Terry Read
The death of George Floyd and its aftermath has prompted a lot of discussion of the need for change. Proposals that I have heard include increased training of law enforcement, allowing for law enforcement agents to be personally sued, and one that I like if it is workable—increased body cams. I have also heard of proposals that do not make any sense at all to me, such as defunding the police.
What do people want? Total anarchy? That surely is not the solution.
But real, fundamental change that I see that is needed is to teach people the Bible rather than Darwin. It is the Bible that teaches that we are all descendants of Adam and Eve. And more recently we are all descendants of Noah and his wife. In talking about God as our creator, Paul states:
From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. Acts 17:26 NLT.
The Bible teaches us that we are all part of the same human family. There is only one race—the human race.
But what are people being taught in our public schools and everywhere else? Darwinian evolution! What did Charles Darwin say? Darwin said that darker skinned people are closer to gorillas, and the “civilized” races will kill them off:
“At some future period, not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilised races of man will almost certainly exterminate, and replace, the savage races throughout the world. At the same time the anthropomorphous apes, as Professor Schaaffhausen has remarked (18. ‘Anthropological Review,’ April 1867, p. 236.), will no doubt be exterminated. The break between man and his nearest allies will then be wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilised state, as we may hope, even than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as a baboon, instead of as now between the negro or Australian and the gorilla.”1
So in contrast to the message of Darwin, the Bible teaches that we are all made in God’s image and we are all part of the same human family. But the Bible also teaches that we are all sinners that need a savior and Jesus of Nazareth is that Savior.
LORD, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you. Psalm 130:3-4 NLT.
I certainly see the sinfulness of man in the George Floyd situation. I see it with the law enforcement officer on George Floyd’ neck. And I see it with the rioters hurting people that did not have anything to do with George Floyd’s death.
We all see things differently because of our own experiences. When I see that image of Derek Chauvin on the neck of George Floyd, I see a man who is on a power trip. I have observed how even a little bit of power can go to people’s heads, and been a victim of this myself. Some people should not be in law enforcement because they cannot handle the power.
Again, we find the solution in the Bible. The Bible directed the king to copy the Law of God and read it. This was to remind the king that even he was under the Law of God just like everyone else. The idea of equality does come from the Bible.
When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the LORD his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel. Deuteronomy 17:18-20 NLT.
And as far as the rioters (not the peaceful protesters), the Bible addresses that as well:
“Mockers can get a whole town agitated, but the wise will calm anger.” Proverbs 29:8 NLT.
So which message do we need? Do we need the message of Darwin? Or do we need the message of the Bible?
Because Darwinism is so entrenched in academia, Hollywood, and the media; I do not expect this truly needed reform to happen anytime soon. It is up to the churches to take the lead and preach the message of the Bible and teach people that they can really believe the Bible. Is your church doing this? Have you talked to your church leadership about this?
Footnotes:
1. https://charles-darwin.classic-literature.co.uk/the-descent-of-man/ebook-page-105.asp
We see many things going on in the world right now. They are spiritual movements (but not the spiritual move we Christians want to see!). The “defund the police” movement is a spirit of lawlessness. This spirit of lawlessness marks the last days (2 Thessalonians 2:3) and will increase until the church is raptured and the restraining presence of the Holy Spirit is lifted from the earth with us (2 Thessalonians 2:7). Counter activism is good, and letting your voice be heard is good, but since these issues are primarily spiritual, they must be fought on the spiritual level through prayer!