Answers in Genesis Announces Ark Encounter "Tourist Destination"
“In addition to the full-size Ark, the complex will include a walled city much like those found in ancient times, live animal shows, a children’s interactive play area, a replica of the Tower of Babel with exhibits, a 500-seat 5-D special effects theater, an aviary, and a first-century Middle Eastern village.” Press Release- 2 views
[No, Not Really] This announcement was quickly followed by a band of self-proclaimed NeoCalvinists announcing plans for their own park, centering around “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God— The Ride!”
Greg Linscott
Marshall, MN
Sounds cheesy. It is one thing to have a museum to teach creationism, but what does a theme park contribute to that? Should I expect a theme park to contribute to the teaching of creationism? Someone is in it to make $$, and they probably won’t. Heritage USA went bankrupt years ago. And the Holy Land Park in Orlando got sold to the Trinity bunch because honest people couldn’t keep it going. This is a dumb idea.
[Jonathan Charles] Sounds cheesy. It is one thing to have a museum to teach creationism, but what does a theme park contribute to that? Should I expect a theme park to contribute to the teaching of creationism? Someone is in it to make $$, and they probably won’t. Heritage USA went bankrupt years ago. And the Holy Land Park in Orlando got sold to the Trinity bunch because honest people couldn’t keep it going. This is a dumb idea.Jonathan,
You may not agree with this or like it, but the chances of your dire predictions coming to pass are somewhere between slim and none. AiG works with world-class people on projects of this magnitude, and the Creation Museum has been successful beyond anyone’s wildest imaginations.
Yes — this will contribute to the teaching of creationism in ways we can probably barely even think of at this point. It will be controversial, but it will be successful and it will be educational.
One thing it will definitely not be is cheesy.
Church Ministries Representative, serving in the Midwest, for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
All is good and glorious if it captures and sweeps up the hearts of our children with the magnificence of our Triune Creator God.
I think it’s great when there are top-notch projects that give us a tactile sense of Biblical history. If it is as nice as the Creation Museum, it will be a favorite destination for our family. The Tower of Babel? Neat-O.
[Todd Wood] All is good and glorious if it captures and sweeps up the hearts of our children with the magnificence of our Triune Creator God.I love this quote. I too doubt it will be cheesy. That’s just not AIG/Ken Ham’s style. But even if it is a bit cheesy, good can come out of it. I finally relented and visited Holy Land Experience a few years ago — and yes, some of the portrayals were a little “limburgerish”. But other parts, like the diorama of Old Jerusalem and some of the exhibits really expanded my perspective and created a thirst for some follow-up research and study. I’m looking forward to seeing this. I’m still a kid at heart and anything with animals in it draws my attention!
Dan Burrell Cornelius, NC Visit my Blog "Whirled Views" @ www.danburrell.com
$25 million to build a replica of the ark? Give me a break! You can read about it in the Bible and use your imagination. It is surely important important to get people to believe in God as Creator, but most everyone who will go there will already believe that. Take the $25 million and put it into some other apologetic effort.
Whoever wrote that there is nearly no chance it will fail doesn’t know what he is talking about. More businesses fail than succeed. This park will have to more that double the museum’s attendance and sustain that year after year.
Whoever wrote that there is nearly no chance it will fail doesn’t know what he is talking about. More businesses fail than succeed. This park will have to more that double the museum’s attendance and sustain that year after year.
[Jonathan Charles] This park will have to more that double the museum’s attendance and sustain that year after year.Pray tell, how do you know? Have you run all the numbers based on all the facts? Otherwise, this statement is simply nonsense.
[Jonathan Charles] Whoever wrote that there is nearly no chance it will fail doesn’t know what he is talking about.Pray tell, why not refer to my post and name specifically? This is rather a rude way of speaking, is it not?
Church Ministries Representative, serving in the Midwest, for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
My question would be does this kind of effort capture the magnificence of God better than God Himself had already revealed it?
Drawing attention and awareness to something or someone can also distort the true image.
It seems as though there has been plenty of consideration as to what the immediate benefits of such a venture could be. I wonder if much consideration has been given to potential downsides and consequences, even assuming it succeeds financially.
I have little doubt that such an endeavor will have its share of people who will find this appealing. Left Behind outsold Alva McLain, Walvoord, and Ryrie, too (combined, more than likely). That doesn’t make the series an ideal means to become conversant in dispensational eschatology.
What might be learned here about literal creation may have value. I would be more concerned with what inadvertently be taught about merchandising and commercialization of God’s truth.
Drawing attention and awareness to something or someone can also distort the true image.
It seems as though there has been plenty of consideration as to what the immediate benefits of such a venture could be. I wonder if much consideration has been given to potential downsides and consequences, even assuming it succeeds financially.
I have little doubt that such an endeavor will have its share of people who will find this appealing. Left Behind outsold Alva McLain, Walvoord, and Ryrie, too (combined, more than likely). That doesn’t make the series an ideal means to become conversant in dispensational eschatology.
What might be learned here about literal creation may have value. I would be more concerned with what inadvertently be taught about merchandising and commercialization of God’s truth.
Greg Linscott
Marshall, MN
[Greg Linscott] What might be learned here about literal creation may have value. I would be more concerned with what inadvertently be taught about merchandising and commercialization of God’s truth.Greg,
Are you sure you want to open that can? There are lots more of them down this aisle.
For instance, today we seem to need an Olympic swimming pool and a restaurant serving seven-course meals in order to have a Christian college. Is this merchandising? Is this wasteful? These things also cost millions and are highly commercial in nature.
The same complaint could be lodged at churches — with their coffee shops, food courts, racquetball courts, Kidzones, etc.
Now we are suddenly going to draw the line at building this ark destination? — An effort that, like the Creation Museum, will literally have a worldwide impact and touch virtually every denomination that has any vestige of Biblical Christianity? Now we say that the cost is too high, the commercialization too evident?
Are you sure you want to try to hold that standard consistently? If so, lots of people have some ‘splaining to do…
Church Ministries Representative, serving in the Midwest, for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
Paul,
So far as I know, I have not contributed to churches or ministries that did things like you speak of. I do have concerns with the examples you mentioned, too. And yes, I think a lot of people do have explaining to do.
That being said, the topic at hand is fairly specific.
So far as I know, I have not contributed to churches or ministries that did things like you speak of. I do have concerns with the examples you mentioned, too. And yes, I think a lot of people do have explaining to do.
That being said, the topic at hand is fairly specific.
Greg Linscott
Marshall, MN
We’ll be going to the Creation Museum for the first time over New Years .. and this sounds like it will be nice. It will be neat to be able to visualize what the originals probably looked like.. Some people are very visual and tactile /sp/ learners ..
I understand concerns about commercialization - but then - should sacred music artists never charge for their CD’s .. or how about authors - should they provide books free of charge?
I don’t think this is going to be a Christian “Disney” .. it sounds more like a huge intensive museum of sorts..
I understand concerns about commercialization - but then - should sacred music artists never charge for their CD’s .. or how about authors - should they provide books free of charge?
I don’t think this is going to be a Christian “Disney” .. it sounds more like a huge intensive museum of sorts..
[Greg Linscott] My question would be does this kind of effort capture the magnificence of God better than God Himself had already revealed it?Based on this argument, should they not close the religious art museum at BJU? (And if I’m not mistaken, the value of that art would be in the millions as well and it is a great place to visit.) To me art, creativity, architecture, drama, music, re-creations inspire me as to the Greatness of God as our best attempts fall short of His perfect abilities. At the same time, even in the effort, I am stirred to think higher thoughts of His facets as I am reminded visually or through some other tactile experience that His majesty and magnificence can never be fully plumbed by the creation.
Drawing attention and awareness to something or someone can also distort the true image.
Dan Burrell Cornelius, NC Visit my Blog "Whirled Views" @ www.danburrell.com
Greg, I think there is something to say about builders who build for the glory of God. And when believers build for God’s glory, I see God’s magnificence within their work. The grounds landscapers. The artists. The craftsmen. The builders. Even the historians consulted in producing the reproductions. Etc. and etc. Some preach and teach. Some build. Some do both like Noah.
Yes, there are the issues of merchandising and commercialization. But AiG? I don’t know if their heart ambitions are to make millions from American people. I think their heart motives are to enliven all your senses with foundational, fundamental Genesis proclamations.
And I do look forward to the new earth, where I imagine the teaching and building will go hand in hand in reflecting the magnificence of God’s glory.
Also, I must admit my keen curiosity concerning historical recreations. I am naturally drawn to these kinds of things. Even some secular reproductions are pretty cool. My family has thoroughly enjoyed Colonial Williamsburg - http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/?WT.mc_id=663 and other such places.
When traveling in Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Germany, Switzerland, and England, etc., I thoroughly enjoyed all visual aid reproduction at sites that interacted with Bible and later church history. Some were cheesy. Yes. But others were fantastic.
Yes, there are the issues of merchandising and commercialization. But AiG? I don’t know if their heart ambitions are to make millions from American people. I think their heart motives are to enliven all your senses with foundational, fundamental Genesis proclamations.
And I do look forward to the new earth, where I imagine the teaching and building will go hand in hand in reflecting the magnificence of God’s glory.
Also, I must admit my keen curiosity concerning historical recreations. I am naturally drawn to these kinds of things. Even some secular reproductions are pretty cool. My family has thoroughly enjoyed Colonial Williamsburg - http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/?WT.mc_id=663 and other such places.
When traveling in Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Germany, Switzerland, and England, etc., I thoroughly enjoyed all visual aid reproduction at sites that interacted with Bible and later church history. Some were cheesy. Yes. But others were fantastic.
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