Ken Ham

(posted on my blog: davenichols.net)

In preparation for my upcoming trip with folks from the Secular Student Alliance to the Creation "Museum", I picked up a thrift store copy of Ken Ham's book which laid the foundation for the "museum's" "science". I expected to, at minimum, read about evidence which appeared to contradict evolution, scientific arguments in favor of creationism, or some sort of rational reason to ignore or 'interpret differently' the mountains of evidence available which show more support evolution. I found none of this, and worse, this entire book could have been contained in the following sentence: "Genesis says God did it, fossils are explained by Noah's flood, and anyone who says otherwise is clearly God's enemy." Seriously, that is all this book has to say.

No science, no arguments, no rational reason to ignore the overwhelming evidence for evolution provided by dozens of scientific disciplines. God did it. Noah's flood explains fossils. You're evil if you say otherwise.

Ham himself sums up the entire rationale for creationism on the first page of the Introduction: "If Genesis was not literally true, then what part of the Bible could I trust?" Here, Ken and I are completely in agreement. He spends the rest of the book relating anecdotes from his ministering, chiding anyone who believes the Bible is not to be interpreted literally, and demonstrating his profound ignorance of evolutionary theory. He clearly has no clue what he is arguing against.

Repeatedly, Ham uses straw men to show that he knows more than those mealy-mouthed scientists when it comes to logic. Everyone Ham talks to storms off, leaving Ham to conclude that he alone was the rational, logical one. No sources, no names, no specific details of these alleged encounters, Ham expects the reader to just accept his stories as utterly true. Given that the vast majority of his readers will accept the literal historical 'truth' of Genesis on blind faith alone, there isn't much surprise that he doesn't bother to source his material.

The worst part of this whole reading experience is that I really thought Ham, who has a college education, would offer the smallest bit of evidence in favor of his interpretation. There are holes in the knowledge of evolutionary processes which would, at minimum, allow Ham to argue some version of the God of the Gaps theory, but even that fallback is destroyed by Ham's own 'logic'. There is nothing, and I mean 'literally' nothing in this book to support Ham's creationist arguments outside of the Bible itself, which Ham repeatedly reminds us claims itself to be the perfect word of God which we must believe literally.

Disgusting. I'm really sad for folks who read this garbage and are convinced. How do these readers get out of bed each morning? How do they ever make reasonable decisions? How could anyone who believes Ken Ham ever have a dime to spend after all the fraud and scams they undoubtedly fall for? I'm glad I read this book only because it makes it clear that creationism is a vapid, hollow, and utterly disingenous religious monstrosity which has not one shred of evidence for its claims (whatever those actually are, outside of 'God did it'). The fact that half the US population believes some form of this bullshit is not only sad, it is downright frightening. If so many people cannot tell how utterly empty of evidence this propaganda is, how on earth can we solve the terribly harsh problems that face us everyday. One-half star. I wish I could give is less. Utter trash, unscientific, anti-rational, illogical, and irresponsible manifestation from the mind of a clearly-deranged and mentally ill Ken Ham.

For a review of a book which makes overwhelmingly strong arguments in favor of evolution, check out my review of Why Evolution is True by Jerry Coyne. show less

The first question kind of sums up what is wrong with Ken Ham and Christian Fundamentalism. "Question: Why did God create people when He knew they would sin?... Answer: ...God is perfect... sin... must have been a way to bring glory to God... God... hates sin... By creating [humans], God created beings to whom He could show His attributes..." So, this "perfect" being created depravity and suffering so he could show off and have worshipers. He deliberately created flawed beings so he could show more reject them, then smirk while waiting for some of them to beg forgiveness for a sin that he imposed on them. A human parent who abused their child like this would be sent to prison. Also, it's not free will when you create something and know everything it will do and squash it repeatedly. It's just malicious. Read Job for more insight. show less

All of the explanations and reasons for our world's wickedness, chaos, and death can be found in the first eleven chapters of Genesis. Ken Ham, of Answers in Genesis, wrote this easy to read and study text to help families or individuals understand the foundation for human corruption and sin. I know: sounds awful.

Actually, it is liberating because for every explanation of the curse there is God's promise of a Savior, Jesus Christ. It is essential for Christians to know both the curse and show more the promise, to explain why we live in such a sinful, broken world; but also it is imperative that we know God's promise to redeem us, which is the hope that is within us.

I think Ham did a masterful job laying out the truth, broken up into easy to follow and chronological topics. He used Scripture from Genesis 1-11, to explain Creation Week, the origin of sin, Cain's murder of Abel, the genealogies of Adam's descendants to Noah, the worldwide Flood and its effects on the earth and climate, God's covenant with Noah, the descendants of Noah's sons, and finally the Tower of Babel, the dispersion of people groups, and the beginning of the diversity of language, cultures, and people. And each event points us back to the need for a Savior.

In addition, there is a tribute to godly parents who lay a foundation for belief, shaping a biblical worldview in their children. There are also several appendices for supporting historical and scientific claims and evidences. Ham answered numerous common questions, confusing arguments, and misconceptions throughout the text about Creation and foundation of our world.

It is truly an interesting book of study, easy enough to read aloud to older children. Ham called this a "commentary" on "apologetics," a lesson in "how to think foundationally to know what we believe as Christians and why, and how to develop a truly Christian worldview." Furthermore, Ham said "there is also a devotional aspect throughout as we gain understanding of who God is, what He has done for us, and thus why we should thank and praise Him." show less

Title: Already Gone
Author: Ken Ham and Britt Beemer
Publisher: Master Books
Publishing Year: 2009
Pages: 190
My Rating: 4 out of 5 (1 meaning I hated the book, 5 meaning I loved the book)

It’s been no secret that many teenagers leave the church completely shortly after entering into college. However, the shocking news is these teenagers have already left the faith long before they may have left the church. Its not colleges that our encouraging our teens to leave the church, it may be the church show more itself. Thus the premise of Already Gone by Ken Ham and Britt Beemer…

Already Gone seeks to analyze the results of a survey conducted by Answers in Genesis and conducted by Britt Beemer his America’s Research Group. The survey questioned 1,000 former, regular, conservative church-goers between the ages of 20-29. More than just complaining about the fact that we are losing many of our young people, this survey sought to find out why.

It is certainly an interesting concept every pastor, youth worker and teacher ought to find intriguing. Here’s just one of the interesting and alarming statistics:

95% of those surveyed who have left the church were regularly attending while in elementary school. Only 55% of them were still regularly attending while in high school. Obviously there is a big drop off there. People are not waiting for college to drop out of church. In fact, of those surveyed who now doubt the reliability and relevance of God’s Word first began doubting in Middle School. Only 10% of those surveyed experienced their first doubts in college.

So why are these young people leaving? The top answers that were given where: Boring services, legalism and hypocrisy in the church.

Just reading the results of this survey justifies the money you just spent on the book. Its more than just interesting, it is informative and a slap in the face of evangelical Christianity. It is a wake-up call to re-examine just how we “do church.” Ham urges pastors, youth workers and teachers to evaluate their ministries and methods in light of God’s Word rather than just being “traditional.”

“Are we doing church ‘by the book’? Just because we want to be ‘conservative’ or ‘traditional’ doesn’t mean we are ‘biblical.’ Its safe to conclude that if one of the original Apostles visited one of our churches today, he wouldn’t have any sort of clue that he was in a Christian gathering… ‘Church’ today is mostly driven by man-made traditions and not by the biblical mandates to defend the Word of God and live by the Word of God.”

As great as this book is, it is not perfect. While Ham and Beemer do a great job at exposing the problem and highlighting some of the causes, I think their own ministry clouds them from thinking about the bigger issue. As you would expect, Ham comes to the conclusion that people begin doubting the Word and leaving the church because we are not teaching them how to defend 6-day, young earth creationism.

For the record, I hold to 6-day, young earth creationism. It is an important doctrine that churches do need to preach and equip their congregations to defend. I believe this doctrine is a key fact in unraveling God’s redemptive history as unfolding through the entirety of the Bible. In other words, the Gospel is at stake. But, Ham stops at creation. The gospel is rarely mentioned in the pages of Already Gone. That’s a problem for me.

I think many middle and high school students doubt the Bible and church in general because they are given self-esteem pep-talks instead of Bible doctrine. They are told to check their brains at the door and focus on their emotional needs. They are not being feed. The feel-good religion of many youth groups and churches just doesn’t hold up in a fallen world filled with pain, sorrow and death. They need real doctrine – they need the gospel! They need more than a four-point walk down the Romans Road. They need a full fledged-gospel that imparts live-saving truths to be applied to their entire spiritual walk. They need to be pointed toward a holy, glorious sovereign God who rules and reigns in the midst of sin. Instead, they are told Bible stories that are comparable to Aesop’s fables (at least in their presentation).

The gospel must be defended, not just creation. I whole-heartedly agree with Dr. Ham in that Genesis lays the foundation for a right understanding of the gospel. In Genesis 1-3 you have the establishment of sovereignty, sin and redemption. It’s all their. A Biblical understanding of Genesis is crucial in understanding the rest of what God has to say – its non-negotiable. Teens must also learn how to defend this literal approach from scoffers both secular and Christian. However, as I stated previously, Ham needs to take that next step. He doesn’t here in this book.

Yet, the book is still a valuable resource. It is a tool in your hand to help your ministry address this problem. As a teacher, I tuck this information away everyday as I teach young people. We are losing them before they ever walk out of high school. That should cause every one of us to seriously examine our approach to youth ministry. Buy this book and use it!

Purchase the book at: CBD or Amazon

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher for review. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review. show less