A REVIEW OF
1999 William S. Pinkston Jr. Bob Jones University Press
The following are excerpts from this book
which is used in many
The Quotes
“Biology for
“You may find a description of the insect that the grasshopper evolved from, and what insects evolved from the grasshoppers. These statements are conclusions based on ‘supposed science.’ If the conclusions contradict the Word of God, the conclusions are wrong no matter how many scientific facts may appear to back them.” page vii
“AIDS, cancer, crowding, heart disorders, and pollution are but a few of the biological problems facing us today. Scientists are looking for solutions, and since they have often been successful in the past, most people seem confident that a better life is just around the corner. But is it? The Bible states, ‘Ye have the poor always with you.’ (Matt. 26:11). There will be sickness, suffering, and death until Christ returns for His thousand-year reign on the earth (Isa. 35:5-10; Matt. 24:5-14; Rev. 21:4). Man must now earn his bread by the sweat of his brow because of God’s curse upon the earth (Gen. 3:19).” page 3
“Our God is a God of truth. Christ said, ‘I am....the truth’ (John 14:6) and later called the Holy Spirit the ‘Spirit of truth’ (John 14:17, 15:26, 16:13). What the God of truth says must be true. Thus Scripture, the Word of God, is truth (John 17:17). Logic, observations, workability, and common beliefs or personal faith cannot disprove these claims of the Bible.” Page 9
“When man looks at a statement, whether based on repeated observations, logic, or even faith, it must fit under one of these four categories.
1. Revealed truth: that which is revealed in scripture, whether or not man scientifically proved it. If it is in the Bible, it is already true, without other proof.
2. Theory: that which is thought to be true, is not revealed truth, but may be part of unrevealed truth.
3. Fallacy: that which is contradicted by God’s revealed truth, no matter how scientific, how commonly believed, or how apparently workable it may seem.
4. Truth by definition: that which because man has defined it, as mathematics, grammar, and meaning of words.” Page 12
“Not only does science have many limitations, but also man is a sinful creature and cannot perfectly rule the earth. Not until Christ returns for His thousand-year reign will the earth be completely subdued and dominated.” Page 25
“Christians are to stand against the corruption Satan is spreading and slow down its effects. Two of Satan’s best tools are to have Christians ignore his activities and to make Christians appear foolish. Because Satan has used evolutionary theory effectively against Christians, they should know what they believe concerning this theory. “Page 169
“Any accurate observation of God’s creation could not contradict the revealed Word of God. The Christian’s faith can be strengthened by the fact that true science never has contradicted the Bible, and the Christian’s faith assures him that it never will.” Page 173
“Many Bible Scholars agree that there was no rainfall before the Flood, plants being watered by mist which rose from the earth. (Gen. 2:5-6).”
“This canopy of water is believed to have fallen when ‘the windows of heaven were opened’ (Gen. 7:11) at the time of Noah’s Flood. The layer of water vapor must have been a transparent layer, not obscuring the sun, moon, and stars but probably affecting the radiation of the sun on the earth.” Page 175
“Many Bible scholars, however, agree that Ussher’s dates are most likely a bit short. Several Biblical statements show that there are deliberate gaps in some of the genealogies. Compare Gen. 11:12-13 and Luke 3:35-36. These gaps permit dates of creation extending slightly in excess of 6,000 years ago......which places Noah’s Flood at 3700 B.C. rather than Ussher’s 2348 B.C.” Page 185
“Noah’s Flood which covered the mountains is an explanation of when the ranges formed, and what force formed them.” Page 186
“People often fail to consider that the earth must have been created with apparent age. Adam was not an infant on the seventh day of creation. Even though he was just a day old, he had a body of at least a young adult who was able to care for himself. The same was true of the animals. The Garden of Eden had fruit-bearing plants, not just seeds and seedlings.” Page188
“Biblical creationism is accepted by faith. A creationist, however, should not feel that science contradicts his faith in God’s word. Rather than being disproven by science, the Scriptural concept of a young earth is actually verified by science.” Page 191
“The Christian view of man - that man was created perfect but is now a wicked sinner who is responsible for his sin - is by comparison unappealing. The Bible places the blame for sin on the individual. It says that man cannot save himself but is in need of a savior. Darwinian evolution promises great things in the future if man works at it. Darwinism is, therefore, contrary to God and His word in that it blames natural causes for man’s future. In contrast, the Bible blames man for his condition and presents God as man’s only hope.” Page 197
“God could have allowed us to live in a disease free world in spite of Adam’s sin. But He chose to use such afflictions to accomplish His purposes in the lives of men.” “God does on occasion use disease as punishment for sin. (Cor.11:29-30).”
“Disease and disorder are part of the curse, but they can be tools in God’s hands for working of His will in our lives (Rom. 8:28).” Page 245
“Biblical and scientific evidence tend to support the idea that men and dinosaurs existed at the same time. Two references to animals believed to be reptiles are found in the final chapter of Job. Although Job may never have seen these animals, it is safe to assume he was at least familiar with oral traditions about them. This is a good indication that man was alive at the same time as dinosaurs.” Page 413
“Man is too small to conquer Satan. Satan may give a temporary peace, fooling man into thinking he is going the right way, but in time the “father of lies” will reveal his true self.” Page 615
“The Bible teaches us that God controls sickness and health and works His will through both. If God wants to heal miraculously He will. The will of God, however, often includes man’s using his intelligence. Most medical drugs are tools that God uses to effect his will.” Page 616
“God’s condemnation falls on anyone who murders another human, and the Bible teaches that murderers are to be put to death. (Gen. 9:6; Exod. 21:12).” Page 639
“God calls homosexuality a sin, and those who engage in this act are reprobates. (They are sinners against God, and they know it.) Thus, God condemns them for it along with adultery, fornication, idolatry, and other sins. Today Satan has convinced people that adultery and fornication are so much a normal part of life (since everybody is doing it) and so natural (since humans do have a reproductive inclination) that such acts are not really sins. God’s word tells us that the pleasures of sin are for a season (Heb. 11:25) and that we should not sin under any circumstances” (Rom. 6:12-13). “That is exactly what Satan wants young people to think. Satan wants them to rebel against God, His Word and His instruments in their life (such as godly parents, pastors, Christian teachers) so that Satan can have his way with them.” Page 646
“Where does God fit in? For many, He does not. Today some people look to science for everything. To them, man will improve through science. In fact, science is man’s only hope of ever improving. This is scientism, the worship of science. A Christian, however, knows that science cannot make a man truly good. Only Christ can give him strength to live a life that is pleasing to Him. Those who believe in scientism refuse to recognize God as Creator and Sustainer of the physical world and as the only savior of men.” Page 651
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW
Discuss why Ussher’s date for creation is too short and why dates far more than 10,000 yrs. ago are too long. Page 191
Give examples from Scripture which show how God used disease and disorder to accomplish His Will. Page 258
JIM STRAYER
-Biojims@aol.com