Debate Under Way

The online debate on www.beliefnet.com between Karl Giberson and me is under way with the first two postings on the Beliefnet website at:

http://blog.beliefnet.com/blogalogue/

Evolutionist and Christian author Karl Giberson will now respond with his second posting; then I will respond to that—and then we do the same a third time. It is also interesting to read the comments posted under each posting.

Museum Press Release

The following is the text of a press release sent out to news outlets across the USA last Friday. We have already received a number of interviews in recent times about the museum. Here is the Press Release:

DYNAMIC CREATION MUSEUM SEES MAJOR GROWTH SINCE OPENING LAST YEAR

New Exhibits, Expanded Gardens Provide Fuller, Richer Experience

PETERSBURG, Ky., October 17, 2008 – In the year and a half since the high-tech, state-of-the-art Creation Museum opened near Cincinnati, it has seen continued growth and expansion, so that the museum today provides a richer, broader experience than on opening day.

“Anyone who toured the museum on opening weekend or shortly thereafter would be astounded at the number of new and expanded exhibits now on display at the Creation Museum,” said Mark Looy, co-founder and ministry spokesman. “As opposed to most static natural history or art museums, ours is a dynamic, growing place.”

New exhibits include the huge “Dino Den,” which was completed last year. This 4,500 square foot, two-story display features sculpted dinosaurs, including an exquisite 40-foot-long Tyrannosaurus Rex built by staff member Buddy Davis, plus a cast of a huge Triceratops, along with bones from the creatures and real dinosaur eggs. There are also videos and a theater where guests can watch a 12-minute film, recorded on location at a castle in England (a nation known for many dragon legends).

The botanical gardens surrounding the museum and a three-acre lake have expanded since opening weekend to include a “Carnivorous Bog Garden,” a rainforest, and a butterfly/hummingbird garden. Altogether, there are a mile and a half of walking trails with foliage and wildlife changing by the season.

Other live exhibits include the Petting Zoo, which opened on May 23, 2008, in time for the celebration of the museum’s one-year anniversary. It features exotic animals such as miniature donkeys, a camel, a zonkey, and a zorse, among others.

The newest exhibit to open inside the museum is a broad wall display in partnership with the Institute for Creation Research, which highlights creation scientists and their research on subjects such as sedimentary layers in the Grand Canyon, formation of petrified forests, carbon dating and radioactive dating methods.

The museum also offers great variety in its live performances and lectures. It introduced its first musical, “The Story of Gomer,” last Christmas, and this year has featured a Noah’s Ark-based theatrical presentation, “Let the Rain Come.” Lecture themes change monthly, featuring both museum staff scientists and guest speakers.

Other live programming includes visits such as those by herpetologist Rick Teepen and his “Snakes Alive!” presentation, and singer/songwriter/adventurer Buddy Davis’s “Genesis Creation Musical Adventure” family mini-concerts and “In Search of Noah’s Ark” children’s workshops. The “Dino-Mite Readers Program” also fluctuates monthly, offering children an exciting introduction to creationism and Bible-defending literature.

In addition to expanded exhibits, the museum has increased its culinary offerings and on-site dining space with the opening of the new Lakeside Grill. The stunning “Dragon Hall” bookstore has added to the variety of products it carries, offering museum guests a large selection of adult and children’s books, DVDs, museum souvenirs, toys, and even music. The latest keepsake is a “Behind the Scenes” coffee table book filled with beautiful photography from the museum.

The holidays continue the museum’s emphasis on family and community at the Creation Museum. October features Days of Discovery with hayrides, face and pumpkin painting, and many other fun family-oriented events. The “Microscarium” and Skeleton Skills presentations add to the Fall-themed festivities.

Starting December 12, the museum will introduce a live Nativity on the museum grounds, which will be free to the public. “Bethlehem’s Blessings” will help visitors capture a glimpse of the first Christmas 2,000 years ago. There will be hayrides, seasonal lights and food, and a special planetarium presentation on the “Bethlehem Star.”

“Our goal has always been to provide a rich and varied experience for our guests, so that they could visit several times a year and never feel that it’s the same thing twice,” Looy said. “We believe we’ve succeeded in doing that, and anyone who thinks they have seen the museum in one visit 16 months ago really needs to come back and see it again.”

The Creation Museum, located near the Cincinnati Airport, is a ministry of Answers in Genesis, a non-profit Christian organization dedicated to confirming the validity of the Bible from the very first verse. Since its grand opening on May 28, 2007, the museum has seen 565,000 visitors, way above anticipated crowds of 250,000 for the first year.

Devotion

Cheap and worthless

(Daniel 5:16–17) And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

The Lord Jesus Christ has made us so rich and happy to have Him to live in us that the world’s wealth seems by comparison to be so cheap and worthless.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken