“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools…” (Rom 1:20-22 NIV)

After being lost in the Black Hills caverns of South Dakota, we decided to pay a visit to a nearby petrified forest. Once we had paid our entrance fee, we were led into a room and told to first watch a video about the historical geology of the Black Hills. It sounded interesting, but when the video started, I was “petrified” to see that it was all from an evolutionary perspective.

I should have stood up as soon as the film began. I should have immediately gathered up my family and walked out of that room! But after our four weeks of endless travel, I was filled with “abundant energy”, and I duly and respectfully . . . fell asleep.

After what seemed hours, someone rudely poked me in the ribs. Ouch! What had I done? Had I been snoring? As I looked at the ‘poker’, I shouldn’t have been surprised to see my wife. She was obviously trying to tell me something, but in the foggy mist of that existence half-way between alertness and dreamland, I couldn’t figure out why her eyes were rolling back and forth between the movie screen and the exit sign.

Since I am known for my perceptiveness, I immediately obeyed-by once again falling into a sleep-filled trance.

When the video finally ended and everybody stood up, I was still leaning on one side of my chair with my eyes closed. That’s when I felt everyone’s eyes on me. It’s frightening to go through such an experience, especially when you are tired, and I quickly jumped to my feet. My mind must have still been pretty groggy however, for the most intelligent thing I could think of to say was, “Is the video finally finished?”

The rest of our visit went like a breeze. We enjoyed the many petrified stumps. We even ended up buying samples to remind us that human explanations about the origins of life have a tendency to lull people to sleep!

I wonder how a video given from the Biblical perspective about the origins of the Black Hills would have been perceived. You know, a video about God’s creative power and how the flood carved the world the way we see it today. Would people have stayed in their seats? Would they have fallen asleep? Or would they have stood up, angry, avidly expressing their thoughts about such brain-washing techniques? 

A colleague of mine complained about receiving a Christmas card from one of her students wishing her the blessings of God over this special Season.  Her reaction was: “Who does she think she is?” Isn’t it amazing that when God is put out of the equation, hardly anyone complaints; but if someone dares say something about the existence of God, he is perceived as a heretic? Why is this so? Is tolerance and acceptance of other views unacceptable in our society? No. In fact society tends to be very tolerant for most ideas. It’s only the idea of God and what He stands for that brings out the intolerance in our society.

Can this be a sign of the times?

Remember: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV)

“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…” (John 1:10-12 NIV)

Would you like to watch a video with me about the historical origins of the Black Hills?

Rob Chaffart