"Four Killer Questions"

by Mike Spray

We were really blessed to have Tyson from B.C. Tours as our guide at the Dinosaur Ridge field trip on April 7th.  For those who weren't able to attend, one purpose of the field trip was to look at geology and paleontology from a biblical world view as opposed to the secular world view we get in the media and public education system.  Tyson gave us his "four killer questions" as the filter to evaluate information that's presented to us as "scientific fact" (when in fact, it's mostly theory and conjecture).  By the way, these questions aren't from BC Tours, they have been attributed to Socrates, so secularists and evolutionists can't "dodge the bullet" by labeling them as "Christian" arguments.

When we read a sign, visit a museum, or hear someone say something in support of evolution, here are the questions we can at least ask ourselves as well as others:

#1.  WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY _______?  It's always important to make sure we understand how words are being used, and what the thrust of the message really is. This is the first rule of communication.

#2.  HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT TO BE TRUE?  Many times people will substitute their opinion for actual known and provable facts. Or they might believe that something a teacher or scientist said with conviction and authority is a provable fact when it's really only one person's opinion.

#3.  WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES THAT MAKE?  An issue or belief system is only worth debating if there is an outcome that will affect people's lives.  In the case of creation ("intelligent design"), the Bible says that God made the universe and everything it contains in six literal days.  Evolutionists believe that the earth was formed billions of years ago, and that life came from non-life through random accidents in nature, etc.  (Some people will try to have it both ways and say that God created the universe, the world, the animals and people, but used the "big bang" and several billion years of time to do it.)  What difference does that make?  If Genesis 1 is not true AS IT IS WRITTEN, then how can we trust anything else in Scripture that we base our faith on? How can we pray to a God who created the world by chance and random selection? If we do not believe in the goodness of God's original creation and man's fallen nature, all of scripture and life remain confusing.

#4.  WHAT IF YOU ARE WRONG?  What are the consequences in my life if I believe things that are untrue, because I WILL act and make decisions based on what I believe.  If "we" are right, a person who does not believe in the God of the Bible and His only son Jesus (the Christ) will be required to pay the penalty for his or her sins against God.  That penalty is eternal death, suffering and separation from God.  If the secularists are right, we're only a wonderful accident, there is no God, there is no life after death, and Jesus didn't rise from the dead at all.  The Apostle Paul wrote, "For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.  Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied." (1Cor 15:16-19, NASB).

As a final note, remember that "they" also know these "four killer questions" and will happily use them AGAINST you to undermine your faith if they can. If you find yourself in a conversation with an unbelieving person, especially if they're using the questions, or just won't accept what you have to say, you can ask a fifth question:  "What evidence will you accept that what I say is true?"  If they won't accept the Bible as evidence, then they probably won't accept anything else you could say, and your best choice may be to simply walk away (but do continue to pray for them).  Also remember that Evolution is not science, but a "belief system" and meets all of the normal definitions of a religion... if you question their science, you're actually challenging their (false) religion, so be ready for some spiritual warfare.  Remind yourself that "greater is He (the Holy Spirit) that is in you than he (Satan) that is in the world." (1 John 4:4b, NASB).