September 2012 Volume 7 #9 Volume 7 #9

Wading River Baptist Church

P.O. Box 438, 1635 Wading River-Manor Road, Wading River, NY 11792 (631) 929-3512; 929-6022 www.wrbc.us office@wrbc.us

How I Spend My Sabbath Psalm 92 (Part 2)

But every Lord's Day gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. But let no one that is at variance with his fellow come together with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned. For this is that which was spoken by the Lord: In every place and time offer to me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great King, says the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the nations. This quotation is chapter 14 from the treatise, commonly known as The Didache (The Lords Teaching of the Twelve Apostles), a document most scholars date from the mid to late first century, making it even earlier than Johns epistles or the Book of Revelation. It is a brief pastoral manual focused on Jewish Christians, and appears to be a summary of the teaching ministry of the apostles themselves. This short chapter makes it clear that from the apostolic period, the Christian church has observed the Lords Day (they also called it the eighth day, the day after the Sabbath, or seventh day). Moreover, the text seems to indicate that this was done at the instruction of the Lord Jesus himselfsomething we do not learn from the New Testament. There was, therefore, a clear distinction between the Sabbath and the Lords Day in the early churchs doctrine and practice; but there was also a clear relationship between the two. In Part 1 of this study, focused on Psalm 92, we have seen that God originally designed the seventh day first as a day of rest from routine work, but also as a day of convocation, when Gods people would assemble to worship. Hence, it was to be a day when Gods people would have sufficient reprieve from the demands of their work in order to give them, not only relaxation for their bodies, but refreshment for their souls. It was a day to reflect together, as well as individually and in their families, on who God is and what He has done. That focus can only be achieved by giving careful attention to His Word, both through worship (which we found was primarily through singing) and through hearing the Scriptures read and expounded. As Christians not under the dispensation of Law and therefore not bound to the Sabbath, we can still glean valid principles from the Sabbath legislation that apply to our use of the first day of the week, the Lords Day. Right from the beginning, before the Law was given at Sinai, God designed one day in seven to be a blessing to His peoplewho are so easily distracted by worldly concernsas they rest and remember Him. That is adequate justification for advising believers that they do well still to set aside the Lords Day for rest and worship each week. Having given persuasive reasons for the value of Sabbath worship, the psalmist now points to five benefits he has received from Sabbath worship. See how his list matches your experience. First, says the psalmist, in observing the Sabbath, I gain strength. But You have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox (v. 10a). The horn is a common symbol in the Old Testament for strength. So in this context, what the psalmist is saying is that through his experience of Sabbath worship the Lord strengthens him. He probably has the challenges of the wicked world in which he lives and works in mind. Most Christians readily testify to the same dynamic. Our gathering together on the Lords Day strengthens us. That happens through thoughtful praise, much of which centers on our hymns, as well as our solo and ensemble music. Through such worship, our minds are turned to the nature of the God we serve, as well as to His work, and especially His saving grace. Moreover, as we assemble, we study the Word of God together, fortifying us with the knowledge, wisdom, and insight we need to live successfully. That strengthening also is the result of our fellowship, for when we spend time with fellow believers, we are encouraged to stand with them against our godless culture, both in what we believe and in how we live. There is stability in unity. The writer of Hebrews expresses it this way: Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near (Heb 10:23-25). Second the psalmist writes, in observing the Sabbath, I enjoy refreshment. I have been anointed with fresh oil (v. 10b). Literally the text reads, I have been moistened with luxuriant [exotic] oil. Its a very vivid way of describing refreshment and renewal. When Gods people come apart from the world one day in seven to concentrate on God and His truth, it is like taking a spiritual shower or bath. Even in the church, united Christian worship cleanses and refreshes. This happens through the washing of water with the word (Eph 5:26) which is often sung to various kinds of sacred music (Eph 5:19). Many of us know the joy of beginning our work week on Monday on a high spiritual note because of the blessings of the previous day in the Lords house. There is a third benefit to Sabbath worship, however, as the psalmist declares that in observing the Sabbath, I receive warning. And my eye has looked exultantly upon my foes [those who gaze upon me], my ears hear of the evildoers who rise up against me (v. 11). We are all prone to wander, as a familiar hymn puts it. Through our hearing of the Word of God and the exhortations of our brothers and sisters in Christ, we become aware of the dangers we face: Moreover, by them [the judgments of the Lord, v. 9] Your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward (Psa 19:11).

There are many influences designed by the enemy of our souls to distract us from biblical truth and practical godliness. Scripture is the most potent defense we have. The maturity of our discernment in facing threats is determined by the level of our biblical awareness. The more we know of Scripture, thereforethe more familiar we are with the biblical warnings against sin and worldlinessthe more our lives will be what God wants them to be. In the same way, insists the psalmist in the fourth place, by observing the Sabbath, I experience growth (vv. 12-13). The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. As we increase in grace, knowledge, and obedience, our spiritual lives will flourish and grow. We will become more godly in Christian character and more useful in Christian service. This is what is meant by flourish (the word means sprout), a word appearing in both verses, in the middle of which is the word grow, the nuance of which is grow great, or large. In fact, a mature saint is like a tree that is firmly planted (v. 13), an analogy that projects stability and permanence (see Psalm 1). According to the Apostle Paul, this is the kind of maturity that is the goal of the church, namely that we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine by the trick-

ery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming (Eph 4:13-14). This doesnt happen in isolation, but when believers are together in the body of Christ (v. 12). I have yet to meet a spiritually strong believer who is not a faithful member of a local church by conviction, regularly attending, constantly growing, and humbly serving.

Fifth and finally, the psalmist says, in observing the Sabbath, I produce fruit (vv. 14-15). Continuing with the thought of the previous verse, he writes, They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and very green, to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. Accordingly, the proper use of the Sabbath (the Lords Day for us) is the secret of spiritual fruitfulness even until old age. Sometimes those who are retired cease to be faithful to their churches in order to be free to visit family or to travel. They do not want binding commitments. The eventual result, however, is that they will begin to dry up spiritually. But the senior saint who faithfully observes the Sabbath (or the Lords Day) literally will be fat and juicy and full of leaves (v. 14). The fruit of those who are consistently faithful is that their lives will publicly reflect the character of Godthat He is upright and that there is no unrighteousness in Him. Through us, therefore, others will see God as He really is. In summary, therefore, consider these practical applications. Consistent with the Sabbath principle, we should regard the first day of the week as the Lords Day, not merely

the Lords morning. Strive to give the day to the Lord through Bible study, prayer, Sunday School and church attendance, and fellowship with other believers. Use part of the day for genuine restnot recreation, but rest. Free yourself from the burdens of your job or other responsibilities. Take a nap, sit or lie quietly meditating or reading a book, play a game with your family, or watch a wholesome movie. Let your employer know that you are a Christian who honors the Lords Day, and that you do not want to work on it (certain jobs excepted by virtue of necessity, of course). And parents, guard your children from doing homework on the Lords Day. They need the rest and spiritual focus just as much as you do. It is also a commendable practice to prepare for the Lords Day on Saturday evening by spending time in the Word and in prayer for the activities of the next day (pray for your Sunday School teacher and the pastor) and then by going to bed as early as possible. That way, you just might stay awake in church! Some of us know what it means to feel tired most of the time, especially as we grow older. Lets remember that the Sabbath, and now the Lords Day, points forward to a far greater rest that awaits us. The writer of Hebrews reminds us: So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, . . . (Heb 4:9-11a). The Sabbath Day therefore foreshadows our eternal rest in heaven; so as we observe the Lords Day, we are visibly declaring our confidence in our heavenly future with the Lord Jesus, who has already entered His rest. Each Lords Day, then, is an opportunity to take a deep breath, look ahead to the coming work week, and whisper, Even so, come Lord Jesus! Pastor Ron Glass

Missionaries of the Month Michael & Debbie Bannon

II Corinthians 5:20 states We are therefore Christs ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christs behalf: Be reconciled to God. What a wonderful Scripture that Michael & Debbie Bannon have chosen to represent them as they begin another venture, leaving their beloved Lithuania and making a bittersweet transition to Ireland. Michael & Debbie are certainly seasoned World Venture missionaries who have served 14 years in Kenya and 15 years in Lithuania. And now they will be heading to Ireland in September to join the Ireland team and the Galway City Baptist Church. It will be sad when they leave their friends in Lithuaniaand there are many. When their school year came to a close in Lithuania, they began to invite each of their classes to their home for dinner, with a final picnic for their Bible study group and English students to celebrate a good year and to share testimonies before saying goodbye to some very dear friends. Their desire is that we would continue to pray for the people of Lithuania that they would continue to strengthen the faith of those who are His and draw others to Him. The following week Debbie flew to Florida to be with her daugher, Krista, to assist her in the final plans of her daughters wedding. Michael followed shortly to begin a rare family reunion and to share his fatherly wisdom with a young couple who love the Lord. It was a most precious time having the whole family together. Michael & Debbie have asked for prayer for Krista and her new husband, Stephen, that the Lord would continue to lead and guide them and that He would meet their every need. Shortly after the wedding, they returned to Lithuania in time for Discovery Camp 2012, an English camp for Lithuanian teens. Pray that the fruit of souls saved from the camp would remain and that these young people who came and made decsions would grow in grace. It was a time for the strengthening of Grace Baptists commitment to one another.

Pray that the pastor would know what the next step is for the church and that he would have the wisdom and strength to direct the church there. Pray that the team they will be working with in Ireland would take the time to help them with the many tasks it will take for them to get set up in Ireland. Pray that they would find a place to live within the first week and that they would find a good car. Pray that

they would be approved by immigration authorities and that all the other many details would come together. Michael & Debbie plan to be involved more in church-related ministry; whereas in Lithuania they have been primarily engaged in the work of evangelism. In Ireland, they will be seeking to get the church on its own feet with local leaders. They desire to assist the church in becoming financially

independent, self-governing, and capable of carrying out its own outreach. By the time these prayer requests are being shared with you, they most likely will have made the transition from Lithuania to Ireland. Their moving date was September 2nd, and prayerfully it all went well. Please continue to keep the Bannons in your prayers. Joan Tyska

The Juvenilization of American Christianity (A Review Article)

Thomas E. Bergler, The Juvenilization of American Christianity. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2012. 281 pp. Perhaps the most challenging and, at the same time, frustrating problem facing conservative evangelical pastors and church leaders today is how to promote church growth and still remain conservative. Its hard to lose young people and young adults. For those of us who are committed to conservative biblical doctrine and a traditional style of worship, the obstacles are considerable. Many of us church leaders sense this, and yet few of us are able to articulate the precise source of or solution to this problem. Thats why Thomas Berglers new book, The Juvenilization of American Christianity, is so helpful, providing insight few of us have considered. By reaching back into the history of youth ministry in Twentieth Century America, Bergler identifies the root of the present problem. An associate professor of ministry and missions at Huntington University in Indiana, he has served in youth ministries and taught youth ministry courses for eleven years. He is also the senior associate editor of The Journal of Youth Ministry. What does Bergler mean by the juvenilization of American Christianity? He writes: Juvenilization is the process by which the religious beliefs, practices, and developmental characteristics of adolescents become accepted as appropriate for Christians of all ages. It begins with the praiseworthy goal of adapting the faith to appeal to the young. But it sometimes ends badly, with both youth and adults embracing immature versions of the faith (p. 4). The title of his first chapter is revealing: Were All Adolescents Now. To demonstrate this process, Bergler focuses on four groups: liberal Protestantism as exemplified in the United Methodists; the black churches, primarily within the National Baptist Convention; Roman Catholicism; and white evangelicals, emphasizing the ministries of Youth for Christ and Young Life. The author begins in the early Twentieth Century, and traces the roots of juvenilization in the 1930s and 1940s (decades marked by the Depression and the Second World War); he then explores the significant developments of the 1950s and the revolutionary changes of the 1960s. The 1940s and 1950s witnessed the birth of the teenager, as increasing numbers of young people finished high school and fewer went to work in the factories, elongating the period between childhood and adulthood. At the same time, the United States was facing new and apparently ominous threats, primarily from Soviet Communism. Throughout American Christianity, liberal and evangelical, church leaders saw the salvation of America coming through Americas youth. Simply stated (and Bergler goes to length to chronicle this), church leaders attempted to save America by saving its young people; and although the young people were constantly trained and exhorted to take the lead in the noble campaign to rescue their nation, the reality is that most young people just wanted to have fun (as in sports, movies, music, dating, and fashion). Why? Because they were adolescents! Bergler describes what that means, and then remarks: Adolescent spirituality favors physical activity, touch, and other bodily ways of expressing faith. Adolescent Christians are concerned about how their faith relates to their sexuality and their romantic relationships. They want to experience a personal relationship with God and like the idea of falling in love with Jesus (p. 9). Thus, adults influenced by adolescent Christianity romanticize the supposed idealism and zeal of youth and try to force each other to conform to those patterns (p. 10). They seek out intimate, nurturing groups of friends who will support their faith journey. They care more about the quality of their religious friendships than about truth, (p. 10), and are preoccupied with self-exploration and personal transformation as a means to their identity development (p. 11). They are still figuring out who they will be. Moreover, these adolescent Christians see the faith as incomplete unless it is affecting them emotionally (p. 12). In fact, says Bergler, Americans are ambivalent about whether they want to grow up or not (p. 17). What does this mean for churches? Bergler observes that adolescent churches are more likely to conform to the supposed needs or desires of young people than they are to shoulder the more difficult task of spiritually forming the young (p. 16). This is a problem I have witnessed in many youth ministries, and is one reason why I have become somewhat disillusioned over the prevailing youth ministry philosophy embraced by evangelicals. Thus, Bergler is right on target when he says that unchecked juvenilization does tend to undermine Christian maturity over time (p. 18). From this point, the author traces the development of this process through the Methodists, the black churches, the Roman Catholics, and the evangelical youth ministries. In a book of this scope, he had to be selective. However, I wish that he had broadened his study somewhat to include other liberal denominations (Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopal, etc.), and other evangelical youth ministries, such as Christian Endeavor, Campus Life, and in particular the college ministries, Campus Crusades for Christ and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. These college ministries were not strictly developed for adolescents as such, but in terms of ministry, have contributed to extending spiritual adolescence beyond the high school years; thus, more firmly solidifying the adolescent mindset in young adults, these ministries tended to lock them into such thinking as they entered into adulthood. Berglers title for the chapter focused on evangelicalism is telling: How to Have Fun, Be Popular, and Save the World at the Same Time (chapter 6, pp. 147-175). One of the most telling quotations from the book is found on page 65. It encapsulates the predicament faced by many of us who strive to be traditional, conservative, and biblical, but who would also like to see some church growth. Bergler observes: The 1940s saw the emergence of an enduring dilemma in Christian youth work: to adapt to youth culture and tamper with the faith, or to ignore that culture and suffer the loss of youthful loyalty. So in other words, do we change our Christian beliefs to correspond to adoles-

cent thinking (or lack thereof), or do we maintain them and resign ourselves to losing our young peopleand now also, our younger adults and their young families? Bergler also mentions another problem in passingone to which he could well have devoted more attention. In discussing Youth for Christs ministry, he remarks: They saw most pop culture forms as morally neutral and showed little awareness of the way that a change of medium can change the message it communicates (p. 158). This is important because, as he later points out, juvenilization has given birth to the Willow Creek seekerfriendly and Saddleback purpose-driven models with their informal, entertaining, fast-paced worship experience set to upbeat contemporary music. He then goes on to say

that the musical styles and multimedia sophistication may be new, but the ministry philosop0hy is the same one that created Youth for Christ rallies in the 1950s (p. 208). And both of these models regard pop culture forms as morally neutral, and neither seems to see how drastically they have changed the biblical message. The authors title of chapter 8 essentially declares his conclusion: adolescent Christianity has been triumphant and probably cannot be tamed. At the outset, he is very clear that his book is not a manual for how to eliminate juvenilization. Indeed it might prove impossible to shut down this process, even if we thought it worth the risks to do so (p. 7). Personally, I think that in light of what Bergler has revealed, it is most certainly worth

the risk. Frankly, I like his conclusion: Adults should not try to be teenagers, but instead need to set adult examples. . . . All of us, whether teenagers or adults, should be devoting ourselves to helping one another grow toward spiritual maturity. After all, churches full of people who are committed to helping each other toward spiritual maturity are not only the best antidote to juvenilization in the church, but also a powerful countercultural witness in a juvenilized world (p. 229). Amen! Pastor Ron Glass

A Month in Review
Everyone looks forward to summertime when school is out, vacations are scheduled, the grill is lit and weddings are planned. With all the heightened anticipation of summer, no one anticipates how soon summer slips by, forging ahead into a season of elections, holidays, and even the thoughts of Christmas shopping (for the well-disciplined Christmas shoppers.) July 27, 2012 One of the most precious memories to come out of this summer of 2012 was the Shannon Piraino/Sean Feliciano wedding; a wedding with an open invitation to everyone at the WRBC. The forecasted rain held off, allowing a total appreciation of WRBC in its country setting for those visiting the church for the first time. As a concerned father of the bride, John Piraino spent many hours in advance planting flowers and beautifying the outside of the church not only for his daughters wedding but to benefit the general appearance of the church. We so appreciate seeing the church so beautiful. As guests arrived and were greeted by the ushers, attention immediately went to the shoes of the men in the wedding party. The men were quite handsomely dressed in their black tuxes, grey vest with a pink rose in the lapel but the shoes brought a smile in the originality of the choice by the groom. A touch from the 1920s of the gangsters shoes added a style to the wedding very rarely seen. Weddings are always beautiful, touching and sensitive to the heart, but weddings at the WRBC have a spiritual strength that reaches into the soul of those in attendance and this wedding was no exception. The openness of Pastor Glass to reach the unsaved through his wedding message is not only a blessing to those hearing his message for the first time but a blessing to renew and strengthen the faith of those that are saved. The bride, Shannon Piraino, did not disappoint anyone as she first appeared at the back of the church in a most elegant, sparkingwith-jewels, beautiful gown that looked absolutely exquisite on her. Her father beamed with joy as he escorted her down the aisle showing off the details of a jewel-embedded train. She without a doubt was breathtaking. There are so many details of the wedding to write about; whether it would be the 17 participants of the wedding party, the prelude music presented by Sarah Piraino at the piano and Linea Piraino & Wendy Fogel on their violins, or even the organist presenting the accompanying music with the grandeur of WRBCs organ as mastered by George Ehmann. But as always, the very youngest can always bring delightful moments as did two young cousins of the bride, the flower girls, when there was a bit of hesitation in proceeding down the aisle. The ring bearer, the brother of the groom, on the other hand, enjoyed being a part of the ceremony and remained up front a little bit longer than planned, holding onto a shared spotlight. Among the wedding party were Shannons two younger sisters, Sarah and Linea, both maids of honor, and Danielle Perez as one of the seven bridesmaids. Some wore pink and others wore grey but the simplicity of the dresses only emphasized how beautiful that can be. Shannons brother, John Moses, made a handsome groomsmen especially when he escorted his mother, Mina Piraino, to her seat in the front of the church at the beginning of the wedding.

Every perfect wedding has a wedding coordinator and this wedding had Maureen Glass. She could be found behind the scenes paying attention to the little last-minute details assuring that all would go welland that it did. Not to slight the many friends and family of the bride and groom, two entirely different receptions were planned to accommodate all that attended the wedding. For some, a reception was held at Villa Lombardis in Holbrook; but for those from the WRBC, a reception was held at the church in the Fellowship Hall at a later date.

August 6-10, 2012 WRBCs Vacation Bible School Soccer Camp was a week of amazing blessings and answered prayers. A week that could have been wet and rainy, during the VBSs hours of 5:30-8:00 PM, was instead characterized by most favorable weather, allowing a full week of beautiful soccer weather. Between 40-50 children registered to play soccer and to participate in the Bible study of a Biblical character, which this year was Daniel. Maureen Glass presented each day a drama/story hour where she not only designed a classroom representative of Biblical times but dressed the part of that era to allow

the children to imagine more clearly Daniels surroundings and to fully capture their undivided attention. Maureen was a dedicated teacher with the desire to reach the souls of these youngsters and that she did. From the first day, children came forward wanting to know more about accepting the Lord as their personal Savior. Thanks to Maureen for her passion to share the Word and for the great job she did in planning and organizing VBS 2012.

Parents were invited to the last evening that ended with an award/devotional assembly highlighted with a PowerPoint presentation that was created by Martie Best containing the many pictures that she took throughout the week. The evening concluded in the Fellowship Hall with an ice cream sundae party with ice cream donated by the Sweets of the Spoon.

Equally important was Vic Perez and his part in organizing the game time on the field in bringing together volunteers from the church and his soccer league to assist him on the soccer field or to be a group leader. It was good to see so many of the seasoned volunteers return to serve but equally great was to see some new faces serving, some of them seniors. Most precious of those attending soccer camp were the young ones; a separate agenda was planned that aligned to their age and abilities. Most amazing was the more than 80 years differential between the youngest participant and the oldest volunteer. To all of those that volunteer, may God bless you for your faithful service.

Also worthy of mentioning is the kitchen staff that prepared and served snacks to the children keeping them from dehydrating and fully energized during their four breaks throughout each evening. Care was given to offer the children a selection of healthy foods for the first three breaks ending the evening with a varied selection of cookies and sweets.

August 12, 2012 - It was most exciting for the WRBC to welcome Sean & Shannon Feliciano back from their honeymoon as husband and wife to a church wedding reception planned by John & Mina Piraino. Immediately following the Sunday church service, everyone retired to the beautifully decorated Fellowship Hall; decorated with white Christmas lights hung from the ceiling and tall circular vases on each table with delicate flowers elegantly suspended into the water. A catered buffet of Italian food was served while everyone watched a PowerPoint presentation of nostalgic pictures of Sean & Shannon taken throughout their lives. It was an opportunity for Sean & Shannon to mingle with not only their church family but Shannons beloved grandmother, Manuela Colorado, and her Great Aunt Maggie that traveled the distance from California to attend the wedding and be houseguests in the Piraino home for an extended visit. As joyous a moment as this reception was, there was also a downside when it was announced that Cheryl Sunderland was leaving

NY and heading back to her home state of Washington. August 19, 2012 Cheryl began the long drive to Washington State accompanied by a childhood friend from Washington. It was a sad day to bid farewell because Cheryl has a wonderful history at WRBC. It was late 1993 when Cheryl first walked into the doors of WRBC bringing with her a heart to serve. She became a member in 2004 and began her history of serving as a Sunday School teacher, a volunteer at VBS, and most recently as a custodian, taking such good care of the church. We will miss her musical talents as a soloist, a choir member, and when she sang with Maureen Glass their sweet harmonizing duets. Cheryl will surely be missed from the WRBC church family. May God be with her and protect her with His love and wisdom in her new chapter of life. Cheryl will be missed in a great way and many showed their love to her at Seans & Shannons reception. Rosie Hofmann and Bonnie Heuzey were just two of the many that shared some moments of lingering friendship with promises of never forgetting to pray for her on her new journey of life.

In closing, what a blessing it is to have such godly men at WRBC to take up the slack while Pastor & Maureen Glass are taking the time to visit with their children and to enjoy some refreshment and renewal. Men like Vic Bellard, Doug Heuzey, Bill Mallman, Mike Pandolfini, and Chris Hallstrom are leading the Wednesday night Prayer Meeting (Bill), teaching Sunday School (Vic), delivering the Lords Days sermon (Vic, Doug, and Bill), updating us on the status of WRBCs missionaries (Mike), reading Scripture and leading the corporate prayer (Doug), administering the Lords Table (Vic), with Chris bringing it all together. We cannot forget Denise Tolf, the church secretary, as she singularly continues to keep the office up and running until Pastor and Maureen return. May God continue to bless these individuals as they continue to serve with the wisdom and skill given to them by our Father in heaven. Joan Tyska

Humanism: Part 4
I will give you a few quotes that are taken from Darwins Enigma which was written by Luther D. Sunderland. For two days the biologists and mathematicians examined the question from every possible angle. Murray Eden, in a paper entitled, Inadequacies of Neo-Darwinian Evolution as a Scientific Theory, showed that it would be unlikely for even a single ordered pair of genes to be produced by mutations in the DNA of the bacteria E. coli in five billion years. He contended that the only way to overthrow this calculation was by finding a new determinate feature; in other words, a new natural law. Participants in the symposium said that obviously there must be a way for nature to reduce the odds against evolution, but no one could offer a mathematical characterization of these constraintsWhat I am claiming is simply that without some constraint on the notion of random variation, in either the properties of the organism or the sequence of the DNA, there is no particular reason to expect that we could have gotten any kind of viable form other than nonsense. He was talking explicitly about the very heart of the question of plausibility in macroevolution. If the raw material of evolutionary change is supposed to be generated by random proc-

esses, and random processes cannot be shown to produce even a fraction of the intelligence contained in the simplest DNA, then some nonrandom mechanism must be found. When no such mechanism can be found, the theory should be deposited in the rubbish heap. Natural selection is sometimes offered by neophytes as the answer, but knowledgeable specialists in the field know that selection cannot operate until there is raw material for it to preserve. Hoyle and Wickramasinghe made an interesting conclusion about whether Darwinism had succeeded in replacing Paleys argument for design: The speculations of [The Origin of Species] turned out to be wrong, as we have seen in this chapter. It is ironic that the scientific facts throw Darwin out, but leave William Paley, a figure of fun to the scientific world for more than a century, still in the tournament with a chance of being the ultimate winner. In an attempt to make biological evolution seem plausible, Ashley Montague compared biological evolution to cultural and technological evolution. It cant be denied that almost unbelievable changes have taken place in science and industry. Each new idea, as it was honed and developed, facilitated the development of new ideas. This resulted in an explosion of new labor-saving devices, new modes of travel, communication devices, and all manner of wonderful and sometimes frightening new concepts. Isnt it possible that the same thing might have happened in the realm of nature, producing complex life forms? Two things are missing from the story of biological evolution, that are present in the history of technological evolution. These two things are intelligence and motivation. The internal combustion engine, airfoils, sprockets, and numerous other devices and concepts all required the addition of teleology if they were to contribute to the development of a flying machine, a lawn mower or a better way to pickle pigs feet. People were motivated by a desire for wealth, prestige, a desire to help others, and reasons known only to themselves, to seek improvements in the way in which things are done. Intelligence has been banned from the story of biological evolution. Chance and time have taken the place of intelligence. Survival of the fittest has taken the place of motivation. Dialectical materialism and determinism have taken the place of God. Time provides a stage for development, but it cant cause anything to happen in and of itself. Chance is a suckers game. Great fortunes have been made in places such as Atlantic City and Las Vegas at the expense of people who expect to enrich their lives through chance. Rulers, levels, micrometers and dead weight testers are all used to reduce the effects of chance. Without the use of measuring devices, the industrial revolution would never have taken place. God asked Job, Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me if you have understanding. Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who

stretched the line on it? On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:4-7) Let me now quote from EVOLUTION: A THEORY IN CRISIS by Michael Denton Paley was not only right in asserting the existence of an analogy between life and machines, but was also remarkably prophetic in guessing that the technological ingenuity realized in living systems is vastly in excess of anything yet accomplished by man. Every indication of contrivance, every manifestation of design which existed in the watch exists in the works of nature with the difference, on the side of nature, being greater and more, and that in a degree which exceeds all computationyet in a multitude of cases, are not less evidently mechanical, not less evidently contrivances, than are the most perfect productions of human ingenuity. The almost irresistible force of the analogy has completely undermined the assumption, prevalent in biological circles over most of the past century, that the design hypothesis can be excluded on the grounds that the notion is fundamentally a metaphysical a priori concept and therefore scientifically unsound. On the contrary, the inference to design is a purely a posteriori induction based on a ruthlessly consistent application of the logic of analogy. The conclusion may have religious implications, but it does not depend on religious presuppositions. Prominent Darwinists delude themselves and others Darwins highway is strewn with the wrecks of many a fanciful tale that were once hailed as science. They may still be found in textbooks and in the pliable minds of students that are being indoctrinated in our schools. Let me name a few. Ernst Haeckel (the gadfly of Jena) was both an accomplished artist and a professor of zoology at Jena university for forty four years. He was dedicated to the spreading of the gospel of evolution and he did so through lectures at the university, by writing popular books that were geared to the working man, and by giving lectures in rented halls. Haeckel devised the concept of the family tree, or phylogenetic relationship, between all living things. His creative talents got the better of him at times; if the facts didnt fit his theories, the facts lost. Recognizing the gap at the base of the family tree, he chose to fill it in. The transition between the inorganic nonliving matter and the first sign of organic life would be provided. Haeckel invented a series of minute organisms, which he called Monera. He published details of various kinds of Monera with drawings for all to see. They were shapeless blobs of protoplasm without nuclei that reproduced by a process of fission. Later in the same year that he wrote about this (1868), Thomas Huxley reported finding some microscopic organisms in mud samples dredged up from the depths of the North Atlantic. Huxley recognized these organisms as Haeckels Monera, which he called Bathybius

Haeckelii, in honor of the gadfly of Jena. He was not only a great scientist; he was also a prophet and his fame spread. In 1861 Pasteur had done his experiment with a flask that showed that life came from life. This had put a damper on Darwinism. This Monera that Huxley was digging up was supposedly generated biogenetically and would give Darwins theory a new boost. Huxley said that this Bathybius, this life in the making, probably forms one continuous scum of living matteron the sea bed floor girding the whole surface of the earth. All of these precious mud samples were preserved in alcohol. A chemist aboard the HMS Challenger who was a real scientist, pointed out to them that the protoplasmic matter recognized as B. Haeckelii was nothing more than an amorphous precipitate of sulphate of lime (gypsum) which forms when seawater is added to alcohol! This was 1875. The public was duped for the next fifty years. For the why and how of this cover up, see IN THE MINDS OF MEN by Ian T. Taylor, pages 188-189. Ernst Haeckel was also instrumental in perpetuating the now discredited Biogenetic Law. This is sometimes known as the recapitulation theory, or stated as ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny. (The development of the individual repeats the development of his race.) Haeckel showed three stages of development in the embryos of a pig, a bull, a rabbit, and a man. In the beginning, they all looked alike but as they progressed they developed distinct characteristics. At one point it looked like the man had gill slits. This was supposed to indicate that we evolved from a fish. What appeared to be gill slits develop into part of the ear and jaw area and have nothing to do with our respiratory system. Haeckel altered the drawings to make his story more plausible. Sir Gavin De Beer said the following in 1958: Seldom has an assertion like that of Haeckels theory of recapitulation, facile, tidy and plausible, widely accepted without critical examination, done so much harm to science. The concept of vestigial organs is another evolutionary concept that probably retarded our understanding of the purpose of individual organs. In 1922 a single tooth was found in a Pliocene deposit in Nebraska. Professor Henry Fairfield Osborn, head of the American Museum of Natural History, described it as belonging to an early type of Pithecanthropoid. He named it Hesperopithecus haroldcooki after the fellow who found the tooth. Another fellow by the name of Grafton Elliot Smith persuaded the London Times to publish a two-page artists conception of what came to be called Nebraska man along with his mate. This fellow Smith had also been involved with the Piltdown man affair a few years before. The Piltdown man was found to be a deliberate hoax. Nebraska man was Americas first hominid and it put us on the map. Bill Mallman
Editors Note: To be continued in the October 2012 issue of The Beacon.

September Bible Quiz Questions

1) Who in the Old Testament has a name that means laughter? 2) What wise king made a treaty (affinity) with Pharaoh, king of Egypt, when he married Pharaohs daughter? 3) What name was given to Daniel by the Chaldeans? 4) How many spies did Moses send into Canaan? 5) People come to faith by hearing the Word preached. Where is this truth stated in the Bible? Bonus: What is the popular name of the Brethren, a sect which originated in Germany in 1708 under the leadership of Alexander Mack? Felix Acerra
Pastor Glass will begin teaching Sunday School on the Lords Day, September 23. Secure your copy of our textbook, bring your Bible, and join us at 9:45 AM sharp!

August Bible Quiz Answers

1) A mustard seed (Matthew 13:31, 32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18, 19). 2) King Solomon and King Lemuel (Proverbs 1:1; 31:1). 3) Thomas (John 20:24-29). 4) Ecclesiastes 3:4. 5) Cain (Genesis 4:17). Bonus: Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul (2 Samuel 2:8-11). Congratulations to Dennis Tyska, Mike Pandolfini, and Virginia Sylvester for submitting all five correct answers to the August Bible Quiz! Also, congratulations to Dennis and Mike for correctly answering Felixs challenging bonus question!

The Anniversary Corner

September 12th Felix & Florence Acerra September 18th Debbie & Bob Bristoll

The Birthday Corner

September 2nd Diane Pandolfini September 5th Silvia Albrecht September 8th Lisa Coleman September 21st Debbie Bristoll September 23rd Harold Cosgrove September 25th Michael Heuzey

September 2012
Wednesday 5 7:00 PM Prayer Meeting 12 Thursday Friday 6
8:30 AM Ladies Prayer Joan Tyska (727-5998)

The Lords Day 2 9:45 AM Sunday School (Dr. Vic Bellard)

11:00 AM Worship Service and Lords Table

Monday Tuesday

Saturday 1 8

9:45 AM Sunday School (Dr. Vic Bellard) 11:00 AM Morning Worship Service

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7:00 PM Prayer Meeting

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8:30 AM Ladies Prayer

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1:00 PM Senior Saints Luncheon Fellowship Hall

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9:45 AM Sunday School (Dr. Vic Bellard) 11:00 AM Morning Worship Service

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7:00 PM Prayer Meeting

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9:45 AM Sunday School Basic Bible Themes (Pastor Glass) 11:00 AM Morning Worship Service

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7:00 PM Prayer Meeting and Exposition of Psalm 119

8:30 AM Ladies Prayer

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9:45 AM Sunday School Basic Bible Themes (Pastor Glass) 11:00 AM Morning Worship Service

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PO Box 438 Wading River, NY 11792

Wading River Baptist Church

Our Purpose
1. To glorify God through sharing the good news of salvation by Gods sovereign grace through faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. To nurture believers through a strong program of Christian education, youth ministries, and expository Biblical preaching. 3. To provide an opportunity for Biblical worship, service, and fellowship. 4. To extend our ministry throughout America and around the world through participation in home and foreign missions. WRBC is affiliated with the Conservative Baptist Association of America and the Conservative Baptist Mission to the Northeast.

For the Exaltation of God in All Things For the Proclamation of Faith in Christ For the Transformation of Gods People