theway). This spiritual healing provides the ground-work for emotional healing. It views the offenderas an object of mercy and forgiveness. This haltsblame games by injecting godly fear into ourstrife. It introduces genuine repentance,Christlike forgiveness, and the joy of reconcilia-tion into the family of God. “Forgiveness on ice”(or on hold), is the disgraceful mark of people whoare unable to fathom the treasure of forgivenessfrom God, having never concerned themselveswith the depth of their own sinfulness and lost-ness apart from God. Shallowness in personalrepentance causes one to fail the tests of faiththat God meant for good.

When we fail to forgive we are really askingGod to hold the sins of others against them. Butthis shuts out the glorious forgiveness of God inChrist to them and to us. What a negative—onthe way to eternity.

Seventeen years of writing this column served as theseed for the 2011 publication of a book by the author,Lester Troyer. CHURCH IN SOCIETY contains fiftyessays in a wide range of subjects to stimulate soundthinking in a culture that is losing its way. Our desire isthat the book be a ministry to people even in a down econ-omy. We now offer this 275-page paperback for $9.75, plus$3.00 for shipping. Call for quantity shipping prices: (715-865-5561). Order from:

Mennonite Outreach Ministries, 16131 W. Boylan Road,Stone Lake WI 54876

Reaching Out - page 5

Society today is lacking role models—nobleexamples of moral integrity for others,especially the young, to follow. One illustrationis the role of the woman in the home, church,and society.

God created male and female, men andwomen (Genesis 1:27). He designed them to fillspecific roles that are to be complementary, notcompetitive. Today sex distinction is being lost.The roles are becoming one big blur of confu-sion. Recently, New York became the sixthstate in the United States of America to legal-ize same-sex marriages. The acceptance ofhomosexual and lesbian lifestyles is a mark ofdecadence and departure from God’s laws. Thisresults in a loss of reserve and respect betweenthe genders and a breakdown of order and sta-bility.

Has “woman’s liberation” really elevated thewoman to a place of respect and dignity? No!The courts are bogged down with more sexualdiscrimination, abuse and assault cases thanever, many of them a result of men and womenfreely mixing in the workforce. Domestic vio-lence is also on the increase as the roles are con-fused, selfishness rules, and the genders battlefor “equality” (?) and/or supremacy.

On the other hand, true Bible Christianityelevates the woman to a place of honor andrespect in God’s grand purpose and order!These messages are intended to point us backto the Bible and back to God’s way of doing

things. So let’s look at five specific areas ofGod’s beautiful and blessed role for women.

SubmissionGod made woman to be a “suitable helper”

for the man (Genesis 2:18). God’s plan is thatshe fill a subordinate role under the directionand protection of a godly father or husband(Ephesians 5:22-24; Colossians 3:18).

God, in 1 Peter 3:7, command husbands(men) to honor their wives (women), since theyare, by God’s good and noble design, the “weak-er vessel.” If this sounds foreign to you, pleasehear me out and consider.

You see, God never planned for a woman tofill a man’s role. She is out of her God-ordainedplace when she assumes leadership in thehome, the workforce, the church, or the nation.She was not created to be an executive, wear ahard hat, and the like. The issue is not value,intellect, or ability. The issue is God’s all-wiseplan and purpose for the distinct roles of menand women!

We are all too familiar with human failure,even in the “Christian” world. When thisoccurs, Bible answers must be applied.Forgiveness and restoration are possible whenrepentance and change are evident. Satan luresus down to vice, wickedness, and ruin. But Godcalls us up to the noble, the good; up to Himselfthrough the Lord Jesus Christ. When we takeGod’s way, marriage and home life can be a

The

Christian Home

Series

–Marlin Kreider

The Godly Woman’s Role and Influence

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little bit of Heaven upon earth.In creation (Genesis 2:22), God did not make

Eve from Adam’s head to rule over him, neitherfrom his foot as inferior or to be trampled down(misused). But God took a rib, close to theman’s heart and made a woman to walk along-side him and to be an intimate companion.While God created man to fill a leadership role,it is interesting to note that the Bible(Ephesians 5:22, 23; Col. 3:18, 19; and 1 Peter3:1-7) addresses the woman’s role first. Ibelieve that says something about the impor-tance of the woman’s role, in God’s order.

Modesty and PurityThe godly woman, properly dressed, con-

tributes to noble manhood, and the purity ofthe human race. God never intended woman tobe a degraded “sex symbol” of advertisementand vice. The fashion world, driven by the lusts of unholy men, along with the undress ofsociety has contributed to the sad state ofmorality in the world today.

According to 1 Peter 3:1-6 and 2 Timothy2:9, 10, true Christian women adorn or “beauti-fy” themselves in three ways: a) a meek andquiet spirit that is the expression of a heartthat is right with God, b) modest clothing andcovering of the body, and c) by being in subjec-tion (submission) to their husbands.

Please consider the following guide to mod-est dress: long enough to cover, heavy enough tohide, loose enough to conceal; and subdued col-ors that do not attract attention to the body.

In the Biblical Christian world, girls’ andwomen’s purity is respected and protected bythe men in their lives. The wife has the price-less privilege to go to the marriage altar as apure virgin, prepared to assume the highly-hon-ored role of wife and mother. The wife is com-mitted to be the lifetime mate, lover, and sup-porter of a man who also has been taught andembraces the virtues of godly manhood. (Weplan to address the “Godly Man’s Role” in thenext issue.) This is a high and holy standard.We must return to Biblical values if the churchis to be revived or the nation is to recover fromits moral bankruptcy.

Wife and HomemakerHome is where the finer graces and touch of

godly womanhood excel, build, and bless! Hereunder her husband, she rules as Queen. This isher domain. (See Proverbs 31:10-31.) She is not

confined or restricted. She has freedom and ful-fillment in serving her God, her husband, herfamily, and many others as she circulates in herGod-given realm.

Her husband and children delight to comehome after work, school, etc. Where else wouldthey want to go? Home is like an oasis in adesert world.

A godly wife and homemaker is a real rolemodel for her daughters and other young ladiesto aspire after!

MotherhoodThis is normally part of being a wife and

homemaker. “Lo, children are an heritage of theLORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward”(Psalm 127:3). Motherhood is an indispensablerole in any church, community, or nation! It issaid: “The hand that rocks the cradle rules theworld.” If today’s women and mothers wantthis honorable assignment, they need to be will-ing to stay at home (see Titus 2:3-5). Baby-sitters and day-care centers cannot fill the roleof parents, especially mothers.

This writer is thankful his mother stayedhome and was a homemaker. It is a source ofsecurity in a child’s life when he comes homefrom school and Mother is there. As it was, Icame too close to missing the “straight and nar-row way.” If Mother had not been there for me,I would likely be in sin, far from God.

Motherhood is a full-time career, fulfillingand rewarding, when God is in control ofMother’s heart and life. May God bless andstrengthen all the faithful mothers!

Values and Spiritual Qualities of theGodly Woman

Proverbs 31:10 says, “Who can find a virtu-ous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”The value, qualities, and influence of the godlywoman cannot be overemphasized. They havethe God-given capacity to make good men bet-ter as well as to impress a holy testimony onthe coarser men of this world. Their teachingand influence on the rising generation areindispensable.

We thank and praise God for all the virtuouswomen and godly mothers who joyfully submitto and fulfill this high and noble calling. Theywill receive some of the greatest rewards Godhas for His faithful, obedient children. Will youas a woman be one of them? Read the Bible andtake God’s way to a fulfilling life.

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Much of Greek mythology is of little value forChristians except to teach us what the ancientGreeks and later the Romans believed. We dolearn from these accounts something of the reli-gious atmosphere the early Christians faced.Some of the false gods they faced are mentionedin the New Testament. The New Testament Bookof Acts mentions the many gods the Apostle Paulconfronted in ancient Athens. When he saw allthe statues of Greek gods and goddesses, andtemples dedicated to them, he proclaimed thetrue God. “God that made the world and allthings therein, seeing that he is Lord of heavenand earth, dwelleth not in temples made withhands; neither is worshipped with men’s hands,as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth toall life, and breath” (Acts 17:24, 25).

There is an account from Greek mythologynot mentioned in the Bible that teaches us somevery important lessons—the account of theGreek war with the city of Troy, and the famousTrojan horse. We are not sure how much of thisaccount is factual history and how much is leg-end. The story appears to contain elements ofboth. But as the story goes, the Greeks unsuc-cessfully besieged the seemingly impregnablewalls of Troy in Asia Minor for at least ten years.Finally, they concluded that the only way to getinto the city to defeat it was through trickery.The Greeks constructed a gigantic wooden horseon wheels and left it outside the walls of Troy.The Greek army then pretended to sail away,back toward Greece. The Trojans rejoiced andcelebrated the apparent end of the siege. Many ofthem wanted to pull the horse into the city. Theybelieved it would bring them good luck. A lonepriest who lived in the city warned the peoplenot to bring the horse in, but his voice was notheard.

The horse was pulled into the city andbecame the focal point of the festivities. Thatnight the Greek soldiers who were hidden insidethe horse crept out and opened the gates of thecity from within. The Greek army that hadreturned under cover of darkness swarmed into

the city, captured it, and burned it to the ground.As I recently reread this account, I began to

see some spiritual lessons for our day. What aresome of the Trojan horses that threaten to comeinto our lives and throw open the gates to theonslaughts of Satan to ruin our lives? Obviousways Satan tries to destroy the lives of countlessyouth is through such things as drugs and alco-hol. We have all seen the devastation done in thelives of people we know. In spite of that, thou-sands of young people give in to those addictions.However, there are other, perhaps more subtle,tactics Satan would use to throw open our livesto destruction. These Trojan horses wait justoutside the walls to tempt us.

What about pornography and the resultantsexual immorality? What about the enticementsfound on the Internet including those who pre-tend to be our friends on Facebook and othersocial sites. What about the media of movies andtelevision that would entice us to follow thecrowd to do wrong? These things can open the“city gates” to the sewer lines from the worldaround us.

In the philosophical realm, the world’s educa-tional philosophies and the ungodly psychologyof men like Freud, Jung, and Skinner have per-meated even the religious world. Their philoso-phies have led many to self-worship and to doubtthe Bible and even the existence of God.

Let us continue to beware of things and ideasthat may threaten to ruin our minds and ruinour lives. Let us test these things by the teach-ings of God’s Word, the Bible. The Bible saysthat Satan often comes as an angel of light. Hetries to get us to accept his ways because theyseem to work or because they look so good on theoutside.

“Believe not every spirit, but try the spiritswhether they are of God: because many falseprophets are gone out into the world. Ye are ofGod, little children, and have overcome them:because greater is he that is in you, than he thatis in the world. Hereby know we the spirit oftruth, and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:1, 4, 6b).

Feature Article for Youth . . .

Trojan Horses Today!

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The large reptile creatures of the past areextinct. Their lives and actions are done, fixed, setin stone. But in the realms of men’s minds they areconstantly changing. Some change is legitimateaccording to new fossil finds and improved infor-mation. For many years the Sinclair dinosaurBrontosaurus was seen on gas station signs. ButBrontosaur is no more. It was discovered that hehad the wrong head put on him. The proper headwas of Apatosaurus found earlier.

The early theropods (bipedal dinosaurs) wereshown standing upright using their tail for a prop.But the tracks did not show a tail drag mark. Withmore consideration it was decided TyrannosaurusRex and other theropods carried their bodies in abalanced horizontal position more like a chicken.All the museum specimens had to be changed.

But many changes are imaginary, built uponpreconceived evolutionary wishes. Our “world-view” (what we believe about origins—the glasseswe put on) will make a world of difference in ourconclusions. We must always keep a differencebetween the fossil stone facts and interpretation.

The Latest Change—Feathers for DinosaursIn a recent visit to the Royal Tyrrell Museum in

Drumheller, Alberta, I saw that the latest literatureputs fur and feathers on some of the smallertheropods. A book shows the scruffy creatures run-ning along and eating, with short feathers alongthe forelimbs. It says the feathers were for warmthrather than flying. And this is without an iota ofevidence in the fossils. With modern technology,realistic pictures can be printed and falsehoods canbe stated as fact that impress millions of childrenand adults. “Now they saw it!”

Duane Gish in his book Evolution: the Challengeof the Fossil Record asks, “Is there a single reptileknown in which you could stick a bunch of feath-ers, kick it in the tail, and it would fly?” Dr. Gish isreferring to Archaeopteryx which is still claimed tobe a transition between reptiles and birds.Although “Archie” had some reptilian features,such as claws on the wings, there are birds todaywith claws: the hoatzin, touraco, and ostrich.

However, neither the creatures or the environ-ment can just produce anything desired. The obsta-cles to a creature developing wings and flying makesuch a feat impossible. The feather is no simpledevice but a complex marvel of engineering anddesign. It would take a miracle of millions of orderly bits of genetic information added to thegenome to produce a fin, a leg, or a wing.Evolutionists must constantly invoke miracles.They ignore a multitude of scientific facts and addthings without any evidence.

Under magnification, a feather’s light weightand superstrong construction are revealed. Minutehooks link the filaments together to capture theair. In addition to interlocking feathers a bird hashollow lightweight bones, flight muscles, and akeeled breastbone to anchor them on. Birds alsoneed a high rate of metabolism and are warm-blooded. Dinosaurs are thought to have been cold-blooded reptiles. Birds’ lungs are one-directionalwhile mammals and reptiles breathe in and out.Until the “evolving” bird had these features itcould not have flown and would have been anabnormality—destroyed in the “survival of thefittest.” The bird is no accident. Half wings don’twork and the heavy tail of the dinosaur would haveprevented flight.

The Changing World of Dinosaurs

“Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. Lo now, his strength is in his loins . . . . He moveth his tail like a cedar . . . . His bones are as strong piecesof brass; . . . like bars of iron. He is the chief of the ways of God” (Job 40:15-19).

–Elvin StaufferSCIENCE

THE BIBLE ANDTHE BIBLE ANDSCIENCE

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It is willful scientific ignorance to believe inspontaneous generation today when we understandthe molecular base for the genetic cause of all fea-tures. Evolutionists continue to err in thinking theenvironment draws out new features in organisms.Rather, the variation in species is limited to themost favorable features from the existing genepool. God put this information into each original“kind” at Creation. Mutations are always corrup-tions of this existing information.

“Archie” Was a BirdDr. Gish went on to show that archaeopteryx

was very much a bird. The feathers were fully mod-ern. It had a wider bird-like skull, perching feet,wings, and feathers. It also had a furcula (wishbone) from which muscles could have beenattached for powered flight. Since the “Archie” fos-sil was found, modern bird types have been foundin what is claimed to be much older rock. So itcan’t be an ancestor of the birds!

The Bible record still stands as the best option.Most of the creatures were buried and fossilized atone time in the world flood destruction. There aremany evidences of sudden catastrophic burials. Butfor the unbeliever, God, who wrote all the originalgenetic codes perfectly, must be left out (one origi-nal miracle of Creation).

Evolutionary HoaxesThe intense search for transitional fossils (miss-

ing links) has made paleontologists easy victims ofhoaxes. Objectivity yields to imagination as scien-tists accept fabricated evidence to fit a predeter-mined view.

A recent hoax that shook the evolutionary worldwas a dinosaur-bird fossil from China publicized ata Washington news conference on October 15,1999. Archaeoraptor, as the creature was called,appeared to millions of National Geographic read-ers in the November issue. Here was a “missinglink” between dinosaurs and birds. The “fossil”was displayed at the “National Geographic Society”to 110,000 visitors before the exhibit closed onJanuary 18, 2000.

This bird-like fossil with a dinosaur’s vertebratetail appeared on a National Geographic TV pro-gram under the heading “Dinosaurs Take Wing.”These “facts” were reflected against the KansasState Board of Education’s ruling on August 1999.The board rejected proposed state guidelines sayingevolution is a unifying principle of science thataccounts for the present form and function oforganisms and systems.

Three months passed until the fossil was proved

to be a hoax. The true bird fossil had a dinosaurtail “tacked on by a Chinese farmer, not evolution.”

The hoax was reported in the U.S. News &World Report (2/14/00) as “The Piltdown Chicken.”The article goes on to say that this was “hardly thefirst missing link to snap under scrutiny.” ThePiltdown man, a supposed ape-like ancestor ofman, was found in a quarry in England in 1912.The human skull cap and ape-like jaw appeared inexhibits and in school textbooks for over 30 yearsas unquestioned evidence for evolution. Scientific“authorities” accepted this as authentic until thediscovery that the teeth had been filed and thebones stained with acid to give the appearance ofage.

Evolution’s faith belief system is exposed in theU.S. News article’s comment: “Just as [the fakeryof] Piltdown man didn’t derail scientists’ views onhuman evolution, one ‘Piltdown chicken’ doesn’toverturn the ‘compelling’ evidence that birdsevolved from dinosaurs.” Why “compelling”?Because in evolution birds had to come from some-where. The article then cited fossils with feathers(just true birds) found from China to Spain and sci-entists’ interpretation of bones. (What they want tosee.)

It is one thing to encounter fossils faked for alucrative black market. But it is quite anotherthing to have the highest authorities in paleontol-ogy, who see so many things in rocks that otherscannot see, unable to discern two fossils joinedtogether or stained skulls and filed teeth. This indi-cates a compulsion to see something that is notthere.

Falsified Evidence UsedThe hoaxes were finally acknowledged yet built

upon. Lying is acceptable to achieve the desired endin the fuzzy world of non-Christian ethics. By con-trolling information and claiming final authoritythey convince many in the public. Few thinkenough to challenge the faith that all the biodiver-sity in our ecosystem (each with its genetic code ofbillions of bits of orderly information) could self-organize from inorganic minerals.

Entropy, the second law of thermodynamics, isstill scientific fact in the real world. The energy/matter of the universe moves to less usable forms.Dissipation and growing disorder are the rule.

“Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid thefoundation of the earth; and the heavens are theworks of thine hands: they shall perish; but thouremainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment” (Hebrews 1:10, 11).

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President Obama said the world is a better placebecause of the death of Osama bin Laden. After theannouncement that bin Laden had been killed byspecial American forces in Pakistan, many people,especially Americans, rejoiced. One news report toldof at least one person who rejoiced that bin Ladenwas finally in Hell. Pictures of Americans cheeringand rejoicing were broadcast around the world. Tomany Muslims, these were pictures of “Christians”rejoicing in violence done to a great Muslim leader.

What should have been a true Christian’s atti-tude toward bin Laden and other terrorists? DoesChrist really want Christians to rejoice when anyonegoes to Hell, even a terrorist?

Over 900 years ago, professing Christians foughtwhat is known as the Crusades in an attempt todeliver Jerusalem from the Muslims. Many churchleaders encouraged men to go fight the “heathen.”Some essentially promised “Heaven” for those fight-ing the Muslims. They violated Christian teaching insending an army in the name of Christ. Ironically,some Muslim religious leaders today are promisingterrorists “Heaven” for killing “Christians.”Muslims have long looked upon Christians as per-petrators of violence. In their minds, it is only theirduty to return violence for violence. When strictMuslims look upon “Christian” America, they seeimmodesty among its women and the toleration ofdrinking, even among professing Christians. Thesethings would be forbidden to them.

How many Muslims have seen Christians exem-plifying the teachings of Paul in 1 Timothy 2:9:“That women adorn themselves in modest apparel,with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidedhair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array”?Do they knowfrom the example of today’s Christians that the NewTestament says, “Be not drunk with wine, wherein isexcess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18)?Few Muslims would know what Jesus said about howChristians should treat their enemies. “Love your

enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to themthat hate you, and pray for them which despitefullyuse you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Theyhave seen few, if any, Christians putting that to prac-tice. How many professing Christians actuallyprayed for bin Laden and other terrorists? Howmany truly love their enemies?

In no way do genuine Christians want to condoneacts of terrorism, but at the same time, they do needto portray Jesus’ teachings on love for all mankind,even toward enemies. The New Testament teachesus to pray for government authorities as they exer-cise the role that God has given them. However, weare also to pray for our enemies.

Romans 13:4 says that government authority is,“a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doethevil.” The Christian does not protest the govern-ment’s responsibilities. God calls the Christian towork in the spiritual realm, not in the politicalrealm. Christians have another message, not a mes-sage of revenge but a message of love even towardterrorists and other enemies. The message of lovetoward enemies takes on very practical aspectsaccording to Romans 12:20, 21: “If thine enemyhunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for inso doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Benot overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

The world would be a different place if allChristians would exemplify Jesus’ teachings on loveand prayer for enemies. In our world, even professingChristians tend to think that they need to supportgovernment action to reform society and get peopleto do what is right. They do not realize that far moregood could be done when people allow God to controltheir lives and direct their actions. Far more good canbe done as Christians pray for their enemies than ifthey retaliate against them.

What might happen if more Christians prayed fortheir enemies? How much were the prayers of God’speople involved when communism fell in Eastern

The World Today–Roger L. Berry

Praying for a Terrorist?

Reaching Out - page 11

Europe and in Russia? Various communist regimesfell from within even without war. The Bible saysthat God “ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth itto whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it thebasest of men” (Daniel 4:17). God “changeth the timesand the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth upkings” (Daniel 2:21).

On a personal level, we can help change the atti-tudes and speak to the lives of those who are our ene-mies. If more Christians would focus on proclaimingthe truth found in Jesus Christ, how might thatspeak to the lives of the enemies around them andeven lead some of those enemies to faith in Christ?Consider praying for the spiritual needs of the terror-ists who threaten our world. Pray for your own per-sonal enemy who lives next door. “If it be possible, asmuch as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men”(Romans 12:18).

FreedomFrom Fear

Trust Christ for your salvation.

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were notredeemed with corruptible things, as silver andgold, from your vain conversation received bytradition from your fathers; but with the pre-cious blood of Christ, as of a lamb withoutblemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18, 19).

Walk daily with Jesus Christ.

“If any man will come after me, let him denyhimself, and take up his cross daily, and followme” (Luke 9:23).

Walk in obedience to Jesus’commandments.

Jesus said, “Ye are my friends, if ye dowhatsoever I command you” (John 15:14).

“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bearmuch fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (John15:8).

Live prepared for the coming ofChrist.

“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son ofman cometh at an hour when ye think not”(Luke 12:40).

“But the end of all things is at hand: be yetherefore sober, and watch unto prayer” (1 Peter4:7).

Live free from fear.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”(2 Timothy 1:7).

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Studythe Bible!

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