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CSA News
The Creation Science Association for Mid-America
Volume 32:6
June 2015
"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man."
Psalm 118:8 (KJV)

...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,...

(Romans 3:23 ESV)

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 6:23 ESV)

...but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

(Romans 5:8 ESV)

For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

(Romans 10:10-13 ESV)


In This Issue


Signs and Seasons, Part 5:
Astronomer’s Comments


Local "Answers in Genesis" Conference,
April 17 - 18, 2015


Recent Geophysical Events Confirm Theory;
Part I: Earthquakes


Genetics 301: Manipulating Genes


Signs and Seasons, Part 5: Astronomer’s Comments

by Douglas Roger Dexheimer

This is the next in our series of articles on "Signs and Seasons.”  Dr. Danny Faulkner wrote an article before the first of this series, on four lunar eclipses,1 and subsequently followed up with this material in his blog2 with observations made in the fall of 2014, after the second of those four eclipses. 

Danny Faulkner is a creation scientist and educator specialized in Astronomy and Physics. For over 25 years he was on the faculty of the University of South Carolina Lancaster, where he taught physics and astronomy. He was Chair of its Division of Math, Science, Nursing, and Public Health (2009–2012).  In 2012, Dr. Faulkner retired as a full professor and now holds the title of Distinguished Professor Emeritus. In January, 2013 he joined Answers in Genesis as a full time scientist and speaker….

He has been extensively involved in creation science, serving on the board of directors of the Creation Research Society since 2005. He is also a prolific author, having published a great many articles in secular astronomy journals as well as creationist publications wherein he presents the view of our solar system with all its planets and stars through a biblical perspective. Danny has also written a book on creation cosmology called Universe by Design, and been featured on two educational documentaries….

Dr. Faulkner acquired his B.S. in math at Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC in 1976, and later obtained an M.S. in physics in 1979 at the Clemson University, Clemson, SC, and his M.A. in astronomy (1983) along with his PhD in astronomy (1989) at the Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.3

 Dr. Faulkner is now working with the AIG Creation Museum in Kentucky.

The following is a condensed compilation of the original article, together with the more recent blog by Dr. Faulkner.

Dr. Faulkner says it’s no secret that he’s been critical of the teaching that the blood moon tetrads have apocalyptic implications.

From an astronomic viewpoint, the recent eclipse primarily was gray with a bit of orange (treating orange as a shade of red).  To call this eclipse a blood moon amounts to a misrepresentation. It sets the bar very low in the standard of what constitutes a biblical sign.

Some of the dates of lunar eclipses exactly match the dates of the Passover or Sukkot (some do not).   The dates in the NASA catalogs were listed according to the modern convention (Gregorian calendar), not the dates in the Hebrew reckoning.

The first three total lunar eclipses in 2014–2015 won’t be visible from Jerusalem, and only the beginning of the final eclipse will be visible from that location.  If only a few people notice it, is it much of a sign?

Dr. Faulkner said that one Facebook commenter accused Answers in Genesis of relying too much upon science. It hadn’t occurred to him that Biltz and others who are arguing for lunar eclipses being harbingers of the Lord’s return were supposedly relying upon science.  Faulkner was merely trying to refute their poor science….

Faulkner said he believes in the Lord’s return, but that he doesn’t know when it will be.  According to scripture:

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat  (Doesn't this sound like a nuclear blast, not a lunar eclipse? DRD); both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.4

Dr. Faulkner comments:

There were many passages in the New Testament where Jesus said people would not know the time of His return… Being overly concerned as to exactly when this might happen is a distraction from the proper conduct of our lives. We ought to live each day as if the Lord will return that day, because He might, and most assuredly, He will one day. Will we be obedient to His command to be ready (emphasis DRD).5

I would like to add my two cents worth to Dr. Faulkner's conclusions:

  1. My Bible does not say a word about blood moons or lunar tetrads occurring on feast days. 
  2. I do not believe the blood moons are prophetic signs of the so-called rapture, or second coming of our LORD. 
  3. I would say that the signs in the heavens were put in place to signify that something special is about to happen; and I agree with Pastor Mark Biltz: they appear to point to the nation of Israel, and they follow the pattern of previous lunar tetrads.
  4. As I write this, there is intense interest regarding the nation of Israel and interaction among world leaders.  The Middle East is in turmoil, and Israel is the center of focus.
  5. We may witness divine intervention for HIS chosen people, Israel.

Ω


July Monthly Meeting

July 7th, 2015

 

Maps of the Ancient Sea Kings

moderated by David Penny

In 1965 Charles Hapgood wrote a book with the above title, in which he and others concluded, after extensive research, that maps that had been widely known for centuries were actually copies of maps that had been created much earlier in history.  The stunning accuracy of these early world maps seems to indicate that they were produced by some unknown sea-faring civilization that had traveled the world centuries before the later copies emerged.  Mapped features of the continents and oceans, created using spherical trigonometry, portalon oblongs, and longitude/latitude accuracy, also indicate that the mapping was done shortly after the ice age.  The Genesis Noahic flood, followed by the Earth’s subsequent ice age, is easily harmonized with Hapgood’s analysis of these ancient world maps.

Ω



Monthly Meetings

2015

(1st Tuesday of each month; content subject to change; no signup or registration necessary.)

For a more detailed discription of the monthly meeting topics visit www.csama.org.

  • January 6th: “Formed to Fly DVD, by Dr. David Menton,
    moderated by Kevin Anderson.
  • February 3rd: “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” (the 2008 motion picture) DVD,
    moderated by Bob Farwell.
  • March 3rd: "Lunar Eclipses,"
    by Douglas Roger Dexheimer.
  • April 7th: “Canopy Theory,”
    by Dave Penny.
  • May 5th: “Living Fossils Evolution: The Grand Experiment” DVD, episode 2,
    moderated by Bob Farwell.
  • June 2nd: “Evolution’s Achille’s Heels” DVD, by Creation Ministries International,
    moderated by Kevin Anderson.
  • July 7th: “Maps of the Ancient Sea Kings,”
    by Dave Penny.
  • August 4th: "Compromise”,
    moderated by Kevin Anderson.
  • September 1st: “Creation Variations,”
    by Dave Penny.
  • October 6th: “Chinese Characters or Mysteries Confucius Cannot Solve” DVD,
    moderated by Bob Farwell.
  • November 3rd: “Q&A on Ham/Nye Debate,”
    by Ken Carlson.
  • December 1st: “The Chair” DVD, by Frank Peretti,
    moderated by Kevin Anderson.
 

CSA Monthly Meeting Location

Westbrooke Church
9777 Antioch
Overland Park, KS 66121
10 blocks east of 69 Highway (or Switzer) on 95th St. to Antioch, south two blocks on Antioch, on east side of street.
Fellowship & book table: 6:15PM. Meeting: 7:00PM.


For detailed Monthly Meeting information:
www.csama.org

Local "Answers in Genesis" Conference,
April 17 - 18, 2015

by Douglas Roger Dexheimer

On the weekend of April 17th and 18th, two speakers from Answers in Genesis conducted an AIG Creation Conference at the First Baptist Church of Lenexa, Kansas.

Answers in Genesis is an apologetics ministry, dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ effectively. We focus on providing answers to questions about the Bible—particularly the book of Genesis—regarding key issues such as creation, evolution, science, and the age of the earth.1

Ken Ham and Dr. Andrew Snelling delivered the scheduled presentations.

Ken Ham has a background in teaching in the public schools.  His talks were geared to show the authority of Scripture… starting with the first chapter of Genesis.  "The president, CEO, and founder of Answers in Genesis-US and the highly acclaimed Creation Museum, Ken Ham is one of the most in-demand Christian speakers in North America."2

Likewise, "Dr. Andrew Snelling is one of the world’s most respected creation scientists specializing in geological studies.  He is a geologist, a passionate speaker for layperson and technical audiences, Author, Researcher, and is the Editor-in-chief of Answers Research Journal."3

Here is the lineup of presentations, with annotations interjected by your editor.

Saturday Morning
9:00 am | Ken Ham | Six Days, the Age of the Earth & the Authority of Scripture.
This talk was typical Ken Ham.

10:45 am | Dr. Snelling | Rock Strata, Fossils & the Flood.
This talk compared:

  • What geologic features would be expected as a result of a world wide flood as described in Genesis 6 thru 9.
  • What is actually observed. 
  • The conclusion: the evidence in the real world agrees with the expectations based on scripture.

In addition, Dr. Snelling noted this little-known discovery based on recent experimentation to determine the different angles of inclination of cross bedding in sedimentary layers.

Note that:

Cross-bedding is stratification inclined to the original horizontal surface upon which the sediment accumulated. Cross-beds are formed in beach, river and sand-dune environments. It is produced by deposition on the downcurrent slope of a dune or sand wave. It is produced by the deposition of fragments of sediment layers which are then eroded and truncated by later water currents or winds that deposit new sediments at an angle on top of the erosion surface (scours).4

Dr. Snelling advised that the angle of cross bedding in a layer indicates the location of the deposition, either wind blown sand, or marine deposits.

  • the angle of cross bedding observed in continental deposits (sand dunes) (> 30 – 35º from horizontal)
  • the angle of cross bedding in marine deposits.(<25º from horizontal)
  • The tracks on the inclined beds were probably left there by amphibians comparable to newts and salamanders that were crawling under water on the top of the most recent bed.5

Saturday Afternoon
1:30 pm | Ken Ham | The 7 C’s of History.
This talk reviewed the famous debate between Ken Ham and Bill Nye. 
Ken advised:

During the debate Bill Nye presented many statements and asked many questions. Because of the nature of the event, Ken Ham was often not able to respond directly to many of these statements.  However, the majority of Nye’s statements and questions have been addressed on the AIG website or by other organizations who teach a young-earth creation.6

Ken explained the time constraints of the debate, and his efforts to clarify

  • Historical science versus
  • Experimental science.

The distinction was not acknowledged by Nye.

During the conference, a large number of articles, videos, audios, books, and other resources were available at the book table in the lobby, and are available at the AIG website.7

3:15 pm | Dr. Snelling | Catastrophic Plate Tectonics.
Dr. Snelling gave his version of The Big Picture Mechanism for the Flood.  This was based on mathematical models of the earth's core, developed by Dr. John Baumgartner, and covered in his presentations on Runaway Catastrophic Plate Tectonics.8

Since the above presentation, a number of Geophysical events have occurred.  (See the article in this newsletter that discusses recent geophysical events.)

Sunday Morning (Your editor did not attend the Sunday Morning sessions at 9:30, instead attending his own local church; a detailed account of these presentations is not available.)
11:00 am | Ken Ham | Is Genesis Relevant in 2015?  (given at the Lenexa Campus); | Dr. Andrew Snelling | Jesus Christ is the Key to Understanding Creation & the Gospel (given at the GREENWOOD Campus).

Sunday Evening
5:00 pm | Ken Ham | The Origin of Races.
The main thrust of this presentation dispelled the notion that there are different races of humans.  All humans are members of the human race.  Differences in outward appearance, skin color, and physical features were ascribed to environmental effects, together with genetic traits which combined in many ways, resulting in many people groups.  The bottom line: Various people groups are typically assorted shades of brown… we are all members of the same human race.

6:45 pm | Dr. Snelling | Scripture & Science Declare a Young Earth.
This presentation reviewed the various methods used by scientists in their attempts to determine the ages of “stuff.”  A major aspect of this talk covered the undependable results of setting the ages of materials due to the total lack of any knowledge of the starting conditions.  Bad assumptions result in bogus ages.  This fallacy applies to

  • Radiometric isotope analysis in rocks.
  • Layers of ice in glaciers and ice fields.
  • Tree rings.

Ω


For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

(Titus 2:11-14 ESV)

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,...

(Acts 3:19 ESV)

...yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

(Galatians 2:16 ESV)

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

(Philippians 2:9-11 ESV)


Creation Safaris by CSA

2015 Creation Safaris

  • March 20 – (Friday, 7:15 PM) – Astronomy Safari.
  • April 17 – (Friday, 8:00 PM) – Astronomy Safari.
  • April 25 – (Saturday) 8AM - 6PM - Southeast KS Fossils and Mineral Safari.
  • May 15 – (Friday, 8:30 PM) – Astronomy Safari. (Canceled)
  • May 23 – 25 – (Saturday - Monday) – Southeast MO Volcanic Mountains Safari.
  • June 6 – (Saturday) – Photo/Nature Hike Creation Safari at O.P. Arboretum.
  • June 18-20 – (Thursday - Saturday) – Ozark Stream Float - Elk River.
  • June 20 – (Saturday, 8:45 PM) – Astronomy Safari. (Canceled)
  • July 11 – (Saturday, 8:45 PM) – Astronomy Safari.
  • July 18 – (Saturday) – KU Natural History Museum.
  • August 14 – (Friday, 8:15) – Astronomy Safari.
  • August 15 – (Saturday) – Greater KC Fossil Hunt.
  • September 4 - 7 – (Friday - Monday) –
    Cahokia Mounds / Keokuk Geodes / Mammoth State Park.
  • September 11 – (Friday, 7:30 PM) – Astronomy Safari.
  • October 9 – (Friday,7:15 PM) – Astronomy Safari.
  • October 17 – (Saturday) – HaHa Tonka Safari.
  • November 6 – (Friday, 7:15 PM) – Astronomy Safari.
  • November 21 – (Saturday) – Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge Safari.

Ω

You must register for any safari.
For safari details, and to register please visit:
www.csama.org


Astronomy safaris only, call:
(913)-515-6421.

Recent Geophysical Events Confirm Theory;
Part I: Earthquakes

by Douglas Roger Dexheimer

On April 17, Answers in Genesis (AIG) conducted a local conference where we heard Dr. Andrew Snelling explain the concept of Plate Tectonics.

The presentations by Dr. Snelling were especially interesting to me, as I had gone back to school to study geology, in order to be conversant with the terms and vocabulary of geologists.  I have been following the concept of catastrophic plate tectonics as presented previously by Dr. John Baumgartner, who devised a mathematical model of the entire Earth’s crust, in order to show how the same tectonic activity that we see today could have been responsible for part of the great flood of Noah.

A week after the local conference, with Dr. Snelling's words still ringing in my ears, I learned even more about plate tectonics, as a devastating earthquake released death and destruction in the area around Mt. Everest.

Recent earthquake activity.1

Even the New York Times carried the account, explaining:

Seismologists have expected a major earthquake in western Nepal, where there is pent-up pressure from the grinding between tectonic plates, the northern Eurasian plate and the up-thrusting Indian plate.2

Tectonic plates in south Asia.3

After I wrote the first draft of this article on May 5th, there were numerous aftershocks and tremors in many locations around the world, but primarily in the Himalayan mountain range.  The second major quake occurred on April 25th at 11:56 A.M. NST (06:11:26 UTC) at a depth of approximately 15 km (9.3 miles), which is considered shallow and therefore more damaging than quakes that originate deeper in the ground.4

According to the USGS, the temblor was caused by a sudden thrust, or release of built-up stress along the major fault line where the Indian Plate, carrying India, is slowly diving underneath the Eurasian Plate, carrying much of Europe and Asia.  Kathmandu, situated on a block of crust approximately 120 km (74 miles) wide and 60 km (37 miles) long, reportedly shifted 3 m (10 ft) to the south in just 30 seconds.5

All the quakes in recent weeks have been devastating.  Relief supplies have been sent by many, including an American helicopter that crashed.  At the time of this writing, it is feared all the military personnel on the chopper have perished.

Tremor location and relative magnitude are indicated by each orange dot.

The April 25, 2015 M 7.8 Nepal earthquake occurred as the result of thrust faulting on or near the main frontal thrust between the subducting India plate and the overriding Eurasia plate to the north. At the location of this earthquake, the India plate is converging with Eurasia at a rate of 45 mm/yr towards the north-northeast, driving the uplift of the Himalayan mountain range.6

Another article quotes one of the climbers who was caught on Mt Everest as feeling “as if we were inside a snowglobe being shaken by God.”7

Four years ago a similar event hit the east coast of Japan and inundated Fukushima Nuclear Power station.

The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tōhoku was a magnitude 9.0 (Mw) undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST (05:46 UTC) on Friday 11 March 2011, with the epicentre approximately 70 kilometres (43 mi) east of the Oshika Peninsula of Tōhoku and the hypocenter at an underwater depth of approximately 30 km (19 mi). The earthquake is also often referred to in Japan as the Great East Japan earthquake and also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, and the 3.11 earthquake. It was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded to have hit Japan, and the fourth most powerful earthquake in the world since modern record-keeping began in 1900.

The earthquake triggered powerful tsunami waves that reached heights of up to 40.5 metres (133 ft) in Miyako in Tōhoku's Iwate Prefecture, in the Sendai area, travelled up to 10 km (6 mi) inland. The earthquake moved Honshu (the main island of Japan) 2.4 m (8 ft) east and shifted the Earth on its axis by estimates of between 10 cm (4 in) and 25 cm (10 in).8

These are the most recent evidences of plate tectonics.  Stepping back in time, in the Christmas Tsunami, on December 26, 2004, there was a massive underwater earthquake and Tsunami that devastated western Sumatra and surrounding landmasses around the Indian Ocean.  An extensive description of that tectonic activity can be found by researching the topic, “Indian Ocean earthquake and Tsunami.”9

In addition, the U.S. Geologic Survey has published a detailed analysis of the subduction area in the Indian Ocean south and west of Sumatra.  Its title is, “Seismicity of the Earth 1900–2012 Sumatra and Vicinity.”  Anyone who looks at this report will see the widespread earthquake activity that resulted from tectonic activity.10

Watch for further information on volcanoes in an upcoming issue.

Scriptural Insights

Earthquakes are increasingly noted worldwide.

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows. Mathew 24: 7, 8, KJV.

That passage speaks of signs that will precede the Coming of the LORD.  Everyone can see that the frequency and magnitude of earthquakes is greater today than at any time in recorded history.  This is a word to the wise: be prepared; get ready; something incredible is about to happen.

There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.  Luke 21:25-8, NIV.

The following passage, from the last book of the Bible, speaks of events in the end times.  Many take this out of context, and apply it to the current incidence of lunar tetrads, or blood moons.

I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.  Rev: 6:12, NKJV.


Ω

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Attend CSA Meetings by ordering the audio ($5) or video ($13) copy.
A full list of what is available can be found in a link at:
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To order, request by meeting date and topic. Copies of above items may also be borrowed from...

The CSA Lending Library
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Help Wanted

CSAMA is seeking an editor for, and contributors to, our newsletter. If you are a born-again Christian, believe the Bible is the infallible word of God, subscribe to the literal 7-day creationist viewpoint, if you have researching and writing skills, and if you have suitable ideas for articles to contribute to our publication and can meet a monthly deadline schedule, please contact the newsletter webmaster via the link at www.csama.org.


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Genetics 301: Manipulating Genes

by Douglas Roger Dexheimer

In previous articles on Genetics, I have talked about methods of breeding by means of some traditional techniques:

  1. landrace gardens
  2. hybrid plant seedsmen
  3. purebred animals

The use of hi-tech equipment to modify the genetics of plants and animals has also been mentioned:

  1. The gene-gun developed by Dr. John Sanford has been responsible for many improvements in yield and disease-resistance in farming.
  2. Cloned animals, like Dolly the sheep, have been attempted.

Last week, we learned of manipulation of human DNA by some Chinese scientists:

[When a] Chinese team revealed last month that it had used a new laboratory technique to alter a gene in human embryos, it set off an urgent debate over the ethics — and wisdom — of tinkering with the most basic building blocks of life.

If scientists figure out how to do it in a way that's safe for patients, gene editing could produce tremendously beneficial medical treatments. The Chinese researchers, for instance, were trying to repair a defect that causes beta thalassemia, a potentially fatal blood disorder.

But a simple way to alter DNA could open the door to more frightening eugenic pursuits. That makes people nervous.

"The positive side is, it allows regular biologists to change the DNA in any organism. The negative side is, it allows regular biologists to change the DNA in any organism," said Harvard Medical School geneticist George Church. "You can twist any technology into something bad."

In the last few months, many researchers have come to realize that the new gene editing tool, known as CRISPR/Cas9, might provide an easy means for molding a person when he or she is just a single-celled embryo.

CRISPR/Cas9 makes it possible for nearly any scientist to edit DNA in nearly any cell. In the last couple of years, scientists have used it to edit genes in adult human cells, including bone marrow cells that may be modified to make people resistant to HIV. Researchers have also used it on animal embryos, including an experiment that proved it was possible to create primates with customized versions of genes involved in immune function and metabolism.1


Ω


You are invited to attend all of the monthly meetings, and as many of the safaris as you can fit into your schedule. Pass the word. Tell your friends and neighbors about CSAMA and our activities. Show them how to subscribe to the CSAMA Newsletter.  Never miss an opportunity to debunk the "millions-of-years" notion that evolutionists insist is necessary for life as we know it.

We’d love to hear from you!

If you have questions or comments, or if you have suggestions for making our newsletter better, please feel free to contact us. We’ll do our best to respond to every query.

Thank You!

The Editor

(Use the editor link on the contact page at www.csama.org.)

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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