Author: Rev. Charles Pugh

February 25^th is a special day in the history of our world in light of an event that occurred three years ago today.  It was an event tied to tragedy, even relating to Virginia Tech.  It was an event surrounding Truth and worldwide influence.  It was an event resulting in triumph from a perspective far beyond our measurements of time.  What event am I referring to in this latest Blog?  This event even relates to my 02-12-09 Blog, “Darwin, TRAGEDY, and Lincoln.”  It was on February 25, 2006 that….

Henry Madison Morris was promoted to Glory.  Henry M. Morris was a man of science and a man of God (c.f. http://www.icr.org/article/4343/).  He was a widely respected scientist in the field of civil engineering, specializing in hydraulics.  His longest tenure of service in the academic university community was actually at Virginia Tech University (known more then as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University).  Henry M. Morris served for 13 years as the chairman of the civil engineering department at VT.  Yet, there were tragedies that took place surrounding him while serving at VT.

Dr. Morris had taken a strong stand on the Truth of the Bible.  In fact, he and another man in the town of Blacksburg had worked on a book that sprung from a local newspaper question and answer column about how the Bible has the answer to life’s questions.   In addition, he had become a Gideon to help with the greater distribution of Bibles.  Dr. Morris took a normal, historical/grammatical approach to understanding Scripture, in particular with the first Bible book of Genesis, and this put him at odds with certain officials at Virginia Tech and even in the church he attended.  Tragically, this led to him essentially being expelled from his church in town and eventually from his position at Virginia Tech (c.f. my 04-18-08 Blog, “Expelled”).

Through the tragedy of essentially being expelled from his church, a Bible teaching church was formed in Blacksburg.  In fact, several other churches were formed as a result of his efforts there.  From the tragedy of being expelled from Virginia Tech (through internal pressure and not allowing his scientific, biblical perspective to be a part of the education process), Dr. Morris worked to start an educational institution.  The Institute for Creation Research is the ongoing result of this (www.icr.org).  Many other Creation organizations worldwide have been founded as a result of Dr. Henry Morris’s influence and his faithfulness to continue in Truth, despite any tragedy or whatever he faced.

The most influential book (essentially the foundational work for the modern Creation movement) coming from Dr. Morris’ scientific perspective and co-authored by Dr. John Whitcomb (a theological scholar) is The Genesis Flood.  This book continues to be printed today and offers a reasonable scientific explanation of what a global flood (described in the Bible) would produce.

Friend, the physical evidence around the world indicates that the world was once covered with water.  Dr. Morris understood this and explained how we can understand this scientifically.  Dr. Morris is now in the immediate presence of the Creator since he passed away three years ago, today.  Will you come to triumph in tragedy or through any difficult circumstances in life (like a devastating economic flood)?  Will you triumph over death and through the power of death?  You can, if you study the Creation, understand His Covenants (The Old and New of the Bible), and come to trust the Creator, Who will be your Savior—Jesus Christ!

By now, most of those reading this blog have likely heard the story of Travis, the 200 pound Chimpanzee that recently attacked a Connecticut woman, leading to a multifaceted tragedy for both women directly involved and the chimp itself.  In light of the recent and worldwide emphasis on Charles Darwin and his evolutionary theory of life, more should begin to think of this alleged relationship between men and monkeys (or as many say, with apes).  It is well established and promoted by evolutionary scientists that chimps are allegedly man’s closest relative.  This is a greater tragedy (even impacting this more recent tragedy) and one that many blindly accept as Truth, as they become willingly ignorant of what the Creation teaches us….

Chimpanzees are said to genetically be as close to humans as having only a “1.23” difference (though other genetic studies show a greater estimated difference).  The differences between humans and chimps are said to be less than the differences between chimps and other apes.  Regardless of what is actually true there, a greater question comes from this evolutionary thinking:  Is there any actual evidence that we have evolved from Chimpanzees or any other animal?  The answer and everything we KNOW to be true is as simple as 1-2-3. J  There are NO transitional forms between one species and another (or biblically speaking between one “kind” and another), much less between apes and men.  No matter what similarities may exist between organisms (genetic or otherwise), there are very obvious and real differences that do exist.  Human beings are vastly superior to the highest order of any animal life.  Biblically, we understand that the key difference is that we were created “in the image of God” (Genesis 1:27).

The way that so many educated scientists can put their faith in the ludicrous idea that chimps are closely related to us only demonstrates the tragedy of the willingly ignorant beliefs that exclude a Creator God (see also my 06-17-08 Blog:  “Intelligence and Ignorance”).  The woman who owned this chimp became way too comfortable with the idea that the chimp was like a human son to her.  Granted, Travis was quite capable of doing more than many animals can do, yet he was still only a Chimpanzee.  Worse than this, the owner even gave this chimp an anti-anxiety drug (Xanex), which likely even had some impact in the chimp’s aggressive attack.  Interestingly, it is also these anti-anxiety and anti-psychotic drugs that are the common denominator in all of the school shooting tragedies (including the Virginia Tech Massacre).  I will have to talk more about that in another Blog.  The fact is that chimps are not human beings and are less predictable than humans.  We should not be deceived into thinking that they are an actual distant relative of ours.

Friend, please do not succumb to this evolutionary deception.  You are a unique human being that has been created in God’s image and blessed with a mind and will to think and live far above any animal.  If you accept the belief (and it is that—a faith position) that we have evolved from apes (or in particular some class of Chimpanzee), then you are saying that you are just a “chimp off the old block.”  Maybe you are acting more like an aggressive and unpredictable wild animal than you are a human being?  Maybe you are just thinking more wildly and accepting of a God-less theory such as evolution?

Virginia Tech (and all) should come to realize the impact and beliefs of the founder of the modern Creation movement—Dr. Henry Morris (who was essentially forced out of his position at Virginia Tech in the 1960’s by the “educated” evolutionary minded professors here)—more on Dr. Morris coming soon!  We are far more than “chimps off the old block.”

Today is the 200^th anniversary celebration of the life of Charles Darwin.  Darwin has become the deified figure of many committed Naturalists today.  Certainly, nature is something to study and even learn from, yet when one honestly looks at nature, there are questions that arise about how a creature, life form, or formation of matter came about.  With the incredible designs that are observed in this world (from the microscopic study of structures and life forms) to the telescopic understandings of this fantastic universe (just look at some of the awe inspiring photos we have today) there is no doubt that some greater force has been or is at work.  As you think about this and origins, it essentially comes down to starting with impersonal matter or a personal GOD.  Charles Darwin tragically fell into the trap of bitterness (see also my 01-14-09 Blog:  “THEISM, A-theism and Deism”), and spent the last years of his life promoting only Naturalism.  Have you succumbed to this tragedy in your own thinking or perhaps you have responded more like Abraham Lincoln?…

Some things just simply cannot be explained through Natural processes.  This is what drives the modern day I.D. (Intelligent Design) movement.  The more we study and learn about things in the Creation, the more we see that it is not only improbable, but also utterly impossible for everything we observe to simply have come from nothing at all or even some original impersonal matter.  The most well established law we live by (that also governs the food industry and research of all kinds) is that something does not spontaneously come from nothing.  The deeper question of origins is then exposed and it comes down to what I posited above (impersonal matter or personal GOD).  Some highly educated people and avowed atheists (such as the highly acclaimed Richard Dawkins) even come down to hypothesizing that life here most likely started from intelligent life elsewhere in the universe.  This thinking only delays the ultimate question of origins and the two starting point options (impersonal matter or personal GOD).

Friend, I could go on and speak more philosophically, yet you must practically come to grips with this question for yourself.  There is no rational way to explain what we observe today from a merely natural starting point.  This does not mean that we should default to simply saying “GOD did it” and refuse to do the work of science.  The Bible says that GOD gave man dominion over the earth and gives man the responsibility of subduing it.  In fact, you really should read and study the Bible to understand more about the Creation and its origin.  The Bible claims inspiration and infallibility and the incessant scrutiny of it throughout history has only verified its claims and history to be true and accurate.  The Bible also shows us the Providence of GOD in history and His plan through the Person and sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the sins of the world.  This is available to all who will have it applied to their personal account by faith (see the Gospel Tab above).

Today is also the 200^th Anniversary of the birth of another great historical figure—our 16^th U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln.  Lincoln also had tragedies in his life and it is quite interesting to contrast his responses to those of Charles Darwin.  After losing his beloved son, Willie, Lincoln responded by finally coming to personal faith in Jesus Christ.  His journey to this point had also led our Country into abolishing the tragedy of slavery that existed then.  Though controversy abounds, Lincoln obviously had a change in his understanding of faith in Jesus Christ and was speaking more and more of this before he was tragically shot, being pronounced dead just before Easter Sunday that year—on Good Friday morning, 1865.

Will tragedy turn you toward GOD or away from Him?  Will today be a good day for you in the Providence of GOD?  Will you default to the tragedy of only Naturalism?  The choice is yours.

That’s my RIGHT!  Well, what about your responsibility?  In this age of global change, difficulty and evaluation of what has purpose and meaning, much emphasis is put upon RIGHTS.  What is it that you should be allowed to have and to do?  What are your RIGHTS?  In any country where freedom is emphasized, so are RIGHTS.  In any country where a standard of law is respected, RIGHTS can be enforced.  Yet, is there not a danger that even in a free country, such as the GREAT United States of America, RIGHTS may be lost?

Rights are certainly emphasized in America!  One thing I have particularly noticed from my involuntary commitments and forced involvement in legal matters is the emphasis on RIGHTS.  I have learned even through recent experience that despite whatever stated rights I was said to have, that in the end, those in authority did what they wanted to do or felt should be done.  In fact, it has become clear to me that many authorities I have encountered through my ongoing personal tragedy are not even living up to the standards and responsibilities they have set for themselves.

A person’s rights are only as good as the responsibility of the authority overseeing the enforcement of those rights.  To put it another way, your rights will be lost if you and the authorities over you fail to live up to the responsibilities.  So, what does America need to learn?  What does Virginia Tech need to learn?  What do you, dear reader, need to learn?  You must live up to the rules—to the standard—of whatever is in place in your life!  The extent to which you fail to live up to your responsibilities is the extent to which you will begin to lose your rights.

For me, as for every true believer in GOD and His plan for salvation in Jesus Christ, the lesson is clear.  We have a standard.  We have a guide book.  We have knowledge of what we are responsible to keep.  The Bible gives us the tangible, objective standard of how to live.  In fact, we have all we need to know for living life in a productive and godly way (2 Peter 1:3).  The Word of GOD is a lamp to our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105).

Friend, your Creator has created and made you and HE has certain expectations for you.  The founders of this great country of the United States of America understood that we are “endowed by [our] Creator with certain unalienable Rights” (This is part of what I am discussing in Lesson #4 of my “Top Ten Lessons” [linked above]:  “Fortify Foundations” Psalm 11:3).  RIGHTS come with responsibilities.

Please learn to de-emphasize your RIGHTS and prioritize living up to your responsibilities!  This is the only way to find meaning in life, maintain liberty and find true happiness.  This is the way to avoid many tragedies and ensure that you will find the strength to prevail through any tragedy or difficulty you may face.

Not only are VOICES very influential in your health and growth (see my last Blog entry:  “CHOICES and VOICES”), but PICTURES are even moreso.  We live in a digitized age where pictures are seen everywhere.  Probably the greatest invention ever, so far as the broadest influence, is the TELEVISION.  Making pictures available along with sound to hear and watching it all continually moving in time is mesmerizing.  Television certainly is highly influential (more than most realize) and is even an important aspect of many tragedies….

No matter what is argued, there is no doubt that moving pictures control us.  This may also come in the form of video games or even movies (including self-made home movies).  Movies are also recorded and watched repeatedly and are playing constantly on Television and even the Internet.  Television is the most broadly influential of all, as it is viewed by those of all ages, and by the most human beings worldwide.

Friend, it is tragic in itself that we fail to realize the effects that Television has on each of us.  Certainly, video did mean much to the 04-16-07 VT Shooter (Seung Hui Cho), as he made his own and even sent it to NBC News in between his shooting rampages that day.  This video was then televised to people tuned in all over the world until pressure and time replaced the story.  Consider also the massive impact that video websites such as You Tube have on so many people worldwide.  Television is a great tool for good, yet is often used to promote evil.  Commercials and advertisements help run our economies, yet even they can negatively convey information.  Violence, profanity and even immorality are mainstream today and constant exposure is, at best, not healthy.

I have personally been very careful at what I and my children have watched on Television over the years and have also noticed how important this is for others.  Having now been involuntarily placed in three different mental health facilities, I have also seen how Television effects (more negatively than positively) the mental health of the patients in these facilities.  At best, it confuses those who are mentally weak or troubled.  Television will also negatively oppress your spirit, and at the same time, often improperly stimulate your body.

Scripture is helpful here.  Consider the following verses for further thinking:

“I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me.”  Psalm 101:3

“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”  Matthew 6:22-23

Please consider the incredible impact of Television in your life and seek to avoid the tragedies that can come with it.  Your health, growth and ability to prevail are at stake.