Never Giving Up

Well, in order to answer that question, we have to ask a different question. Who are the “Nones”? Around 30% of millennials and 35% of Generation Z claim to be Nones. Such people aren’t affiliated with any church and mostly claim to be agnostic or atheist. Christian researcher George Barna said Generation Z is the first truly post-Christian generation.

Rise of the Nones

Now “The Rise of the Nones” could be a movie title! But it’s a fact of history concerning generational decline in Western church attendance, coinciding with the secularization of the culture and the increasing intolerance of Christianity.

It’s always sad when someone dies. But there’s a different sort of sadness when a non-Christian dies.

Imagine someone being applauded because their life’s work greatly helped toward this rise of the Nones. Sadly, this actually happened recently.

It’s always sad when someone dies. But there’s a different sort of sadness when a non-Christian dies. When a Christian dies, we are saddened by the separation we experience. But from God’s perspective:

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. (Psalm 116:15)

They are precious because they are no longer separated from their God but will be with him forever. However, when a non-Christian dies, we need to think about the following verse of Scripture:

As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways. (Ezekiel 33:11)

These words to Israel show God’s heart toward those who reject him. He wants them to turn from their wicked ways. God knows that those who reject him suffer a second death and will be eternally separated from him. But, and I’m sure we all know the verse, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Tragedy of Epic Proportions

Recently, a well-known atheist organization, Center for Inquiry, published the sad news that a leading atheist passed away. This organization then summarized what they considered to be some of this man’s greatest achievements.

“He saved the legacy of the Great Agnostic, Robert Green Ingersoll, from obscurity. He carried the torch for atheism, secular humanism, and clear-eyed rationality for decades with his powerful and copious writings and speeches—undoubtedly helping to cause the Rise of the Nones. All while cracking jokes and delighting everyone in his orbit,” said Blumner. “And how lucky we were to be part of it.”

“The death of Tom Flynn is a tragedy of epic proportions for everyone who cares about the equality of atheists anywhere in the world.”

I certainly agree that this man’s death was a “tragedy of epic proportions.” As a member of the human family, he is (yes “is,” because he will live for eternity) our relative. And as far as we know from his own actions and all that’s been said about him, he will be separated from God for eternity. Yes, that is a tragedy. And this atheist group is applauding another tragedy by praising Tom Flynn for “helping to cause the Rise of the Nones,” sadly putting more on the broad way, and we want to do our best to put them on the narrow way that leads to life.

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13–14)

I read this news about atheist Tom Flynn after I arrived home from speaking at a church and Christian school in West Virginia. After I finish speaking, I often have kids give me notes and artwork. Well, after this event in WV, an eleven-year-old girl (named Ellie), who loves the Lord Jesus, came to me and told me how much she loved me speaking and gave me a note.

Faith of a Child

I had to chuckle after I read it sometime later. She had written down her thoughts about me. What I really liked were her words “Never gives up.” Yes, we need to stand boldly on God’s Word and do all we can to proclaim the truth of Scripture and the gospel regardless of the opposition we receive—and regardless of how anti-Christian and intolerant the culture is.

When I read the news about Tom Flynn, I thought of this young girl and her love for God’s Word and the messages I gave.

When I read the news about Tom Flynn, I thought of this young girl and her love for God’s Word and the messages I gave. I thought, “If only Tom Flynn would have had the faith of this child.” As we read in Scripture, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

Then I pondered how important it is to do all we can to help undo the work of Tom Flynn. Yes, we are not going to give up, we are going to be more enthusiastic (another word Ellie used) than ever to reach these Nones, and anyone else we can, with the truth of the saving gospel.

And yes, we need to be kind in the way we present the truth. As God instructs us in 1 Peter 3:15: “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

I often think about the times I had with another famous person in secular circles, Bill Nye, and how I prayed for him while he stood in front of me, and how I pleaded with him to receive the free gift of salvation. But sadly, he rejected this, and as far as I know continues to do so. So we need to be reminded to pray for Bill Nye and do what we can to undo all the damage he has done in spreading his anti-God worldview.

Dream Come True

Creation to Babel: A Commentary for Families is available for pre-order now and will ship in November, or purchase the ebook and begin reading right away!

Now Ellie also used the word author in her note. I never thought I would be an author. The ministry of Answers in Genesis started in our home in Australia and really began to get books into people’s hands so they would have information to equip them with answers so they could be effective witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s why we’ve always had a big emphasis on producing literature of various kinds and writing articles so people would have access to information. And over the years, I’ve learned to be an author (with a lot of editorial help from others, of course).

I’m thrilled to tell you that a resource I dreamed of writing many years ago has become a reality. I’ve always wanted to write a commentary on Genesis 1–11 for the family that would deal with every question I could remember being asked about these chapters of Genesis. I really worked hard to accomplish this during the COVID shutdown in 2020—and it’s now ready! This commentary is rather unique, being a devotional, yet covering many theological and scientific topics written for the family. I pray families will read through this 288-page commentary together and discuss all the information.

End-of-Year Campaign on Now

One more update for you. Last month we launched our end-of-year campaign so we can do major needed upgrades and continue expanding, as per our Master Planning Vision for both the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum. God continues to bless this ministry through your prayers and support. Thank you for being a part of our most significant end-of-year challenge ever—$17 million! And thank you for doubling the impact of your contribution by giving today. We are already over 25 percent of this match, as you will see on our thermometer at the top of this page, where you can also find more about exciting new projects this challenge will fund.

Everything we do is so we can proclaim the truth of God’s Word and the gospel with boldness. We want to reach as many as we can with the most important message ever. And as you know, we do not waver in our stand on God’s Word, regardless of what is happening in the culture. Please help us do even more to undo the legacy of people like Tom Flynn and Bill Nye and help raise up a generation of Ellies.