ICR:No. 199ICR, CREATIONISM, AND THE 1990'S by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.*

   In spite of increasingly hysterical opposition from our humanist-
dominated educational establishments and news media, scientific
Biblical creationism is very much alive and well as we enter the last
decade of the 20th century. With the modern revival of creationism
barely three decades old, traditional Darwinism and neo-Darwinism are
in retreat, rapidly being replaced by "New-Age" evolutionism (a curious
mix of pantheism, punctuationism, neo-catastrophism, neo-
Lamarckianism, and, often, even occult mysticism).

   Just as the decade of the 80's was beginning, ICR issued an
anthology book entitled "The Decade of Creation," reviewing the
exciting developments of the first decade of ICR, which was first
established in 1970. But now we can see that the 80's were still more
exciting, and the decade just ahead should break all records!

   THE DECADE OF THE 80's

   It is well first to look back thankfully ten years into the past,
before we attempt to look bravely ahead to the next decade. We do not
intend this as a recital of accomplishments, but as a testimony to what
God has done with such a seemingly inconsequential and controversial
organization as the Institute for Creation Research. Its first ten
years had been spent as a division of Christian Heritage College, which
had also been formed in 1970, as a distinctively creationist liberal
arts college.

   In late 1980 and early 1981, ICR became an independent institution,
primarily in order to start a graduate school teaching the key sciences
in a completely creationist and Biblical context. At mid- decade, a new
ICR building was constructed to house its laboratories, museum,
library, and other facilities. This unique school and its M.S. degree
programs have attracted the attention and wrath of evolutionists from
coast to coast. The pressure and propaganda of the American Humanist
Association and other such groups finally caused Bill Honig and his
coterie at California's Department of Education to attempt to close
down the ICR Graduate School but we are confident this type of school
is too urgently needed for God to let its testimony be stopped.

   Apart from the ICR Graduate School, all other aspects of the ICR
ministries have grown explosively and are having a worldwide impact.
The creation-evolution debates, which created so much excitement in the
70's, have continued strong, in spite of efforts by the evolutionary
establishment to stop them. As before, Dr. Duane Gish has been the most
active debater, but many others, in and outside of the ICR staff, have
also been involved.

   Attendance at ICR meetingsespecially the Back-to-Genesis
conferences spearheaded by Ken Hamhas been remarkable, with 2000 and
more registrants quite common. The children's meetings, reaching the
next generation for Christ and creation, attract up to 4000 and more.
More churches, more schools, more pastors, more students, more
Christian leaders, and more people everywhere are becoming convinced of
the vital importance of creation and committed to its cause than ever
before. ICR speakers also lectured during the 1980's in Japan, Korea,
India, Hong Kong, Australia, England, Ireland, Canada, the Caribbean
Islands, Central America, the South Pacific, and other countries.

   Furthermore, resources for sharing the creation message with others
are far more abundant now than ten years ago. ICR scientists alone have
published over 35 books in that period, including such key references
as "What is Creation Science?," "Evolution: The Challenge of the Fossd
Record," "The Biblical Basis for Modern Science," and others, in
addition to more than 20 creationist videos. Other organizations (e.g.
Films for Christ) have produced a number of outstanding creationist
films. The Creation Research Society, the Bible-Science Association,
Australia's Creation Science Foundation, and other groups are
publishing excellent journals and other materials.

   The ICR Acts & Facts, with its news, its "Impact" article, and
"Back- to-Genesis" section, is read by 80,000 people or more each
month, and its Days of Praise devotional booklet (started just five
years ago) by perhaps twice that number. The latter, featuring Bible
study on a wide range of Christian concerns, helps to show that
creationism is not a fringe doctrine but is central to the whole body
of Christian faith and practice.

   Although only 18 graduates so far have received their M.S. degrees
from the ICR Graduate School, many are making significant contributions
in their current ministries. A number of very bright students are
currently finishing their theses. In addition to the thesis research by
the students, faculty scientists have conducted significant research on
Mount St. Helens, the Grand Canyon, Mount Ararat, radiocarbon, isochron
dating, catastrophic sedimentation, education methods, geochronology,
and others.

   A strong emphasis on science education in Christian schools and home
schools has been developed by ICR's Curriculum Division under Dr.
Richard Bliss, with workshops held in all parts of the country. ICR's
Museum of Creation and Earth History has hosted thousands of visitors
annually, and its radio network has been greatly expanded. The
extremely popular Grand Canyon and Australia tours also became an
effective special ministry in recent years.

   A number of key staff members joined the ICR team in the past
decade. Dr. John D. Morris, now Administrative Vice President, returned
to ICR from his faculty position at the University of Oklahoma, and Ken
Ham, founder of Australia's Creation Science Foundation, came to
greatly expand ICR's speaking ministries. Dr. Gerald Aardsma came from
Canada to strengthen our teaching/research capabilities, Mark Looy came
as our badly needed Public Information Officer, Jim Stambaugh, as
Librarian. Two important additions have been made just this yearDr.
Larry Vardiman as Head of the Physics Department (also Associate Dean,
under Dr. Kenneth B. Cumming) and Dr. Dick Lumsden, as Head of the
Biology Department. Dr. Steve Austin continues his fine work as Head of
Geology. ICR has been blessed with an outstanding team of God- called
scientists, highly qualified academically, strong in faith and
doctrine, and dedicated in Christian life. They are supported by an
equally dedicated team of co-workers behind the scenes. We are thankful
for each man and woman on the staff, in company with the host of
concerned Christians across the country who provide financial and
prayer support.

   1989 ANNUAL REPORT

   This past year (except for the attacks on our Graduate School) has
been by far the best year of the past decade. Amazingly successful
Back-to-Genesis conferences have been held in many key areas (New
England, Alaska, Ohio, Oregon, Michigan, Illinois, California,
Missouri, Arizona, Washington, and others). Many, many other meetings
were held in schools, conventions, churches, and elsewhere. Dr. Gish
held six debates, Dr. John Morris three, Dr. Richard Bliss one, and Ken
Ham one radio debate. Dr. Bliss conducted 16 Good Science Workshops.

   Week-long Summer Institutes were conducted in North Carolina, Ohio,
Colorado, and British Columbia, and School Science Workshops in
California, Texas, and numerous other places. Altogether, it is
estimated that, in 1989, ICR speakers lectured approximately 1100
times, to audiences totaling about 300,000 people, not including radio
and television audiences.

   The ICR weekly broadcast, "Science, Scripture, and Salvation," is
now heard on over 350 outlets in over 40 states and around the world.
ICR speakers also appeared on approximately 60 television programs and
185 other radio programs during the year.

   Important books published in late 1988 or during 1989 included
"Noah's Ark and the Lost World" (by John D. Morris), an enlarged
edition of "Science, Scripture, and the Young Earth" (by Henry M.
Morris and John D. Morris), "The Genesis Solution" (by Ken Ham), and
finally, "The Long War Against God" (by Dr. Henry Morris). Dr. Austin's
"Mount St. Helens" video also was released in 1989.

   THE DECADE AHEAD

   Much more could be written about the past, including multitudes of
thrilling personal testimonies from readers and listeners, but space
limitations preclude. But now, what are prospects for the future?

   In the first place, we need to be looking for the return of Christ,
though without falling into the trap of date-setting. Biblical prophecy
and world conditions (AIDS pandemic, drug culture, environmental
destruction, move toward a one-world government, and other dangers of
worldwide imminence) all indicate that the return of the Creator/Savior
to His hurting world must be near. While there is time, we must do all
we can to call people back to Him.

   Thanks be to God, ICR and its ministries seem stronger than ever, in
terms of staff and resources (though, on a worldly scale they are still
very small). If we stay close to God and His will (for which we ask
your prayers), many times more people should be reached with the
message in the 90's than in the 80's.

   Lord willing, we would like for our Graduate School to be offering
M.S. and Ph.D. programs in every key field of science. We would like to
see text and reference materials, at every level, bringing all fields
of study under the true framework of God's Word. It would be wonderful
to see a consortium of Christian, creationist schools and colleges at
every level working together to provide Christ-centered education in
every field to those who desire it, operating not under secular (which
is, necessarily, anti-Christian) accreditation, but under a truly
Christian, Biblical creationist association, such as TRACS (the
Trans-National Association of Christian Schools). The whole world needs
to be won, and the young to be trained in the knowledge that this world
and all its inhabitants were created by the great God and our Savior,
the Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore are the objects of His holy
standards, His saving love, and His coming Judgment. The Lord has
raised up ICR for such a time as thisnot only ICR, of course, but also
many other creationist ministries in these latter days, and all must be
involved.

   Yet there is strong opposition, growing more bigoted and insistent
all the time, directed not only against creationism, but against every
sphere of true Biblical faith and practice. Modern skeptics may
ridicule the idea of Satanic influence over the world system, but the
Devil and his hosts of wicked spirits are very real and he "is come
down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but
a short time" (Revelation 12:12). He "deceiveth the whole world"
(Revelation 12:9), and "hath blinded the minds of them that believe
not" (II Corinthians 4:4).

   As never before, therefore, in this final decade of the 20th century
(or until Christ comes), we must "be strong in the Lord, and in the
power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able
to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:10,11), for "ye
are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is
He that is in you, than he that is in the world" (I John 4:4).

   * Dr. Henry Morris is President of the Institute for Creation
Research. ~

