Kids & Genesis

Have you ever given much thought to the Genesis account? Should you? Does it matter to your kids? Here's how it impacted me...

When I was a Child...

I thought as a child. I really did believe that grown-ups knew everything. Well, some grown-ups. Ahem. 

I remember very clearly when that illusion was shattered. In fourth grade, our school (and probably all the others in my county) got new science books. Which was totally fun for me, because I liked books. But one day, as we were cruising along with the pre-determined plans, my teacher said something that caught me off guard. It went something like this:

Teacher: "... the Earth is millions, and millions, and millions of years old..."

Me (sticking my hand up in the air): "But... Mrs. Teacher... Last year our book said the Earth is 6 to 10,000 years old, and..."

Teacher (looking rather flustered): "Well, Anna, this is what the book says now..."
​

I Reasoned as a Child...

I felt like someone had pulled the rug out from under me. Weren't these books true? Wasn't I supposed to learn all this stuff because it was fact? But how could they both be true? Who decides which idea is right? Did anyone know anything for absolute fact?

Even at nine years old, I knew that facts were things you could prove, and theories were well, just theories.  Facts don't change because the textbook has been updated. Real, scientifically proven facts do not change.

I was a weird kid. I admit it. For me, it was though a switch had been flipped. I went from the childish thinking that there are adults that know everything, to scrutinizing the "facts" for myself. Sure, I'd rattle of the info I was expected to memorize, but it wasn't the same as before. Looking back I realize how hungry I was to know Truth. No wonder Jesus said we had to become like little children to enter the Kingdom.
​

Timing is Everything...

It was no coincidence that shortly after that, a friend invited my mom to church, and she brought me with her. I'm not saying I had this crazy experience, but during the altar call at the end, I just knew in my heart there was Someone down there with that man who had been talking.

The man did not know everything, but the Someone did.  And I just knew that I desperately needed the Someone. Someone Rock Solid and True.  That was the day I got saved.

"You will seek me and you will find me, when you seek me with all your heart." -Jeremiah 29:13

Our church was really thorough and I learned a ton about my Bible, but I still never gave Genesis much thought growing up.  I believed the Bible, but all the "facts" I was presented with at school supported the THEORY of Evolution.  

I was incapable of presenting a rational argument for the Genesis account.  I had even heard that perhaps God had used evolution to create the world, which is a view-point that many Christians seem to adopt.

Due to the 4th grade textbook change, I did not view my textbook and teachers as infallible, so this did not affect my faith, but I am an oddity. Many young adults walk away from the faith for more "enlightened" things. 
​

When I Became a Woman...

Before my kids were even big enough to read, I encountered a book about the scientific evidence that supports the Creation theory. Real, honest to goodness proof that the world is not an accident, but a mind-boggling design! 

For starters, I had never wondered where our illustrations of dinosaurs and other extinct animals come from? That book helped me start asking questions like that! (In case you're wondering too, the answer has to do with the word "illustrations." Who makes illustrations???)

A science artist presented with this "fossil" drew the "extinct" creature in the second photo. In truth, it was the skeleton of a poodle!

I Put Away Childish Things...

Knowing that an infallible, loving, holy God made the world leads to an understanding that He also made you.  That knowledge leads to a sense of self-worth, not from from false pride, but because the Creator of the universe designed you, and He knew what He was doing.​-Anna Travis

If that sense of self is what you are seeking for your children, I urge you to get your hands on one of these three resources and examine the evidence for yourself!
​

1. ​Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution. Right now you can watch it free, if you have Amazon Prime! This DVD is hosted by a former Air Force One doctor. Dr. Martin was once an evolutionist, but he began to study some of the gaps in the theory. The more he studied, the more convinced he became that Evolution was impossible. This actually lead him to believe in the God of the Bible, and he became a Christian!  (The rental is only $1.99!)
2. Jonathan Park Audio Adventures. Follow the adventures of the Park and Brennan families as they search for real scientific evidence that God created the world. My kids LOVE these! You can get the CD's, do a digital download, or get unlimited access for $10 a month to all of them. (I have no affiliate with Jonathan Park. I am sharing it because they are well-done, well-researched, exciting, and fun!)
3. The Great Dinosaur Mystery and the Bible. This book is great for kids and grown-ups alike. It was the one that originally got me started looking for more!

You may be wondering: If there really is any evidence for Creation, then why don't they teach it at school? I offer this thought: Satan is the father of lies. He invented the smear campaign and his motto is: If you can't beat the truth, just bury it.

But we Christians can dig the Truth up again! Your family may be labelled as weird, but trust me, the Truth is worth it! I'd rather have "weird" kids that know the facts and have confidence in the God who created them, than have popular kids that believe they are cosmic accidents.

---