The Origin
of Evolution
by Don Landis
Almost all people in the world today, including those in the Church,
believe that Charles Darwin was the originator of the theory of evolution.
However, a number of folks before Darwin held the same idea including
Erasmus, Socrates, Plato, Homer, Nimrod, and even Lucifer himself. Although
many would probably scoff at this, I propose that the theory of evolution
is as old as, and is inherent in, the original fall of Lucifer.
For a number of years I have presented to my students the following scenario
between God and Lucifer:
The time is sometime before the fall of Lucifer and the setting is the
throne room of God. Lucifer is of course next to God, in fact he is closer
to God than any other created being. Closer in proximity since one of
his names is the cherub of covering and he appears to be the highest in
the order of created beings. (Ezekiel 28:14 You were the anointed
cherub who covers.) No other created being trumps him. Even Michael
the archangel was and is not above him (Jude 9).
As he worshipped and wondered at Gods eternal nature and saw what
he could not comprehend, Lucifer had two options: First, he could either
take Gods eternal existence by faith or, he simply could arrive
at the conclusion that God was not always God and that God became God
somehow! If he rejects God as being eternally God the only choice left
is to assume God became God somehow. If he had accepted that God really
was eternal it would have made the thought impossible that he could become
like God.
Lucifer must have thought if God was not always God but became God somehow,
that meant there was a process of His becoming God! If God did it so could
he!
Now the scripture comes to our aid and tells us that Lucifer looked at
his own beauty and his heart was lifted up in pride and he said to himself,
I will become like God. Ezekiel 28:17 says, Your heart
was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom by reason
of your splendor.
Now remember, Lucifer was on the top of the heap, ...Top
Gun... the most beautiful and most intelligent of all creation.
If anyone had a chance to become like God it was he! He would find the
secret and the way to evolve into a god. He believed he could because
he believed God did!
We know from Isaiah 14 that he set out on this course and the first thing
he did when we see him in the context of man is to sell the idea to Eve.
...your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God...(Gen 3:5).
The temptation to Eve is to also become like God.
By tracing this thread down through the centuries, we find it is common
in all major world religions. In Mormonism you can become a god. In Hinduism
and Buddhism you can become a part of the force. In New Age (which of
course is modern Babylonianism) you can become god. John Denver spoke
of his becoming god. Shirley McClain claims she can become god. Humanism
is mans quest to become god.
It is fascinating to trace the goal of becoming your own god from Genesis
down thorough the centuries to our own time, and see its final conclusion
in Revelation and the Anti-Christ.
To seek to become God is actually a counterfiet of Gods goal of
transforming us into the image of His Son! When we understand the origin
of evolution and its basis for a counterfiet worldview, we can understand
the significance of this issue and begin to deal with it on a more foundational
level. Little wonder the approach of Creation Evangelism is
so important today!
Don Landis is the President of Jackson Hole Bible College and pastor
of Community Bible Church. This article was condensed from the original
version which can be obtained by contacting Rev. Landis at: [email protected]
Babies by
Design
by Rachel Painter
Although medical technology has changed significantly over time, the birth
process that God instituted for a new
life to enter the world has remained the same since the time of Adam and
Eve. God has specially designed womens bodies, and their babies,
to safely give birth. Although pain is normally what most people associate
with childbirth (thanks to the Fall), Gods provision and care can
still be seen throughout the entire birth process.
False labor (Braxton Hicks) contractions prior to birth, help
expand and contract the babys lungs which prepare them for breathing.
The downward curve of the mothers backbone, allows the baby
to slide more easily through the birth canal.
Increased pressure on human flesh decreases the circulation of
blood to a certain area and, as a result, decreases pain. Therefore, during
the second stage of labor, God has given mothers a natural incentive
to push the baby out. The harder she pushes (more pressure she applies)
the less pain she feels.
The bones in the babys skull do not fully solidify until
after birththus, the soft spot on the top of the babys
head. As the baby is being pushed out, this flexibility allows its
head to be squeezed and molded to the shape of the birth canal. The bones
grow together in the first few months following birth.
As the baby is squeezed through the birth canal, most of the fluid
in its respiratory system, which it has been breathing during
its aquatic life, is expelled, preparing its lungs to breath air.
After its first breath, blood fills the left atrium of the
babys heart closing the valve which used to bring blood from the
placenta. This initiates a rerouting of the circulatory system so that
the baby can now function on its own. (See related article in the Kids
T&B.)
During breastfeeding, the stimulation of the breast produces hormones
that help in the detachment of the placenta from the uterus.
Breastfeeding also stimulates the blood vessels in the uterus so
that they begin to contract and return the uterus to its normal size.
This also frees the mothers blood to circulate and replenish her
own body.
Interestingly, the distance the baby can see clearly immediately
after birth is approximately 8-12 inches. This is the distance from the
mothers face to the babys when the baby is being fed. The
baby can see to make eye contact with the mother, further solidifying
their bond.
It is amazing to realize that all of these events are happening in an
orchestrated sequence. From the moment that we begin our life, to the
moment that we join Him in Paradise, God gives us all that we need. It
is no wonder that David says we are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Of All The
Nerves!
by Dr. Natalie Liesman, DC
There are many aspects of design that are evident in the development of
a baby prior to birthin what we call embryology. One of the most
fascinating developments is that of the nervous systemthe brain,
spinal cord, and their lines of communication, the nerves.
At conception, the joining of the ovum and sperm starts a cascade of cell
division that continues rapidly as this mass of cells, now a living being,
travels to the uterus. After implantation, the mass of cells begins to
organize according to a God-designed, specific plan contained in the DNA,
or master code of each cell.
The little baby is first identified as an embryonic disc, because of its
flat shape between two larger sacsthe yolk sac below the disc, and
what will become the protective amniotic sac above the disc.
The first ridges, streaks, and creases that form on this human landscape
are parts of the developing nervous system. Already there are parts that
will become the spinal cord, and specific regions for sight, sound, and
even hormone production in the brain as it matures. All these items are
present by day 18just 2 ½ weeks after conception and usually
before the mother is even aware of this new little life!
Over the next few days, these ridges and streaks quickly lengthen as cell
division continues and the disc begins, by an architectural plan, to fold
in at the sides so that a tube is formed, which fuses from the middle
out to the ends. This early structure, called the neural tube, is 2.6
mm long and is completely closed by 24 daysjust three weeks old!
Inside the tube, a horizontal ridge develops, partially separating the
tube into a lower section, or basal plate, and upper section, or alar
plate. These will be important in later details.
By 28 days, the nervous system portion has grown to 3.6 mm and the bulges
have begun to take on defining characteristics. A large swelling at one
end will become the cerebral portion that we usually think of as the brain.
On this swelling are two out-pouchings that will develop into the system
for the eye. Other smaller folds areas will become the cerebellum and
brain stem. There is a long portion that will become the spinal cord.
A short 8 days later, the C shaped nervous system has more
than doubled its size to 8 mm. The nerves that control every part of our
sensory experience and motor function are in place and growing. Even before
the baby develops arms, legs and organs to use these nerves, they are
in place, ready to grow as the baby matures. They are ready to control
the beating of the tiny heart, and the waving of tiny arms and legs. As
these nerves grow, another aspect of design becomes obvious, involving
the basal and alar plates mentioned earlier. The motor nerves, ones that
enable us to move muscles, grow only from the basal plate, on the inside
of the C curve. Sensory nerves, the ones that are associated
with our 5 senses, as well as temperature, light touch, deep pressure,
and proprioreception (knowing where the body is in space even with eyes
closed), all grow from the alar plate, or the outer edge of the C.
So the baby can move, and feel by 36 days.
All that is necessary for the babys control of his own body is developed.
It only must continue to follow its design, develop more ridges
for specificity, fold over on itself a few more times, and continue growing
and expanding its nerve pathways to innervate the rest of the expanding
area of the babys body. Such a specific system, which will be the
master system of the babys developing body (and for the rest of
his life!) cannot have itself developed simply by chance. A system that
controls such minute details as temperature, breathing, and even determining
when the thinking brain should be made aware of such details, must itself
be sustained in operation. The Lord, our Father is not only Creator, but
also Sustainer and Provider of our very lives. He cannot be removed from
His creation, but is integrally involved in its every function as the
development of the nervous system so profoundly declares.