Standing on the Word
by Dave & Mary Jo Nutting

God’s Word has come under attack on many fronts. For 20 years, our particular “assignment” in this battlefield has been to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ and proclaim the Truth of His Word, starting with Genesis 1-11. These passages are foundational to understanding the rest of the Bible. Genesis lays the groundwork for all the major doctrinal themes found in the rest of the Bible such as God’s sovereignty, man’s position under God, righteousness, sin, judgment, and God’s plan of redemption. Genesis reveals the origin of the universe, our world, man, woman, marriage, families, nations, languages, human government, and more. Believing Genesis gives us a strong basis for understanding the complexities of life and the relationships we face on a daily basis.

Since Genesis is so foundational, it is also frequently attacked. These attacks come in many forms, but the end results are to undermine the authority of God’s Word in the minds and hearts of mankind. Sometimes the attacks are frontal — openly denying or scoffing at the Word — replacing it with ideas of “modern” man. Other times the attacks are more subtle — compromising the clear teaching of Scripture by denying its scientific or historical accuracy and demoting it to the place of a myth or a story with “spiritual meaning” but not literal, historical truth.

The frontal attacks are often easier to detect and withstand, than these more subtle ones, which often come from those who claim to believe the Word of God. Yet, they seek to “explain” it in a way that integrates the claims of secular “science,” even though these claims manipulate the straightforward teaching of the Bible.

At AOI, we recognize that when properly used, science is a powerful tool. It makes our lives easier through discoveries and technology, and helps us carry out our job as stewards of God’s earth. Through study of our physical world, we gain valuable lessons for life (e.g. Prov. 6:6). Science can also help us worship God more fully as we stand in awe of His power, wisdom, care, and love of beauty expressed through what He has made.

We are not “anti-science.” However, since science is limited and since man doesn’t know everything, science is always changing. But the Word of the Lord never changes. God was there in the beginning. He is both all-powerful and all-knowing. He is also holy, reliable, and trustworthy. He never fails.

Therefore, when “current scientific knowledge” seems to conflict with the Word of God, we choose to hold fast to the Word of God. We pray and search for alternative ways to view the scientific evidence and interpretations. We also pray and search the Scriptures for correct understanding. In the end though, if the conflict remains, we choose to stand on the Word of God. We view “science” through the “lens” of Scripture rather than Scripture through the changing “lens” of science.

At AOI, we purpose, by the grace of God, to remain true to His Word. We encourage you also, to “stand firmly on the Word” — to base your faith and life on the Word of God, and on His unchanging character.

Refuting Compromise
A book review by Mary Jo Nutting




The historicity and authority of the book of Genesis is coming under attack in two basic forms these days. The first is a frontal assault by atheists and others who believe in a materialistic, godless form of evolution. The second is more subtle, coming from those within the church.
Over the years, there have been many books written to combat godless atheism. Others have addressed various aspects of biblical compromises. These resources have been very valuable, and have been used by many. Now, a new book by Dr. Jonathan Sarfati adds a powerful weapon to this important arsenal.
Refuting Compromise is the most comprehensive defense of Genesis that we know about. It refutes all the major compromise views of Genesis, including the long-age, “progressive creation” views popularized by Dr. Hugh Ross.
Sarfati presents both scientific and biblical arguments endorsing a straight-forward understanding of the book of Genesis and exposes the errors of “compromise” positions. We appreciate the way Sarfati deals carefully and clearly with the arguments and ideas, while at the same time steering clear of character assassination.
This book would make a great gift for pastors, teachers, and others in leadership positions, as well as any Christian who is serious about understanding or defending his faith. It would also be a good book to give to serious seekers who want to know more about why we believe that Genesis is an accurate, historical account of origins.
Chapter titles:
1. The Authority of Scripture
2. The Days of Creation
3. The History of Interpretation of
Genesis 1-11
4. The Order of Creation
5. The Big Bang and Astronomy
6. The Origin of Death and Suffering
7. The Created Kinds
8. The Global Flood and Noah’s Ark
9. The History of Mankind
10. “Biblical” Old-Age Arguments
11. Science and the Young Earth
12. Refuting Old-Earth Arguments
Special Offer: This 425 page book is well referenced and available for $8.00 (Reg. $13). For information,
call (970) 523-9943 or check the Resources section of this website.

Male Praying Mantis: Plight or Passion?
by Mark Sonmor

Personally, praying mantises give me the “creeps.” I am not like a friend of mine who, as a child, kept a praying mantis named, “Barbara” in his bedroom. To me, there has always been something sinister and austere about them. After reading about their reproductive habits, I had more reason to feel this way.

As a part of the mating process, the male praying mantis is actually eaten by the female! If a male is lucky, the female will wait until during or after the ritual to eat him. Other males may be consumed simply because they came too close at the wrong time. For the male praying mantis, it’s not a matter of if he’ll be eaten but when.
Now, you’re probably asking, “If God is good and kind, why would He create a relationship like this? After all, isn’t mating supposed to be about love?”

I suggest that this is about love but maybe not in the way our culture has come to know it.
Obviously, conditions were different before sin entered the world through the Fall of Adam. Most likely, a male praying mantis could still hope to become a “daddy” in those perfect conditions.

Yet, even in the fallen conditions of today, could God be illustrating His love to mankind through such a gruesome and grizzly act as this? It wouldn’t be the first time. After all, Christ suffered a hideous death for the sins of the world.
Is it possible that the male praying mantis offers his life to the female? Could it be that he willingly supplies nutrition to the female so she can produce their next generation?

Obviously we are speaking anthropomorphically, but if the Lord of creation would do it, why not one of His creatures? I believe this adds new meaning to the words of Christ in John 12:24 where He said, “...unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” In Ephesians, Paul encourages men to love their wives as their own flesh and to nourish and cherish them. Whoa! No room for macho, praying mantis playboys in this backyard! Rather than being the victim, the male praying mantis may actually be the hero.

The Eight-Legged Flashlight
by Adriane Murray



Certainly Stauroteuthis syrtensis, a little baseball-sized octopus, takes first place in the talent show of intelligent design. It is the first of its kind to be found in the ocean depths flaunting glow-in-the-dark legs.

This particular octopus has bioluminescent organs, similar to suckers, that emit an eerie blue-green glow to attract its dinner. Sea creatures living above it have a diet that includes an abundance of light-generating microbes. These become luminescent as they drift down in fecal material to the blackness below. This material is a delicacy for many of the deeper dwelling creatures, attracting swarms of tiny ocean critters with its inviting glow. So, the bioluminescent legs of the octopus serve to lure in a feast of tiny crustaceans eager for a meal. They are then trapped in mucus emitted by the mouth of the octopus and enjoyed as the first course for this evening meal.

The light emitted from the tentacles is able to travel in water better than almost any other. Unlike the common fifty-watt bulb, it is almost 100% efficient producing much more light than it does heat.

In a Science News article, John Travis discusses some medical uses for bioluminescent genes. He states that “Salmonella bacteria was genetically engineered to emit light …” This was done for the purpose of tracking the effects of new drugs and treatments or for that of tracking the spread of certain infections—possibly even cancer cells. This could be extremely helpful in giving those in the medical field an “inside-out” view of tumor growth, and the spread of infections such as HIV without having to examine individual tissues outside of the body. In summary, this amazing bioluminescent substance, produced by the enzyme luciferase, could act as a flashlight to illuminate a whole new field for medical science.
Some would attribute the bioluminescent feature of this deep-sea dweller to mutations and evolutionary adaptations. Anyone looking closely at this incredible creature can see that numerous “in-between” stages from suckers to pinhole flashlights are needed. This would require hundreds of perfect changes all taking place at exactly the right time in exactly the correct order in both male and female sexes for the population to survive. This takes just as much faith to believe, if not more, than it does to believe that this incredible creature simply reveals the fingerprints of a creative God and His amazing design.

References:
• Science News Online Octopus Suckers Glow in the
Dark by: S. Milius
• Science News Online Following the Inner Light by:
John Travis, 10/5/96
• Answers in Genesis (web site) Octopus Suckers
Glowing in the Dark by: Johnathan Sarfati, 1999

Note: Adriane is a student at Jackson Hole Bible College, where Dave and Mary Jo Nutting teach/lead creation science field trips. JHBC is a solid, creation-based college in Jackson, WY. For information, contact www.jhbc.edu or call 307-739-8630. Adriane, thanks for this fascinating article!


ET's: The Search Goes On
by Dave & Mary Jo Nutting

A recent article entitled, “Are We Alone?” appeared in the Redding, CA, Record Searchlight (April 4, 2004). The article reported on a 32-antenna radio telescope being constructed about 75 miles east of Redding. The telescope grouping is planned to grow to 350 antennas by 2010.

According to the article, researchers say they will use the telescopes to study how stars and galaxies form and listen for any “unnatural radio signals broadcast through space.” They are attempting to answer two questions: “Are we alone?” and “How did we get here?” They believe this telescope “can provide answers to these questions simultaneously…”

Researchers are hoping to detect a “powerful radio signal, perhaps in a Morse code-like message.” This type of code would demonstrate to them the existence of intelligent life in space. The Searchlight article says researchers are hoping these “aliens are trying to say hello. … sending signals saying, ‘We’re here. Come and find us.’”

Meanwhile God has left bountiful evidence of His existence in the DNA contained in the cells of every living creature. (See Think & Believe, Winter 2004.) Furthermore, He has clearly communicated with us, not only in a “code,” but also in understandable language in His Word.

Finally, He has actually visited our planet in human form in the person of Jesus Christ, His Son. What more evidence do we need of His existence and concern for us? We are not alone. Our God is real and He desires a relationship with us. In Jeremiah 29:13 He says, “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” We don’t need telescopes and millions of dollars to find Him. We simply need open minds and willing hearts.