Answers in Genesis Conference in La Crosse, WI
by Tim Chaffey
As I write this article, Ken Ham (president of Answers in Genesis) is on stage speaking to a large audience at the La Crosse Center. Earlier, Buddy Davis played a mini-concert and gave a brief testimony. I just spoke with a man at the registration table and he told me that they were expecting about 1,500 people tonight and that they were well over that amount. I have been working at the resource tables answering questions that people may have. I am excited about what God will do as a result of this conference tonight (4/29) and tomorrow.
So many people are confused about the importance of Answers in Genesis and their ministry. Most people immediately think of creation vs. evolution when they hear about them; however, their ministry is much more than that. They have a burden to call people back to the authority of the Word of God. Mr. Ham just made a comparison between the nation of England and the United States of America. The church in England is dying and some believe it will be dead within forty years. The United States seems to be following in England's footsteps. The church in England compromised God's Word with evolutionary beliefs long ago. As Ken Ham just said, "The church in England gave up the history of the Bible." In other words, they bought into evolutionary history and asked people to believe the claims of the New Testament. People usually aren't that shallow. If one cannot believe the first eleven chapters of the Bible, then why should they believe anything else in it?
Unfortunately, the church in the United States is only a few decades behind. Christians need to wake up and realize that either all of God's Word is true or none of it can be trusted. If dinosaurs lived 65 million years ago, then you may as well throw your Bible away because it says that God created them about 6,000 years ago. The Christian need not fear this, the evidence overwhelmingly supports God's Word. Recently, a leg bone from a Tyrannosaurus Rex was broken open and soft tissue was found. This would be absolutely impossible if this creature died 65 million years ago.
This is one of the many reasons why Midwest Apologetics will never compromise God's Word. I used to tell people that I BELIEVED the Bible is the Word of God. I don't say that anymore. Now, I tell them that I KNOW the Bible is the Word of God. This is what Answers in Genesis is all about - calling the church back to the Word of God and reaching out to the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May God bless this conference and all those in attendance.
(After a twenty minute break, Dr. David Menton spoke on the topic: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made)
I just finished listening to Dr. Menton's talk and spoke with him for about five minutes after the presentation. If you have never seen a presentation by this gentleman then you are really missing out. He's not the most excitable speaker in the world, but he is able to take complex biological structures and explain them in everyday English. He does a great job of showing the incredible complexity in the various body parts, such as the eyes, ears, and hair (he told me that he is currently working on a talk on the bones of the human body). Tonight's topic was on the miraculous (his word - not mine, but I would agree) events that take place during our earliest months - from the time of fertilization until birth. Sometimes I just sit in awe of what God has done. Tonight, during Dr. Menton's talk, was one of those times. I'm not sure if I could put it into words - without writing for the next month, so you'll have to take my word for it...Or you could purchase the DVD of Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Dr. David Menton, available from Answers in Genesis' website.
(The following comments refer to Day Two of the conference)
I had trouble finding a parking spot this morning. Apparently, a large number of people were excited about the conference and wanted to get there early. The day began with a presentation of Carl Kerby's video: What's the Best Evidence that God Created? This is an outstanding talk for students and was originally presented at Creation 2003 in West Harrison, IN. Ken Ham followed this up with his talk on racism entitled One Blood - the Biblical Answer to Racism. Dr. David Menton then spoke on the incredible intricacies of the ears and eyes.
(Lunch Break)
Ken Ham is currently speaking on the importance of creation to evangelism. Anyone who has a burden for the lost needs to hear this talk if they really want to be effective in proclaiming the Gospel. In a little while, Dr. Menton will conclude the conference with a critique of the Scopes Trial entitled Inherently Wind - Hollywood History of the Scopes Trial (also available on DVD through Answers in Genesis).
I have heard each one of these talks on several occasions and was never bored listening to them again today. Ham and Menton effectively proclaimed biblical and scientific truths in a way that most people can easily understand. If you ever have an opportunity to attend one of these conferences I would highly recommend it. I firmly believe that Answers in Genesis is the most important parachurch ministry in the world today. Martin Luther boldly called people back to the authority of the Word of God. I believe that Answers in Genesis is the Martin Luther of our time. May God bless their ministry.