Evolution - Forced to Outer Space?

Our planet is truly significant. The only planet with liquid water, and at the perfect distance from the Sun, planet Earth is the only planet with the ability to support life. However, due to the many scientific impossibilities with the idea of the evolutionary origin of life (for example, oxygen is a necessity for life, yet it would also chemically prevent the formation of molecules!), many evolutionists (including DNA co-discoverer, Francis Crick) have proposed an idea called panspermia. Panspermia holds that millions of years ago, an advanced form of life from somewhere else in the universe planted the seeds of life from which all forms of living things would evolve. In the documentary Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, atheist Richard Dawkins points to the evidence in the extremely-complex "code of life," DNA, as the fingerprint of a designer--but not the God of the Bible. Instead, Dawkins said that these designers would be intelligent E.T.s, which also would have evolved by natural processes. However, this begs the question, "If life cannot evolve on earth, with all of its life-supporting characteristics, what is the possibility that it could evolve anywhere else in the universe?" Panspermia does not actually solve the problem, it only pushes the problems with evolution to "a galaxy far, far away," where they cannot be solved scientifically through observation and experimentation.

As you can see, this idea of panspermia is simply another way evolutionists try to evade the obvious conclusion: design implies a Designer, information cannot come without an Intelligence, and scientific laws (such as biogenesis) can only come from a Law-Giver. As apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:18-23, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things." 

If you want to learn more about E.T.s and the evolution connection, be sure to attend the October Foundations Creation Club meeting to hear Professor Bruce Wood of Shasta Bible College & Graduate School give his presentation, "Is Anyone Out There?" which tackles the E.T. question! This event will be held on Friday, October 25th from 6:45-8:30pm at Church of the Foothills in Cameron Park, CA. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/182465965278039/. Thanks for reading!

Book Review: Demolishing Supposed Bible Contradictions - Volume 1

Rating: Five out of five

Difficulty: Layman

Recommended Ages: Teens & adults

"The Bible is full of contradictions!" says the skeptic. You reply in protest, "Show me one!" To your shock, the skeptic flips to a series of passages in the Old and New Testaments, which, to your horror, appear to contradict one another! What do you do now? Do you give up, try to explain it away, or do you give an answer as we are commanded to do in 1 Peter 3:15?

General editor Ken Ham (president/CEO of Answers in Genesis and Creation Museum) leads a team of apologists (defenders of the faith) to refute 40 of the most common alleged contradictions in Demolishing Supposed Bible Contradictions - Volume 1. Each chapter covers a separate contradiction, from the two creation accounts in Genesis, to the slaughter of the Canaanites in Joshua, to Jesus' statement of the Father being greater in the Gospels, to the "firstborn Creator" in Colossians. Each of these chapters helps build confidence in the the truth and inspiration of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16), and shows that the Bible "is an anvil which has worn out many hammers." 

Some of the things I personally enjoyed about this book: 

- With each chapter being only a page to two pages long, it is an easy book to pick up and read on the go or when you are in a discussion or debate with someone on Bible contradictions. 
- Because the authors stand on the authority of Scripture, all of the research they do comes directly from the pages of Scripture, rather than dismissing each of these "contradictions" as errors.
- As stated throughout, this book helps Christians to better understand the issue at hand and how to refute Bible contradiction arguments from skeptics, by simply defining "contradiction" and reading the passage within context. 
- My faith in the Bible was strengthened, as passages which once bothered me due to their "contradictory nature" now fit into their place.

Would I recommend Demolishing Supposed Bible Contradictions - Volume 1? I wouldn't only recommend it, but I would say that it is a must have for any Christian's library. Now I have to get my hands on the sequel! 

Thank you New Leaf Publishing Group for sending me a review copy! 

Caleb LePore's Eagle Scout Service Project

Hello friends!

You are invited to come and see the new movie "Evolution vs. God" by evangelist Ray Comfort, at this month's Foundations Creation Club meeting! Evolution vs. God exposes the blind faith the scientists place in the theory of evolution by interviewing them and "holding their feet to the fire"! This is a great faith-builder for believers and a great witness to non-believers, so be sure to invite friends! 

***Attendees will have the opportunity to sponsor creation resources (at 45-50% off!) for FCC leader Caleb LePore's Eagle Scout service project: a new creation section which will be installed in the Church of the Foothills Library!***

When: Friday, August 23rd from 6:45-8:30pm

Where: Church of the Foothills (2380 Merrychase Drive, Cameron Park, CA), in the Worship Center.

Visit our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/foundationscreationclub) or email us (foundationscreationclub@gmail.com) for more information. 

See you there!    

Book Review: How Do We Know the Bible is True? - Volume 1

Rating: Five out of five 

Difficulty: Easy to read and understand, layman's terms

Age Recommendation: Teens and adults

Often times, when Christians are approached and asked for "a reason for the hope" that they have, they often appeal to an authority other than the Bible to make their apologetic case, whether it be their experiences, their opinions, or external evidence. In fact, most apologetics books on the market today and most apologetics teachers claim that the Bible must be left out of the discussion about the Bible's trustworthiness! 

However, as Hebrews 6:13 states, "For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself." Thus, we too should hold nothing as authority over God and His infallible Word. So how do we really know that the Bible true?

How Do We Know the Bible is True? - Volume 1 edited by apologetics authors Ken Ham and Bodie Hodge of Answers in Genesis, seeks to answer this question in a way which honors God by uplifting His Word as authority. Unlike most apologetics resources, this book utilizes a Bible-upholding method known as "presuppositional apologetics" which shows that the issue isn't about facts vs. religion or evidence vs. evidence, but about worldview vs. worldview, presuppositions vs. presuppositions (things we assume to be true as a starting point). How Do We Know the Bible is True answers one question per chapter which helps readers to understand how to "rightly divide the word of truth" in a variety of different topics, including inerrancy, Genesis, the Old and New Testaments, the resurrection, the Trinity, and many others.

All in all, this book is a wonderful resource for all Christians, pastors, and anyone who has questions and doubts about the trustworthiness of the Bible. The brevity of the chapters makes for easy reading on the go, and for giving "an answer to anyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in you." (1 Peter 3:15) I would highly recommend this book to anyone, and am happy to have it in my library.        

Movie Review: IndoctriNation

Rating: Five Stars (out of five)
Age Recommendation: Teens and Adults

Being homeschooled and having only gone through the first 3 grades in the public school system, I have been somewhat desensitized to what goes on in public education and what kind of effect it as having on children. I recall that in the 1st and 2nd grades, I would often not tell my parents of the things I was hearing and going through at school, preferring to only discuss the good. Students would make fun of me and call me mean, crude names which I often didn't understand. Eventually, God led us to homeschooling, which has enabled me the opportunity to learn and grow mentally, physically, socially, and spiritually, in ways I could never have at a public school. As a result of homeschooling, God has called me to creation ministry to teach people (particularly youth) about the truth of God's creation as described in His Word. Creation ministry has exposed me to much of the indoctrination that is going on in the public schools. But I never knew it was this bad.

In the appropriately-named documentary, IndoctriNation: Public Schools and the Decline of Christianity in America, Scottish filmmaker and homeschool father Colin Gunn takes you on a field trip you never can--or will--forget...no matter how hard you try. Using the allegory of (and driving around in) a big yellow school bus, Gunn Productions will lead you through the roots--and fruits--of the public school system in America, demonstrating the reason why education in America is rotten to the core: because, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction," the latter of which American public schools have chosen to follow. By taking apart the history and philosophies of the public school system piece-by-piece, IndoctriNation exposes what ideas and values helped to shape the classrooms of America today, and how a secular mindset has taken over every inch of the public education system, from the standard grade system and testing, to the way classrooms are organized. The fruits of such a mindset is shocking. Poor grades, general illiteracy, school violence, and drugs to name just a few. 

Christian parents often believe that if their children go to church and Sunday school, and then get sent to school for the other 5 days of the week, then they will be fine. Most Christian parents would be led to believe that their children are being "salt and light" in their school. IndoctriNation points out the flaws in this thinking, showing how, in order to preserve the next generation of Christian young people, we must not let their minds be taken captive to the mindset of the day (Colossians 2:8) and instead, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).

Here are some things that I personally noted about IndoctriNation:  

- While much has been written about the public school system from a Christian perspective, Colin Gunn has put together all of this research and information in a format which is easily accessible and comprehensible for parents and students.
- The documentary style is easy-to-watch and always keeps you on your feet. 
- The experts who were interviewed provided a professional and intriguing look into different aspects of the public education system, from education styles, to history, doctrine, morals, and much more.       

Conclusion: Every Christian parent needs to watch this documentary. It will shake the way they view education in America. No longer would parents so easily allow their children to be spiritually "slaughtered by the masses" in the classroom. I can testify to this, as I once was in line to be robbed of my faith by the lies and indoctrination which is taught in public schools, but by God's grace, He called my parents to homeschool me and my brother. Ever since, God has grown our faith and relationship with Him and has given us a far-better education, social life, and atmosphere in which to share the truth and truly be "salt and light." All in all, I would recommend that any parent and high school student should watch this video--and then share it with others.  

(Note: I was provided with my free review copy of IndoctriNation from New Leaf Publishing Group) 

The 10-4 Youth Conference - Complete Details and Information for Parents and Leaders

We are thrilled to announce a new faith-building, question-answering event hosted by Foundations Creation Club at Church of the Foothills,

The 10-4 Youth Conference, a special conference on creation vs. evolution, the biblical worldview, evangelism, and apologetics--for youth! 

“10-4” is the radio code signal for “understood,” which is not the sign today’s Christian youth are giving in response to their faith in Christ. According to Barna Research Group Studies, 3 out of 4 young people raised in the Church will leave after high school and college. Why is this? According to research done by America’s Research Group and Answers in Genesis, it is because they were never taught why they believe what they believe, how to view things through a biblical worldview, and were never given answers to the questions and attacks our modern culture throws at them. Attacks such as evolution, carbon-dating, the big bang, and ape-men rock the faith of Christian students to the core, and destroy faith in the Bible’s first and foundational book, Genesis. As a result, they are left unable to give answers for the Christian faith which is required of them (1 Peter 3:15), and they lose faith in God’s Word. What can we do to cure this epidemic? We should go to the Bible for the answer. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 declares, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” We need to show them why they believe what they believe, equip young people to “think God’s thoughts after Him,” and to share their faith with others, while answering the questions of our day with answers founded in the authority of the Bible.

Where do we come in? - The 10-4 Youth Conference will apply this “10:4 Principle” by teaching students, 5th-12th Grade, to see the world around them through the correct set of glasses --a biblical worldview-- by unveiling the truth about the origins debate and showing how the Bible answers questions about science, evolution, dinosaurs, fossils, natural selection, astronomy, and many others! By doing this, we will show the students that the Bible is not only relevant, but necessary in order to view the world correctly and to share the truth of the Gospel with others.

Speakers: 
- Pat Roy - "10-4" is a fitting name, as our keynote speaker, Pat Roy, worked in the radio department of the Institute for Creation Research for 12 years, and now is the writer of the radio adventure series, Jonathan Park. Pat's clear presentation of the proofs of creation makes him a dynamic speaker to all ages.

- Caleb LePore - As the teen leader of Foundations Creation Club, Caleb has given presentations on creation to children, teens, and adults, and has seen the Lord Jesus use his powerful testimony to reach a wide variety of people with the truth of creation.      

Time and Location: 

- Friday, June 28th from 6:45-8:30pm - Saturday, June 29th from 9:00am-2:00pm.

- At Church of the Foothills in Cameron Park in the Worship Center (2380 Merrychase Drive, Cameron Park, CA 95682), for directions click here. 

Age, Cost, and Other: 

- For Friday night, all ages are welcome.

- For Saturday, 5th-12th grade. Adult attendance encouraged.

- $10 suggested donation per family.

- Please RSVP via email.

- Bring sack lunch for Saturday.

- Bring money if you plan on purchasing resources from the book table.

We hope and pray that we will see you there! For more information, email us at foundationscreationclub@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page.

In Christ,

Foundations Creation Club ---- Psalm 11:3

Foundations Creation Club is a Christian organization dedicated to equipping believers with answers to their questions (regarding topics like dinosaurs, the age of the earth, fossils, science, evolution, and the Bible), and training young people to defend their faith in an age which is hostile to the truth of God's Word.    

Book Review: Tower of Babel: The Cultural History of Our Ancestors by Bodie Hodge

Rating: 5 Stars

Difficulty: Easy to read and understand, layman's terms.

Age Recommendation: Preteens, Teens, and Adults.

Often times, when eating a meal with our extended family, the topic of of ancestry is brought up in discussion. We hear of a famous actor or sports player who was related to us in some distant way, or of a strange marriage arrangement which connects two related families, and so on. Oftentimes, the conclusion of such conversations is simply the old saying, “It’s a small world!” However, the real conclusion should be that we are all one human family...and we all go back to Adam, and more recently, the Tower of Babel. 

In this eye-opening volume, Tower of Babel: The Cultural History of Our Ancestors, biblical history buff, Bodie Hodge of Answers in Genesis, “maps it all out” (literally) from Babel to today, starting from the authoritative history found in the pages of Scripture. One thing that is particularly common with most literature written about the Tower of Babel today, is that it usually starts from a ‘traditionalist’ reading of the Biblical text and not necessarily what the text actually says. Not so with this book, in which Hodge presents a case for the rebellion and dispersion at Babel based on what is clearly revealed in the Word of God, and uses it to explain the world’s cultures, customs, legends, and languages. Perhaps one of the most fascinating things about this book is that it ties the ancient world with the modern world, showing how many of the Earth’s geographical locations and cities are named after biblical patriarchs, how some of the pagan ‘deities‘ worshipped in ancient times are really the ancestors of these people groups who were dispersed from Babel, and how the languages of today would have developed from the language families given by God at Babel. 

After having read Bill Cooper’s groundbreaking work on the genealogy and ancient history of Europe, After the Flood, I was eager to learn more, but was saddened by the fact that there is very little work (much less reliable or biblical) on this intriguing topic. When I received notice that Master Books (a division of New Leaf Publishing Group) was publishing a new release on this topic, I immediately requested a copy to review. Having read through it now, I am looking forward to distributing this book in our creation club bookstore at our monthly meetings. Here are just a few of my thoughts on this fascinating title:

• Bodie Hodge has certainly done his homework, and has laid solid ground for further research in this important area.
• This is a very readable book; any preteen could pick up and fully understand this book.
• The chapters (with an exception of Chapter 17) are very short (4-8 pages) and meant for easy and timely reading; great for travel. (Note: I read the last 1/3 of the book in a the center aisle of an airplane.) 
• Chapter 17, though a long read, has been thoroughly researched and includes priceless information on the whereabouts and travels of the biblical patriarchs, which are confirmed by the records of extra-biblical historians and culture experts.
• The whole of the book is truly challenging (in a good way, ‘as iron sharpens iron’) for creationists, since a majority of the book is focused on refuting some of the formerly held (even by the author) misconceptions about the Tower of Babel event, and giving biblical creationists a wholly biblical understanding which stays loyal to the text of Genesis 10-11.

Conclusion: Everyone wants to know about their family tree. Many non-Christian religions and cults are entirely focused on knowing who their ancestors are. However, as Hodge concludes in this book, it is because we are all one human family through our ancestor Adam that we all need a Savior who is one of our relatives: Jesus Christ. The message of the Bible’s trustworthiness inevitably leads one to the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, which is the end-all message of this must-have, faith-building book. I highly recommend picking up a copy of Bodie Hodge’s Tower of Babel!