The Bible and Science: A Reconciliation of Snakes, Evolution, and Worship, Schemes and Mind Maps of Voice

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B Y P E R R Y S T O N E

HILE growing up, and even to this day, it has been said and assumed that science and the Bible are in direct contradiction with one another and the chasm of differences is so wide that no bridge is large enough to link the two. The fact is, there is a difference between “real” scientific research, discoveries and clamoring scientific speculation built around theories, including building models from small pieces of bones and fossils. For example, in the 1960’s a tooth was discovered in Africa and proclaimed as proof of early Homo Sapiens which were part of man’s evolutionary process. Years later when research advanced, it was found to be the tooth of an extinct pig. So much for the “scientific evidence.” This type of evolutionary hype and prejudiced research has been released too many times to number as modern research has advanced and the human body has been studied. The theory of Darwinism has been disproven, yet so called brilliant men and women continue to hold to theories that fall apart under detailed scrutiny. For example, the complexity of the human eye is so miraculous, that it is impossible, to explain the evolutionary process. A clever creator was involved in the creation of the human body, as evident by its complexity and by the fact that humans express love, compassion, and emotions that are not found in other creatures.

THE SNAKE WITH LEGS FOSSIL

Occasionally, however, a fossil emerges from the dust of ages past that captures the imagination and the attention of Biblical students. Such occurred recently in Gary, Tennessee, where a so-called “new species of snake” that existed “ million years ago” (don’t you love how they throw out those numbers with such precision) was unearthed in a fossil bed. The snake fossil has been named “Zilantophis Schuberti,” which translates as “Schubert’s Winged Snake.” Stephen Jasinski and David Moscato were students of Schubert and led the research. Jasinski noted that the snake did not have wings, but has “pronounced projections towards the front of its body,” which were possibly legs. Several years ago, near Jerusalem near Ramallah, at a rock quarry, workers came across three serpent fossils which were turned over to researchers who noted that one of the fossils had a bony type projection on either side about half-way down the skeletal body. There was a strong suggestion that at one time these serpents had legs and walked upright, yet through the “evolutionary process,” their ability to walk was altered, bringing them to the ground crawling on their bellies. From a Biblical perspective, both fossil discoveries should be noted. In the Garden of Eden, which was located in the Middle East, a crafty serpent is alluded to in the narrative of Adam and Eve. The first couple sinned, being

“The serpent became a picture of man’s spiritual arch-enemy,

Satan, who is called four times, during the Apocalypse, “the

serpent” and “that old serpent” (Rev. 12:9, 14, 15; 20:2).”

Tetrapodophis (rear limbs shown), had delicate but functional limbs that may have been used for grasping prey or used during mating. (Dave Martill/University of Portsmouth) VOICE OF EVANGELISM | MAY, JUNE, JULY 2017 9

however, yielding to the flesh refers to the sin nature being generationally imparted through the transgression of the first couple in the garden. Satan, that old serpent, “eats” or feeds off the dust where he moves, meaning, he attempts to “stir up the dust” of the carnal nature in each person, attempting to pressure you to respond contrary to the Word of God in your daily decisions and choices. Both Adam and Eve tripped up at a tree and allowed the crafty serpent to walk unhindered into their world. When the day of spiritual compromise ended, curses seized the earth and the snake left the crime scene slithering on its belly tasting dust. Just as hardened murders see and “taste” the blood of their victims turning them into serial killers, the more “dust” the devil stirs the more blurred the vision of a person becomes until spiritual blindness overtakes their common sense and sin encases them like a spider that has spun a web for its prey. When a person repeats the disobedient mistakes of the world’s first father and mother, Adam and Eve, the adversary can rejoice in knowing that his bait was successful and, “Another one bites the dust,” as the strong are brought low and the mighty have fallen (note 2 Sam. 1:19-27). Yet the dust of the earth is under the FEET of every believer! Our feet are connected to our walk and metaphorically our spiritual authority and are the one part of our body enabling us to bruise the head of the serpent, as it is written, “The very God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly” (Rom. 16:20).

WHY SATAN DESPISES TRUE WORSHIP

For many years, a contention within the body of Christ has risen when discussing methods and manifestations of worship. Most scholars believe Satan was either a director or a strong participator in the angelic worship before God’s throne prior to the creation of Adam. Upon his rebellion and expulsion from heaven the adversary set in motion, a contrary kingdom motivated by hatred towards the Almighty, with an agenda to resist whatever laws, commandments, and statutes God demanded from His people, especially disrupting worship to God. Worship is first mentioned in the days of Abraham (Gen. 24:26, 48, 52) and continued into Exodus with Moses (Exod. 4:31; 12:27; 32:8). Immediately when Satan saw men bowing before God (Gen 24:52), and women dancing in joy (Exod. 15:20), he immediately set up false prophets, idol gods, and a counter worship movement. When true worship was expressed with emotion and movement, Satan would set up a mocker hoping to discourage the worshipper from continuing their exuberance in God’s presence. Such as the case when David’s wife looked down upon him in anger for dancing before the Lord with all of his might (2 Sam. 6:14-23). It seems the Christian denominations are fine with singing a hymn, closing their eyes in prayer and calling this worship. However, once you stop pew warming and you head toward the front with any form of physical movement, especially below the waist, that is when the invisible veil goes back up in the Holy of Holies and individuals may be rebuked or asked to return to the outer court and become an observer and not a participator. It seems worship or praising God from the waist up with the hands, arms, and mouth are acceptable, but any movement from the waist down is considered some form of sensual activity that is banned in many even so-called “Full-Gospel” circles. Why is there a controversy with the feet and the holy dance? Could there be an intense jealousy with Satan when he observes a believer dancing in the Spirit or dancing before the Lord, as all believers have feet and the snake was “de-feeted” (actually defeated) through Christ’s victory on the cross, where the Messiah has put “all things under His feet” (Heb. 2:8) and He has put all “enemies under His feet” (1 Cor. 15:25). The “de-feeting” of Satan puts him on his face on the ground and when we worship God with our body, soul, and spirit, we remind him that he is an unemployed Cherub with no future. When I see our youth ministry Remnant, ministering in drama and dance to Christian music I realize some within the older generation may not appreciate or understand the reasoning behind kids spending six hours each week working together to create an organized and united worship expression. However, do not become a voice for the adversary by spewing dust of criticism, attempting to bring the youth down to the ground with cynicism from your mouth. When you see youth or anyone for that matter dancing for joy in a worship setting, remember it is our feet that bruise the head of the serpent. David summed it up best with this one statement, “Praise Him with the timbrel and dance…” (Ps. 150:4).

“The “de-feeting” of

Satan puts him on his

face on the ground

and when we worship

God with our body,

soul, and spirit, we

remind him that he

is an unemployed

Cherub with no future.”

VOICE OF EVANGELISM | MAY, JUNE, JULY 2017 11