Statement of (Un)belief

Preface

Increasingly around America and other Western nations, churches that once held to biblical inerrancy are riding a slippery slope of unbelief regarding the book of Genesis.

Steven Volchko and his wife Judy of Illinois are long-time AiG supporters. In fact, their enthusiasm is so high that they are charter members of AiG’s Creation Museum, which should be opening next spring near the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport. For several years, Steven had been encouraging leaders of the “mega-church” where he was a member to stand on God’s Word from the very first verse. He had seen some sliding within this church, but like many individuals, he wanted to remain in the church in an effort to convince its leaders to stand on the authority of the Bible. (Many of these Bible-believers, however, eventually leave after many fruitless attempts . . . as is the case that will be recounted below.)

Although you may be saddened by the actions of the first church, we believe that you will be encouraged to find that near this compromising church is another one that has actually incorporated a very specific orthodox statement of faith regarding Genesis. (In fact, why not share this web article with your pastor in the hope that your church’s statement of faith would be amended to incorporate these pro-Genesis elements? It will assist your church body in remaining true to God’s Word, and, in a very practical way, could help filter out negative influences on the church body).

Testimony by Steven Volchko, Illinois, USA

We left [a well-known mega-church1]. Here is what transpired and pushed me over the edge (and out of that church).

I attended since 1982, but after a progressive creationist spoke at the church in 2005, I spent the next eight months confronting the elders and staff at the church. Sadness filled my heart to see them reject biblical truth.

There is so much to say about what happened. The bottom line was that I gave up believing there was any hope of the leadership holding a biblical view of the authority of the Word of God.

We withdrew our membership. They had the resident theologian call me to talk about it. The first 30 minutes went well but the last 15 made me angry.

I had already spent two hours in a meeting with a staff person who believes in progressive creation (and other liberal theology). The church promoted him now to be the main minister for exposing truth from lies (how ironic). The sad part is that his concept of truth is about 180 degrees out of phase regarding Genesis.

The good news is that we belong to a Bible-believing church now. They have even had Ken Ham [AiG-USA president] speak. Their website has the following on what they believe:

• Creation, Evolution, and God’s Sovereignty: We believe God created the universe in six twenty-four hour days and that, before He created the universe, nothing except God existed (Genesis 1; Exodus 31:17; Psalm 33:6-9; Acts 17:24; Hebrews 11:3; Colossians 1:16).
• God chose to create the universe and all that is in it to reveal His glory, divine nature, eternal power, infinite wisdom, and supreme authority (Isaiah 43:7; Psalm 19:1-2; Jeremiah 10:12; Romans 1:20; Revelation 4:11).
• We deny the theory of evolution, which states that nonliving substances gave rise to the first living material, which then reproduced and diversified to produce all living creatures. We believe that all people are descendants of Adam and Eve, whom God created personally and individually and as complete human beings (Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:7; Genesis 2:21-22; 1 Corinthians 11:8-9).
• The fall of Adam and Eve infected all people with sin and death, but the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ gives the opportunity to receive God’s gift of eternal life (Romans 5:18-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22).

May God bless you always.

Yours in Christ,
Steven M. Volchko, Illinois

Editor’s note: Please seriously consider sharing Steven’s testimony-and the elements from his new church’s statement of faith-with your church. Perhaps your leaders will amend their statement of faith and take a stand for biblical authority, starting with the very first verse.