You Can Follow Christ Without Following Creationists | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

You Can Follow Christ Without Following Creationists

And the Bible is not the fourth member of the Trinity.

40
You Can Follow Christ Without Following Creationists
Huffington Post

This is what I wanted to tell the young-earth creationist Ken Ham after watching his recent speech at Cedarville University.

For those unfamiliar with his work, he debated evolution with Bill Nye in a nationally televised debate two years ago, and tours the country arguing for his perspective on Genesis.

Here are his main points in his address to Cedarville:

1. Anyone who doubts his specific view of Genesis simply has a problem with authority.

2. No matter what, young people are always the problem. If homeschooled or in private school, we simply ignored the truth. If we went to public school, we bought into the evolutionary lies. (He omits the reality that many public schools still teach creationism.)

3. Anyone who believes the 98% of scientists that acknowledge evolution is comparable to Richard Dawkins, the anti-theist author of The God Delusion. So there is no middle ground - you are either a creationist, or a hardcore atheist.

4. Pastor Andy Stanley is not a real Christian because he suggested that we worship Jesus instead of the Bible. (Many other pastors agree with Stanley, so much like Ham's omission on #2, he either forgets or disqualifies the millions of other non-literalist Christians around the world.)

5. The Son of God should not be the foundation of our faith because that’s supposed to be the Bible. So any Christian who puts Christ above all is…a bad Christian? This similar Facebook post from Ham also concludes that the foundation of Christianity is Genesis 1:1, not Jesus (and I'm assuming not Genesis 2.)

6. Little explanation of actual science. And how could any Christian admit to questions, when the majority of his speech has just proven how evil they are for asking?

This kind of rhetoric only stirs hatred between churches, friends, and families.

He sells an Us vs. Them dichotomy, where his particular view offers his followers the monopoly on truth. Any Christian who questions this view is dismissed as a phony with childish authority issues.

It couldn’t be that any Christians actually spent hours and years researching and reading about these issues (including many homeschool Christian parents who asked for a curriculum that acknowledges evolution), because Ham says it's simple. Ham says that if I'm not a bad kid, I'll shut up and listen - specifically, to him.


For Ken Ham, Christians are only acceptable if they believe Ken Ham's interpretation of the Bible. If Christianity isn't his way, then it isn't valid at all.

Call me a millennial, but I'd say that is an authority issue.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
friends
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

If I have learned one thing in my lifetime, it is that friends are a privilege. No one is required to give you their company and yet there is some sort of shared connection that keeps you together. And from that friendship, you may even find yourself lucky enough to have a few more friends, thus forming a group. Here are just a few signs that prove your current friend group is the ultimate friend group.

Keep Reading...Show less
ross and monica
FanPop

When it comes to television, there’s very few sets of on-screen siblings that a lot of us can relate to. Only those who have grown up with siblings knows what it feels like to fight, prank, and love a sibling. Ross and Monica Geller were definitely overbearing and overshared some things through the series of "Friends," but they captured perfectly what real siblings feel in real life. Some of their antics were funny, some were a little weird but all of them are completely relatable to brothers and sisters everywhere.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Types Of Sorority Girls

Who really makes up your chapter...

2316
Sorority Girls
Owl Eyes Magazine

College is a great place to meet people, especially through Greek life. If you look closely at sororities, you'll quickly see there are many different types of girls you will meet.

1. The Legacy.

Her sister was a member, her mom was a member, all of her aunts were members, and her grandma was a member. She has been waiting her whole life to wear these letters and cried hysterically on bid day. Although she can act entitled at times, you can bet she is one of the most enthusiastic sisters.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

10 Reasons Why Life Is Better In The Summertime

Winter blues got you down? Summer is just around the corner!

1962
coconut tree near shore within mountain range
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

Every kid in college and/or high school dreams of summer the moment they walk through the door on the first day back in September. It becomes harder and harder to focus in classes and while doing assignments as the days get closer. The winter has been lagging, the days are short and dark, and no one is quite themselves due to lack of energy and sunlight. Let's face it: life is ten times better in the summertime.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Things That Describe You and Your College Friends

The craziest, funniest, and most unforgettable college memories are impossible to create without an amazing group of friends.

1556
College Friends
Marina Lombardi

1. You'll never run out of clothes when you have at least four closets to choose from.

2. You embrace and encourage each other’s horrible, yet remarkable dance moves.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments