Encountering the Ark

By PAUL J. SCHARF, M.Div.

Editor in Chief

I am blessed beyond measure to say that my theological mentor is Dr. John Whitcomb. He was one of the main reasons that I chose to attend Faith Baptist Theological Seminary, where I studied under him for 10 courses.

Over the past 13 years, I have also been privileged to assist him in the work of Whitcomb Ministries.

Dr. Whitcomb is the co-author, with Dr. Henry Morris, of The Genesis Flood, which was published in 1961 and has been credited as launching the modern Biblical creationism movement. One of our day’s most respected voices on the issue of Biblical authority, Dr. John MacArthur, has called it, “One of the most important books of the past century.”

[1]

Ken Ham, the president and founder of Answers in Genesis, also credits that book as playing a crucial role in the development of his personal understanding of creationism and of the flood, stating:

Finding a copy of The Genesis Flood in an Australian bookstore and devouring its contents was a key event that led me to join the modern biblical creation movement in the 1970s. Drs. Whitcomb and Morris became real “heroes of the faith” for me. I saw them as giants in Christian apologetics.[2]

Dr. Whitcomb was honored to lead in prayer back in June of 2000 at the dedication of the land that has become the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Ky.,[3] and he has been involved from the beginning of plans for the Ark Encounter—Answers in Genesis’ life-size reconstruction of Noah’s Ark (“the largest timber frame structure in the world”[4]) which will open next Thursday, July 7, in Williamstown, Ky.[5] At age 92, Dr. Whitcomb will be there to cut the ribbon to the ark on Tuesday, July 5. My wife Lynnette and I will also be there to witness the celebration and I will be reporting on these events here on our blog.

Over the next month, the popular culture—indeed the entire world—is going to be hearing about Noah, the ark and the flood. What a wonderful opportunity this is for us as Bible-believers, because the flood is such an important topic all throughout Scripture and is, in fact, so central to its message, and even to the great themes of the gospel.

We must take advantage of this great opportunity! As Peter writes:

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear (1 Pet. 3:15).

At the same time, this is a great responsibility that we bear as Christians—as so many people are also going to be asking us questions about the ark and the flood during these days. Will you be prepared to answer?

Dispensational Publishing House is very pleased to be able to cooperate with Answers in Genesis and the Ark Encounter to promote this great and worthy outreach, which will serve as a gigantic visual aid to the world—proclaiming that another flood is coming and that there is only one ark of salvation, which is Jesus Christ. As the days in which we live grow more and more like the days of Noah, that message is so desperately needed.

During this month of July, we will devote our blog almost exclusively to this theme. In addition to my reports from the Ark Encounter, you will read teaching series by Dr. Randy White and me, as well as articles and material by DPH contributors, including:

We trust that you will be blessed by all of the information and Bible teaching that we will be bringing to help you “Encounter the Ark” during this exciting month. May God be praised by our efforts.

Editor’s Note: For more on this topic, you can listen to a related message by Paul Scharf by clicking here.

Here is a short video preview of the Ark Encounter:

[1] Henry M. Morris and John C. Whitcomb, The Genesis Flood (Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1961), endorsement for the 50th Anniversary edition.

[2] Ibid.

[3] “Dedicated to the Lord,” <https://answersingenesis.org/ministry-news/creation-museum/dedicated-to-the-lord/>; Internet; accessed 28 June 2016.

[4] “Largest Timber Frame Structure Named a Must See,” <https://arkencounter.com/blog/2016/01/08/largest-timber-frame-structure-named-must-see/>; Internet; accessed 28 June 2016.

[5] “How God Worked to Bring the Ark Project to Life,” <https://answersingenesis.org/ministry-news/ark-encounter/god-worked-ark-project/>; Internet; accessed 28 June 2016.