"Just as in Noah’s day, the building of a full-size Ark can stand as a reminder to the world of salvation"

I think it would have the same effect on today’s world as it did on the world of Noah’s day-zilch.

Well at least he did not say “by the way it will cost x million and we need your help” though I am sure that fundraising is not far below the surface of this.

Not sure about the reasoning behind such an endeavor … but I love the fact that Ken Ham (one “m”, not two) has the freedom to build a life-size Ark.

After all, we already have the Holy Land in Orlando -

Thanks for the correction on “Hamm”

I updated the filing

Also … I always enjoy your artwork!

(I myself could be a character in one of your comic strip panels!)

Wouldn’t a better lesson be learned from Jonah? We could work on making disciples instead of just cheering for the coming judgment.

Anyway, since Ham’s so focused on the literal measurements in the story, he should try building a sea-worthy all-wood 1:1 replica instead of just another amusement park. After all, they already claim it was physically possible without requiring any miraculous help.¹ They even reference the Wyoming. Even though its wooden hull was half the length and bound with iron,² it still leaked and required an automatic pumping system.³

¹ Lovett, Tim (March 19, 2007). “Thinking Outside the Box”. Answers Magazine. 2 (2): 24–30.

² “Big Schooner is Launched: The Wyoming, Largest Wooden Sailing Vessel in the World, Takes First Dip”. The New York Times. December 16, 1909

³ Lienhard, John H. “The Schooner Wyoming”. Engines of Our Ingenuity.

I don’t even know where to begin with this one. First, I can’t believe that they are asking people to give $24.5 million to an amusement park. Who said parachurch organizations are out of control?

Second, the Scriptural parallel’s are amazing. Genesis 6, “And God said unto Noah,”….”make thee an ark of gopher wood” and from their website, “God has called AiG to construct an ark”. And who said fundamentalists believed in the cessation of gifts?

Third, I believe this is exactly what Christ was teaching his early church in how to spread the gospel. Spend exorbitants amount of money to recreate Old Testament objects, make them an amusement park and sell admission. This is the way of salvation. Who said fundamentalist don’t want to use the cultural elements of today to attract people and then give them some verses?

All I would say is to stay away from Canaan’s cafe.

[dgszweda]

I don’t even know where to begin with this one. First, I can’t believe that they are asking people to give $24.5 million to an amusement park. Who said parachurch organizations are out of control?

As in “Sponsor a Peg” for $10 per month

http://arkencounter.com/

I deeply admire much of what AiG does. I do think they have gone a bit too far with this ark quest. Their vision for the ark theme park is over the top. It opens them up to the charge of commercialism, which I honestly don’t believe is what is driving AiG.

I support the Creation Museum. I do not support this ark project. Sure, I might visit with my kids once they get it built, but it’ll be for entertainment, not education.

My reaction to AiG’s ark project has always been, “Well … ok, I guess.” There are bigger things to focus on.

Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.

[Jim]

[dgszweda]

I don’t even know where to begin with this one. First, I can’t believe that they are asking people to give $24.5 million to an amusement park. Who said parachurch organizations are out of control?

As in “Sponsor a Peg” for $10 per month

http://arkencounter.com/

If I pay for a “Beam”, Ken Ham will personally sign my ark model.

This is one of those things that probably had good intentions, but the people in the center have been sucked in and consumed by this, and I don’t think they have a good perspective on where this has gone. This is fully on par and has all of the same functions of a world class theme park. The structure and member levels is better put together than my “for profit” Art Museum that I am a member of. I am definitely fascinated to be able to see a life size ark, but I can’t help but see a cheapening and commercialization of the gospel. And that is sad. We have stooped to the world’s way of spreading a message. The leading arts institute in the US for fundraising is typically the NY Met Opera. They pull in $100 million. It is amazing that Ken Ham can pull in a quarter of this.

So it appears they want to replicate the exact length, width, and height of the Ark, but not the time it took to make it? :)

-------
Greg Long, Ed.D. (SBTS)

Pastor of Adult Ministries
Grace Church, Des Moines, IA

Adjunct Instructor
School of Divinity
Liberty University

“Just as in Noah’s day, the building of a full-size Ark can stand as a reminder to the world of salvation”-AIG

Funny I thought that in the New Covenant, a better reminder to the world of salvation would not be a big boat but the preaching of the one whom the building of the ark points to, Jesus Christ.

I read in Luke 12 this week the anger Jesus was expressing against the crowds who were wickedly seeking after a sign and he cries out, You will get no sign except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Ninevah, so the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation… The men of Ninevah will rise up at judgment with this generation and condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and indeed someone greater than Jonah is here.”

I express serious concern with this tactic. I love the work of AIG, but this is almost enough to make me vomit, Because in their statements made on the website, it seems like they have forgotten that one greater than Solomon, Jonah, and even Noah has come. He is the beloved Son of God, in whom the Father is well-pleased, we ought to hear him!

It is the preaching of Christ that God uses to open blind eyes, not the building of amusement parks. I am appalled that for all the wisdom I have been given through the ministry of AIG, that they cannot see that this may indeed hide Jesus and the cross. I do not believe that is their intent, but I believe this is precisely what will happen.

Sorry for the rant, but I am tired of the circuses in Evangelical/Fundamentalism…preach the Word, trust God to save souls.

[Jim]

I think AIGjumped the shark” with the ark:

  • Museum makes sense
  • Ark is nonsense

I would call the museum a stretch, but I do agree the ark is worse. I cannot believe that the museum will have been able to raise in the neighborhood of $55-$60 million for these attractions. That is just crazy.

Those are some staggering numbers. I had no idea evangelicals had that kind of money. At various events I go to, I see Ham quite a bit. He has quite a following, but many are also turned off by his attitude. He is not exactly known as gracious in disagreement.