The Rocks Cry out the Creator

A Publication of Alpha Omega Institute July/August 2001; Vol. 18 No.4

The Rocks Cry Out the Creator. Just like the people by Dave Nutting in the apostle Paul's day, they worship and serve the creature, his summer millions of people Temple, Isis Temple, Jupiter more than the Creator (Romans Tfrom all over the world will Temple, and Diana Temple. The 1:25). Yet, the very rocks give visit America's National Parks and list goes on and on. testimony of God's power, truth, Monuments where they will be But what do we find when we and faithfulness. Seeing what God deluged with a flood of evolutionary actually study the rocks, geologic has made should turn our hearts dogma. It is disheartening, that formations, and the animals and and mouths to worship and praise instead of honoring and glorifying plants of our nation's wonderlands? Him! However, we are not "offi­ the Creator for His wonderful We find just what we would expect cially allowed" to acknowledge works, our parks and monuments to find if the account given in Him in the parks of this land. The have been turned into shrines of Genesis is true and accurate. We whole situation is reminiscent of evolutionary paganism and find intricacy and design in living the time when the rulers of Jesus' pantheism. things that could come only from day tried to get the people to stop Now you might say, "Isn't that an intelligent, powerful Creator. praising Him, and He told them statement going a bit too far?" We find distinct "kinds" of life, not that if the people didn't praise Maybe, but how often in the parks the billions of transitions that Him, the rocks would cry out "educational programs" have you would be expected according to (Luke 19:40). The rocks are truly heard "Mother Nature," "Time," evolution. We also find billions of "crying out" in our parks and "Gaia," "Evolution," and "Natural fossils buried in rock layers all monuments. May we, too, join Selection" being credited for the over the earth. There is evidence of our voices in praise to our wonders of our world? How often rapid deposition and extensive Creator God. Gl) have the intricate designs and formations covering thousands of amazing beauty been attributed to square miles, as well as huge lind chance? How long nastt canyons t at can est be been since you heard the credit explained by lots more water going to God, the Creator? -just what we would expect Then again, think about the to find from Noah's names we find on so many geologic Flood. features. Just here in the Grand Yet, with Junction area we find Devil's all this evidence Kitchen, Devil's Canyon, and that the Word of Serpent's Trail. In Colorado God is true Springs we find Garden of the when it speaks Gods (notice the plural). In Idaho of Creation and and Oregon there's Hell's Canyon. the Flood, If that's not enough, journey to people still Grand Canyon, where you will proclaim the fmd Vishnu Schist, Zoroaster glories of Granite, Vulcan's Throne, Devil's evolution and refuse Corkscrew, Shiva Temple, Osiris to honor and glorify July/ August 2001 Wonders of Creation Geology Book by Rachel Painter

To most people, earth. From earthquakes to the area of geology. Written on _l rocks are boring. volcanoes to continental drift and an upper-elementary to junior­ They don't bark or how to date the age of the earth, high level, this 80 page, hard meow and, outside of this book is filled with color cover edition will be hard to put what can be mined diagrams and photographs which down; but don't think you have from them, don't have much will make even the complicated to be a youngster to enjoy it. significance. However, The geologic processes clear and Any adult who would like a Geology Book by Dr. John simple to comprehend. The last good overview of geology will Morris will open your eyes to the few chapters of the book give an want this book. It can make a treasures at your feet and how explanation of the Grand Canyon, fun conversation piece for your they glorify our Creator. This Mount St. Helens, and other coffee table, and be a valuable book is an excellent resource for geologic events - all from a addition to any library. To anyone who has ever wondered young-earth perspective. It also order, check out our special about fossils, different types of contains sections on the Flood of offer in the enclosed insert, call rocks, and the various geologic Noah, the Ice Age, and many (970) 523-9943, or visit: processes that have shaped the common evolutionary problems in www.discovercreation.org. ®

Chemical Sedimentary Rock Where Do Rocks Rock derived from chemicals dissolved in water. Igneous CD Evaporites @ Precipitates Come From? Volcanic Rock • Salt • Some limestones • Chert or Flint by Mark Sonmor Molten rock that has • Gypsum • Some salt deposits • Flowstone cooled at or near the tudying rocks and their origins earth's surface. • Anhydrite • Dolomite can be overwhelming. Learning S • Basalt Clastic Sedimentary Rock the names of the 2,500 minerals • Rhyolite Rock derived through erosion and recomposition of alone can be a daunting task. • Andesite previously existing rocks. Simplifying the information into a · ~l . • Obsidian • Conglomerate Organic few basic categories and defining (!" VJ. • Tuff • Sandstone Sedimentary Rock ~ Rock formed by the accumulation some terms may help, such as: .. () • Shale Mineral -Non-living solid in its ofonce living matter. basic form. (Feldspar, Quartz, Calcite) • Limestone (Coquina) • Diatomite (Chalk) Gem - A mineral that is valued • Radiolarite for its beauty and flawlessness. (Ruby, Emerald, Saphire) • Coal (Peat, Lignite, Rock - A collection of minerals. Bituminous, and Anthracite) Rocks can be divided into 3 basic groups: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. The diagram, at right, gives a general understanding of how most rocks are formed. Many aspects of the process are open to Molten rock that has cooled below speculation since they can't be the earth 's surface. directly observed. Processes that • Granite formed much of the sedimentary and • Syenite metamorphic rock took place on an ·Monzonite Metamorphic Rock incredibly large scale under forces • Diorite Rock that changes form due to heat and/or pressure and conditions vastly different than • Gabbro ®Gneiss (from Granite) @ Slate and Schist (from Shale) @Greenstone (from Basalt) ® Marble (from Limestone) those observed today. ® ©Quartzite (from Sandstone) <1) Diamond (from Carbon) Think & Believe . ;·.. l';!"~~-.-~ ~~>-.:?. . . ··.·f~~~- , --~ July/ August 2001

age, why should we trust it on events Pet Rock Revival of unknown age? Unprovable and by Dr. Dan Karow untestable assumptions could easily [In the life of a veterinarian unusual to break down, or decay into more lead to unreliable, inaccurate results." cases are not uncommon. This is a stable forms (the daughter forms). For "Wow ... I never thought of that," silly, fictional story but it can illustrate example, if the original contained 100 replied Bias. " Hey Doc, Helen is the problems with determining the age atoms, and 4,000 years from now only looking younger already!" of rocks and the age of the earth.] 50 atoms remain, the time period Green then looked at the second pet would be called the half life. Scientists rock, also made of lava. It had a irst year veterinarian, Dr. Green, assume that this decay rate is always charred piece of wood exposed to the outside. He asked, "What's wrong with Fenters an exam room confident he the same based on the concept of can diagnose any problem. What he uniformitarianism. They also assume 'Woody'?" discovers throws him for a loop! A that this rate can be extended into the "He's in suspended animation," young geology student, named Bias is distant past (Extrapolation). Thus, Bias replied. "This wood fragrr .- nt is dejected overthe contents ofa battered scientists determine a rock's age by just 45 thousand years old based on shoe box. Expecting to see a dying pet, comparing the amount of parent form carbon 14 testing. But the lava dated he opens the lid to find two pet rocks, to daughter form, and determine the by the potassium-argon method says named Helen, and Woody. number of half lives necessary to it's 45 million years old." 2 Surprised and suspicious, Green produce that ratio." "Wait a second,"probed Green. quips, "Don't tell me; you told them to "How do they know the original "Shouldn't both ages agree? How do they know which date is correct, when roll over and play dead." "No," Bias amount of parent compounds Helen responds, "You don't understand. This started with?" Green questioned. dates are vastly different?" is an emergency. Helen is very, very "I'm not sure. I guess it's based on "Sometimes scientists rerun their sick. She has grown ancient almost certain assumptions." tests multiple times before they get the right birthdate. They often choose the overnight. She is unresponsive, and "How do they know that the parent cold to the touch. She used to have a and daughter amounts are directly birthdate based upon the rock layer's great personality. Fix her Doc!" related. Couldn't these amounts vary if position in the geologic column. This Somewhat flustered, Green asks, these substances can move in or out of position is determined by specific "Uhrn, how old is she?" the sample." fossils that are believed to have lived only in certain time periods." "Well," Bias replies, "21 years ago she "I guess so. They probably have was born at Mt. St. Helens. A scientist assumptions about that too," replied Green interjected, "So, the rock spotted her, picked her up, slapped her Bias. layer dates the fossil, and the fossil on the underside, and threw her into "How can they be sure dates the rock layer. That's circular the back of his pickup truck." that these decay rates reasoning!" "Uh .. .I guess so. Maybe these "Okay ... so Helen is 21 ," said have remain.ed uniform Green, feeling foolish writing this in over all those years?" ages aren't written in stone after the medical chart. "I guess they just all! I'll have to rethink this. Dr. "No!, that's just it," Bias cries, assume that as well!" Green, could you look at one "I've been told she's really 340,000- "Bias, you first said more pet?" It's my dog, Evolution. 2.8 million years old!"1 Helen was formed He won't stop chasing his tail! qJ) "Make up your mind. How can she just 21 years ago. be that old if she was born in 1980?" How can the other 1 "The rock which formed at the Green asked. ages be right? eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 "See," Bias wailed, "She's They are based on contained much argon, even though it prematurely aging! Please, make it some unprovable should have contained none. In fact, one stop!" assumptions about the of its minerals "dated" at 2.8 million years, when it was only 15 years old. "Wait a second; who says she's so unobserved past," said Volcanic rock formed in the recent old?" asked Green. Green, erasing the old eruptions of Hawaiian volcanoes dates at "My professor said so based on ages from the chart. 30 million years old."-The Geology radiometric dating. When lava solidifies "If we can't trust Book, Dr. John Morris, 2000, p. 52 2A.A. Snelling, " Radiometric Dating in into rock, the original radioactive radiometric dating Conflict," Creation, 20( I ):24-27, Dec. material (the parent compound) begins on events of known 1997- Feb. 1998 \J o\ . '((Ll} They Love Me ... They Love Me Not... AOI to Africa hr /Jan 1\ormr by Richard Stepanek or the past 25 years, Lucy (Austrolopithecus Afarensis) has been tauted as the best AOI needs your prayers and support Fevidence for human evolution. Suddenly, thanks to the discovery of kenyanthropus .J-\.for a trip to Africa! After hearing platyops, some no longer consider Lucy to be a viable human ancestor. The following my lecture on Evolution and the New quotes show how man's ideas constantly change. Thank God His Word never does. Age movement, a student from Tanzania shared his burden for his people who are "I Love Lucy" _(That was then ... ) locked into pagan and spiritist religions. Learning the truth of Jesus Christ as "Johanson's evolutionary model places" new species" [Lucy: A. Creator and Redeemer is fundamental to afarensis] at the root of human evolution .... "Science News Jan 20, 1979 his people being freed from their demonic _ Vol115 #3 New Species of Man: Ancestor from 'Afar' oppression. His father, a pastor in Tanzania, later "Several species ofhominids have been found that help trace human evolution called to invite AOI to come there this from the emergence of modem Homo Sapiens 40,000 years ago to fall. The Lord willing, Lanny Johnson Australopithecus afarensis about 4 million years ago . ... " The San Diego Union, April and I will present a creation seminar to 6, 1984, 5 million-year-old fossil found, hailed in StiJdy of man 's history over 200 pastors from around Tanzania. We also have presentation scheduled in South Africa before returning home. This is now ... We covet your prayers for this project. "I Love r:a~• The need is urgent and funds are beyond our current means. Please consider how "For 20 years, most scientists have agreed that Australopithecus God might be directing you in the represented by the famous Lucy skeleton found in Ethiopia, is the direct afarensis, support of this outreach. ~ ancestor of the many branches ofhominids--upright walking human-like pri- mates- including modem man. But Meave Leakey and colleagues report in this week's journal Nature that the new species, named Kenyanthropus platyops, Greek Upcoming Events for "flat-faced man of Kenya," lived at the same time as Lucy's species. And, they July 27-29, Salida, CO , Salida Christian Fellowship, Family Retreat, Contact Dan Lowe, argue, modem humans can't be directly related to both. The finding casts sudden 719-529-7728 D&AK confusion over scientists' understanding of early humans and possibly Aug 5-10, Pagaosa Sprgs, CO, Community Bible Church, Adult Seminar and VBS, Contact adds a whole new main trunk to the human family tree~ Camelia Coray, 970-731-5359 D&AK, L&MJ ABCNews, ..- Aug 7-9, Manitou Sprgs, Summit Min., Youth March 21, 2001 Leadership, Contact 719-685-9103 DN Aug12-17, Lake City & Camp RedCioud, CO, Creation Mt Adventure, Contact 970-523-9943 D&MJN, L&MJ, R&SS, D&AK Aug 19, Lake City, CO, Grace Fellowship, " ... at 3.5 million years old, the Kenyanthropus platyops skull is almost twice as Contact Bob lnge 970-944-2711 ON Aug 27-29, Manitou Sprgs, Summit Min ., old as 1470 man. [and] ...threatens to double the antiquity of the human lineage Youth Leadership, Contact 719-685-9103 ON at a stroke ... " Nature, March 22, 2001 Sept 3-4, Manitou Sprgs, Summit Min., Youth Leadership, Contact 719-685-9103 DN Sept 12, 13, Montrose, CO , St Paul's Episcopal Church, Contact Darrel Garten 970-249-0842 DN Contrary to Popular Belief... Sept 20-22, Grand Junction, CO, AOI Staff -an evolutionary scientist speaks out against radiometric dating methods Development, all staff "Ever since ... the 19th century, fossils have exceedingly crude instrument with which AOINeeds: been and still are the best and most to measure our strata and I can think of no accurate method of dating & correlating ocassion [sic] when it has been put to an • Copy Machine the rocks in which they occur.. .As for immediate practical use. Apart from very • Secretarial chairs having all the credit passed to the physicists 'modem' examples, which are really • Video Projectors and the measurements of isotopic decay, archaeology, I can think of no cases of • Laptop Computers the blood boils! Certainly such studies radioactive decay being used to date • Ram memory give dates in terms of millions of years, fossils." - D. Ager, (evolutionist) • Financial donations with huge margins of error, but this is an New Scientist, Nov. I 0, 1983, p.425 ~I ALPHA OMEGA INSTITUTE PO Box 4343 • Grand Junction, CO • 81502 • (9 70) 523-9943 • www.discovercreation.org Think and Believe is published bi-monthly by Alpha Omega Institute, o tax-exempt organization under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Editors: Dove 8. Mary Jo Nutting. Single copies ore free upon request . Please write for permission to reprint material in this publication. Your donations ore much needed ond appreciated. © Alpha Omega Institute 2001