Maybe it was a lack of caffeine. Maybe it was low blood sugar. No one really knows why, but at the dawn of the so-called Enlightenment, Isaac La Peyrère totally flubbed his reading of Romans 5:12-14. This momentary lapse of reason added fuel to the smoldering embers of two seemingly unrelated ideas: higher criticism and colonial racism.[1]

The passage in Romans is relatively straightforward. Paul is reminding his readers that death came into the world through the sin of Adam. This single act affected “all men,” even those who lived before the law came into effect. But La Peyrère misses the point completely. He begins to wonder how Adam’s sin could affect all men if Adam was the only man around. In a fit of confusion, he conjures up a pre-Adamic world occupied for countless eons by people living in a lawless “state of nature.” These are the men supposedly affected by Adam’s sin.

Nothing in the immediate context, or indeed in the entire breadth of the Bible, will support such a harebrained scheme. Like so many of the higher critics who followed in his footsteps, La Peyrère responds by attacking the integrity of Scripture. He has to manufacture holes and inconsistencies, or else there is nowhere for his story to fit.

The basic outline of La Peyrère’s Prae-Adamitae (1655) was adopted by apologists for the burgeoning transatlantic slave trade. In their hands, the pre-Adamic men conveniently morphed into Africans, Native Americans, and possibly even Asians. These creatures were deemed to lack intelligence, a soul, and any claim to human decency. Whites became the only men created in God’s image and the sole focus of God’s providential care.

For over two hundred years, the debate passed back and forth between the theory of multiple origins (polygenism) and the Biblical teaching of single origins (monogenism). This is not to say that monogenists were always abolitionists, or were entirely free of prejudice, but they were always one step closer to finding empathy for the men, women, and children working in the fields. 

The situation worsened with the arrival of scientific justifications for racism. These could be piled on top of, or in place of, the alleged Biblical arguments. In the middle of the 19^th century, Louis Agassiz rose to prominence as one of the world’s leading naturalists. He became a formidable foe of Darwinian evolution. Unfortunately, like many scientists of his day, Agassiz promoted the twin fallacies of species fixity and independent creations. On this view, God created African animals in Africa, Asian animals in Asia, and so on. Creatures from different parts of the world may look similar, but each act of creation produced a different species. Change, even on a small scale, was unthinkable because it represented a violation of God’s original plan. This approach to creation had profound repercussions on the unity of man. If each race represented a separate creation in a separate part of the world, then each race constituted a separate species.[2] On the assumption that interspecies mixing would produce inferior “half-breeds,” Agassiz urged “every possible obstacle to the crossing of the races.” It should come as no surprise to learn that he flatly rejected the intellectual and moral equality of racial groups.[3]

Charles Darwin stepped into the fray in 1871 with the publication of his Descent of Man. For Darwin, evolution clearly implied a single “primitive stock” for mankind. This raised a distinctly Darwinian question: In the struggle for life, which race was best adapted to long-term survival? The English naturalist was ready with a bold prediction: “At some future period, not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilised races of man will almost certainly exterminate and replace throughout the world the savage races.”[4]

Thankfully, like most of Darwin’s predictions, this has not come true, but it highlights a fundamental difference between alleged  “Biblical” racism and the scientific or Darwinian alternative. The pre-Adamite position violated Scripture and was condemned as heresy from day one. Other views fared no better. Dark-colored skin was thought to be the “mark of Cain” (cf. Genesis 4:15). In a horrendous twist of irony, an act of mercy became an excuse for unnumbered acts of cruelty. Noah’s prophecy, which made Canaan a “servant of servants” to his brothers (Genesis 9:25-27), became a favorite of proslavery exegetes who linked the curse of Noah to the dark skin of Ham’s descendents.[5] Neither interpretation could survive a careful reading of the texts. They required the convergence of three factors: (1) a need to justify the subjugation of other peoples; (2) a race theory based on skin color; and (3), a flippant disregard for the integrity of Scripture.

By way of contrast, as witnessed in the statements of Darwin himself, the insidious strands of racism were woven into the very fabric of evolutionary theory. Bald-faced claims to white superiority based on evolutionary biology eventually fell out of favor, but the specter of racism continued to haunt the various applications of Darwinism to human culture. This included Herbert Spencer’s social Darwinism, E.O. Wilson’s sociobiology, and the vast and entirely fruitless industry of evolutionary psychology.

The charge of racism leveled against sociobiology often centered on the inheritability of intelligence. Notoriously, African Americans seemed to score lower on controversial IQ tests than Caucasians and Asians. Now here is the rub: someone like Wilson tried to explain everything in terms of our underlying biology. So if IQ varied by race, it would seem to be the result of hard-coded genetic variations on which progressive social policies could have no effect—biology was destiny. Wilson steadfastly resisted these conclusions, but they dogged his career and rightly cast a cloud of suspicion over sociobiology.[6]

Although attention often focused on the intrusion of evolution into human culture, the polygenic versus monogenic debate never really went away, despite Darwin’s prediction to the contrary. The controversy today pits the out-of-Africa model against the multiregional model. The first view relies on mitochondrial DNA to propose the existence of a single ancestor—the first in a line of humans like us—living in Africa two hundred thousand years ago. Because mtDNA supposedly is passed on through the mother alone, this ancestor was dubbed “mitochondrial Eve.” The catchy Biblical allusion rocketed her, and the theory, to media stardom. Like the out-of-Africa theory, the multiregional model has modern humans evolving from Homo erectus. This time, however, fossil evidence is marshaled in favor of separate origins in different parts of the world around two million years ago.

Each side accuses the other of racism. In the out-of-Africa model, the descendants of “Eve” replaced every other human population without any mixing whatsoever. These people disappeared because they were inferior, or because they were wiped out by “Eve’s” marauding offspring. Despite the cruel overtones, the scientific community shrugged its collective shoulders. After all, there were no survivors to take offense. Counter claims against the multiregional model gained a lot more traction. Separate lines of descent going back millions of years could imply deep-seated inequalities. This smacked too much of the old racist polygenic views and so, in the name of political correctness, “Eve” took her place among the canons of evolutionary storytelling.

In reality, no view of human evolution can rise above the specter of racism without making an exception in the case of humans. But for Darwin, humans were entirely unexceptional. They were just as much a part of nature as any other species on this planet. But as long as the forces of nature are in play, the arguments for racial superiority are lurking nearby. Even in the subtitle to Darwin’s Origin of Species (1859), we find a promise to explain The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. 

The Bible, for its part, is profoundly color-blind. We find talk of nations and peoples separated at times by faith, distance, and language but rarely, it seems, by broad descriptions of their outward physical appearance. And so in a mature expression of God’s redemptive history, a Jew is able to stand before an audience of Greeks and declare of God that He “made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth” (Acts 17:26). Without a commitment to the creation of man in God’s image, there is no basis for the love of one’s neighbor. Who is our neighbor? When that question was asked of Jesus (Luke 10:29), His response was to ask, in effect, who isn’t?

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” —Ecclesiastes 3:11

Several months ago, a very excited television newscaster caught my attention. I dropped the dishtowel and listened as his words spilled out in a rush—something about scores of telescopes being set up in the mountains to contact extraterrestrials. My interest peeked and the television cameras panned over a mountainous hillside as the newscaster explained: “In Northern California, scores of special telescopes are waiting for contact from an extraterrestrial. Each day, 24 hours a day, these telescopes face another galaxy.”  

(Later, a quick search of the internet (http://www.seti.org) revealed the following article published by the SETI Institute. The title was, “Allen Telescope Array Begins Scientific Observations.” I jotted down the following notes after the telecast):

On October 11, 2007, in Hat Creek, California, the University of California Berkeley and the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute announced that the first 42 radio dishes of the Allen Telescope Array were activated and were now collecting scientific data from the far reaches of the universe.… [It is] the first major telescope in the world built specifically to search for extraterrestrials…the first phase of a planned 350 radio dishes that will survey the sky, searching for evidence of extraterrestrial technology…. Intelligent signals may lead to the discovery of thinking beings elsewhere in the universe.… (emp. added).

In my research I learned the SETI Institute employs over 90 scientists, in a variety of fields, including the origin of life and biological evolution. They have two Nobel Prize winners on staff.

But getting back to the telecast, the newscaster continued: “Is there anyone out there who understands us? Is there really an ET who knows us and wants to contact us? There are trillions of planets—billions of galaxies. That would mean earth is very special and it probably is not. But, I am optimistic that some day they’ll hear the signal.” His words actually made me tremble and these answers to his questions began to rush through my mind.

Is there anyone out there who understands us? Originating in a heart that refuses to acknowledge a Heavenly Father, this question implies that we need to seek out other life forms to find the meaning of life. It also implies that mankind, by an accumulation of human wisdom and observation, can locate a being whose answers are tailored to the claims of the scientific community. The newscaster, the scientists, and Nobel Prize winners may not know who is out there, but the prophet Amos proclaimed, “It is the Lord, the Lord Almighty…He who builds His lofty palace in the heavens, and sets its foundation on the earth, …He who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns blackness into dawn and darkens day into night…..who reveals His thoughts to man….the Lord is His name” (Amos 9:5-6; 4:13; 5:8). What will happen if we ignore the God of Heaven—who should receive credit for the very breath of life itself—and recognize only man’s technological efforts? Isaiah 2:22 warns us to “Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?”  

Is there really an ET who knows us, and wants to contact us? “Contact” was made thousands of years ago when God fashioned us in His own image. Throughout history, He contacted His creation in miraculous ways, the most important contact being the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Just as the Allen Telescope Array has been equipped with controls and operating procedures by its creators, mankind has been furnished with controls and operating procedures by the Creator. We call the evidence of His contact the Holy Bible, and it is the only operating manual anyone needs to lead him to a discovery of God.   

Mankind is surrounded by evidence of “extraterrestrial technology.”  Psalm 104 gives God credit for His marvelous technology and power—the light and the heavens, the earth which God set on its foundations, earth’s topography, the oceans, our abundant plant life, the sun and moon, all creatures from birds to the leviathan, and the very breath of life itself. Furthermore, God’s feelings for us center on His knowledge of His own beloved creation. Psalm 103 tells us that He is compassionate towards us, and like a father for his children, He agonizes and is pierced in His heart (Jeremiah 4:18), is saddened when we forget Him (Jeremiah 2:32), expects us to fear and respect Him (Jeremiah 5:22) and to know that He is the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Are the telescopes in the mountains of California searching for an ET like this? Long ago, the great prophet Jeremiah warned against the sin of seeking self-satisfying reasons for our existence when he said, “Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord your God and have no awe of Him” (Jeremiah 2:19).

SETI Institute has announced that intelligent signals may lead to the discovery of “thinking beings elsewhere in the universe.” Have these scientists convinced themselves that they are more intelligent than their Creator is? Obviously, the life form they hope to contact is different from our Lord—some being that will justify their theories and whose discovery will result in power and fame. But radio dish telescopes cannot reveal what the Holy Scriptures, inspired by the omnipotent “Thinking Being,” have already told us regarding the sin of pride:  “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

And for the Christian, telescopes are not necessary when we wish to contact our Heavenly Father, the ruler of the universe. We simply fall to our knees and pour out all of our need, our joys, our despair, and our sins. Each day, millions of signals bypass the Allen Telescope Array, reach far beyond the starry sky, and find their way to the throne of God. “The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the Lord  alone will be exalted” (Isaiah 2:11).

Earth is probably not special…SETI’s signals are entering the universe that was made for the earth from the earth that was made for man (Genesis 1:14-18, 26). The earth was created by and belongs to the Lord. “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1). The creation of this planet was extremely special, but while living here, we must prepare for a journey to an eternal home with God. God’s directions for the trip must be followed and His instructions must be obeyed. Without faith in Him, we cannot please Him; to deny His existence will be devastating. Paul wrote to the first century Christians,  “Do not deceive yourselves…the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight” (1 Corinthians 3:18-19).

Someday an ET will hear the signal…Our signal prayers are being heard by the Lord Almighty today. Now is the time when mankind should be preparing for the day when God Himself gives the signal—for Christ to return. The apostle Paul instructs us to “fix our eyes on what is not seen…for in just a very little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay” (2 Corinthians 4:18; Hebrews 10:37).

In 1742, John Cennick penned these stirring words:

Lo! He comes with clouds descending; once for favored sinners slain; thousand, thousand saints attending, swell the triumph of His train. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Jesus Christ shall ever reign. Every eye shall now behold Him, robed in dreadful majesty. Those who set at nought and sold Him, pierced and nailed Him to the tree. Deeply wailing, deeply wailing, shall the true Messiah see.

They are right to watch! Telescopes or not, we wait for a signal and someday there will be a trumpet call, the last signal for mankind. Micah’s words “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me” (7:7) should be the standard for every person’s vigil on earth. While He was on this earth (Mark 13:32-33, 37), our Savior warned,  “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. What I say to you I say to everyone:  ‘Watch!’”

She could send a message in seconds, without even looking at the keypad. She really never worried about her parents reading the messages because they don’t “text.” Even if they did, she knew they would never understand the abbreviations and code words. But the coolest thing about her phone was its ability to take pictures. She loved to snap shots of her friends at the ballgame or out shopping. One night, she awoke as her phone signaled an incoming picture. When she opened it, the picture she saw would change her life forever.

            It calls, texts, emails, accesses the Web, plays video games, contains an address list, has a built-in calculator, keeps time, has a daily planner, plays music, and takes pictures. There are an estimated 2.5 billion cell phones in use. In fact, in 2006, over 30 countries had more cell phones than they had people. The Turks and Caicos Islands have a saturation rate of 165.7%. 75% of Americans have a cell phone, including 80% of teens, ages 13 to 18.   

            What’s so bad about cell phones? Have you ever heard of “sexting”? According to Wikipedia, “sexting” is the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photos electronically, primarily between cell phones. Sexting was reported as early as 2005 in the Sunday Telegraph Magazine, and has since been described as taking place worldwide. It has been reported in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Great Britain. In other words, quick messages from phone to phone called texting have turned into sexting. The cameras that made great photos for the scrapbooks have been turned into portable pornographic studios.   

            Now let’s examine some  statistics that should wake up the current generation of parents.  The number of teenagers who have sent or posted nude or semi-nude pictures or video of themselves by cell phone: 20% of teenagers overall, 22% of teen girls, 18% of teen boys, and 11% of young teen girls ages 13-16. The percent of teenagers sending or posting sexually suggestive messages: 39% of all teenagers, 37% of teen girls, and 40% of teen boys. Let’s keep digging! Forty-eight percent of teenagers say they have received such messages. Seventy-one percent of teen girls and 67% of teen guys who have sent or posted sexually suggestive content say they have sent or posted this content to a boyfriend or girlfriend. Forty-four percent of both teen girls and teen boys say it is common for sexually suggestive text messages to be shared with people other than the intended recipient. Fifty-one percent of teen girls say pressure from a guy is a reason girls send sexy messages or images; only 18 % of teen boys cited pressure from female counterparts as a reason. Sixty-six percent of teen girls and 60% of teen boys say their most common reason for sending sexy content was to be “fun or flirtatious.” Fifty-two percent of teenage girls used sexting as a “sexy present” for their boyfriends. Forty-four percent of both teen girls and teen boys say they sent sexually suggestive messages or images in response to similar content they received. Forty percent of teenage girls said they sent sexually suggestive messages or images as “a joke.” Thirty-four percent of teen girls say they sent or posted sexually suggestive content to “feel sexy.” Parents, are you listening?!

            We buy cell phones for our children for one primary reason—security. For parents who have teen drivers, cell phones give peace of mind and accountability. On one hand, parents are to be commended for going the extra mile to protect their children; but with the cure, so comes the curses. It is what many parents don’t know that is killing the souls of our children. What once was used for security is now being used for sin. As a parent, what can I do to protect my children (adolescents, pre-teens, teens, and young adults)?

1. As with any and all clear and present dangers, talk to your children about it. Ask them: “Have you ever heard of sexting? Has anyone ever sent you an immoral text or picture? Have you ever sent an immoral text or picture to anyone? Did you know it is illegal to send sexually explicit photos?” In fact, just last month, a 15-year-old Pennsylvania girl was charged with creating child pornography for sending images of herself via MySpace to a 27-year-old man.

2. Turn texting off. Texting is too tempting for teens and possesses a threat to their physical and spiritual health. Sexting aside, consider the dangers of  texting while driving. Many states are outlawing it while driving and schools are banning it from the classrooms. Maybe it is time parents reevaluate how much texting will be allowed—and under what conditions.

3. As a parent you have an obligation to read and see what your children are doing. If your children have a phone that texts and/or sends pictures, you can receive a copy of all these by making a simple phone call to your provider. You can also purchase monitoring software if your cell carrier won’t cooperate (www.pcsndreams.com/Pages/Sexting_Statistics.html). Don’t let your children throw the “trust” issue up as a wall to keep you from being a parent. Trust is earned and does not release a parent from being responbsible for their child’s soul. If you are unable to read the messages, perhaps the following abbreviations will help: 

1174 —Nude club                                          A3 — Anyplace, Anywhere, Anytime

143 — I love you                                            ASL — Age/Sex/Location

4Q — (Curse Word)                                       DYHAB — Do You Have A Boyfriend

8 — (a marital encounter)                               GAP — Got A Picture (of yourself)?

A/S/L/P — Age/Sex/Location/Picture            GNOC — Get Naked On Cam

IMEZRU — I Am Easy, Are You?

BYOB — Bring Your Own Bottle (or Bring Your Own Beer)

(For a more complete list, just Google “text abbreviations” and click the websites carefully).

4. Set an age limit. We are giving our children too much, too soon. With rare exceptions, children and pre-teens don’t need cell phones.

5. Make sure your child’s phone does not have a camera. I am not accusing every teen of “sexting,” but I know that it is a growing trend. Remember, your child may not be sending out sexually explicit texts and photos, but they may be receiving them without your knowledge. Over time, sin wears everyone down. Before long, they will not only be seeing it, they will be sending it.

The next time you hear his/her cell phone ring, perhaps it will serve to remind you who or what is possibly on the sending side of the message. No one is immune to these sins. A missionary in India, noted that citizens there may not have a house, food, or clothing, but they all have cell phones. This is a worldwide weapon of Satanic proportions. Parents, our children are dying while we have the cure. Get involved and get engaged!