"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but
inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good
tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil
fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt
tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good
fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye
shall know them." (Mt.7:15-20)
Let me list some of the more obvious fruits of the tree, Evolution :-
1) Claiming to be a branch of science, it has progressively undermined
faith in the word of God - specifically, in challenging the literal
truth of the early chapters of Genesis; it has thereby stripped the
Gospel of its logical foundations, and provided a plank for biblical
criticism, liberal theology, and radical ecumenism; man - the 'crown' of
God's creation - has been relegated to animal status.
2) It has provided an excuse for atrocious human behaviour - evolution's
driving principle being 'survival of the fittest'; this has now passed
into man's hands for its ultimate fulfilment - and we have as prime
examples, Nazi philosophy and Soviet communism.
3) It provides essential support for the growing belief in
reincarnation, and the notion that man's destiny lies in his own hands.
4) It has led directly to the expectation that other, and higher, forms
of life exist elsewhere in the universe, capable of delivering man from
his increasingly desperate circumstances. This has clouded the Gospel
message and diverted man's attention from his one true source of
salvation.
5) It provides an essential 'scientific prop' for secular humanism - the
religion of the age - with its emphasis on permissiveness and the denial
of all absolutes; inevitably, this has led to the progressive loosening
of the fabric of human society and to many of the excesses and evils we
now witness about us.
6) Its adherents vigorously resist the idea that Earth history - as
revealed in the succession of rocks and their fossils - are reasonably
interpretable in any other way than theirs; healthy discussion and
debate on the key issue of origins is therefore discouraged, or
suppressed.
The Lord Jesus (Himself the Creator!) came to bring truth to the world
(Jn.18:37). We demonstrate that we are his followers by our love of
truth. If we accept a doctrine that is so patently antagonistic to the
Gospel of Love without rigorously testing its credentials, then it is
doubtful whether we are numbered among his true followers. As a man, he
clearly believed all that Moses had written (Lk.16:29), including the
universality of the flood, and its outcome (Mt.24:36-39, Lk.17:26,27) -
truths that are anathema to the evolutionist!
The current battle between God's people and Baal, and his prophets, is
not a new phenomenon: it is one that has been fought in every generation
since Adam. A prime example is described in 1Ki.18 where the prophet
Elijah challenges the people with the words, "...How long will ye halt
between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then
follow him." In other words, they couldn't have it both ways!
Many Christians are attempting to serve two masters - moreover, masters
with opposing agendas! Completely dominant is the god Evolution. He is
to be continually placated by insisting that the Scriptures are to be
'interpreted' (that is, not to mince words, 'distorted') to conform with
his dictates. In submitting to this pressure, it often becomes necessary
to deny the clear words of Christ and the Apostles - hardly a solid
basis upon which to live out one's Christian life!
Vernon Jenkins
28th July, 1998