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By Jastrow’s own analysis, God is the only answer that fits all the facts—but he wouldn’t subscribe to it unequivocally. Was he afraid of losing his reputation, of suffering the scorn of his atheistic/agnostic colleagues? His speculations did not answer anything but only added further questions. Where did this energy come from? How long had it been sitting there (wherever “there” was) waiting to explode? How did this bundle of energy become “packed together into one dense mass of enormous density, pressure and temperature”?

[TBC: For years we have seen how Sir John Templeton has been part of the seduction that draws believers from the Truth and Eternal promises of the Lord. Instead, there are a growing number of those who fail to see what Templeton so often “preached. Apostasy, like evil clearly “never sleeps.”]

Tim Dalrymple leaves Christianity Today to become new president of Templeton Foundation

Tim Dalrymple, currently the CEO and president of Christianity Today magazine, will become the third president of the Templeton Foundation, based in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, at the end of July. The foundation, which controls more than $3 billion in assets and distributes more than $130 million in grants each year, funds “interdisciplinary research and catalyzes conversations that enable people to pursue lives of meaning and purpose.”

“We are working to create a world where people are curious about the wonders of the universe, free to pursue lives of meaning and purpose, and motivated by great and selfless love,” reads the foundation’s job description for the CEO.”

Ryan Burge, an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University who studies the religious landscape, said Dalrymple’s hiring at Templeton made sense. Dalrymple has the academic credentials and the institutional leadership experience the role requires — along with a sincere interest in spirituality and an active faith practice.

Dalrymple, though he is an evangelical Christian, is not a culture warrior.

“There is still a lot of respect in America for religious people who really live out their convictions but are not trying to beat you over the head with their convictions,” Burge said.

Dalrymple said he sees overlap between his doctoral work at Harvard, where he studied religion and the nature of suffering, and the mission of the foundation. He called Templeton’s mission “soul stirring.”

“We live in a world hungry for purpose, where the lines between science, spirituality, and moral imagination are converging in new ways,” he said. “The insights we gain and decisions we make in the next ten years could have profound civilizational effects.”

He said that his work at Templeton will be inspired by the same kinds of questions that the foundation’s founder pursued and will follow Sir John Templeton’s “sense of awe before the majesty and mystery of the universe.”

Dalrymple said the foundation “invests in human dignity and flourishing, in character and moral formation, amid rapid social and technological change.”

“I find all these questions fascinating, important, and deeply spiritual,” he said. “In an age of artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, and interreligious conflict, our answers to these questions will have profound consequences for the whole of humankind.”

https://religionnews.com/2025/05/29/tim-dalrymple-leaves-christianity-today-to-become-new-president-of-templeton/?utm_source=RNS+Updates&utm_campaign=01cc89ea15-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_05_30_01_37&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c5356cb657-01cc89ea15-94977221

[TBC: Templeton very clearly stated he believed that “everything is God.” As Dave Hunt pointed out, “It is pantheism. It is also a basic tenet of cults such as Science of Mind, Religious Science, and Christian Science. What they teach is basically the same as Peale’s positive thinking and Schuller’s possibility thinking, which explains why the latter would promote it in his magazine. Here is how “nothing exists except God” works in the mind science and positivity/possibility thinking arena: God is good and God is all. Therefore, all is good. Thus, anything that isn’t good—sin, sickness, suffering, death, etc.—is not real but a delusion of one’s negative thinking. The way to be delivered from these negative delusions is to become a positive or possibility thinker.

“Our deliverance from sin and death comes not by denying the reality of these evils through the power of the mind, but by faith in Christ, who suffered the agony of the Cross and paid the penalty which His own justice had pronounced upon sin. He died for our sins and “was raised again for our justification” (Romans:4:25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
See All...). If sin and death don’t exist, then the death of Christ for our sins and His resurrection are merely allegories and not real events—contrary to the historical facts” (In Defense of the Faith).

Dalrymple said nothing about the Gospel gained by the sacrifice of the Lord. Instead, he spoke of a modernized version of the Tower of Babel “We are working to create a world where people are curious about the wonders of the universe, free to pursue lives of meaning and purpose, and motivated by great and selfless love…”

All this is just an echo of Genesis:11:4And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
See All..., “And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.”]

Without a heart anchored in Christ, we will be spiritually unprepared and ill-equipped for life’s inevitable woes. For the Christian who hasn’t pursued God’s truth, etched His word on their heart, or made Scripture their default for life’s deepest questions, the cost is steep. Unprepared, we risk handling trials in ways that leave us worse off — spiritually adrift, emotionally shattered, and vulnerable to the enemy’s lies. Neglecting to fix our focus on the One who carries us through fire and flood unscathed is to face the world’s storms without the only Anchor that holds.

The truth is, we will stumble, make mistakes, and continue to fall into sin. It’s part of living in a fallen world. But praise be, because we’re given a promise in 1 John:1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
See All...: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When you fall, repent, and Christ’s grace will lift you.

In Christ, we’re made new. Though we still sin, it no longer defines us. Though we will stumble, Christ will guide us through. We don’t have to live in fear of falling away. But because we’re new creations in Him, we’re called to live each day reflecting that truth. So, rise daily, prepare your heart by anchoring it in His word, and walk boldly in the freedom of His unending, sustaining love.

— Sarah Holliday (Writer, commentator, reporter at The Washington Stand).

Of course, Jastrow’s imaginary scenario was pure conjecture—and solved nothing concerning the actual origin of energy or of the universe. Jastrow was trapped in the vortex of an endless speculative regression of “before that . . . and before that . . . and before that. . . .” There had to have been an actual beginning of all physical existence. Jastrow was only deferring the moment of truth. He declared:

“Recent developments in astronomy have implications that may go beyond their contribution to science itself. In a nutshell, astronomers . . . have been forced to the conclusion that the world began suddenly, in a moment of creation, as the product of unknown forces.

“[I]f we go back far enough in time, we find that at a certain critical moment in the past all the galaxies in the Universe were packed together into one dense mass at an enormous density, pressure and temperature. Reacting to this pressure, the dense, hot matter must have exploded with incredible violence [that] marked the birth of the Universe.

“The seed of everything that has happened in the Universe was planted in that first instant; every star, every planet and every living creature in the Universe came into being as a result of events that were set in motion in the moment of the cosmic explosion. It was literally the moment of Creation . . . the origin of the world—for which there is no known cause or explanation within the realm of science . . . we cannot find out what caused that to happen.

“This is a distressing result for scientists because, in the scientist’s view . . . he must be “able to find an explanation for the beginning of the Universe . . . that fits into the framework of natural rather than supernatural forces.

“So, the scientist asks himself, what cause led to the effect we call the Universe . . . [and] he sees that he is deprived—today, tomorrow, and very likely forever—of finding out the answer to this critical question.

“Why is that. . . ? At that time it must have been compressed to an enormous—perhaps infinite-density, temperature and pressure. . . .

“The shock of that moment must have destroyed every . . . clue to the cause of the great explosion . . . to the nature of the forces—natural or supernatural—that conspired to bring about the event we call the Big Bang.

“This is a very surprising conclusion. . . . The scientist . . . goes . . . back . . . feeling he is close to . . . the answer to the ultimate question of beginning—when suddenly the chain of cause and effect snaps. The birth of the Universe is an effect for which he cannot find the cause. . . .

“This is why it seems to me and to others that the curtain drawn over the mystery of creation will never be raised by human efforts. . . . Although I am an agnostic, and not a believer “I still find much to ponder in the view expressed by the British astronomer E. A. Milne, who wrote, ‘We can make no propositions about the state of affairs [in the beginning]; in the Divine act of creation God is unobserved and unwitnessed.’”

You may not think, at first glance, that an article about the oral traditions of the Picuris Pueblo, a small tribal nation in New Mexico, would have anything to do with Answers in Genesis. But new genetic research into the Picuris Pueblo people confirms something very interesting—and ties in with new AiG research.

First, the story. The oral traditions of this tribal nation state that they descended from ancient North American ancestors, specifically those living in ancient pueblo sites in Northwestern New Mexico, known as the Chaco Canyon society (AD 850–1150). However, archaeologists dismissed these traditions, believing instead that the evidence showed these particular people arriving much later, after the Chaco Canyon society had already collapsed and everyone had left.

Well, a new genetic study, requested by Picuris officials, confirms what their stories claimed: “Ancient and modern Picuris show close genetic ties, including descent from a maternal Chaco Canyon line.”

It’s interesting to me that, in scientific and archaeological research, oral traditions are often ignored and treated as mere myth with no grounding in historical reality. This is true of creation, flood, dragon, and Babel legends too—cultures all around the world have very similar legends, and yet researchers refuse to “connect the dots” and realize that all of humanity does indeed share a common history beginning with creation, then the fall, a global flood, and the event at Babel (and that man and dinosaurs, or “dragons,” did live together!). The Bible preserves the perfect, infallible account, but these histories confirm what we’d expect if the Bible’s history is true (which it is).

Now, what does an obscure oral tradition from a small tribal nation in New Mexico have to do with Answers in Genesis? Well, just this month, one of our researchers, Dr. Nathaniel Jeanson (who has a PhD from Harvard University), released a new book, They Had Names: Tracing the History of the North American Indigenous People. This book is a layman’s version of the detailed research Dr. Jeanson has undertaken for the past few years, attempting to trace the pre-Contact (pre-Columbian) history of the Americas. And—just like the researchers looking at the Picuris Pueblo DNA found—Dr. Jeanson has found that many Indigenous histories match the genetic and linguistic evidence. He has confirmed so many of them now that he argues we should assume these histories are true, rather than automatically assuming they are false as so many researchers do.

But Dr. Jeanson’s research is quite different from the research of the scientists looking into Picuris DNA. You see, Dr. Jeanson is starting with the proper timescale for earth’s history—just thousands of years (the Bible’s history gives about 6,000 years from the beginning). Because he has the right starting point, he can uncover genetic mysteries other scientists will never see simply because they don’t start with the right foundation, the Word of God. His research is fascinating and continues to be confirmed by the evidence (I encourage you to learn more in Traced: Human DNA’s Big Surprise).

You know, this story also reminds me of the way the scientific community likewise ignores the historical accounts given in the Bible. Rather than trusting that the Bible is accurate in what it says, they ignore it (or, worse, scoff at it) and instead trust their own wisdom, assuming they can look at the present and figure out what must have happened in the past. But when they sideline the Bible, they aren’t sidelining an oral tradition, handed down generation after generation and carefully guarded. They are ignoring the eyewitness account of history from the perfect, infallible Creator!

When scientists (like Dr. Jeanson) treat the Bible as historical narrative, assuming it to be what it says it is—the very Word of God—and use it as their starting point and their framework for interpreting the evidence, the evidence confirms the Bible!

Yes, the history in God’s Word is true—100% true, because it came from the One who has always been there, knows everything, and has never made a mistake.

https://answersingenesis.org/genetics/2025/05/15/are-native-american-histories-accurate/

Though the majority of today’s scientists today admit there was a beginning to the universe, their views about that beginning have little in common with the biblical account. Jastrow did not believe that the universe was created by God out of nothing, as the Bible declares. Instead, he believed that the universe already existed in some unimaginable and unexplainable “pre-Big Bang” form.

Unfortunately, that gathering would not include all theologians, because many of them no longer believe the Bible—at least not all of it. And many who claim to believe it, nevertheless pick and choose what parts they accept as “inspired.” Even some self-professed “evangelicals” describe the first eleven chapters of Genesis, which form the essential foundation for the rest of the Bible, as “prescientific . . . prehistory . . . myth . . . rich oral tradition . . . gathered and edited” so that “Near Eastern religious narrative and mythology were reshaped with monotheistic intent.” They deny the ultimate authority of Scripture and look rather to “science” and its changing and contradictory opinions. They are leaning on a “broken reed.”

For decades A.A.’s 12 Step spirituality has been pouring into the church. Is A.A. teaching in opposition to Christ? Let’s find out. Consider the contrast between Matthew:7:13-14 [13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
See All... and the understanding found in the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book (the A.A. “bible”).

Let’s start with the Word of God:

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7: 13-14)

Now here, from the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, are the following three passages in agreement with Christ’s teaching in Matthew:7:13-14 [13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
See All...?

To us, the Realm of Spirit is broad, roomy, all inclusive; never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek. (A.A. Big Book, We Agnostics, pg. 46) (emphasis mine)

We feel we are on the Broad Highway, walking hand in hand with the Spirit of the Universe. (A.A. Big Book, Into Action, pg. 75) (emphasis mine)

If our testimony helps sweep away prejudice, enables you to think honestly, encourages you to search diligently within yourself, then, if you wish, you can join us on the Broad Highway. (A.A. Big Book, We Agnostics, pg. 55) (emphasis mine)

Conclusion: The Alcoholics Anonymous teaching is in direct opposition to Christ’s warning in Matthew:7:13-14 [13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
See All...

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John:4:1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
See All...)

Test the spirits!

https://thewordlikefire.wordpress.com/2025/05/13/matthew-713-14-testing-alcoholics-anonymous-by-the-scriptures/

On April 10, a national Palestine conference was held in Islamabad to express solidarity with the Palestinians, where Hamas representative Dr. Naji Zaheer, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, President of the Wafaqul Madaris Al-Arabiya Mufti Taqi Usmani, prominent Islamic scholar Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, and other eminent personalities delivered speeches.[1]

According to a report in the Urdu daily Roznama Express: "In the declaration adopted by the national conference, Muslims were called upon to boycott Israel and its supporting countries… According to shari'a, under the principle of 'Al-Aqrab Fal-Aqrab [i.e., jihad becoming obligatory on those on and near the crisis site and its scope expanding gradually to cover wider regions],' jihad has become obligatory on all Muslims."[2]

The declaration stated: "Regarding Palestine, no pact prevents participation in this jihad [against Israel]. In the name of Palestine, no armed-struggle against our own governments will be legitimate. The entire region, including Israel, belongs to Palestinians."[3]

At the conference, Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, the head of Tanzeem Al-Madaris, read out the declaration adopted on the occasion. Dr. Naji Zaheer, the Hamas representative, who was a star speaker at the conference, said: "Palestinians have great hopes from Pakistan. Israel is afraid of Pakistan, otherwise it wants to complete the project of Greater Israel."[4]

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, whose organization Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) has led many anti-Israel pretests in Pakistani towns over the past few years, told the gathering: "If Pakistan does not fight for the Palestinians, it is denying its ideology. The [so-called] philosophers of our country ask how the economy will function if relations with Israel are not improved. What is there to fear? Pakistan's position on Israel should be clear. We also want to know the position of the state of Pakistan."[5]

Calling the gathering "historic" and urging practical jihad, Maulana Fazlur Rehman promoted a hardline approach, inciting violence rather than fostering a peaceful resolution of the Palestinian issue. "Today's gathering is not a traditional gathering; history will not be able to ignore this gathering. The entire nation is united on the issue of Palestine. Practical jihad has become obligatory on the Ummah. Muslims should participate in jihad in any way possible," he added.[6]

The JUI-F leader said: "In 1917, when the State of Israel was proposed, only two percent of Jews lived in Palestine. Correct history and do not spread the lie that Palestinian Muslims sold their lands themselves. There is a Jewish conspiracy behind any problem in Pakistan. In these circumstances, the purpose of the establishment of Pakistan should be understood."[7] The state of Pakistan was established as a homeland for Muslims; Maulana Fazlur Rehman's message was that the nuclear-armed Pakistan must support Palestinians practically.

One of the leading speakers at the conference was Grand Mufti of Pakistan Taqi Usmani. The religious scholar questioned Muslim governments for not using their armies for jihad, saying: "Peaceful protests are allowed, throwing stones and harming someone's life and property is forbidden. Despite the ceasefire agreement, Israeli bombing continues. The Zionists do not have any faith, any religion, any international agreement or promise. What is the use of the armies of Muslim countries if they do not wage jihad?"[8]

[TBC: For footnotes and the complete article, please go to:]

https://www.memri.org/reports/anti-israel-protests-pakistan-islamic-religious-scholars-call-jihad-against-israel-urge

Though remaining an agnostic (he denied he was an atheist), Jastrow finally arrived, along with most of his colleagues, at the inescapable conclusion that the universe came into existence at some point in the finite past. He described the embarrassing realization like this: “The scientist has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.”