At least once a year, there comes a news report with stories that claim to damage Christian views. This year we have the story of "Ida." Ida is said to be a 47-million-year-old fossil. It has been labeled "the missing link."
The missing link is what evolutionists have been looking for for decades hoping to prove their theory.
The History channel is the one behind the latest hype with the headlines, "Scientists have discovered the oldest and most complete fossil of a human ancestor." Part of the story follows:
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"An incredible 95 percent complete fossil of a 47-million-year-old human ancestor has been discovered and, after two years of secret study, an international team of scientists has revealed it to the world. The fossil's remarkable state of preservation allows an unprecedented glimpse into early human evolution. Discovered in Messel Pit, Germany, it represents the moment before anthropoid primates - the group that would later evolve into humans, apes and monkeys - began to split from lemurs and other prosimian primates. This groundbreaking discovery fills in a critical gap in human and primate evolution"
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However, as is often the case, the facts behind the headlines do not support all of the hyperbole. As reported in an AP story, experts not connected with the discovery said the finding was remarkably complete because of features like stomach contents. But they questioned the conclusions of Hurum (Jorn Hurum, of the University of Oslo Natural History Museum) and his colleagues about how closely it is related to ancestors of monkeys and humans.
"I actually don't think it's terribly close to the common ancestral line of monkeys, apes and people," said K. Christopher Beard of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh.
Whether it is "the bones of Jesus," from a few years ago, or the latest "missing link" fossil fad, evolutionists will continue to seek ways to deny the truth of the Bible. The sad part is that many will believe the History Channel and never hear the experts from the AP report.
In a way, most of mankind looks for reasons not to believe the Bible.
The rejection of truth lies at the center of postmodernity. A rejection of absolute truth is a goal which mankind seeks, for with no absolute truth, man then can produce its own truth as he sees it. However, biblical truth is finally, and absolutely real, and therefore is trustworthy and dependable, being grounded in God's own reality and truthfulness.
It was under the influence of Enlightenment thinking that the framers of America's Declaration of Independence would state, "We hold these truths to be self-evident." It is indeed a true statement if you think about the fact the Bible states that God has placed his law in the hearts of all men.
But the Bible also tells us that man will change the law that God has planned in them, to in order to worship what they want.
Romans 1:25
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever.
Those that I have been around who wish to deny absolute truth are often the ones to first stand and cry "that is not fair."
If there is a lack of fairness, that means that standard has been broken. What we feel as a breach of that standard, comes from the law on our hearts. We all agree there must be a right and wrong. It is man that wants to reject what God has said is right and wrong, choosing to make their own laws. This of course sets themselves as god over the truth of God's laws.
It was Pontius Pilate, who asked Jesus, "What is truth?"
Although Pilate was probably not asking with a genuine interest in knowing the truth, his question reflects one of the greatest needs of man.
We need to know what truth is because of the power which is found in the truth.
The good news is that truth does not depend upon man. It has its origin in deity.
This means it's not up to me to set the truth, because I would set truth as I see it.
Each reader would also set truth as they see it. But Jesus identified the source of truth when He told His disciples, "I am the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6).
Can we know the truth?
Jesus claimed that we can indeed know it. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Truth is found in Jesus and his holy Word the Bible.
The truth makes men free from the bondage of sin by purifying them through belief in and obedience to the truth.
Not only can we know the truth, but God expects us to come to a knowledge of the truth.