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ACTS&FACTS

INSTITUTE FOR
CREATION RESEARCH

ICR.org

JANUARY 2020

VOL. 49 NO. 1

Homo naledi : Another


Failed Evolutionary
Ape-Man
page 10

The Plan to
Replace God
page 14

Survival of the
Fittest and Evolution’s
Death Culture
page 17

Do Earth’s Rocks
Look Old?
page 20

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-2 esea o
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VOLUME 49 NUMBER 1
JANUARY 2020

Published by
INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH
P. O. Box 59029
5
Dallas, TX 75229
214.615.8300 feature
ICR.org
5 50 Years of Creation Research and
Acts & Facts is a free publication.
For subscription information, Scholarship
call 800.337.0375,
visit ICR.org/subscriptions, research
or write to ICR at the above address.
9 ICR Research at GSA Convention
EXECUTIVE EDITOR 9 T I M C L A R E Y, P h . D .
Jayme Durant

SENIOR EDITOR impact


10 Homo naledi : Another Failed
Beth Mull

EDITORS
Michael Stamp
Evolutionary Ape-Man
Truett Billups J E F F R E Y P. T O M K I N S , P h . D .
Christy Hardy

back to genesis
DESIGNER
Dennis Davidson 14 The Plan to Replace God
No articles may be reprinted in whole or in
10 BRIAN THOMAS, Ph.D.
part without obtaining permission from ICR.

Copyright © 2020 17 Survival of the Fittest and Evolution’s


Death Culture
Institute for Creation Research

All Scripture quotations are from the New King


R A N D Y J . G U L I U Z Z A , P. E . , M . D .
James Version unless otherwise indicated.

creation q & a
20 Do Earth’s Rocks Look Old?
Front cover: Homo naledi skull
Johannesburg, South Africa.
20 J A K E H E B E R T, P h . D .

Image credit: Xinhua/Alamy Live News


apologetics
21 Jonah’s Whale Adventure and
Everyday Miracles
JAMES J. S. JOHNSON, J.D., Th.D.

21 stewardship
22 50 Years of Blessing
H E N RY M . M O R R I S I V

JANUARY 2020 | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | ICR.ORG


3
from the editor

50 Years of Ministry

T
his year the Institute for Cre- Morris said this about his father:
ation Research celebrates 50 “While fully experienced in and
years of ministry. ICR founder trained by several major universi-
Dr. Henry M. Morris’ ground- ties, he had long held a vision and
breaking book The Genesis Flood burden for a thoroughly Christian
sparked the modern creationism and creationist educational and sci-
movement and set the course entific research group comparable
for a ministry unlike any that had to a great university that would
come before it. As a scientist who teach from a literal, biblical perspec-
loved the Lord, Dr. Morris saw how tive. ICR was patterned after this
science supports the Bible and dream.”
dedicated his life to making Christ When I think of what I’ve wit-
known through creation research. nessed at ICR the past decade, I’m
Our feature article this month, amazed at the impact God has al-
“50 Years of Creation Research and lowed this ministry to have. We hear
Scholarship” (pages 5-7), highlights from Acts & Facts readers about life’s
noteworthy milestones in ICR’s his- changes and challenges, and many
tory. The timeline begins in 1970 say how ICR has helped them sort
when Henry Morris, Tim LaHaye, through the confusion stemming
Dr. Duane Gish and Dr. Henry M. Morris
and others, driven by a passion for from evolutionary thinking. On
science and the Bible, came together our social media page, Lyndon
and helped establish what would become with Dr. [John] Whitcomb [The Genesis said, “I love learning real science. Finding
ICR. Flood] hit the market in the ’60s, boy, it was creation-based info is like finding a precious
Over the following decades, ICR scien- like, whoosh—just a breath of fresh air. And needle in an enormous haystack.” And Sonja
tists conducted debates, seminars, and con- we grew from a two-man operation to a 50- said, “Thank you so much for providing this
ferences that drew tens of thousands. To ex- employee operation, reaching thousands on wonderful resource [Acts & Facts], for free!...
pand its reach, the ministry produced Acts & a regular basis….For all practical purposes, Always edifying, you all do so much for His
Facts magazines, Days of Praise devotionals, we became a new organization when we Kingdom and to encourage His saints.”
radio broadcasts and podcasts, educational moved [to Dallas in 2007]. It was an inter- ICR has equipped believers with bib-
programs, online news articles, and dozens esting challenge trying to find and hire and lical and scientific truth for a half-century
of creation-based books. Anchored in the rebuild the organization during those first now. Our vision is to continue, with God’s
timeless truths of God’s Word, the ministry half-dozen years or so.” help, to demonstrate how science confirms
continues to adopt new and innovative ways Mary Smith, our founder’s daugh- the Bible, encourage believers to have con-
to communicate how science points to our ter, said, “I started working at ICR in 1971, fidence in God’s Word, and glorify our Lord
Creator. Today, the ICR Discovery Center stepping in as the secretary for my dad, and by proclaiming His wonders in creation.
for Science & Earth History is reaching peo- later also for Dr. [Duane] Gish. It was truly Thank you for sharing this mission with
ple with technology and innovative exhibits a privilege to work with two such dedicated us. We invite you to celebrate with us as we
carry the vision in 2020!
our founder probably only dreamed about. servants of God and to learn from them....I
Some ICR staff members have ex- have counted my work at ICR as my minis-
perienced major milestones of this minis- try for my Savior. Thank you, Dad, for hav-
Jayme Durant
try from its earliest days. Current CEO Dr. ing the vision to serve God in this way.” Executive Editor
Henry Morris III said, “When Dad’s book ICR President Emeritus Dr. John

ICR.ORG | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | JANUARY 2020


4
50
Years
OF CREATION RESEARCH
AND SCHOLARSHIP

“The creation/evolution debate is, in a very real sense, the most fundamental issue of all.”
— ICR founder D r . H e n r y M . M o rri s

W
hen the children of Israel first ute so that those of you who have helped Scriptures to resolve the obvious conflict
crossed the Jordan River to begin support this ministry might rejoice with us. between the science he was being taught
their occupational campaign, Josh- and the words of the Bible. His M.S. in 1948
ua instructed each of the 12 tribe In the Beginning and Ph.D. in 1950 from the University of
leaders to take a stone from the middle of Minnesota developed his expertise in hy-
ICR founder Dr. Henry M. Morris
the Jordan, draulics and provided the necessary cre-
didn’t start out with a plan to found a cre-
dentials to investigate how science confirms
“That this may be a sign among you ation research ministry. It was a vision that
the Genesis Flood.
when your children ask in time to developed over time. He realized that if the
come, saying, ‘What do these stones Bible is God’s Word, it must be trustworthy n 1961—Dr. Morris col-
mean to you?’ Then you shall answer laborated with Bible
from beginning to end. When the book of
them that the waters of the Jordan were
Genesis came under attack—even within scholar Dr. John Whit-
cut off before the ark of the covenant of
the Lord; when it crossed over the Jor- the church—he began researching how sci- comb to write The Gen-
dan, the waters of the Jordan were cut ence confirms the Bible. As a geologist, pro- esis Flood, which chal-
off. And these stones shall be for a me- fessor, and avid scholar, he saw profound lenged the most basic
morial to the children of Israel forever.” evidence for the Genesis accounts of the secular beliefs of evolu-
(Joshua 4:6-7) tion and deep time and
six-day creation, the global Flood, and the
That memorial practice has been Tower of Babel, and he sought to share those became the catalyst for the
mimicked over the centuries by Kingdom insights in order to reestablish the church’s modern creationism movement.
ministries wanting to mark the provision confidence in Scripture. n 1963—The Creation Research Society
of God as He has blessed, challenged, and Dr. Morris received his B.S. in 1939 was established by like-minded creation
provided for the work for which they were from Rice Institute in Houston, and his in- scientists, including Dr. Morris. This
called into existence. We at ICR would like volvement with the on-campus Intervarsity 57-year-old professional organization is
to do something similar with this short trib- ministry inspired his serious search of the still thriving today.

JANUARY 2020 | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | ICR.ORG


5
feature

1970s n 1974—Scientific Crea-


tionism was published,
one of Dr. Henry M.
Morris’ most influen-
tial works.

from ICR—discovered incredible physi-


cal evidence that supports what the Bible
n 1970—Dr. Morris met Dr. Tim LaHaye says about the young age of the earth.
and Art Peters, and the three sought to Two major books were published—the
build the Christian Heritage College first detailed what was to be done and the
in San Diego. Within the college, the questions to be debated, and the second
Creation Research Science Center was Dr. Henry M. Morris and Dr. Duane reported on the findings.
born, which later regrouped to form the Gish participated in hundreds of debates in
independent ministry Institute for Cre- the late 1970s and 1980s. Those debates were
ation Research (ICR). instrumental in bringing creation evidence
onto the national stage.

1980s

n 1984—ICR moved to Santee, California.

n 1985—Days of Praise, a quarterly devo-


tional, began publication.

1990s

n 1994—Answers in Genesis was founded n 2006—ICR founder Dr. Henry M. Mor-


n 1972—ICR’s free monthly Acts & Facts by Ken Ham, who spent his early years at ris went home to be with the Lord. ICR
began publication, and ICR launched its ICR growing and gaining his reputation purchased the Dallas campus and ac-
radio ministry with a 15-minute program as a world-renowned speaker and pro- quired properties over the next few years
called Science, Scripture & Salvation. moter of the creationist message. to prepare for a cutting-edge facility that
would showcase the evidence for creation.
n 1996—Founder Dr. Henry M. Morris re-
tired, and Dr. John Morris filled his posi-
tion as ICR’s president.

2000s

n 2004—Dr. Henry Morris III, eldest son of


Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Dr. ICR’s founder, moved to Dallas, Texas, to
n 2007—Dr. Henry Morris III was ap-
John Morris, second son of ICR’s founder, prepare for ICR’s relocation.
pointed Chief Executive Officer of ICR.
made 13 trips to Mount Ararat in search of n 2005—The Radioisotopes and the Age Only a few California-based employees
the remains of Noah’s Ark. Dr. John’s work, of the Earth (RATE) project was com- chose to move, giving Dr. Morris III the
funded by ICR, has been a major impetus pleted after nearly eight years of careful opportunity and challenge to recruit
for the ongoing interest and notoriety of analysis and laboratory research. The over 40 new staff members and science
that significant archaeological artifact. team of seven creation scientists—mostly faculty.

ICR.ORG | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | JANUARY 2020


6
2010–Present ies on the nature of matter and the unreli- porters of the project attended the mo-
ability of radiometric dating methods. And mentous occasion.
ICR has continued its national min-
paleobiochemist Dr. Brian Thomas studied
istry of seminars and educational efforts,
while cutting-edge scientific research re-
mains at the forefront of ICR’s priorities.
Geneticist Dr. Jeff Tomkins
completed a human and
chimp DNA comparison Brian Thomas, Ph.D.
that refuted the claim that
the fast-decaying soft tissues found inside
chimps are our evolution-
Jeffrey P. Tomkins, Ph.D. supposedly very old fossils.
ary relatives. Geologist Dr.
n 2019—ICR officially opened the ICR
Tim Clarey and his assis- n 2014—ICR produced its first theater-
Discovery Center on September 2, with
tant documented almost quality DVD series, Unlocking the Mys-
over 1,600 in attendance. Thousands
three-fourths of Earth’s teries of Genesis. Three more successful
of supporters—including many of you—
sedimentary deposits to series followed over the next three years.
helped us raise nearly $35 million to
better understand the pro-
Tim Clarey, Ph.D.
complete this fabulous facility showcas-
gression of the Genesis
ing the astounding evidence of the accu-
Flood. Medical doctor and
racy and authority of God’s Word.
Professional Engineer Dr.
Randy Guliuzza devel-
Celebrating God’s Goodness
oped the continuous envi-
ronmental tracking model, God’s blessings over the past 50 years
Randy J. Guliuzza, P.E., M.D.
a creation-based expla- have been stunning! We plan to reflect on
nation for animals’ ability His goodness all year long, but ICR’s official
to rapidly adapt to envi- 50th anniversary celebration is scheduled for
ronmental change. And October, 8, 2020. We’ll let our Acts & Facts
zoologist Frank Sher- readers know more as the time approaches,
win continues his investi- and we’d love for as many of you as possible
Frank Sherwin, M.A. n 2017—ICR hosted a groundbreaking
gation into the intricacies of to join us as we honor our Lord Jesus and
ceremony for the ICR Discovery Center
God’s created creatures. His wonderful provision over these five sig-
for Science & Earth History. ICR staff,
nificant and fruitful decades.
board members, and a few hundred sup-
Image credit: Joseph Haubert

Jake Hebert, Ph.D.

Physicist Dr. Jake Hebert discovered


inconsistencies in secular climate change
research and showed how erroneous as-
sumptions have contributed to the current
alarmism. Nuclear physicist Dr. Vernon
Cupps completed and released his stud-

Vernon R. Cupps, Ph.D.

JANUARY 2020 | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | ICR.ORG


7
events

JANUARY JANUARY JANUARY

10 11 27

Dallas, TX
Santa Clarita, CA
Whittier, CA ICR Discovery Center for
Bible-Science Association of Science & Earth History
First Fundamental Bible Church
Southern California
Christian Leaders Dinner
(F. Sherwin) 562.695.3322
(F. Sherwin) jlewis5@att.net
(H. Morris III) 214.615.8325

JAN UARY

17-18

DALLAS, TX

ICR DISCOVERY CENTER FOR SCIENCE & EARTH HISTORY

MADE IN HIS IMAGE


W E E K E N D

214.615.8325
ICR.org/event/1965

Randy J. Guliuzza, P.E., M.D. Jeffrey P. Tomkins, Ph.D.

For the latest ICR Discovery Center live science presentations, check our schedule at
ICRdiscoverycenter.org/Live-Presentations

For information on event opportunities, email the Events department at Events@ICR.org or call 800.337.0375.

ICR.ORG | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | JANUARY 2020


8
research T I M C L A R E Y , P h . D .

For the serious science reader

ICR Research at GSA Convention


least extent and volume of all six megasequences. In fact, their limited
 ICR’s Column Project team presented at the Geological Society extent and thickness suggest that only minimal continental flooding
of America’s annual meeting. occurred during their deposition.
 Their results fit the biblical Flood account, with water
article
highlights This revised sea level curve better represents the actual
levels progressing gradually higher and reaching a single
rock data and closely matches the biblical account showing a
zenith during the Flood year.
 We look forward to opportunities to share ICR’s cutting-edge single global flood that started slowly and progressively inundated
creation research in similar venues. the continents. Peak water level wasn’t achieved until Day 150, as
shown by the high water level of the Zuni Megasequence (Figure 1).
Our poster presentation showcased the results of our recently

R
ecently, the ICR Column Project team presented their research completed column study across Europe. Many conference attendees
at the Geological Society of America’s (GSA) annual meeting appreciated the continental-scale study of 499 columns since few ge-
in Phoenix, Arizona. Over 5,500 people representing 44 coun- ologists conduct such macro-scale research. Although we didn’t di-
tries attended the four-day event, which is the largest gathering rectly mention the global Flood described in Genesis, the evidence
of academic geologists in North America. was there and spoke for itself.
The ICR team participated in both the oral and poster presen- The research also offers implications that have great bearing on
tations. Our oral presentation, which had 60 to 70 in attendance, fo- the Flood/post-Flood boundary issue for creation geologists.3 Our
cused primarily on the Sauk and Tippecanoe Megasequences. The basal Tejas rock-type map across Europe shows that marine lime-
traditional secular sea level curve shows a pronounced rise in sea level stone comprises the majority of the deposition around Turkey, Syria,
then of about 300 meters—almost 1,000 feet (Figure 1).1 and Iraq. Recall, the Tejas represents the Tertiary strata.4
Using our new findings, we argued that this part of the curve Assuming the Ark landed in eastern Turkey (the mountains of
fails to reflect the true nature of the stratigraphic data across the con- Ararat) as the Bible says, it’s clear from our mapping that the Flood
tinents.2 We pointed out that contrary to what has been taught in couldn’t have been over during the early Tejas, the sixth megase-
geology classes for many decades, the Sauk and Tippecanoe have the quence. The rocks from the basal beds upward are mostly limestones,
salt beds, and other marine rocks. These data show the floodwaters
were still present during the deposition of the Tejas through at least
the Miocene around Turkey, North Africa, the Middle East, and much
of Europe. Rock data clearly show the Flood hadn’t fully drained off
the land around Turkey until after most, if not all, of the Tejas strata
were deposited.
Our research offers significant evidence for a single rise in glob-
al sea level, not the multiple rises and falls taught for decades. We look
forward to more opportunities like this to showcase our research.
References
1. Vail, P. R. and R. M. Mitchum, Jr. 1979. Global Cycles of Relative Changes of Sea Level from
Seismic Stratigraphy. American Association of Petroleum Geologists Memoir. 29: 469-472.
2. Clarey, T. 2019. A Rock-Based Global Sea Level Curve. Acts & Facts. 48 (2): 9-10.
3. Clarey, T. L. 2017. Local Catastrophes or Receding Floodwater? Global Geologic Data that Re-
fute a K-Pg (K-T) Flood/post-Flood Boundary. Creation Research Society Quarterly. 54 (2): 100-
120.
4. The Tertiary System, which coincides with the Tejas Megasequence, is the bulk of the Ceno-
zoic Erathum, minus the Quaternary System at the top that includes the post-Flood Ice Age.
Recently, the Tertiary was subdivided into the Paleogene (Paleocene,
Eocene, and Oligocene) and Neogene (Miocene and Pliocene) Systems.
Figure 1. The secular global sea level curve on the left is modified from
Dr. Clarey is Research Associate at the Institute for Creation Research and
Vail and Mitchum.1 The new conceptualized sea level curve on the right earned his Ph.D. in geology from Western Michigan University.
is based on the volume and extent of Phanerozoic sedimentation across
four continents.

JANUARY 2020 | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | ICR.ORG


9
impact J E F F R E Y P. TO M K I N S , P h . D .

For the serious science reader

Homo naledi

Image credit: Xinhua/Alamy Live News


Another Failed Evolutionary Ape-Man
O article ne of the most confusing and enigmatic “ape-man” discoveries
highlights of the 21st century has been Homo naledi. Its discoverer was Lee
Berger, a controversial American paleoanthropologist working
 Lee Berger’s 2015 Homo naledi fossil discovery contained at Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa. The claims sur-
some 1,550 bone fragments and supposedly document-
rounding this discovery have been extolled, criticized, and debated by
ed an intentionally buried new hominid species.
 Even some evolutionists were skeptical of Berger’s claims, both evolutionists and creationists. In fact, a 2015 science news piece
and bone analysis shows that Homo naledi was overall an in The Guardian highlighted the raging controversy among secular
ape-like creature. academics over H. naledi. It was titled “Scientist who found new hu-
 Dating of the fossils and rocks showed them to be much man species accused of playing fast and loose with the truth.”1
younger than the two million years the evolutionary Since the first journal publication describing H. naledi in 2015,2
story demands.
much additional work and analyses of the bone fragments and other
 This is another failed attempt to demonstrate human
evolution. archaeological and geological aspects of the research have been pub-
lished. As a result, we can now step back and take a fresh look at all

ICR.ORG | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | JANUARY 2020


10
the data and conclude that yet another false ape-man story has been closed number of rodent and bird fossils, all buried in a shallow layer
perpetrated upon the public to prop up a failed paradigm of human of clay-rich sediment. Berger’s team tried to piece together as much
evolution. of this hodgepodge of bones as they could and claimed that 15 differ-
ent individuals were represented in total. These findings supposedly
History of the Homo naledi Discovery documenting an alleged new hominid species were then published
in the lower-tier scientific journal eLife.2 Berger’s discoveries and new
The story told by Berger in his book Almost Human reveals that
hominid claims also benefited from popular media coverage provid-
a former student mysteriously showed up and convinced him to sup-
ed by National Geographic magazine.
port an effort to explore caves in the area of South Africa where he
However, Berger’s discovery soon became controversial. World-
was working.3 The student also persuaded Berger to utilize the la-
famous hominid paleoanthropologist Tim White of the University of
bor of several amateurs experienced in cave exploration. Fortuitously
California, Berkeley revealed to the press that the prestigious journal
for Berger, the amateur explorers were able to penetrate the nearly
Nature had previously rejected Berger’s paper along with its conclu-
inaccessible lower reaches of the Rising Star cave system and find a
sions.4 In other words, Berger’s claims concerning H. naledi were be-
remote chamber littered with fossils. Berger’s initial reaction to the
ing met with strong skepticism even among evolutionists.
pictures provided by the cavers of some of the fossils protruding from
Another odd twist to the H. naledi story is the incriminating
the chamber sediments was “It wasn’t human; that much was clear.”3
revelation made by Berger in his book that his group had known
As the Rising Star cave system progresses downward, two ex-
about another section of the cave system containing more hominid
tremely narrow passages connect the two lowest chambers (Figure
fossils that was much more easily accessible, but they kept it quiet
1). When Berger investigated the cave system, he just barely squeezed
while the H. naledi story was being formulated. Then later, in 2017,
through the first narrow passage, called Superman’s Crawl, and en-
Berger’s group published a paper detailing the presence of at least
tered into a large chamber called the Dragon’s Back. He immediately
three more H. naledi fossils in this other section in what is now called
noticed that the walls were covered with fossils. In his book he states,
the Lesedi Chamber.5
“This chamber alone deserved further investigation, but we were here
to see fossils farther on.”3
What Is Homo naledi?
Numerous fossils were embedded in sediments in the Dragon’s
Back wall through obvious flooding of the cave system. Berger’s ini- Many problems surround the myriad of bone fragments and
tial announcements omitted this highly relevant fact. They claimed their reconstruction to supposedly reveal 15 new hominids from the
the fossils in the chamber below it, the Dinaledi Chamber, had been Dinaledi Chamber. We’ll examine three. The first problem is that of
intentionally buried—not flood-deposited. This chamber contained homogeneity—whether all the fossils even belong to the same spe-
the fossils Berger was most interested in. Berger could not get through cies. Berger and his researchers initially claimed (and still do) that the
the narrow chute to reach it, so he hired a team of six thin, small bones were homogeneous in their representation of a single almost-
women to do the fossil excavations. human species.2,6
After several rounds of excavation, the Dinaledi Chamber However, the extreme non-homogeneity of the fossils was first
yielded 1,550 mostly disarticulated bone fragments plus an undis- noted by Jeffrey Schwartz, a well-known evolutionary biologist at the
University of Pittsburgh, who believed that the
huge mix of bone fragments was too varied to
represent a single species. He said, “I could show
those images to my students and they would
say that they’re not the same.”7 Schwartz also
claimed that one of the skulls looked like it came
from an australopith (ape-like creature), as did
certain features of the femurs. In a 2018 paper
analyzing inner ear bones from the Dinaledi
Chamber, Berger and his team state, “The Dina-
ledi ossicles resemble those of chimpanzees and
Paranthropus robustus [an ape] more than they
Figure 1. The Dinaledi Chamber is the lowest room in the Rising Star cave system and can do later members of the genus Homo.”8
only be accessed through an extremely narrow and nearly vertical chute about 39 feet long.
Image credit: Copyright © Nautilis. Adapted for use in accordance with federal copyright (fair use doctrine) law. Usage by ICR does not imply
Since the original 2015 eLife publication,
endorsement of copyright holder. numerous research papers describing anatomi-

JANUARY 2020 | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | ICR.ORG


11
impact

cal analyses of the bone assemblage have been pub-


lished, mostly by members of Berger’s team. They
keep showing that H. naledi is nothing more than a
suspicious hodgepodge of ape-like bones (Australo-
pithecus) and a few human-like bones. These papers
reported on analyses of skulls, pelvic remains, leg
bones, hands, and feet and give the same original
confusing anatomical mosaic story.6,9-13 One of the
few critical papers published outside Berger’s group
contradicted the claims that H. naledi had flat, hu-
man-like feet.14 In addition, a very recent paper ana-
lyzing pelvic remains stated:
Though this species has been attributed
to  Homo based on cranial and lower limb
morphology, the morphology of some of the
fragmentary pelvic remains recovered align Lee Berger kisses a skull replica of a Homo naledi, the find that made him rich and
more closely with specimens attributed to the famous. Note the small, chimp-shaped skull. Homo naledi was only about 4 feet 10
species Australopithecus afarensis and Australo- inches tall and possessed a brain the size of a tennis ball.
pithecus africanus.10 Image credit: Copyright © Stefan Heunis. Adapted for use in accordance with federal copyright (fair use doctrine) law. Usage by ICR does
not imply endorsement of copyright holder.

The most recent attempt to bolster H. naledi


as being almost human involved the study of a skull the fossils. Depending on the technique, ages came forth that varied
endocast (a cast of the inside of the cranium). This report by Berger’s widely from 33,000 to 849,000 years.
group claims, “H. naledi shared some aspects of human brain organi- The youngest dates were derived from the C-14, U-Th, and ESR
zation.”15 They are referring to a human-specific brain region called dating of the fossil bones and teeth, which gave ages from 33,000 to
BA45. However, when Shawn Hurst, one of the study authors, con- 146,000 years. In the end, the researchers rejected these dates and in-
sulted with Dean Falk, a neurobiology specialist in hominid paleon- stead decided upon the older dates taken from the rocks and the high
tology at Florida State University, Falk disagreed: end of the range from the teeth. The researchers stated:
“We agreed on most of the interpretations,” she says—but not on By combining the US-ESR maximum age estimate obtained
the presence of a modern BA45….“I’m not seeing BA45,” says from the teeth, with the U-Th age for the oldest flowstone over-
Falk. “To me the general shape of the region looks ape-like.”16 lying Homo naledi fossils, we have constrained the depositional
age of Homo naledi to a period between 236 ka and 335 ka.17
The Dating Problem
However, even these cherry-picked dates completely throw off
A second problem concerns the dating of H. naledi. When H. the original evolutionary story of H. naledi being a human ancestor
naledi was first published, there were no official radiometric dates to since Homo erectus fossils have been found that supposedly date up
go along with it—just the evolutionary speculations of Berger and to 1.9 million years.18 And H. naledi would have also been contem-
his team. They stated, “If the fossils prove to be substantially older poraneous with anatomically modern humans, which according to
than 2 million years, H. naledi would be the earliest example of our evolutionists have been around for at least the past 300,000 years.19 As
genus that is more than a single isolated fragment.”2 These evolu- a result, the researchers of the dating study conceded:
tionarily optimistic speculations of millions of years were soon to be
These age results demonstrate that a morphologically primi-
dashed against the stones of their own old earth-biased radiometric tive hominin, Homo naledi, survived into the later parts of
techniques. the Pleistocene in Africa, and indicate a much younger age for
In 2017, a report was published using six different types of dat- the Homo naledi fossils than have previously been hypothesized
ing techniques.17 These included radiocarbon (C-14), electron-spin based on their morphology.17
resonance (ESR), uranium-thorium decay (U-Th), and optically-
The Intentional Burial Story
stimulated luminescence (OSL) in a central age statistical model
(CAM), and OSL in a minimal age model (MAM). These techniques A third problem concerns Berger’s contention that the bones
were applied to bones, teeth, and flowstones in the cave that were lo- were intentionally buried. Not only were the extremely young (by
cated where the fossils were found, with some even partially covering evolutionary standards) dates a severe problem for the embattled H.

ICR.ORG | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | JANUARY 2020


12
naledi, but the ridiculous story originally put forth by Berger and his those of rodents and birds, were washed and deposited into the re-
team for the bones being intentionally and ritually buried has been cesses of the cave by flooding and gravity.
just as troubling. The companion paper to the original 2015 publica-
tion describing the geology at the site stated: Conclusion: Another Failed Attempt at Human Evolution
The fossils are contained in mostly unconsolidated muddy So, what can we make of all the bone fragment analyses and
sediment with clear evidence of a mixed taphonomic signature the conflicting results that vary depending on which particular bone
indicative of repeated cycles of reworking and more than one
fragments are being evaluated and who is doing the analysis? First,
episode of primary deposition.20
it is highly likely that most, if not all, of the hominid bones in the
So, not only were the fossils completely disarticulated and jum- Dinaledi and Lesedi Chambers belong to Australopithecus (ape-like
bled up in a muddy deposit, they were also intermixed with various creatures). It is possible that a small human, perhaps a juvenile, could
bird and rodent bones. have been killed by a predator and added to the majority australopith
As noted earlier, Berger revealed in his book that the Dragon’s mix. Given the track record of Lee Berger in the case of his previ-
Back Chamber above the Dinaledi had walls covered with unspeci- ous Australopithecus sediba discovery, which was later determined to
fied fossils. These were clearly washed in with so much water that likely be a mix of human and mostly ape-like bones, this is entirely
they were pushed up and pasted against the sides of the cave. The feasible.24
obvious implication of both the geology and the wide array of dis- When you combine the ape-like nature of the fossil bones with
articulated creatures is that all the bones were washed into the lowest the young dates achieved by evolutionary methods, as well as the
chamber of the cave system by gravity through flooding. overwhelming data for carnivory and a cave flooding-based deposi-
Even more suspicious is Berger’s careful storytelling to support tion, H. naledi stands as nothing but another failed attempt at pro-
his claim that the H. naledi fossils were purposefully buried while moting human evolution.
at the same time he hid the Lesedi Chamber discovery. If his story References
1. McKie, R. Scientist who found new human species accused of playing fast and loose with the
were true, then the Lesedi Chamber would have been a more logi- truth. The Guardian. Posted on theguardian.com October 24, 2015, accessed November 25,
cal location for the original participants to bury their dead since it is 2019.
2. Berger, L. R. et al. 2015. Homo naledi, a new species of the genus Homo from the Dinaledi
much more easily accessible and would not have required the super- Chamber, South Africa. eLife. 4: e09560.
3. Berger, L. and J. Hawks. 2017. Almost Human: The Astonishing Tale of Homo naledi and the
gymnastic athletic ability needed to enter the Dinaledi Chamber. Discovery That Changed Our Human Story. Washington, DC: National Geographic.
4. Martin, G. Bones of Contention: Cal Paleo Expert Doubts Homo Naledi Is New Species. Cali-
Also, why are we not being told what types of fossils were buried in fornia Magazine. Posted on alumni.berkeley.edu October 1, 2015, accessed November 25, 2019.
5. Hawks, J. et al. 2017. New fossil remains of Homo naledi from the Lesedi Chamber, South Africa.
the Dragon’s Back Chamber directly above it? Is it because it contains eLife. 6: e24232.
6. Marchi, D. et al. 2017. The thigh and leg of Homo naledi. Journal of Human Evolution. 104: 174-
the same hodgepodge of fossil debris as the Dinaledi Chamber below 204.
7. Callaway, E. 2015. Crowdsourcing digs up an early human species. Nature. 525 (7569): 297-298.
it? This would prove they were all deposited during a cave flooding 8. Elliott, M. C. et al. 2018. Description and analysis of three Homo naledi incudes from the Dina-
ledi Chamber, Rising Star cave (South Africa). Journal of Human Evolution. 122: 146-155.
event. 9. Schroeder, L. et al. 2017. Skull diversity in the Homo lineage and the relative position of Homo
Along with the obvious fact that the muddy, jumbled deposit naledi. Journal of Human Evolution. 104: 124-135.
10. VanSickle, C. et al. 2018. Homo naledi pelvic remains from the Dinaledi Chamber, South Africa.
of bones looks exactly like it would if they were washed in by a local Journal Human Evolution. 125: 122-136.
11. Feuerriegel, E. M. et al. 2017. The upper limb of Homo naledi. Journal of Human Evolution. 104:
flood, the geology of the cave has now shown that it is largely a single 155-173.
12. Laird, M. F. et al. 2017. The skull of Homo naledi. Journal of Human Evolution. 104: 100-123.
deposit.21 In addition, a machine-learning computer study demon- 13. Williams, S. A. et al. 2017. The vertebrae and ribs of Homo naledi. Journal of Human Evolution.
104: 136-154.
strated that based on the position of the bones compared to authentic 14. Li, R. et al. 2019. Homo naledi did not have flat foot. Homo. 70 (2): 139-146.
15. Holloway, R. L. et al. 2018. Endocast morphology of Homo naledi from the Dinaledi Chamber,
ancient burial sites, H. naledi was not intentionally buried.22 These South Africa. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 115 (22): 5738-5743.
16. Barras, C. Mystery human species Homo naledi had tiny but advanced brain. New Scientist.
data also fit well with the fact that no tools or signs of human occu- Posted on newscientist.com April 24, 2017, accessed November 25, 2019.
17. Dirks, P. H. et al. 2017. The age of Homo naledi and associated sediments in the Rising Star Cave,
pation have been found in the cave, nor are there any signs of the use South Africa. eLife. 6: e24231.
18. Tomkins, J. 2019. Homo erectus: The Ape Man That Wasn’t. Acts & Facts. 48 (10): 11-13.
of burning torches to provide the light necessary for traversing the 19. Richter, D. et al. 2017. The age of the hominin fossils from Jebel Irhoud, Morocco, and the
pitch-black environment and its narrow and treacherous passages. origins of the Middle Stone Age. Nature. 546: 293-296.
20. Dirks, P. H. et al. 2015. Geological and taphonomic context for the new hominin species Homo
Furthermore, a forensic microscopic analysis of the H. naledi naledi from the Dinaledi Chamber, South Africa. eLife. 4: 309561.
21. Clarey, T. L. 2017. Disposal of Homo naledi in a possible deathtrap or mass mortality scenario.
bones indicates they were fed on by snails that only live in the en- Journal of Creation. 31 (2): 61-70.
22. Egeland, C. P. et al. 2018. Hominin skeletal part abundances and claims of deliberate disposal
trances of caves where there is some light.23 When you combine this of corpses in the Middle Pleistocene. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 115 (18):
4601-4606.
with the fact that the smaller H. naledi bones were broken up, the 23. Val, A. 2016. Deliberate body disposal by hominins in the Dinaledi
Chamber, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa? Journal of Human Evo-
real story emerges that these ape-like creatures were likely killed by lution. 96: 145-148.
24. Rupe, C. and J. Sanford. 2017. Contested Bones. Canandaigua, NY: FMS
carnivores and then hauled into the entrance of the cave system.23 Publications, 155-178.
They were then severely disarticulated as they were fed on and their Dr. Tomkins is Director of Life Sciences at the Institute for Creation Re-
carcasses continued to be scavenged. Eventually the bones, along with search and earned his Ph.D. in genetics from Clemson University.

JANUARY 2020 | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | ICR.ORG


13
back to genesis B R I A N T H O M A S , P h . D .

THE PLAN TO REPLACE GOD


article

A
highlights
fter reviewing the writings of some long-age view still strangles minds today. It
18th- and 19th-century thinkers, I’m  It appears a handful of 18th- keeps many would-be believers from trust-
convinced that the popularity of ideas and 19th-century European ing the Bible, including its good news.2
like “millions of years” and “organic philosophers strategized ways
evolution” prevalent today didn’t come from to downplay the Genesis ac- Gatekeepers in France
count of Earth’s history.
scientific data but from clever strategies and
 They aimed to replace the Cre- Another strategy that early naturalists
crafted stories. ator God with nature. used involved leveraging their professional
 Rather than overtly assaulting platforms to emphasize cherry-picked talk-
Straw Man Arguments the Bible, they found success
ing points. Even before Buffon used his po-
“from slow and silent side at-
One early strategy used straw man tacks.” sition, Bernard Le Bouyer de Fontenelle did
arguments to demote the biblical Flood. In  Their strategies—not science— the same. He became secretary of the Acad-
this all-too-common break with logic, op- gave birth to the long ages emy of Sciences in Paris in 1697. For over
ponents of a view attack an imagined ver- and naturalistic theories that 40 years Fontenelle was the gatekeeper of
pervade culture to this day. academy publications. He was tasked with
sion of that view instead of the real one.
Combatants claim victory over their oppo- summarizing the most noteworthy scientific
nents when all they really did was beat up a research. He selected those that matched his
flimsy conception of their own making. own view of an old earth.
For example, in 1720 René Réaumur British meteorologist and creation re-
studied sedimentary layers near Tours, searcher Andrew Sibley summarized Fonte-
France. He noticed fossil leaves mixed with nelle’s endeavors in the Journal of Creation.
broken shells. He thought the leaves were He noted that Fontenelle “used the occasion
“laid too neatly to be attributable to such a to try and persuade French academic society
violent event as the Noahic cataclysm.”1 Ré- that an ancient history of the world could
aumur assumed a flood that could not, dur- be arrived at through studies of nature with
ing a whole year, present the mudflow rates very little regard for belief in Noah’s Flood.”1
Comte de Buffon (1707-1788) statue on Anti-Flood sentiment then migrated across
needed to deposit leaves. But the real Flood
the facade of the Louvre the English Channel.
may well have done it.
Similarly, from 1749 to 1788 Comte
Flood was too gentle to disturb Earth’s sup- Stories in England
de Buffon used his high position in Paris’
Royal Academy of Sciences to promote his posedly pre-existing rock layers—or even its Famed philosopher David Hume used
own ideas of vast ages for the earth in his trees and plants. Eastern religious beliefs like Hinduism to
36-volume work Histoire Naturelle. The very Since today’s local floods can rip up argue against the fad of deism—belief in
phrase natural history supplants biblical his- rock, a worldwide flood would devastate all a creator who is uninvolved with his cre-
tory with a view that’s supposedly based on landscapes. Claiming the Flood was either ation. Deism also denied God’s judgment
sedimentary layers. But layers convey no too gentle to leave any trace or too violent of global sin with a global flood, and it in-
history. Eyewitness accounts do. Thus, the to deposit leaves makes it easier to ignore. cluded replacing any scriptural implications
phrase leans on mere anti-biblical interpre- Straw man versions of Noah’s Flood paved for geological history with human guesses
tations of layers. Buffon mentioned Noah’s a path for imagined eons to deposit rock about which non-Flood processes may have
Flood, but his straw man version of the layers long before the Genesis events. This caused the geology of the present world.1

ICR.ORG | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | JANUARY 2020


14
David Hume (1711-1776) Sir Charles Lyell (1797-1875) Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

Hindus believe in vast time cycles in- physical signs on Earth such as vast rock lay- God created deny their own creation. One in
stead of the Bible’s record of a recent cre- ers studded with fossils.6 which people daily walk on, and sometimes
ation. Hume expressed his deep-time lean- How would Lyell and his co-conspira- dig through, thousands of feet of Flood-
ings nonconfrontationally through fictional tors achieve their goal of garnering Flood de- deposited sediments and yet deny that the
characters in dialogue. In one of Hume’s spisers? Not through outright confrontation Flood ever happened.
books, a character named Philo said, “The but by charming kindness. Lyell wrote in a Clever strategies brought us here. Straw
world, say I, resembles an animal; therefore letter to George Scrope, “I conceived the idea man caricatures of the Flood, cherry-picked
it is an animal, therefore it arose from gen- five or six years ago that if ever the mosaic talking points that ignore the Bible, lever-
eration.”3 geology could be set down without giving aged positions of influence, and a conspiracy
Hume knew Erasmus Darwin, Charles offence, it would be in an historic sketch.”5 of stories gained the name of “science.” All
Darwin’s grandfather. Erasmus wrote in his His plan came not from a desire to do good the while, creation best explains why we have
book Zoonomia: science but to “despise” and “set down” a world fit for life, and the Flood accounts for
Genesis history. “The strategy worked; the the billions of fossils buried inside countless
Hume…places the powers of genera-
tion much above those of our boasted church and the culture were blindsided.”7 tons of water-deposited rocks. Genesis re-
reason; and…he concludes the world Charles Darwin advanced Lyell’s goal when counts Earth’s true history.
itself might…have been gradually he wrote On the Origin of Species, an anti- References
1. Sibley, A. 2018. Deep time in 18th-century France—part
produced from very small beginnings, creation “historic sketch” that masqueraded 1: a developing belief. Journal of Creation. 32 (3): 85-92. To
increasing by the activity of its inher- as science. These men’s stories assumed deep review the European educators, clergy, and scientists who
promoted a deistic (i.e., Bible-ignoring/rejecting) approach
ent principles, rather than by a sudden to studying geological history, see Mortenson, T. 2004. The
time but never defended it.
evolution of the whole by the Almighty Great Turning Point: The Church’s Catastrophic Mistake on

fiat.4 In a letter to his son George, Darwin Geology—Before Darwin. Green Forest, AR: Master Books.
2. The good news, or gospel, is that God sent His son Jesus
divulged his role in the plot to overthrow the to live a perfect life, die to pay for our sins, and rise again
on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). He extends grace
There again, Erasmus simply cherry- Genesis Flood. He wrote: and eternal life to all who admit to their sins and to the just
picked a preferred story with no scientific penalty we deserve (Romans 3:23), believe in the Lord Jesus
Lyell is most firmly convinced that he Christ as their Savior (Acts 16:31), and confess Him as Lord
basis. His grandson would cooperate in an has shaken the faith in the Deluge &
(Romans 10:9-10).
3. Hume, D. 1779. Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, 2nd
even more subtle strategy to dress that story etc. far more efficiently by never hav- ed. R. Popkin, ed. London: Hackett Publishing Company,
Inc., 141.
into a new history. ing said a word against the Bible, than 4. Darwin, E. 1794. Zoonomia: or the Laws of Organic Life, vol.
if he had acted otherwise….P.S. I have 1. London: Printed for J. Johnson in St. Paul’s Church-Yard,
509.
Conspiracy to Revise History lately read Morley’s Life of Voltaire & 5. Lyell, C. 1881. Life, Letters, and Journals of Sir Charles Lyell,
Bart. K. M. Lyell, ed. London: John Murray, 271.
he insists strongly that direct attacks 6. Genesis doesn’t present the Flood as theology but as history.
Scottish lawyer Charles Lyell wrote on Christianity…produce little perma- 7. Oard, M. 2019. The Deep Time Deception. Powder Springs,
GA: Creation Book Publishers.
a personal letter in which he suggested nent effect: real good seems only to fol- 8. Darwin, C. Letter to G. H. Darwin, 21 October 1873. Dar-
low from slow and silent side attacks.8 win Correspondence Project, DCP LETT 9105. University
ways that even religionists could “join us of Cambridge. Posted on darwin-
project.ac.uk, accessed October 24,
in despising both the ancient and modern 2019.
The Impact of Clever Strategies
physico-theologians.”5 Like today’s creation- Dr. Thomas is Research Associate at
believing scientists, physico-theologians be- What kind of world did these conspir- the Institute for Creation Research and
earned his Ph.D. in paleobiochemistry
lieved that Genesis events like the Flood left ators craft? A world in which the very people from the University of Liverpool.

JANUARY 2020 | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | ICR.ORG


15
ICR Discovery Center for
Science & Earth History
1830 Royal Lane

Welcoming Groups
Dallas, TX 75229
ICRdiscoverycenter.org

S
ince opening in September 2019, the rates for groups of 12 to 60 people. Let us ancestry, fossils and rocks, dinosaurs, and
ICR Discovery Center for Science & know what you have in mind and we’ll help astronomy
Earth History has welcomed groups you plan a memorable, faith-building event. • Development and application of critical
both small and large. One recent group Go to ICRdiscoverycenter.org/groups or thinking skills while discovering the latest
was Josh McDowell and his ministry team. call 800.743.6374 for more information. scientific research
Located in Plano, Texas—just north of • A Bible-based journey through Earth’s
Dallas—the ministry “serves and equips What Will Your Group Discover? history, highlighting scientific discoveries
the Body of Christ in raising generations of along the way
• Planetarium shows, including 3-D options
purpose-driven Christians who know what • Special events including live presentations
• Engaging exhibits that teach the origin
they believe, why it is true, and how to live by scientists and scholars
of the universe and how science affirms
it out.”1 • A store full of creation-based science re-
the Bible
The group viewed a planetarium show sources and educational kits
• Animatronic creatures, special effects,
about God’s creation in the solar system, • An outdoor area featuring a 24-foot
and a chilly Ice Age theater
explored Earth’s history in the exhibit hall, DNA sculpture, sundial, and covered pic-
• Fascinating facts about DNA and human
and attended Dr. Brian Thomas’ live sci- nic tables
ence presentation on soft tissue discoveries
Yes, the Discovery Center
in dinosaur fossils. Dr. Thomas also shared
is open, but we still need funds
his Christian testimony and the evidences
to fully complete this incredible
that led him to embrace biblical creation.
ministry outreach. Go to ICR.org/
ICR was pleased to host Josh McDowell and
donate/museum for more infor-
his guests, and we look forward to welcom-
mation. Partner with us in prayer
ing many more ministry, school, and family
and help us proclaim the truth
groups throughout the coming year.
of our Creator, the Lord Jesus
Christ!
Plan Your Group Visit
1. Quote from the Josh McDowell Ministry
Who would you like to impact with homepage, emphasis in original. Posted on
josh.org, accessed November 25, 2019.
the science that confirms creation? We en-
courage you to coordinate a visit to the Dis-
covery Center for your church group, family Josh McDowell autographs his book Evidence That
reunion, or staff fellowship. We offer special Demands a Verdict for Brian Thomas

Brian Thomas and Josh McDowell


The Josh McDowell Ministry team pose in the Discovery Center lobby

ICR.ORG | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | JANUARY 2020


16
Survival of the Fittest and Evolution’s Death Culture

R A N D Y J . G U L I U Z Z A , P . E . , M . D .

article
highlights

 Darwin’s concept of natural selection incorporates popu-

T
o effectively tackle a prob- lation theorist Thomas Malthus’ assertion that creatures counted as a hallmark of libera-
lem, one must know what compete for scarce resources for survival. tion and the “right to choose.”
caused it. A doctor must cor-  Belief in survival of the fittest breeds a culture with a di- That they continue with
rectly diagnose a disease to minished reverence for life. such a high frequency reveals a so-
 It was the specific concept of natural selection and not
help the sick person get better. If a ciety increasingly desensitized to
evolution in general that led to the policies that first ad-
building collapses, engineers will vanced eugenics and later embraced abortion. death. How can whole cultures of
use “root cause analysis” to probe Western civilization, which previ-
with ever-deepening questions ously embraced Christian teach-
what triggered the accident. Unless the true cause is identified, a pro- ings, get to this point? Is evolutionary humanism the direct cause of
fessional problem solver is left either treating symptoms or wasting the numbness in society toward death? Would probing deeper into
valuable time. Darwinian evolution reveal something about it that smooths the way
A similar approach could be taken with societal ills. What is the for people to see death as accomplishing good things?
root cause of so many of the problems that plague us?
Evolutionary Humanism’s Deadly Obsession
The Multi-Headed Dragon
Evolutionary humanism seems oddly ob-
In 1994, Dr. John Morris’ book The Young sessed with the idea that death is ultimately a
Earth included a diagram depicting societal dis- good thing. Possibly no one illuminated more
eases, including abortion, as a multi-headed clearly the heart of Darwinian thinking than
dragon sprouting from the body of evolutionary Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple Computer. Hav-
humanism. Abortion is the killing of unborn
1
ing been diagnosed with a fatal case of pancreatic
children, declared legal in the United States in cancer, he adopted the Darwinian meaning of
1973 in the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. death and said in his 2005 commencement ad-
The other afflictions associated with each dragon dress at Stanford University, “Death is very likely
head could easily be replaced with diseases of a the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change
more lethal nature: mass shootings, infanticide, agent. It clears out the old to make way for the
euthanasia, genocide, and eugenics. Some of these new.”2
behaviors leave us stunned. Others, however, are Our youth are bombarded with the idea
Image credit: Master Books. Used by permission.

JANUARY 2020 | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | ICR.ORG


17
that diversity is a result of survival of the fittest—which involves, as cies, scientists only assigned selective abilities to conscious agents and
Steve Jobs said, death as “the single best invention of Life.” No wonder not to unconscious nature.7 Darwin’s imaginary projection of selec-
they develop a perverse easiness with death. They watch a cheetah tive ability onto nature “appeared to reify [treat an abstract concept
chase down a gazelle and reflexively react with “Oh well, survival of as a concrete reality], even to deify, natural selection as an agent.”8 But
the fittest.” What causes our culture—and even many Christians—to what links selectionism to a culture easy with death?
think death is good?
Selectionism Is a Death-Driven Worldview
Romans 1 Identifies the Root Cause for a Culture of Death
“Walk it back” is an idiom people use to cast a situation or mis-
Romans 1:18-25 describes a dichotomy in how people respond take in a different light in order to minimize its consequences. We can
to the “clearly seen” revelation of God in nature.3 It contrasts how spot when natural selection is being walked back when it’s recast as,
humans either give credit for nature’s origins to a Creator’s agency or say, just a process or merely “differential reproduction.” But euphe-
credit nature itself. In short, either God creates nature or nature cre- misms like these seek to avoid the negative connotations surround-
ates itself. For example, Edward O. Wilson of Harvard contends, “If ing the pivotal role death plays in the concept of selection. Listening
humankind evolved by Darwinian natural selection, genetic chance to Darwin and other evolutionists in their own words will correctly
and environmental necessity, not God, made the species.”4 characterize their thinking.
Darwin theorized a deadly intra-species competition that im-
In ascribing the power to choose to unintelligent natural parts an upward trajectory toward improvement. He incorporated
British population theorist Thomas Malthus’ assertion that creatures
forces, Darwin perpetuated the greatest intellectual swindle
compete for scarce resources just to survive. In Darwin’s Origin of
in the history of ideas. Nature has no power to choose. Species, he explains:
This is the doctrine of Malthus, applied to the whole animal and
That’s easy for Wilson to declare, but is nature a sufficient agent vegetable kingdoms. As many more individuals of each species
to bridge the gap between his imagined scenario for life’s origin and are born than can possibly survive; and as, consequently, there is
a frequently recurring struggle for existence…we shall then see
real human beings who look like the workmanship of a brilliant En-
how Natural Selection almost inevitably causes much Extinction
gineer? Intelligent design advocate William Dembski explains how of the less improved forms of life. 9
Darwin contrived a way to see nature as intelligent and able to exer-
cise agency: Darwin later adds:
In short, evolutionary biology needs a designer substitute to I have called this principle, by which each slight variation, if use-
coordinate the incidental changes that hereditary transmission ful, is preserved, by the term Natural Selection, in order to mark
passes from one generation to the next, and there’s only one its relation to man’s power of selection. But the expression of-
naturalistic candidate on the table, to wit, natural selection. In- ten used by Mr. Herbert Spencer of the Survival of the Fittest is
deed, it’s no accident that the word selection and the word intel- more accurate, and is sometimes equally convenient.9
ligence are etymologically related….Before Darwin, the ability
Harvard’s eminent evolutionary theorist Stephen J. Gould
to choose was largely confined to designing intelligences, that is,
to conscious agents that could reflect deliberatively on the pos- didn’t hide the centrality of death to selectionism. Extolling the selec-
sible consequences of their choices. Darwin’s claim to fame was tionist worldview’s “power,” he wrote:
to argue that natural forces, lacking any purposiveness or previ-
Moreover, natural selection, expressed in inappropriate human
sion of future possibilities, likewise have the power to choose via
terms, is a remarkably inefficient, even cruel process. Selection
natural selection. In ascribing the power to choose to unintelli-
carves adaptation by eliminating masses of the less fit—imposing
gent natural forces, Darwin perpetuated the greatest intellectual
hecatombs [slaughter of many individuals] of death as precondi-
swindle in the history of ideas. Nature has no power to choose.5
tions for limited increments of change. Natural selection is a the-
Darwin mentally projects volitional capacity onto environ- ory of “trial and error” externalism—organisms propose via their
ments by ascribing to them selective abilities. Thus, he personifies storehouse of variation, and environments dispose of nearly all.10
nature with the capability to exercise agency. His approach to mak- A subsequent article finds Gould chiding the hypocrisy of those
ing sense of the biological realm is called selectionism. This worldview who believe they can embrace a benevolent view of God and pro-life
underlying modern biological education is a powerfully seductive positions while simultaneously commending the virtues of selection:
mental construct. One evolutionist summed up the situation: “The
The radicalism of natural selection lies in its power to dethrone
idea of a selecting power is deeply rooted and seemingly ineradicable some of the deepest and most traditional comforts of Western
from the modern biologist’s thinking about evolution.”6 thought, particularly the notion that nature’s benevolence, order,
Not only is this worldview pervasive, it’s misleading. Like and good design, with humans at a sensible summit of power and
Dembski, science historians note that prior to Darwin’s Origin of Spe- excellence, prove the existence of an omnipotent and benevolent

ICR.ORG | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | JANUARY 2020


18
Christ is not a eugenicist, so we should eschew ism, paternalism, scientific authority, and genetic manipulation
believing that “selection” somehow shows His did not disappear from the world, and were arguably institu-
tionalized in certain wings of the reproductive sciences.14
goodness after the Fall in providing a death-driven
means to “weed out” unfit individuals from the Conclusion
population and thus preserve a purer gene pool. We live in a culture
that’s easy with death be-
cause it’s permeated with
creator who loves us most of all….To these beliefs Darwinian Darwin’s survival-of-
natural selection presents the most contrary position imaginable.
the-fittest thinking. Be-
Only one causal force produces evolutionary change in Darwin’s
world: the unconscious struggle among individual organisms to lieving that death itself
promote their own personal reproductive success—nothing else, brings good things is the
and nothing higher (no force, for example, works explicitly for root cause. So, how do
the good of species or the harmony of ecosystems).11 we navigate this culture
Paradoxically, selectionists believe that this chaotic deadly sce- while being pro-life and
nario they envision is true while also believing that thanks to natural explain biology in a way
selection we have the marvelous diversity of creatures observed in that honors the Lord?
our world. ICR affirms that death is an enemy and a curse due to Adam’s
sin (1 Corinthians 15:26; Romans 5:12; Romans 8:18-23). Since the
Natural Selection—Not Evolution—Inspired Eugenics death of creatures with nephesh (soul-life) didn’t happen before the
Fall,15 Darwin’s survival of the fittest could not have been God’s
Survival-of-the-fittest thinking ranges from indifference to cal- mechanism for adaptation, and other mechanisms not driven by
lousness toward the weak. That coldness for “unfit” humans took death were—and principally still are—the means of adaptation.
hold with the rise of eugenics, whose root cause is evident in explana- Christ is not a eugenicist, so we should eschew believing that
tions contemporaneous to its heyday. Renowned British biostatisti-
“selection” somehow shows His goodness after the Fall in providing a
cian Karl Pearson persuasively used mathematics to promote eugen-
death-driven means to “weed out” unfit individuals from the popula-
ics on three continents from 1900 until his death in 1936, claiming:
tion and thus preserve a purer gene pool.
That is, I think, the ever-present fear which the scientific mind When a person is sterilized, aborted, or dies before reproduc-
recognises: civilised man has largely destroyed crude Natural Se- ing due to a genetic disease, it is not a gift to the rest of us—it is a
lection….In my own mind and in a growing number of other
tragedy.
minds…[civilization will end] unless civilisation can find a
References
method of doing for itself what Natural Selection did for man 1. Morris, J. 1994. The Young Earth. Colorado Springs, CO: Creation Life Publishers, 127.
during his ascent—insuring that he shall breed only from his 2. ‘You’ve got to find what you love,’ Jobs says. Stanford University News. Posted on news.stanford.
edu June 14, 2005, accessed November 5, 2019.
best. The study of how it is possible forms the subject matter of 3. Guliuzza, R. J. 2017. Engineered Adaptability: Engineering Principles Point to God’s Workman-
what we now term the Science of Eugenics. We have to replace ship. Acts & Facts. 46 (6): 17-19.
4. Wilson, E. O. 1978. On Human Nature. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1.
the ruthless action of Natural Selection by reasoned conduct in 5. Dembski, W. A. 2004. The Design Revolution. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 263. Em-
phasis in original.
civilised man.12 6. Talbot, S. L. Let’s Not Begin With Natural Selection. Posted on natureinstitute.org July 19, 2019,
accessed November 7, 2019.
After the “reasoned conduct in civilised man” produced over 7. Guliuzza, R. J. 2011. Darwin’s Sacred Imposter: How Natural Selection Is Given Credit for
Design in Nature. Acts & Facts. 40 (7): 12-15; Guliuzza, R. J. 2011. Darwin’s Sacred Imposter:
70,000 compulsorily sterilized people in the United States, the pub- Natural Selection’s Idolatrous Trap. Acts & Facts. 40 (11): 12-15.
8. Hodge, M. J. S. 1992. Natural Selection: Historical Perspectives. Keywords in Evolutionary Biol-
lic found sterilization increasingly distasteful.13 But Roe v. Wade and ogy. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 212-219.
9. Darwin, C. 2009. The Origin of Species: 150th Anniversary Edition. New York: Penguin Publish-
other factors have made culture more accepting of abortion. Social ing Group, 29, 74-75.
10. Gould, S. J. 1994. The Power of This View of Life. Natural History. 103 (6): 6-8.
scientists Deborah Barrett and Charles Kurzman describe how eu- 11. Gould, S. J. 1997. Darwinian Fundamentalism. The New York Review of Books. (44) 10: 34-37.
Emphasis added.
genicists channeled their ambitions into abortion rights activities: 12. Pearson, K. 1927. The Right of the Unborn Child, Eugenics Laboratory Lecture Series. No, XIV.
London: Cambridge University Press, 12.
In keeping with the subterranean strategy, some eugenicists con- 13. Guliuzza, R. J. 2015. Major Evolutionary Blunders: The Eugenics Disaster. Acts & Facts. 44 (11):
10-12.
tinued their work under the cover of non-eugenic disciplines 14. Barrett, D. and C. Kurzman. 2004. Globalizing social movement theory: The case of eugenics.
and organizations, such as the birth-control and population- Theory and Society. 33: 487-527. Quoted material is from Meehan, M. 1998. How Eugenics
Birthed Population Control. The Human Life Review. 24 (4): 78.
control movements. For example, the first administrator of the 15. Morris III, H. M. What Is Life? Days of Praise. Posted on ICR.org July 28,
Population Council, a former president of the American Eu- 2016.

genics Society, recalled in 1974 that the post-war birth-control Dr. Guliuzza is ICR’s National Representative. He earned his M.D. from
the University of Minnesota, his Master of Public Health from Harvard
and abortion-rights movements were great eugenic causes, but University, and served in the U.S. Air Force as 28th Bomb Wing Flight
“[i]f they had been advanced for eugenic reasons it would have Surgeon and Chief of Aerospace Medicine. Dr. Guliuzza is also a regis-
retarded or stopped their acceptance.” Eugenic ideals such as rac- tered Professional Engineer.

JANUARY 2020 | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | ICR.ORG


19
creation q & a J A K E H E B E R T , P h . D .
Quick and easy answers for the general science reader

article
highlights

 People are taught that Earth’s


geological features are millions
of years old, so they naturally
assume the rocks in them look
that old.
 Many think the rocks’ ancient
ages are obvious, but this is a
conditioned response to evolu-
tionary indoctrination.

Do Earth’s Rocks Look Old?


 Rather than looking old, Earth
looks flooded.

Some might argue that Earth’s “millions of years.” Later, when he is shown Many scientists claim radioisotope
rocks are obviously ancient even pictures of Grand Canyon, it seems obvious dating methods prove Earth’s rocks are mil-
apart from radioisotope dating its rocks are extremely ancient. lions of years old. However, these are calcu-
results. In response to creationist However, this conclusion is based on lated ages based on assumptions about the
claims, they might ask, “If the earth was cre- circular reasoning: “Grand Canyon is mil- past. Creation researchers have shown that
ated just 6,000 years ago, then why does it lions of years old. And because it’s millions many of these assumptions are flawed. Dif-
look so old?” But does Earth really look old? of years old, its rocks are also millions of ferent radioisotope dating methods give
Many people see rock layers like the years old. Therefore, Grand Canyon rocks different ages for the same rocks, and age
ones in Grand Canyon and immediately as- look that old because they are that old!” The estimates often contradict both eyewitness
sume they’re millions of years old. But does person thinks the rocks look old because testimony and common sense.6
anything about the rocks themselves indi- he’s been told they’re old. At no point did Creationists have long pointed out
cate vast ages? If you think the answer is yes, anyone make an argument for why millions- that Earth doesn’t really look old. It is cov-
take a moment and try to explain why you of-years-old rocks look like Grand Canyon ered by a relatively thin layer of water-depos-
think that’s the case. Saying “Well, everyone rocks—this was simply assumed. ited rocks over much of its land surface, and
knows the rocks are old” is not a good an- Creation scientists would argue that more than 70% of its surface is underwater.
swer because then you have to ask “How is it clues within these rocks strongly suggest Earth looks flooded, just as it should if the
that people ‘know’ this?” their water-deposited strata were laid down worldwide Flood described in Genesis was a
The answer is indoctrination, plain and quickly and catastrophically, not slowly over real, historical event. Earth’s rocks don’t look
simple. Growing up, we’re taught this repeat- millions of years. These clues include fos- old because they aren’t old.
References
edly through books, television shows, mov- sils embedded through multiple rock layers, 1. Morris, J. D. 2013. Soft-Sediment Deformation: Recent
Flood Evidence. Acts & Facts. 42 (10): 16-17.
ies, and the educational system. So, it’s hardly lack of erosion between flat rock strata, and 2. Morris, J. D. 2009. A Classic Polystrate Fossil. Acts & Facts.
surprising that many people reflexively think tightly folded layers.1-3 38 (10): 15.
3. Thomas, B. 2019. Does Palo Duro Canyon Show Deep
it’s obvious that rock layers are millions of The carving of Grand Canyon is also Time? Acts & Facts. 48 (9): 20.
4. Clarey, T. 2018. Grand Canyon Carved by Flood Run-
years old. But is that conclusion drawn from best explained as a rapid, catastrophic pro- off. Acts & Facts. 47 (12): 10-13.
5. Clarey, T. 2019. Observations Support Grand Canyon Flood
scientific data, or is it a conditioned response cess that didn’t take millions of years.4 Even Origin. Acts & Facts. 48 (11): 9.
6. Cupps, V. R. 2019. Rethinking Radiometric Dating: Evidence
to years of evolutionary claims? recent erosion of the freshly deposited sedi- for a Young Earth from a Nuclear
Physicist. Dallas, TX: Institute for
Think about it. If someone is told since ments in nearby Lake Mead resemble a min- Creation Research.

childhood that Grand Canyon rock layers iature Grand Canyon, with vertical cliffs and Dr. Jake Hebert is Research Associate at
are millions of years old, at some point this slopes. These cliffs formed just in the last few the Institute for Creation Research and
earned his Ph.D. in physics from the
person mentally associates those rocks with decades.5 University of Texas at Dallas.

ICR.ORG | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | JANUARY 2020


20
apologetics J A M E S J . S . J O H N S O N , J . D . , T h . D .

Jonah’s Whale Adventure and Everyday Miracles


A
skeptic once opined about the so- of whales are miracles that began on Day 5 in the world.4-6
called problem of miracles, saying of the creation week and continue today.4 Our skeptic friend questioned biblical
that “enlightened” thinkers doubt the Consider these basic facts of blue whale events because of their miraculous nature,
Bible’s supernatural events such as (Balaenoptera musculus) biology. These yet he was overlooking the many miracles of
“the whale miracle.” But which whale mir- whales have sensitive underwater hear- creation that surround him. For those with
acle did he reject? Was he thinking of Jonah ing that detects other whales’ wailing and eyes to see it, every whale is a miracle of God,
being swallowed at sea yet living to tell the screeching songs from miles away, thick showing God’s power and bioengineering
tale of the “great fish”?1 Some assumptions blubber that insulates their vital organs genius. No wonder David Coppedge said
need examination because there’s more than from cold seawater, blowholes that open to this about blue whale wonders: “The more
one whale miracle to consider. receive oxygen and close when submerged, details you learn about living things, the less
What was miraculous about Jonah’s and a “floating” rib cage that prevents lung excuse you have to chalk it up to evolution.”7
experience? Some say the miracle was God’s collapse when they’re deep-diving.4 Surely Jonah would agree.
preservation of Jonah’s life while he was Female blue whales birth live young References
1. We don’t know which sea creature swallowed Jonah, but the
inside the beast, comparing this to how in ocean water and nurse the babies from whale is a strong possibility.
2. “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of
Christ miraculously defeated death after recessed mammary nipples with pressure- the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three
nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40).
His crucifixion. In fact, the Lord Jesus Christ ejected milk. Male blue whales’ internally 3. Morris, J. D. 1993. Did Jonah Really Get Swallowed by a
Whale? Acts & Facts. 22 (12). See also McGee, J. V. 1997.
compared His own death, burial, and resur- located testes have a countercurrent cooling Jonah: Dead or Alive? Nashville, TN: Thru the Bible Radio
rection to Jonah’s miraculous adventure.2 system that protects their procreative pa- Network, 13-17; Morris, H. M. 2006. Notes for Jonah 1:17;
2:2; 2:5-6. The Henry Morris Study Bible. Green Forest, AR:
Surely God is powerful enough to accom- ternal potency (ability to reproduce). Both Master Books, 1318-1320.
4. “The gradual evolution of a whale [from land mammal to
plish both feats in three days. males and females have flexible vertebral walking whale to oceanic cetacean] is an impossibility, in
the same way that a Land Rover could not gradually turn
Others, reviewing details of Jonah’s joints to enable their tail movement, and into a submarine. The whale is designed for aquatic life.”
Shires, D. 2019. The Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus)—
adventure (e.g., use of the Hebrew word their tail flukes are controlled by a system of Did it evolve? Journal of the Creation Science Movement. 20
(6): 4-5.
sheol), suggest that Jonah actually died in- tendons and muscles.4 5. Murray, J. and J. Hjort. 1912. The Depths of the Ocean. Lon-
don: Macmillan, 778.
side the animal, so they think the miracle Blue whales use front flippers for 6. Regarding whale song, see Welch, C. Elusive Blue Whale Be-
was God’s restoration of Jonah’s mortal maneuvering in ocean water. When water havior Revealed by Their Songs. National Geographic. Post-
ed on nationalgeographic.com February 15, 2018; Stafford,
life.3 Obviously, the resurrection of a human gets into their mouths, their “enormous K. et al. 2018. Extreme diversity in the songs of Spitsbergen’s
bowhead whales. Biology Letters. 14 (4): 20180056; Payne, R.
swallowed by a whale is a miracle that skep- tongues…press the water out of their S. and S. McVay. 1971. Songs of Humpback Whales. Science.
173 (3997): 585-597.
tics would quickly shy away from. mouths between the [baleen] whalebone la- 7. Coppedge, D. 2018. Underwater
Troubadours. Creation Matters. 23
But what other whale miracles are mellae, thus filtering the water and retaining (2): 8-11.
there to consider? Could miracles be hidden the minute organisms” they feed on such as Dr. Johnson is Associate Professor of
in plain view? krill.5 And many more amazing design de- Apologetics and Chief Academic Of-
ficer at the Institute for Creation Re-
Well, the very existence and activities tails make whale life possible for every whale search.

article
highlights

 Bible skeptics ridicule the ac-


count of Jonah’s experience
inside a great fish as a “whale
miracle” that couldn’t be true.
 The existence and activities of
whales are miracles in themselves.
 Those who doubt the Bible’s
supernatural events overlook
miracles of creation they see ev-
ery day.

JANUARY 2020 | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | ICR.ORG


21
stewardship H E N R Y M . M O R R I S I V

50 Years of Blessing
T
his year marks the Institute for Creation ing them…all things” (Matthew 28:19-20). study, and judging by the thousands of tes-
Research’s 50th anniversary. Since 1970, As such, ICR is predominately a ministry timonies we’ve received, they’ve served that
God has blessed ICR tremendously and of discipleship and education, applying purpose well.
allowed us to reach untold multitudes the dominion mandate (Genesis 1:26-28) The most important distinctive of ICR
across the globe. Perhaps the strongest evi- in the context of the complete gospel from has been our commitment to the absolute
dence of God’s favor is the remarkable num- creation to consummation. This ministry authority and accuracy of Scripture. We
ber of creation ministries that have sprung was founded on our uniquely creationist place a strong emphasis on science, of course,
up due to ICR’s influence. Fifty years ago training programs, which have been supple- but the primary reason for our scientific de-
hardly any organizations focused on cre- mented over the years with conferences, de- fense of special and recent creation is our
ation science. Now there are many—at least bates, seminars, and now through the new conviction of the truth of biblical creation
one or more in every U.S. state and 20 other ICR Discovery Center for Science & Earth as recorded throughout God’s perfect Word.
countries. All glory to Him! History. Along with books, videos, DVD se- We live in an age of evangelical com-
ICR’s work is unique in the world of ries (many of which are used as resources in promise, so ICR’s continuing commitment
Christian ministry. We’re not a church, but schools and colleges), and a thriving social to full biblical inerrancy and authority, to lit-
in a sense we’re an arm of the church. An media presence, ICR’s resources and activi- eral recent creationism and the global Flood,
understanding of creation is vital for teach- ties have been a major factor in the revival and to low-key fundraising may seem anti-
ing “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27), and growth of biblical creationism around quated to some. But God has undoubtedly
and ICR has brought its creation-oriented the world. blessed ICR because of this, and we believe
message to churches and schools of just God has indeed blessed the work of He’ll continue to do so as we remain faith-
about every denomination. ICR in marvelous ways, in spite of a low-key ful and obedient to Him. We are immensely
The special and recent creation record- fundraising approach that doesn’t employ grateful for the prayers and financial part-
ed in Genesis is the foundation on which all professional fundraisers, phone solicita- nership of our supporters, and we fervently
other biblical doctrines are based. Apart from tions, or other promotional methods that hope that the coming decades—if the Lord
Genesis 1, the rest of Scripture is meaning- many organizations use. Our ministry has does not return soon—will see an even
less. Thus, ICR has a vital evangelistic minis- mainly been supported through contribu- greater harvest from the seed sown these
try through its message of creation as an es- tions from concerned, praying Christian first 50 years.
sential element of the saving gospel of Christ believers who receive our Acts & Facts maga- Adapted from founder Henry M. Mor-
ris’ article “ICR and the Word of God”
(Colossians 1:13-23; Revelation 14:6-7). zine and Days of Praise devotional booklet. in the December 1995 edition of Acts
& Facts.
Christ’s commission to “go there- These free publications are a source of faith-
fore and make disciples” includes “teach- building information and encouraging Bible Mr. Morris is Director of Operations at the
Institute for Creation Research.

PRAYERFULLY
CONSIDER SUPPORTING Gift Planning
Online Stocks and IRA Matching CFC (Federal/ • Charitable
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Gift Annuities
• Wills and
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Visit ICR.org/give and explore how you can support the vital work of ICR ministries. Or contact us at Stewardship@ICR.org or 800.337.0375 for personal assistance.
ICR is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry, and all gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

ICR.ORG | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | JANUARY 2020


22
letters to the editor

an excellent self-guided tour with a very extensive and diverse


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
presentation of scientific history and many lifelike members of
the animal kingdom. There’s a first-class bookstore that also sells
games, puzzles, hats, and numerous other attractive and reason-
ably priced items. Plenty of on-site parking and a nice park and
picnic area make the experience pleasant and worthwhile for both
children and adults.
— S. and J. C.

This place was really cool. It was nice to hear a geologist and
[paleobiochemist] back up the Bible with science. What we
were taught in school about evolution is just a theory but taught
as truth. What better truth than the Bible! Want to find out about
the Bible and dinosaurs? Go check out the ICR Discovery Center. ICR shored up my faith in ways I can’t possibly put into words.
The new findings will blow your mind. Thank you for all you do!
— A. A. — S. L.

Amazing! We totally loved this place! It’s beautifully


presented, very informative, interactive, and fun! You
will learn a lot about science, dinosaurs, DNA, the Ice
Age, the creation of the earth, the animals, and the entire universe.
This is definitely one of the best museums in the Metroplex. I re-
ally recommend this museum for all kinds of people—kids, teens,
adults, elders, men, women, believers, and non-believers. You’ll
definitely enjoy while you learn amazing stuff that you won’t find
in any other museum. They have discounts for seniors and stu-
dents, and they have guided tours for big groups. You have to go!
— A. S.

I led a group on a field trip to ICR. It was an incredible facility,


great information, and the staff was so helpful. They helped Members of the Disciples of the Way (DOW) Arabic Bible Study
modify the experience to fit our 25 adults with special needs. group watch the Return of Christ presentation in the ICR Discovery
[I] highly recommend ICR. Something for all ages. Center’s final exhibit. DOW is an outreach mission to immigrant
— H. L. and refugee communities in the Dallas area.

Have a comment?
The ICR Discovery Center in Dallas, Texas, is
Email us at Editor@ICR.org
a great attraction at a very moderate price,
or write to Editor,
especially in light of all it offers. There’s a plan- P. O. Box 59029, Dallas, Texas 75229.
etarium that offers two different shows, one all about the oceans Note: Unfortunately, ICR is not able to respond to all
and the other about the sun, moon, stars, and planets. There’s correspondence.

JANUARY 2020 | ACTS & FACTS 49 (1) | ICR.ORG


23
50 Years
OF CREATION RESEARCH P. O. Box 59029, Dallas, TX 75229
ICR.org

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