Does the Bible Permit the Theory of Evolution?

November 3, 2010
Pastor Hammond

The Theory of Evolution proposes that that over millions of years, relatively complex life forms (including man) evolved from simpler forms of life. While this is an intriguing scientific theory, the Bible does not permit this possibility.  Rather, the Bible teaches that the LORD created all forms of life as distinct, fully-developed life-forms during a literal six-day creation week.  

The language of Genesis chapter 1 speaks of six literal days of creation.  Six times, the Bible describes the days of the creation week as being composed of an “evening and morning.”  The LORD used very literal language in order to rule out the possibility that he was referring to longer periods of time (i.e. millions or billions of years).

In Genesis chapter 1, the Bible says that all forms of life were created to reproduce “after his kind.”  Grass produces grass; whales produce whales, beasts of the earth produce beasts of earth.  Multiple times, the Lord repeated that each form of life reproduces “after his kind.”   This phrase refutes the possibility of evolution because it refutes the possibility that one life form evolved into “another kind” of life.  Rather, each form of life reproduces “after his kind.”

In Genesis 1:26-28, the Bible teaches that the LORD created man separately from animals.  We have an origin that is distinct and separate from the origin of plants, sea life and animals.   Man was created at a distinct point in time (v.26-27).  And man was created separately from animals (vs. 24-25) and separately from sea life and birds (fifth day of creation).  And the Bible is clear that only man was created “in the image of God.” (1:26).   The literal language of Genesis 1 excludes the possibility that man evolved from other forms of life.

The Bible is clear that death entered the world as a result of sin (Rom. 5:12).  Therefore, if the theory of evolution is true, nothing could have died for millions (or billions) of years, i.e. nothing could have died until man evolved “far enough to sin.”  This isn’t possible because the earth isn’t large enough to accommodate all of the animals that would have been produced over the millions or billions of years that evolutionist claim were required for man to evolve.

The Bible timeline only permits the earth to be 5,000 – 6,000 –years-old.   Even if we interpret the Bible timeline rather loosely, the Earth cannot be more than 10,000-years-old.    Because millions of years would be required for man to evolve from simpler forms of life, scientists who endorse the theory of evolution argue that the earth must be millions (or billions) of years old. The Bible timeline simply does not permit this possibility.  (And the so-called “Gap theory” is refuted by Rom. 5:12).   Also note that the Flood explains geological observations that argue for a very old Earth.

Should Christians Participate in Halloween?

October 13, 2010
Pastor Hammond 

This season brings with it the annual debate about involvement in Halloween. Some hold that Halloween is a simply a harmless time of fun for young people. Others see great spiritual concerns for Christians.   As you may know, for years, our family has avoided participating in Halloween.  My decision was rooted neither in fear of the occult nor in legalism.  Rather, my decision was made in response to my understanding of what pleases God -- and what displeases Him.  

My decision was also rooted in my understanding that Christians are involved in a real spiritual battle "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12).  It is a fact that Halloween celebrates those things that we war against.

In Deuteronomy 18:9-12, the LORD told His people to avoid involvement in the occult practices of their Pagan neighbors.  "When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.  10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,  11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.  12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD..."

In the New Testament, too, we find numerous imperatives to be separate from evil and the occult.   In Romans 12:9, Paul writes,  "Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."  In 2 Corinthians 6:14, he wrote,  "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? ... 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate."   And in Ephesians 5:11, we're reminded to "...have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."  Recall, too, that in Romans 14:13, Paul urges "that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way." 

My desire is to make decisions that please the LORD.   I understand that any association with the occult displeases the LORD.  Despite the fact that retailers have trivialized the association of Halloween with the occult, it remains a fact that Halloween celebrates the occult.   These are the truths that led me to end my involvement in celebrating Halloween.   I urge you to prayerfully consider the same decision.  

How Can I Understand the Bible?

Pastor Hammond 

Christians frequently report difficulty understanding the word of God.  To be fair, the Bible is sometimes difficult to understand.  Even Peter observed that Paul's writings are sometimes "hard to be understood."  (2 Peter 3:16).  So, how can we grow our understanding?  

Consider these points:

First, be certain that you genuinely know the author!  Unless you have repented and placed your faith in Christ alone for salvation, you cannot progress in your understanding of God's words.  In 1 Corinthians 2:14, Paul wrote,  "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."  The Bible plainly states that is possible to know if you have eternal life.  In 1 John 5:13, John wrote, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."  If you're uncertain about your salvation, learn more here.

Second, recognize that believers don't have to lean on their own faculties alone to understand God's words.  Recall that in John 14:26, Jesus said, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."  If you know Christ as your savior, you've been indwelt by the Holy Spirit -- the same Spirit who inspired the words that we seek to understand!   He is the one who aids our understanding.    Pray and ask the LORD to guide your understanding of His words.

Third, understand that the Lord does not intend for us to read Scripture as we read other materials.    Rather, He intends for us to wrestle with His words and to meditate upon them.  In Psalm 119:148, the psalmist wrote, "Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word." We're called to give time to the words of God.   

Fourth, recognize the importance of your local church in building your understanding of God's words.  The LORD calls Christians to be baptized into a local church where we can be taught by those who have been gifted by the Holy Spirit to teach.  What a privilege it is to be under the teaching of one who is gifted by the LORD to aide our understanding of His words.  Never forget that Bible teaches that your local church is the "pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Tim. 3:15).  If you want to understand God's words, you'll need to spend time in God's place of study.

Fifth, recognize the critical importance of a proper approach to personal Bible study.  Believers should rely on careful, Spirit-led study of God’s words to guide their understanding.  Commentaries, study Bibles and other tools are often helpful.  However, the bulk of our study time should be spent with the actual Bible text.  Personal study will be greatly aided by an understanding of several basic principals.  We rely on the so-called Grammatical-Historical Method to interpreting Scripture.  Essentially, this method seeks guide us to an accurate understanding of what scripture actually says – rather than interpretations that aren’t directly supported by the grammar and historical context of the text.  We seek to uncover the original intent of the inspired Biblical writers.  Take time to learn some basic principals of Bible interpretation (hermeneutics).

Please read this short article that provides an overview of several principals for interpreting God's words.  Read now. 

And don't forget:  If you want to understand the words of God, you must spend time in the words of God!

Why the trials?

October 7, 2010
Pastor Bob Hammond

Recently, we've seen a number of people in our church face great trials.   Many times, people ask why the LORD allows us to experience serious illnesses and other trials.  

Often, we see that that the LORD allows great trials into our lives  in order to get our attention. In Psalm 119:67, the psalmist wrote, “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.”  How true it is that the LORD can use serious afflictions to bring us to Him!      

Other times, the LORD simply wants us to experience His comfort so that we can be better-equipped to comfort others. Consider this verse that Paul wrote to the church members at Corinth: 

2 Corinthians 1:3-5   ³  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;  ⁴ Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort  them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.  ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

 Of course, in the case of Job, we also see that, sometimes, the trial has nothing at all to do with us!  But the LORD can still use our response to the trial as a testimony to others -- as He did when Paul, Silas and Timothy were imprisoned at Philippi (Acts 16).

In any event, we can know that Christ is in control of all things – and that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

A Portrait of Humility

September 23, 2010
Pastor Bob Hammond

In the opening verses of Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount,
the Lord proclaimed, "Blessed are theFanny Crosby's tombstone at Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport, CT. meek: for they shall inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:5)

This week, I had an opportunity to visit Fanny Crosby's grave at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport.

Of course, we know Fanny Crosby as the famous writer of more than 3,000 hymns and poems.  What you may not know, is that despite her considerable fame, Fanny Crosby remained a portrait of Christ-like meekness and humility.  

I'm told that sister Fanny once had occasion to visit the grave of P.T. Barnum -- which is located just steps from where she is now buried.  As the blind hymnist felt around the very ornate grave of Mr. Barnum, she expressed dismay at the cost that must have been involved in creating such an elaborate memorial.  She proceeded to decree that her own grave should be marked by only the simplest stone.  Today, her original tombstone is among the smallest in the cemetery.  And it reads simply, "Aunt - Fanny.  She hath done what she could.  Fanny J. Crosby."  

Praise God for the humility of that great Sister in Christ!  Lord, produce in us the same humility.

To God be the Glory (Fanny Crosby)

To God be the glory, great things He hath done

So loved He the world that He gave us His Son

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin

And opened the life-gate that all may go in. 

Refrain:
	Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, 
	let the earth hear his voice!  
	Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, 
	let the people rejoice!
	O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son, 
	and give him the glory, great things he hath done!

Listen to this hymn