Creation Science Rebuttals

Institute for Creation Research

Home Education Controversy

First Published 31 March 2011

Homeschooling has taken front and center in the creation science debate, when Ken Ham was uninvited from two homeschool conventions (not for his beliefs, but for his non-Christian attitude). Other creation science ministries have joined in, supporting Ham. One such article was published on the Institute for Creation Research website on 30 March 2011. The article by Lawrence Ford is titled "Promoting Christ-centered Home Education."¹

The article reveals some serious flaws in the young earth mindset. Because of the controversy over Ken Ham's remarks about other conference attendees, specifically theistic evolutionists, this ICR article asks the question "Is the Christian home education movement still Christ-centered." Simply asking this question is an implication that theistic evolutionist homeschoolers are not Christ-centered. Not only is this an insult to many Christian homeschoolers who believe in evolution, it reveals the mindset of young earth creationists. Although they give lip service to other Christians who hold different beliefs, deep down they feel that anyone who does not hold to their position is not worthy of being called a Christian (they will deny this claim, but their actions defy their claims). This displays the outright arrogance of young earth creationist ministries. They insist that theirs is the only Biblical interpretation that is valid, and all others are heresy...and all those who hold other Biblical beliefs about the creation are heretics who are not Christ-centered.

The conclusion states that ICR's goal is to "help parents establish their children in the most fundamental of all truths—that there is a Creator-God who loves them and seeks to enrich their lives both in time and eternity." This sounds just like what a theistic evolutionist homeschool family believes in. They also strive to teach their children that there is a Creator-God who loves them and seeks to enrich their lives. However, they strive to do so without insulting those who believe differently than they do.

One of Old Earth Ministries's Facebook fans made an excellent point in discussing the homeschool issue:

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Maybe ICR should look up Mark 9:38-40

"Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us."

"Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us."

In todays context - I'm switching the names and stuff up a bit (though I'm not sure its fair to say AIG is equivalent with St. John)

"Teacher," said [AIG], "we saw a man [bringing people to Christ] in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not [a Young Earth Creationist]."
"Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.²

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Since theistic evolutionists (and gap theory and progressive creationists) are winning souls for Christ, Jesus would not chastise them. If young earth creationists followed the example of Jesus, they would not talk negatively about evolution and old earth creationism.

Another verse comes to mind: Philippians 1:15-18

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Despite the fact that some people were preaching Christ for their own gain, Paul rejoiced in the fact that Christ was proclaimed. Given the unbiblical action of confronting other believers who are proclaiming Christ (as stated by Jesus and Paul), perhaps YEC ministries need to reevaluate their practices. Considering Philippians 1:15-18, it appears that Paul's words apply to young earth creationist ministries. Since they criticize other believers, are they doing so out of self-ambition? I cannot say if this is the case, but this is something they need to seriously and prayerfully consider.

It is time for young earth ministries, and YEC believers, to start following the advice of Jesus and Paul, and stop criticizing old-earth creationist believers who are proclaiming Christ.

¹ Lawrence Ford, Promoting Christ-centered Home Education, ICR website, 30 March 2011.

² Facebook post of JT Perry, on the Old Earth Ministries Facebook page

If you are not a Christian, and you have been holding out on making a decision for Christ because the Church always preached a message that was contrary to what you saw in the scientific world, then rest assured that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, and you can believe in Christ and receive salvation, while still believing in an old earth. Click here for more.

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Did you know that you can be a Christian, and believe that the earth is billions of years old? You can even believe in evolution and be a Christian. There is no conflict between science and the Bible...all one needs is a proper understanding how to merge science and the Bible. To learn more about old earth creationism, see Old Earth Belief, or check out the article Can You Be A Christian and Believe in an Old Earth?

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