Creationism in the Mainstream – David Limbaugh

David Limbaugh (Rush’s bro) has a brand new book out – Jesus on Trial.  This is a well written and compelling work defending the truth of the Gospel. Sean Hannity recently talked with David about the book.  PJTV also has an interview.

David recounts when Steve Springer witnessed to him:

Steve did not fit my perception at the time of the stereotypical young Christian – a judgmental holy roller who accepted Christianity uncritically.  He exhibited an extraordinary measure of grace.  He not only didn’t take offense at my skepticism, but he patiently retrieved his Bible … and began to walk me through a few fascinating verses. [1]

Josh McDowell, Ravi Zacharias and Paul Little were instrumental in leading David to Christ.  David says this about philosophy:  “I believe philosophy can be a worthy field of study, but I don’t think we can improve on the Bible’s revealed truths in conveying God’s nature and His plan of redemption and salvation for mankind.” [2]

After David had read the Gospel of John several times, he confesses:  “… I was on fire and began reading the Bible and everything about the Bible and theology I could get my hands on.” [3]

David references Ray Comfort in a positive light in his chapter “Science Makes the Case – for Christianity.”  Comfort apparently favors Young Earth Science (YES).

David references Kurt Wise’s Faith, Form and Time which defends YES.  David also quotes Nancy Pearcey who apparently affirms the young earth.  Pearcey was a contributing editor to Bible-Science News for a number of years.  This was published by the Bible-Science Association (founded by Walter Lang) whose motto included “A Young Earth.”

David points out that a large number of Christians,

… believe in a young earth, and of those who do, many are hardly science deniers; they don’t base their beliefs simply on blind faith.  They subscribe to different scientific theories, even if one might find those outside the mainstream of scientific consensus, or they question the unprovable assumptions used in dating techniques … [4]

Amen David‼

Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.  Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Cor. 1:20-24)

Notes:

1)  Jesus on Trial by David Limbaugh (Regnery, Wash. DC, 2014), p. 6.

2)  Ibid., p. 14.

3)  Ibid., p. 15.

4)  Ibid., p. 290.

Walter Lang (1913 - 2004) - Creationist Warrior

Walter H. J. Lang was born in Omaha, Nebraska on November 3, 1913. [1] In 1937 he graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. Valeria Ruth Lang and Walter were married in 1940. In 1942 Lang started a mission church among African-Americans in Houston. In 1959 he was serving at a church in Denver that was about half African-American.

In 1963 Walter became the executive director of the Bible-Science Association (BSA). In the following year the organization became officially non-profit. Early issues of the Bible-Science Newsletter (BSN) can be found here. Valeria did most of the editing. The first Bible-Science Newsletter was published in September 1963. BSN was Dedicated to:
BSN included such authors as Nancy Pearcey and D. James Kennedy.

BSA sponsored many creation conventions, the first of which was in Milwaukee in 1972. The theme of the 1978 convention in Wichita was “The Challenge of Design” and the featured speakers included Clifford Wilson, Duane Gish and Henry Morris. The next year’s convention was in Anaheim across from Disneyland and included John Baumgardner and Ethel Nelson as presenters. Other BSA conventions heard Jack Cuozzo, Nancy Pearcey and Walter Remine.

Walter Lang was a tireless promoter of creation. In one year he traveled 66,000 miles by car! He also hiked to the bottom of Grand Canyon 19 times. Lang went to every state in the U.S. and 26 other countries sharing the creation message. When Lang wanted to audit a course in Geology, the College of Idaho refused, claiming he might be disruptive! [2] Some of Lang’s books and mp3 talks can be found here.

Henry Morris spoke of Lang’s “remarkable energy and originality” and described him as “indefatigable” and “living sacrificially.” [3] Although Walter Lang held to some controversial views, he said on balance, “One should know that science is never absolute and there can always be a drastic new model that can explain the data better than our current model. Too many people admit that science cannot be absolute and still they act with science as if they have absolutes.” [4] Consider these wise words from Lang: “God demands a total dedication to Him, and when something in nature is substituted, that something replaces God and is regarded by God as idolatry. When science is claimed to be neutral, at that very point it becomes a pagan religion.” [5]

Lang wrote a number of tracts illustrated by cartoonist Vic Lockman including:
Was God an Astronaut?
Need We Fear Another Ice Age?
Is the Present the Key to the Past?
Here is an example of Vic Lockman’s more recent work:

The popular radio show Creation Moments, hosted by Ian Taylor traces its origins to the Bible-Science Association.

Lang died on July 10, 2004. Here are some thoughts from his son Philip Lang:

It was amazing to watch my Dad talk to total strangers. I remember seeing him off at an airport. While we were waiting he engaged a stranger in conversation about travel. Within five minutes he wove the conversation step by step into a discussion of creation and the Bible. … Dad amazed all those who really knew him that he could persistently be on the go for twenty hours a day. He didn't seem to need sleep. He would arrive at 6 a.m., say hi to the grand kids, sleep a couple of hours, and be off on the road again. … He tried to never spend money for a motel. He usually stayed at some generous person's home. That meant staying up late to share the Bible and Creation story and getting up early to travel on to the next location. … Dad was usually so busy crusading and preaching that family didn't see him much. Still, I wouldn't trade my Dad for any other dad. I have been richly and eternally blessed by his spiritual example and guidance. My closing prayer is that you also have been touched in positive ways by his life.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Ps. 111:10, Prov. 9:10, cf. Job 28:28, Prov. 1:7).

Notes:
1) Two Decades of Creationism by Walter and Valeria Lang (Bible-Science Assoc., Minn., MN, 1984). Available online.
2) ibid., p. 67.
3) History of Modern Creationism by Henry Morris (Master Book Pub., San Diego, CA, 1984), p. 216.
4) personal correspondence, May 16, 1981.
5) Lang, p. 61.

picture credit: Robert Lang (first two)