Ministry News

Using Evolution to Evangelize

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Tuesday, 24 November 2009 13:23

Call it reverse evangelism. Or, as Ray Comfort might prefer, a conversation starter. However you describe the apologetical evangelist's latest witnessing campaign with actor Kirk Cameron, one thing is sure: It isn't your average four spiritual laws tract.

Comfort and Cameron joined 1,200 Christians last week in distributing 170,000 copies of Charles Darwin's evolution manifesto The Origin of Species at 100 universities across the nation. The catch? Each copy contained a 50-page introduction refuting Darwin's theory—which is what has stirred up atheist critics.

"This is a shameful thing that Kirk Cameron and [Ray Comfort] are doing by altering another person's book in order to push their agenda," reads a post on the "Kirk Cameron has gone too far" Facebook page. "But we can help to restore the book to how it was intended and keep young minds from being brainwashed by misinformation."

Working in partnership with Bridge-Logos Foundation, Comfort initially planned to distribute copies of The Origin of Species: 150th Anniversary Edition at college campuses earlier in the week, but atheists and students had threatened "unilateral resistance," including book burnings and protests, according to Comfort's Living Waters ministry.

Prominent atheist Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion, told students—including those at the University of Oxford, where he teaches—to rip out the book's introduction. Dawkins has reportedly called Comfort a fool for advocating intelligent design, but the evangelist says his goal was to make students think on their own.

"All I want for this generation of kids to do is think about what they believe," Comfort said. "I don't want them to turn their back on evolution. I want them to doubt it enough to look at the claims of the gospel."

Ultimately, Comfort hopes the book giveaway will draw unbelievers to Christ. "I want them to have everlasting life," he said. "That's the motive for giving these books out." [charismamag.com, 11/19/09]