Harvest Time TV Weblog

« June 2005 | Main | August 2005 »

July 27, 2005

The 'Evolution or Creation?' Seminar

   The above-mentioned seminar was held July 19th and 20th in both Tōkyō and Ōsaka with more than 400 participants in attendance. The number participants far exceeded our initial expectations and the level of interest in the subject was much greater than we could've hoped. I'd like to use the rest of my space here this week to bring you a report about what happened.

1. Our lecturer was Dr. Kazuko Andō and her credentials as a biologist made her well-suited to take on this topic. Her opening comments clued us in on what kind of approach she'd be taking: "My role today will be little more than that of a 'warm-up act' for a thorough discussion of our topic. For those of you with a deeper interest in this subject, I recommend that you attend a more technical presentation of this material." True to her word, Dr. Andō used a PowerPoint® presentation and spoke at a level that everyone could easily understand. Not a soul got sleepy during the whole five-hour lecture. I don't have the space here to tell you about everything she said, but I'd like to share the parts that particularly impressed me.



Dr. Kazuko Andō, Chairman of the Biology Department, Kyōto International University.

2. The presentation itself began with these words: "The concept of evolution has been eating away at the Japanese archipelago." She then referred to a recent TV commercial as an example of this. The commercial featured the words, "Raamen noodles have evolved!" Dr. Andō spoke about the surprising degree to which evolution has blended itself into the everyday lives of the Japanese people. From the very beginning, she captured the audience's attention.


3. "Science is correct," "Science is everything," "Evolution is science," she pointed out, is the three-step logical argument used to affect mind-control over people and it has resulted in a shackling of Japanese people's hearts. As a result, she said, many consider the Bible to be "anti-science." However, she added, science was originally given to us as a gift from God and a study of natural processes can enable us to learn about the masterworks of our Creator God.


4. Then she confirmed with evidence something I had long suspected myself: the errors of evolution have been and are even now being systematically introduced into society through the textbooks used in junior and senior high school and college classes. As examples, she showed illustrations from textbooks depicting the ancestry of birds, the "evolution" of horses, German zoologist Ernst Haeckel's "Biogenetic Law" (which states that an organism's evolutionary history can be seen in an embryo's development), and human "ancestry" from the apes. These are all examples, she said, of errors that evolutionists themselves have already acknowledged. Haeckel's theory, for example, is known to have been based upon faked data. Yet even to this day, this hypothesis is used as proof of evolution as if it were wholly legitimate. Her comments were full of surprising things like this. To sum it all up, evolutionary scientists are still looking for evidence that proves their theory.


5. Logically speaking, just what is the probability that life would have spontaneously come into existence? It's been said that life on the earth began about 4.5 billion years ago. Four and a half billion years is about 10¹⁷ seconds. Four and a half billion years seems like an incredibly long time, but expressing it in terms of 10¹⁷ seconds somehow makes it seem not so long. Using these expressions, then, we could say that the chances that life would spring forth on its own is somewhere in the neighborhood of one second in 10^10,000 minutes -- a probability that's virtually ZERO!


6. On a personal level, I was most interested in her explanation about whether the days of Creation were literal 24-hour days or not. "If these were not 24-hour days," she said, "this would indicate long periods of time (or ages) where animal death was a reality long before the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve were created." Her question in regard to this was extremely persuasive: "Was the Garden of Eden really built upon the pain and death of animals?" According to the Bible, death was part of the curse that came upon the natural world as a result of Adam's sin. If, indeed, the days of Creation were not 24 hours, then the making of heaven and earth in six of these "days" would certainly have included the suffering and death of untold numbers of animals. This is in direct opposition to the claims of the Bible.


7. Another item that was fascinating was her explanation of the following question: "Did Adam have one less rib bone than Eve?" To hear her answer, we're preparing a DVD if the whole presentation and will be making it available for anyone who's interested to purchase.

   One's life can completely change depending upon whether he or she sees things through the "lens" of either evolution or Creation. That's what we learned from a biologist on one day in July. I'm personally very thankful to have been there.

   By the end of August we should have the seminar DVD ready for purchase. For any of you that might be interested in getting a copy, please contact Harvest Time to purchase one for yourself or others (Japanese-language only).

   Our Harvest Time supporters are receiving their copies of our monthly ministry report and newsletter this week. We would covet your prayers that these publications would be used of the Lord. Also, August is traditionally the month in which we struggle the most financially. We would request your prayers in this area, as well. Don't forget to leave us your comments or questions below. Rich blessings be upon you in Y'shua's precious name.


   Kenichi Nakagawa

Posted by HarvestTV at 04:41 PM | Comments (0)

July 21, 2005

Can I Ever Accept Myself?

   A few weeks ago, I wrote about my visit with four inmates at the Nagoya Criminal Detention Center ("The Harvest Is Plentiful, But..." 6/3/05 post). Recently, I received a letter from one of those men, whom I'll refer to as "K" (30 years old). "K," in particular, is an avid reader of the Clay devotional guide that we publish. Here's what he wrote:

   Because I learn so much from Clay, it's been a big help. I especially like the testimonies, the devotional thoughts and the one-point Bible notes. I also like the excerpts from the book, The Prayer of Jesus. The illustrations are charming and it has a quieting effect upon my heart. Even the prayer profiles on the various foreign countries keep me thinking, 'Hey, I didn't know that!'
   As I think about the depth of my own sins and the feelings of the victim's family, I find it very hard to be lenient toward myself. Though I still suffer over my guilt, I've gradually gotten to where I can clearly identify my actions as sin. As a result, I find myself in a constant state of genuiine repentance!

   Everyone knows the pain of guilt now and then, but for someone who has committed a serious crime, there is a depth of guilt and self-reproach that normal people just can't relate to. What must a person do to strike a balance between the "Good News" that sins are forgiven through Christ and a sense that one must make up for the sins he's committed?

   It's easy for me to understand "K" when he says he finds it hard to be "lenient" towards himself. Giving consideration to the feelings of the victim or the victim's family (and, in general, making our broken "horizontal" social relationships right) is a very important thing in the world we live in. In fact, that's part of the purpose of laws and the criminal justice system. At the same time, however, having a right "verticle" relationship -- that is, one's relationship with God -- is also extremely important.

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34 (NIV)

   To set forth the idea that faith in Christ brings the forgiveness of all sins is by no meanss the "easy way out." Far from it, the true meaning of this is that one must squarely face the sins that he's committed. Then, in order to make amends for his sin, he is required to come to the firm conviction that he is, indeed, loved and completely forgiven by God. As I talked with these young men, it became obviously to me that the reason they became criminals was because of the truly miserable childhood they all had. They were totally unloved by their parents and were cruelly treated as they grew up. The thing that they most needed was a strong sense that they were loved.

   In order to forgive us of our sins, Jesus Christ came to this earth and lived a sinless life. At the end, He received the curse of sin for us when He died on the cross. By rising from the dead on the third day, He showed us that there truly is life after death. And, by believing in Jesus as our Savior, forgiveness of sin and eternal life is God's gift to us.

   When we begin to understand that the Father God who made us has forgiven us, then that's when our hearts change. Once we experience being loved and face our sinfulness straight on, the power and courage to make restitution wells up within us. And God gives to us a confidence that each of us can live a life that won't end in failure. God is love.

   I think there are lots of folks out there that can't accept themselves. However, if you can begin to see yourself through the "lens" of the cross of Christ, then everything will change. Indeed, God is love!

   Leave your questions or comments below. As always, we want to know what these posts might be stirring up in your own heart. Rich blessings upon you in Y'shua's precious name!


   Kenichi Nakagawa

Posted by HarvestTV at 10:13 PM | Comments (0)

July 14, 2005

Terror in London

   On July 7th, something terrible happened. The multiple terrorist attacks carried out in the middle of London left over 50 dead and 700 injured in their wake. Just as in the 9/11 attacks in the U.S., this event sent shockwaves around the world. I pray that God's compassionate care would be upon the victims and their families.

   That this attack was the work of Muslim extremists is becoming more evident as time goes on. British Foreign Minister Jack Straw exhibited this understanding from the beginning when he declared, "It has all the hallmarks of an al-Qaeda related attack." Taking place amidst the background of the "Group of Eight" (G8) leading industrialized, democratic nations meeting at the Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland, it was an act that brought a renewed understanding to the countries of the "Christian" West of just how much Islamic extremists hate them. Indeed, what will become of the world from here on out? If hatred and malice have so filled the world, one is left with only a feeling of deep sorrow and a heightened sense of insecurity.

   As you probably know, the religion of Islam was born on the Arabian peninsula during the latter half of the 7th century AD. It's founder, a man named Muhammad, detested the idol worship he saw around him -- some 360-or-so idol gods were being worshiped at that time. He rejected these and set out to establish a monotheistic faith. At first, he had cordial relations with both Jews and Christians. However, later on, he became hostile toward them. His claim was that "the monotheistic faith of Abraham has been reborn in Islam."

   If one were to summarize the tenets of Islam, it might be accurate to say that it's a religion of "salvation by works." The faith rests upon what are referred to as the "five pillars":

1. Confession of Faith
2. Worship (five times daily)
3. Charity (giving to the poor)
4. Fasting (especially in the month of Ramadan, from sunrise to sunset)
5. Pilgrimage (to Mecca at least once during one's lifetime)

   During the time when Islam ruled over much of the world, the Jews were able to live secure lives within the Islamic sphere, much more so than when they lived in areas dominated by Christians. However, the situation radically changed with the coming of World War I. With this event, the Christian nations of the West seized authority and took over as world rulers. Additionally, World War II brought about the re-establishment of the nation of Israel. To Muslims, this constituted an unbearable disgrace.

   According to Islam, that which comes afterwards is better than that which came before. In short, Islam is superior to either Judaism or Christianity. As we look at the present situation, not only does this principle apply, but it is, in fact, the root cause of all this Muslim anger.

   Muslims view the world as divided into the following three areas:

• Dar al-Islam ("House of Submission") = lands under the control of Muslim governments.
• Dar al-Harb ("House of War") = lands of the unbelievers where war should be ongoing.
• Dar al-Ahd ("House of Treaty") = lands over which certain conditions apply.

   Once a region comes under Muslim control, it is intolerable for non-Muslims to "steal" it from them. A "holy war" (jihad) is then called for. This includes wars to recover territory, wars to obliterate Israel and wars to generally restore honor to the name of Allah.

   In the Muslim mind today, the state of decline that Islam finds itself in is due to America's imperialism and the Zionist movement. Islamic fundamentalists consider democracy to be a blasphemous slap in the face to Allah, the true sovereign ruler of the earth. They are convinced that to be pleasing to Allah, they must reform secular Islamic societies and completely eliminate those who profane Muslim lands with their presence.

   The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s, the Gulf War, the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and the Iraq War are all attacks upon Islamic lands, according to Islamic fundamentalists, and are all acts that are deserving of revenge.

   So, how should we respond to all of this? Nobody has a really good idea. We truly live in troubled times. If we continue on as we've been doing, with the constant clash of arms, it's likely that our problems will become increasingly more difficult to resolve. Ultimately, "soft power" is needed. That is, we need to use measures that would prompt a change in the way people think. Won't you join me in praying for the following?

1. The hate in the hearts of Muslim people needs to be removed.
2. Muslims are still dragging the memory of pain inflicted upon them during the Crusades. The Jews share this point with them, as well. The Western nations should take a hard look at their histories and expand efforts to offer genuine apologies where needed and seek reconciliaton with the injured parties.
3. The world's economic system needs to move away from a global "law of the jungle" format to one that truly cares for the poor.
4. The pain from acts of terrorism that Israelis hold in their hearts needs to be shared with and understood by people around the world.

   As always, leave your questions or comments below. We'd love to hear from you. May God's richest blessings be upon you in Y'shua's precious name. Shalom!



   Kenichi Nakagawa

Posted by HarvestTV at 08:03 PM | Comments (0)

July 07, 2005

Living in a Cult Paradise

   We aired our series that focused on destructive cult groups the second and third weeks of June. Our guest was Rev. Hisoka Murakami, pastor of the Kyōto Assembly of God Church and also spokesman for the victims' group in the Seishin Chūō Church sexual abuse scandal (see the 4/28 & 5/7 posts). We noted in our discussion that there are several different kinds of destructive cult groups, among which are religious cults, political cults, cults related to money and finances, agricultural cults, etc. And, as we anticipated, there was a great response to those broadcasts, including several requests for information and some personal consultations.

   In a somewhat related matter, it seems to me that there've been an unusual number of cases in the news lately where people have fallen victim to fraud schemes. There are probably lots of people who've watched that and say to themselves, "How could those folks have fallen for that trick so easily? I'd never be fooled by something like that!" However, that very sentiment is the heart of the problem. The reason is that swindlers don't usually come to us in the obvious evil guise that we might expect. To the contrary, to all appearances, they're people of genuine goodwill. But that very thing is the mark of a swindler.

   Destructive cults are the same way. Their prime targets are people who've just finished school and are making their debut as new members of society, or those who -- filled with elation -- have passed their entrance exams and gotten into the school of their choice.

   Cult groups' favorite trick is the use of what are called "mind control" techniques and there's no one who's completely immune to the influence of these. In fact, the ones who are most susceptible to them are those who think, "They'd never fool me!" People whose lives are in transition are the most likely to be enticed. However, if you look at our society in general, it would appear that the whole country is now in a time of transition. That alone might well account for the increase in power that these cults are enjoying.

   The mind control technique that cults utilize usually consists of a set of principles administered in three stages: "unfreezing," "changing" and "refreezing."

• Unfreezing -- This is the stage where the personality is destroyed.
• Change -- The "self" having been destroyed, the individual is like a "blank slate" upon which can be implanted the new cult personality.
• Refreezing -- This is the stage at which the implanted cult personality is reinforced and crystalizes.

   Once these initiates become full-fledged members of the cult, they will continuously do and say things that defy common sense. Unfortunately, there's not a similar set of principles that can undo this programming and deliver people that have become cult "robots." Consequently, the work of rescuing people from cults is an extremely difficult endeavor.

   The problem of these destructive cults has already reached the point where it can no longer be ignored. Within existing church activities, there's now a need to actively implement a program to protect members from cults and educate them about simple ways to identify the marks of a cult group. Here are a few simple points that can be used to recognize a destructive cult:

1. Misleading information. The organization's signboard doesn't clearly give its real name at all, or uses another name that may be slightly more accurate.


2. Fear as the focus of persuasion. After inciting feelings of fear within you, if they offer to resolve your problems all at once, extreme caution is warranted.


3. Intentional falsehood. Be suspicious if the information they give you about the world in general is all wrong.


4. Refusal of outside help. If they refuse you permission to consult with someone else, take warning. In the face of doubt or perceived problems on your part, they will invariably refuse any request for outside help.

   Of course, the best way to discern a counterfeit is constant contact with "the real thing." In II Corinthians, chapter 11, the Apostle Paul talked about false teachers at work in his own day. They seemed to everywhere. "And no wonder," he said, "for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light" (vs. 14). If you stay intimate with God's Word and walk daily in the light of it, you'll be able to tell the difference between Truth and the "false light" the cults offer.

   On October 10th and 11th, we'll be holding our first seminar on the cult problem in both Tōkyō and Ōsaka. Our lecturer will be Rev. Murakami. I'll be announcing the details for the event later, but I ask you to lift up the entire project to the Father in prayer. Have another blessed week in Y'shua's precious name. Shalom!


   Kenichi Nakagawa

Posted by HarvestTV at 07:32 PM | Comments (0)