Defects—Not Intelligent Design

This year’s $1.5 million Templeton Prize was awarded to geneticist and ardent evolutionist, Franciso Ayala (a former priest). The Templeton Prize website states:

The Templeton Prize honors a living person who has made an exceptional contribution to affirming life’s spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery, or practical works. Established in 1972 by the late Sir John Templeton, the Prize aims, in his words, to identify “entrepreneurs of the spirit”—outstanding individuals who have devoted their talents to expanding our vision of human purpose and ultimate reality. The Prize celebrates no particular faith tradition or notion of God, but rather the quest for progress in humanity’s efforts to comprehend the many and diverse manifestations of the Divine.

An Associated Press report stated:

An evolutionary geneticist and philosopher has won this year’s $1.5 million Templeton Prize for affirming life’s spiritual dimension. Francisco Ayala, a former priest, has written 30 books explaining evolution and refuting its critics. He recently visited the Creation Museum in Kentucky and called its biblical displays ridiculous, and he argues that nature’s defects are better explained by unguided evolution than intelligent design.

(We believe Prof. Ayala visited our museum in late October or early November when he was in Cincinnati to give a talk celebrating Charles Darwin’s life and work.)

Of course from a wealth of experience with the media, I realize one can’t be sure that this is what Ayala stated. Regardless, this is what this Associated Press story states—and the comment “that nature’s defects are better explained by unguided evolution than intelligent design” is simply not an accurate representation of what the Creation Museum teaches nor what biblical creationists believe or have taught.

When one visits the Creation Museum and walks through the 7 C’s of history, it is clearly explained when you get to the second C, “Corruption,” that the defects in the creation, the evil we observe and experience, and so on, are the result of sin—not from “design.” The creation we live in is a fallen one—it is not the perfect creation God described as “very good.”

Actually, when the press report states “nature’s defects are better explained by unguided evolution than intelligent design,” in a sense, this is closer to the truth than what the person who made the quote realizes. You see, “unguided evolution” means, no intelligence involved. The defects in the present creation were not a part of the original “intelligent design” of the universe, but are the result of God withdrawing some of His sustaining power so that everything now is running down.

Over and over again we see evolutionists either misrepresenting, misunderstanding, or deliberately misquoting what biblical creationists believe or what the Creation Museum teaches.

You can read the AP report: Geneticist Francisco Ayala wins $1.5 million Templeton Prize

Today is the Day to Register for Defending the Faith in July

As we have noted in our recent lead article, today (Wednesday) marks the last day you can take advantage of an “early-bird” discount for our Defending the Faith family conference near the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Right now is the time to make your summer vacation plans and have your family join us in beautiful northern Tennessee in July—and save money on your registration.

Read my recent blog and lead article outlining details about this conference. Also, for conference details, go to the online schedule.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,

Ken