Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing?

This cartoon perfectly summarizes the essence of a Biblical storm that is raging in the Christian homeschooling world. (Click cartoon to enlarge it.)

Apologist Ken Ham and Answers in Genesis have been expelled from Cincinnati’s Midwest Homeschool Convention scheduled for Mar 31 – April 2. This regional convention is put on by Great Homeschool Conventions (GHC).

Ken blew the whistle on Peter Enns and BioLogos at the GHC conventions in Memphis and Greenville. He identified them as people who do not believe the plain truth of Genesis. He warned believers against buying the BioLogos/Enns homeschool curriculum because it is not faithful to the Bible. It subtly undermines and attacks foundational Bible truths.

For example, BioLogos believes that Jesus erred and that Scripture is not inerrant. Dr. Enns, Senior Fellow of Biblical Studies at BioLogos, teaches that Adam is a metaphor and did not really exist, and that Genesis should not be understood literally, among other things.

As a result of Ham’s whistle-blowing, GHC canceled Ham as a featured speaker and banned AiG from the convention. Later GHC said they did so because of Ham’s spirit, not because of what he said.

Here is Todd Friel’s 17-minute radio interview of Ken Ham on Thu afternoon Mar 24 on the situation.

Here is AiG’s report on the cancellation: Kicked Out of Two Homeschool Conferences
It’s a good article with links to Ken’s warnings.

Here is ICR’s (Institute for Creation Research) endorsement of Ham’s action: A Time to Keep Silent, and a Time to Speak

Here is a good commentary on the situation by Tony Biller which identifies a few of Enns’ errors: False Piety by Great Homeschool Conventions

Here is the GHC Public Statement on the issue.

Here is a review of the Enns Bible curriculum: Bible Curriculum That Is Anti-Bible?

Norman Geisler, one of America’s top evangelical apologists, gave this critical analysis of Peter Enns’ book: A Review of Inspiration and Incarnation

Here’s a post describing the banning decision’s collateral damage to vendors: Unavoidable Conflict, Collateral Damage

What Ken Ham did was right and important. People need to be informed and warned about those who teach heresy.

Parents and teachers of children have a special obligation to teach the Bible faithfully. Jesus said, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)

I applaud Ken Ham’s commitment to the plain truth of Scripture and his courage in sounding the alarm.

Too bad GHC didn’t demonstrate the same courage in resisting pressure to axe Ham. Did curriculum vendors or business/money issues or a misguided desire for tolerance at the expense of rigorous fidelity to Scripture influence the GHC decision?

There is a Facebook petition page for those who want to show support for Ken Ham. Click Ken Ham Support Petition to see the petition.

Soli Deo Gloria.

©William T. Pelletier, Ph.D.
“contending earnestly for the faith” (Jude 1:3)
Thursday March 24, 2011 A.D.

Read my March 2011 Bible-Science newspaper column
The Genesis Code.

Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes! (Matthew 18:7)