BY HIS OWN ADMISSION
DR. DOBSON BELIEVES THE BIG-BANG THEORY
By Wayne Camp
Hebrews 11:3 Through
faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of
God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which
do appear. (KJV)
Isaiah 8:20 To the
law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this
word, it is because there is no light in them.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: In previous issues I have pointed out that Promise Keepers and Dr. James Dobson are closely aligned. In showing their alliances to be one of the things that is wrong with the PK movement, I have explored some of the errors of Dr. Dobson. I had planned to wait until the series on PK’s was complete and then come back to Dr. Dobson. But, due to communications which I have received directly or indirectly, I have decided to explore one issue presently. Incidentally, if any question this alliance, I have abundant evidence that it exists. Jointly with others he wrote part of one of their books, What Makes A Man.]
EVIDENCE FOR THE DEFENSE BECOMES EVIDENCE AGAINST THE DEFENDANT
I have attended a few trials during my life. I have been a witness in at least three trials that I remember. I have seen a prosecutor take evidence submitted for the defense and use it against the defendant. That is what I am doing in this article.
In an effort to defend Dr. James Dobson one reader has sent a tract written by him in which he sets forth his position on the creation of the universe. It is apparently supposed to show that Dobson believes the biblical account of creation. But, it is obvious from Dobson’s own pen that he does not believe the Genesis account of creation. Rather, he is an evolutionist, be it theistic or otherwise. When it comes to creation, there is little difference between the atheistic evolutionist and the theistic evolutionist. They both deny the authenticity and complete reliability of the biblical account of creation. They both believe they know more than the Holy Spirit who inspired the writing of the Scriptures.
On the first page of The Heaven’s Declare God’s Glory, the tract by Dobson, he expresses his appreciation for a book called God and the Astronomers, written by Dr. Robert Jastrow. After doing so, Dobson writes,
Dr. Jastrow reports recent scientific findings that leave no alternative for the scientist but to acknowledge that the universe had a definite beginning; that it has not always existed. That’s an idea which scientists have found very offensive for over a century.
In short, Dr. Jastrow described three major discoveries that point inevitably to the fact of creation. First, the universe is expanding. This is not a new finding; we have known for approximately 50 years that the galaxies are moving farther apart moment by moment. In some cases they are moving away from us at millions of miles an hour. It is easy to understand, therefore, how this understanding confirms the finite nature of the universe. All we must do is run time backward, calculating mathematically where the galaxies would have been in the past. At a definite point in antiquity, they were together. In other words, there was a precise time when all matter was combined in one massive "cosmic egg." That was the moment of creation.
The second source of evidence for creation relates to a principle known as "entropy." It means that the energy in the universe is being transferred from a useful form to an unusable form . . . that is to say, it’s being expended. For example, our own sun would not burn forever, even if the universe lasted billions of more years. The sun would eventually burn out. Likewise, the other stars in the universe would also be extinguished. In fact, if time continued indefinitely (which the Bible says won’t happen), the universe is in the process of winding down, there must have been a time when it was wound up. There had to be a point of creation when energy was at a maximum. Again, by running time backward, we can determine the fact of creation.
But third and most importantly, Dr. Jastrow stated that in 1965, two Bell Laboratory scientists discovered that the earth is bathed in a faint glow of radiation that arrives from every direction of the universe. Wherever they aimed their instruments, they detected this low-level source of energy.
During the last couple of years it has been shown very conclusively that this radiation has exactly the patter of wavelengths expected from a gigantic explosion occurring in antiquity. In other words, the light and heat produced by a great explosion at the moment of creation is still measurable around us at this time.
Dr. Dobson then quotes from Jastrow’s book, "Now we see that the astronomical evidence leads to a biblical view of the origin of the world. The details differ, but the essential elements in the astronomical and biblical accounts of Genesis are the same. The chain of events leading to man commenced suddenly and sharply at a definite moment of time in a flash of light and energy."
It is abundantly apparent that Dr. Dobson does not believe the Genesis account of creation. He believes that matter at one time was all combined in one "cosmic egg." He says, "That was the moment of creation." Later he indicates that the moment of creation came when "light and heat produced . . . a great explosion."
I am left wondering about some things. First, who made the cosmic egg? Second, if the moment it was made was the moment of creation, did the great explosion that was also the moment of creation, happen at the very moment that the "cosmic egg" was formed. Third, where was this matter that composed the "cosmic egg" which exploded before it was formed into a "cosmic egg." Dr. Jastrow, who seems to be one of Dobson’s authorities on the creation (Rather than the Bible), admits that his theory does not agree with the details of Genesis. He says, however, "The chain of events leading to man commenced suddenly and sharply at a definite moment of time in a flash of light and energy."
I am still bewildered. It seems to me there is a contradiction. Dr. Dobson says that when this "cosmic egg" was formed that was creation. Then he says that when that "cosmic egg" exploded that was creation. Dr. Jastrow indicates that creation was when the "flash of light and energy" happened.
The problem with both these men is they don’t believe the details of creation as given in the word of God. Jastrow admits the details differ. His explanation of creation does not agree with the biblical account. Later, in his tract, Dr. Dobson says, "It would be interesting to say to Dr. Jastrow, ‘Sir, you have been honest enough to admit that the biblical account of creation is undeniable to the objective scientist’." The truth is, Dr. Jastrow admits that his details of creation DO NOT, in fact, agree with the biblical account of creation. Jastrow says, in fact, "The details differ, but the essential elements in the astronomical and biblical accounts of Genesis are the same."
This "previously convinced atheist" (Dr. Dobson’s description of Jastrow) has become an authority on the essential and non-essential details of God’s Word. Like Dr. Dobson, he believes many of the details in Genesis are not factual, and are, therefore, non-essential. He will determine what is essential and non-essential. My Dear Readers, the first eleven chapters of Genesis are written in Divinely condensed details. I contend that every detail of this momentous and fundamental account of the creation is essential or it would not be found there. I detest the unmitigated gall, the illimitable temerity, and the egotistical effrontery of men who set themselves on a pedestal and tell us what is essential and what is not essential in Genesis or any other portion of the Word of God. The very fact that Dr. Jastrow’s details differ and he still stands by them is evidence he does not believe the word of God is inspired and infallible. The fact that Dr. Dobson exults in Jastrow’s alleged findings is proof again that Dobson denies the authenticity, the accurateness, and the inspiration of the first eleven chapters of Genesis.
David W. Cloud, editor of O’Timothy Magazine, asked a Focus on the Family representative the following question. "Does Dr. Dobson believe the world was created in six literal 24-hour days?" This person submitted the question to Dobson and came back with Dobson’s answer. Dobson’s answer was, "I’m not sure whether Genesis refers to six 24-hour days or six ‘eons,’ or periods of time. I don’t know. I certainly believe the Bible is literally true. I’m just not sure which interpretation of God’s Word is accurate."
Consistent with Dobson's endorsement of Hugh Ross, whom we have discussed previously, is an article by Marlo Schalesky in Dobson's 3/96, Teachers in Focus, which obviously suggests theistic evolution. In an article "Teaching Evolutionary Theory Without Scrapping Scripture" article, Schalesky explains how she taught her students to "make a distinction between the realms of science and religion." She then gave several examples. One of these examples is: "Fossils seem to indicate that species have been changing for millions of years..." She then tells her students that this is "Scientific." She adds: "After teaching in this manner, I could answer, 'Who's to say how God created everything? Did He ‘poof’ it into existence? Or did He use some kind of evolutionary process similar to the ones we studied in class? The Bible doesn't really say one way or another’." Schalesky apparently thinks that speaking the world into existence is tantamount to "poofing" it into existence. The word poof means "to express disdain or dismissal or to suggest instantaneous occurrence." Apparently she has the latter meaning in mind. She says, "Who's to say how God created everything? Did He ‘poof’ it into existence? Or did He use some kind of evolutionary process similar to the ones we studied in class? The Bible doesn't really say one way or another."
The last sentence here is an out-and-out lie. Yes, I said it is a flagrant, bald-faced, lie. It is a lie published by Dobson’s Focus on the Family organization.
God does tell us how he brought his creation into being. The Bible clearly tells us how God created the heavens and the earth and man. There is no evolutionary process described in the book of Genesis. God spoke this world into existence. Psalm 33:6-9 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
Verse nine sounds very much like an instantaneous creation. "He spake and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast." Call that "poofing" it into existence if you like but that is how God did it.
But, there is other evidence that reveals FOTF’s lie. Isaiah 48:3 I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass.
Another evidence of an instantaneous creation is found in this verse. Isaiah 45:18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. Again, the Psalmist said, "He commanded, and they were created" (Psa. 48:5).
Faith accepts an instantaneous creation by the fiat of God’s word and power. Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Dobson and his writer both believe in an evolutionary process. Oh, they believe God created, but they do not believe God’s description of that creation. Dobson denies the biblical details and supplies us with an exploding cosmic egg. All matter was in that cosmic egg and it exploded and that was creation. That started the process which, after a few billion years, brought man into existence. His writer uses a word that suggests disdain and instantaneous creation at the same time. It appears she "poofs" the idea of God "poofing" the world into existence.
There is word from the Lord on this matter. He spoke and it was done. He commanded and it came to pass and stood fast. When he spoke, he did it suddenly and it came forth suddenly and it was not "TOHU" when he spoke it into being.
And in the six days given in Genesis, each and every thing he did he did by commanding it and it was done. He commanded light to become and light became. He commanded the waters to divide and cause and expanse between them and it was instantaneously done. He commanded the waters to go to the bed he made for them in the earth and they ran to it at his command and do not leave it except as he ordained—by evaporation. He commanded the dry land to appear and it appeared. He commanded that land to bring forth grass and herbs and it did. He formed man from the dust of the earth and merely by the breath of God man became a living soul.
An infidel is one who does not believe. Faith believes that the world was created by the word of God. Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God. The infidel says, "No, a cosmic egg exploded and that was creation and that explosion started the process that eventually resulted in man."
An "agnostic" says, "We just don’t know how God created." He may even go so far as to claim we cannot know.
When asked if he believed the six days in Genesis one were literal days, Dobson gave the reply of an agnostic. "I’m not sure whether Genesis refers to six 24-hour days or six ‘eons,’ or periods of time. I don’t know. I certainly believe the Bible is literally true. I’m just not sure which interpretation of God’s Word is accurate."
Look at three expressions:
"I’m not sure . . . ."
"I don’t know."
"I’m just not sure . . . ."
Then, notice again the words of Dobson’s writer. "Who's to say how God created everything? Did He ‘poof’ it into existence? Or did He use some kind of evolutionary process similar to the ones we studied in class? The Bible doesn't really say one way or another."
Notice the taint of agnosticism found here:
"Who’s to say how God created . . . ?"
"Did he 'poof' it . . . ?"
"Or did he . . . ?"
"The Bible doesn’t really say . . . ."
Dear reader, if the Bible just said, "God created the heavens and the earth," and gave us no more evidence in all its 66 books, one might legitimately ask these questions and express this ignorance. But, we have shown unequivocally that God does tell how he did it. And faith believes the Divine record. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. He commanded, and they were created. He created it not in vain. He created the heavens, and stretched them out; he spread forth the earth. I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself. Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee. It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name. The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
I repeat, faith—God given faith—believes God’s account of his creation. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God. If a person does not believe the details of the biblical account of creation, he must not have faith. For, "all men have not faith" (2 Thessalonians 3:2).
I have given abundant Scriptural evidence that shows unequivocally that God did not create the world through some long period of evolutionary progress as claimed by Dobson and his writer, Marlo Schalesky. When Scripture is so clear on such a matter as creation, one who does not believe the biblical record makes God a liar. John declares that one "that believeth not God hath made him a liar." (1 John 5:10). That is true whether it involves believing on the Lord Jesus Christ or believing anything else God has said. When the Bible teaches something clearly and I don’t believe it, I am saying that God is lying.
I read in the word of God that a pastor is to be a man. If I argue that a pastor can be either man or woman, I am "making God a liar." God’s word clearly teaches that salvation is by grace through faith and not of works. If I teach, instead, that one is saved by works. I am guilty of "making God a liar." I read God’s promise that the life he gives is eternal. If I teach that one can have that eternal life and then be lost in hell. I am guilty of "making God a liar." It is clearly taught in Scripture by precept and example that baptism is an immersion in water. If I teach that you can be sprinkled and that is still baptism, I am guilty of "making God a liar."
It is clearly taught in a number of places that God spoke this world into existence. Yet, Dr. Dobson and Focus on the Family writer, Marlo Schalesky, tell us that the Bible is just not clear, or it just doesn’t say how God created the universe. Not only do they lie, but when they advocate a cosmic egg that exploded in a burst of energy and light, they are guilty of "making God a liar."
DO YOU WANT THESE PEOPLE FOCUSING ON YOUR FAMILY OR YOUR CHURCH? I pray thee have me excused!
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Last updated Friday, March 04, 2011