Rejecting “Free”

Recently, AiG’s Chief Communications Officer, Mark Looy, had a letter published in the Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper (and also on its website) dealing with the fact that the Creation Museum was open free to the public on Christmas Eve. Mark stated in his letter: “In the spirit of giving at Christmas, and especially recognizing Christ’s free gift of salvation, the museum will be open Thursday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at no charge as our gift to the community. Other special Christmas events (elaborate holiday lights and a live nativity) are free on certain other days.”

It was interesting (but sad) to read some of the comments people left on the Enquirer website to respond to our gift offer to the area residents. Most not only rejected (and scoffed at) the offer of free admission to the Creation Museum, but some also rejected (and scoffed at) the free gift of salvation God offers through his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8).

Here are some of the responses to our letter (and I have added some comments in brackets), including this blasphemous one:

“I can't wait to see the dinosaur that Jesus rode to school! All Hail Mighty THOR! My God has a Hammer. Yours got nailed to a cross. Any Questions?” [Jesus was nailed to a cross—but he also rose from the dead. He has ultimate power as He is the infinite creator God—and He died to pay the penalty for our sin, and offers all of us a free gift of salvation.]

“ . . . If you have proof that the Flying Spaghetti Monster does not exist, I'd sure like to see it. Until then, I will bow to his noodly appendages. Praise the FSM! And THAT's a museum i would donate to! p.s. it makes more sense than Noah's Ark! [The evidence of Noah’s worldwide Flood is all over the earth—billions of dead things buried in rock layers laid down by water all over the earth.]

“Is there a display showing Santa being attacked by pterodactyls as he delivers presents to all the good prehistoric boys and girls? Perhaps caveman Santa actually used pterodactyls instead of reindeer?”

“Wow. For five glorious hours, you can get for free what normally costs $22: a load of ridiculous [expletive deleted]. What a bargain!”

“By the way, don't let Mark Loony fool you—they're not doing this out of the goodness of their hearts, or even a desire to spread their wacky ideas. It's a tax dodge. As I understand it, they have to give it away one day a year to keep their religious tax deduction.” [That’s a new one! Even the IRS doesn’t know about this supposed regulation.]

“My wife and I try very hard to educate and instill a decent moral and value system for our children. Avoiding the charlatans at this so called "Museum" helps us accomplish this goal. Remember to keep Christ in Christmas and not buy the snake oil or anything else that Answers in Genesis sells (even if they give it away for free).” [Without an absolute authority, morality is subjective—why should your children accept your morality?]

You can read Mark’s entire letter and all the comments about it at this link:

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/letters/2009/12/22/creation-museum-to-be-free-on-christmas-eve/?&s=d&page=1#pluckcomments

A Different Response

We praise the Lord that the overwhelming responses we get from those who visit the Creation Museum are very different than those above that appeared in the local secular newspaper—they are much more like this one from last week:

Thank you for creating & running the creation museum ... Some friends took my family & me there yesterday, & we all learned a ton & had a lot of fun in the process. It was great to be able to read things & not have to sort out the truth from the "millions of years ago" statements commonly found in museums.

One of the statements that caught my attention most was early on -- there was a statement about how creationists see the past different from evolutionists because we start in a different place. Also, the explanation … on why there are different people groups was quite helpful. Additionally, the explanation of 6 literal days of creation was great. Before we came, I'd mentioned to friends at work I was going to the creation museum, & they've already started asking questions before I even went ... now, with what I learned yesterday, hopefully, I can come up with the answer. Thanks!

11,000 and Counting

Almost 11,000 visitors have already attended the FREE Live Nativity/Bethlehem’s Blessings program at the Creation Museum. You still have opportunity to attend tonight, December 29 and January 1 & 2, 6pm – 8pm. Come and visit the Creation Museum during the day (opens at 10 am), and stay for the FREE Bethlehem’s Blessings program in the evening. People have told me they have been overwhelmed at the spectacular light display and the phenomenal program that far exceeded their expectations—so don’t miss out! Find out details at: http://creationmuseum.org/special-events/christmas-2009/

Devotion

To the measure

(Mark 5:18-20) he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but said unto him, Go home to your friends, and tell them how great things the Lord has done for you, and has had compassion on you. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

To the measure a person realizes how much the Lord Jesus Christ has saved him from to the same measure he wants to be with Him and be His witness to the lost

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying

Ken