John N Clayton Archives

October 23, 2025October 22, 2025

Adam’s Origin Update

Genesis 2:10-14 indicates that the “Garden of Eden” was located where four rivers flowed—the Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates. This region is called the “Fertile Crescent” by modern mapmakers and gets its name because of the rich soil that once supported abundant plant life, as the Bible states. In recent years, some anthropologists have claimed that humans originated in Africa, and detailed “trees” of human evolution are included in anthropology textbooks. By asserting that humans were created in Africa rather than Asia, this theory conflicts with the biblical account, leading many people to doubt the Bible’s accuracy. So, what is the truth about Adam’s origin?

As technology advances, two ancient skulls discovered in China have been reclassified, once again altering the anthropological understanding of human history. The Yunxian skulls initially labeled as Homo erectus are now identified as Homo longi because modern technology reveals they lack the traits of Homo erectus. In addition to Homo sapiens, there are two racial groups for human-like fossils—Neanderthals and Denisovans. The Denisovans are the older race, and the skulls found in China exhibit their features.

The biblical account of Adam’s origin is not at odds with this new information since the Bible does not specify a date for Adam and Eve. We do know that DNA evidence shows we are all related. “God has made of one blood all the nations that they should inhabit the whole Earth” (Acts 17:26).

Reference: science.org and scienceandculture.com

October 17, 2025October 16, 2025

Liberal, Missouri: A Strange Town

One of the strongest arguments for Christianity and the existence of God is that atheists lack a purpose for their existence. This may seem like a topic for philosophical debate, but in practice, atheism often leads to disaster. Skeptics might say it’s just my opinion, but there is historical evidence supporting this view. The story of Liberal, Missouri, is a clear example.

On October 26, 1880, George H. Walser, an Illinois lawyer and self-described “freethinker,” filed a plan for a town in Missouri. The town would be divided into eight blocks, with 25 commercial lots, 57 residential lots, and a city park. Anyone wishing to join the “freethinker” town had to agree that no church, Christian, or believer in God could live there.

The story of Liberal, Missouri, along with the supporters and opponents of Walser’s town, was documented in a book by James Proctor Moore titled This Strange Town–Liberal, Missouri, with the subtitle “A History of the Early Years 1880 to 1910.” Sadly, the book is now out of print, but it describes what happened in Liberal. It clearly shows that without belief in God, there is no reason for anyone to be moral, and without morality, everything falls apart.

Today, Liberal, Missouri, still exists, with a population of 629 residents according to the 2020 census. However, it is no longer an atheist or “freethinker” town. As reported on churchfinder.com, it now has six churches.

Looking at what is happening in America today, we see a repeat of the events in Liberal. Over 40% of Americans, when asked about their religious beliefs, say “none.” As a result, America is turning into a nation without moral values. Will we learn from history, or will we repeat it?

References: Wikipedia.org, churchfinder.com

October 16, 2025October 16, 2025

LDS Church and Mormonism

Russell M. Nelson became president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in 2018 at the age of 93. After serving for 7 years, Nelson passed away on September 27, 2025, at age 101. He was an outstanding surgeon and a pioneer in human open-heart surgery before rising through the ranks of the LDS Church. During his leadership, Nelson implemented many changes to the LDS Church and Mormonism. These included removing the name “Mormon” from what members of the church can call themselves.

Other changes Nelson made included rejecting the Boy Scouts after they admitted openly gay members, while lifting some restrictions on LGBTQ members of the church. He also promoted the LDS Church’s acceptance of people of color, which, until 1978, was not permitted. Racism runs counter to the teachings of the Bible. Galatians 3:26-29 clearly states that there are no racial, gender, or national distinctions among Christians. Romans 1:24-27 emphasizes that God’s plan for sexual expression is to be within the exclusive bond of a man and woman in marriage. Romans 6 leaves no doubt that God desires His children to be free from sin.

Over 40% of the American population identifies as “none” when asked about their religion. Much of this is because churches have moved away from the idea of dying to sin to live a new life. Like the LDS Church and Mormonism, many American denominations teach beliefs that come from leading theologians rather than the Bible. The real answer to faith is the “Restoration Movement,” which teaches “we will speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent.” This isn’t just a catchy phrase; it is the only answer to the challenges Christians face today.

Reference: Wikipedia.org Here and Here

October 15, 2025October 15, 2025

Archaeological Discoveries Supporting the Bible

Our Beyond Reasonable Doubt video series faces a challenge: it can’t keep up with new archaeological findings. The fall issue of Biblical Archaeology Review announced two new archaeological discoveries supporting the Bible.

The Jordan Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities reported an inscription carved into a desert rock face in southern Jordan. The inscription features two cartouches, which are Egyptian hieroglyphic oval shapes containing the names of royalty. In this case, they display the name of Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses III, who reigned from 1186 to 1155 BCE. One column shows his birth name, while the other shows his throne name and title. Other cartouches of Ramesses III have been found in the Sinai, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, indicating the Egyptian-Arabian trade route. This is the first one discovered in Jordan.

The second find is a report from Matthew D.C. Larsen about discovering what is called the Boudrouml prison in Corinth. The existence of the Boudrouml prison has been known since the early 20th century, when Herbert F. deCou first excavated it. However, newly found inscriptions carved into the pavement by prisoners offer insights into life in Roman prisons. The spelling and grammar errors in the inscriptions reveal the prisoners’ lack of formal education. These messages also show boredom, rage, and personal devotion. One inscription reads, “Lord, do not show mercy on the one who threw us in here.” The evidence of Roman prison life aligns with what the Bible describes regarding Peter and Paul’s imprisonment.

As archaeologists continue their excavations and new technologies analyze the findings, they find more archaeological discoveries supporting the Bible. Those who try to cast doubt on the biblical record will find themselves at odds with the evidence.

References: Biblical Archaeology Review and the Beyond Reasonable Doubt video series

October 14, 2025October 14, 2025

Bumpy Snailfish Discovered

Researchers at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute announced the discovery of a new deep-sea snailfish species called the bumpy snailfish (Careproctus colliculi). This fish lives over 10,000 feet below the ocean’s surface and exhibits traits never seen before in the snailfish family.

Other deep-ocean snailfish are sleek and dark-colored, which helps them catch prey and blend into the dark waters. The bumpy snailfish is pink, with a large head and a body covered in bumps. These bumps are gelatinous, watery tissue that may help keep the fish buoyant under the high pressures of the deep sea.

Evolutionary explanations for how the bumpy snailfish came to be are unclear because its traits do not seem to increase its chances of survival but may instead make it more vulnerable to predators. Like all living things, it occupies a specific niche in the ecosystem. Dr. Mackenzie Gerringer, who analyzed the species in detail, said the discovery of this and two other species “is a reminder of how much we have yet to learn about life on Earth.”

As scientists develop new tools for deep-sea exploration, they continue to find life forms in every environment on our planet. Everywhere we look, we see a design in life that hints at an intelligent Creator who made Earth a living, dynamic place for humans. The truth of Romans 1:20, which states that we can know there is a God through the things He has made, appears more obvious today than ever in human history.

Reference: foxweather.com and mbari.org

October 9, 2025October 9, 2025

Fish Communication Methods

A fascinating question that marine scientists have explored is fish communication. Finding a mate, locating food sources, and defending territory are challenges all animals face. Terrestrial animals solve this problem by pushing air through their lungs, with different land animals having various designs to do this. Birds and lions produce sounds for communication differently, but both systems involve air in some form. So, the question is, how do fish communicate?

Researchers from Cornell University placed equipment in the ocean off Hawaii and Curacao to study this question and found that each fish species has its own method for communicating with others. Triggerfish slap their pectoral fins on specialized scales. Glasseye snappers rattle their swim bladders. Blackbar soldierfish use sonic muscles to vibrate their ribs. Aaron Rice, who was the project manager for Cornell, states that the “sounds lack the elegance of birdsong, but they are significantly more diverse.”

The more scientists learn about life on our planet, the more varieties of specialized designs they observe everywhere on Earth. Explaining the origin of things like fish communication as a chance occurrence in the distant past pushes credibility too far. Seeing these as outcomes of design is an example of intelligent purpose, allowing a vast diversity of life forms to exist.

References: Cornell Chronicle, sciencedirect.com, and fisheyecollaborative.org

September 30, 2025September 29, 2025

Walking Upright: Unique to Humans

Those who reject belief in God assume that humans evolved mechanically and that there was no need for a creator. Unfortunately, the media promotes stories that cater to those who dismiss faith in God, making it easier for them to identify as “none” when asked about their religious beliefs. A recent article is an example of not fully explaining the design required to enable walking upright.

A Reuters News Agency article by Mike Blake titled “How Humans Evolved to Walk Upright” fails to mention a critical design feature for walking upright. The article discusses a study of pelvis designs in primates by Harvard University evolution biologist Terence Capellini. It suggests that the shape of the human pelvis explains how humans walk upright. However, upright posture involves more than just the pelvis.

The opening into the skull that connects the spinal cord to the brain is called the foramen magnum (Latin for “great hole”). It is positioned at the center of the human skull but located towards the rear in other primates. Besides the pelvis, the foramen magnum’s position is an essential part of the design that supports bipedalism, or walking upright on two legs. The human pelvis also plays a crucial role in forming the birth canal that allows the passage of babies with larger brains. The position of the foramen magnum is an essential component of the design that enables bipedalism, or walking upright on two legs.

The Reuters article mentions that researchers identified over 300 genes involved in the design that enables walking upright. The lead author of the study stated that it is not just a single gene but many DNA regulatory elements that must work together to accomplish what seems so simple to humans. Chimpanzees sometimes walk on two legs, but it requires more effort because they lack the unique human design features. Birds, kangaroos, and a few other animals walk on two legs, but they do so because of anatomically different designs.

Bipedalism grants humans the ability to use our hands for carrying objects, using tools, creating art, raising and cooking food, while also allowing us to observe our surroundings from a higher vantage point. We can walk and run long distances because of our distinctive body design. Was this unique design merely an accident of natural selection, or the work of an intelligent Creator?

References: reuters.com, nature.com, and britannica.com

September 15, 2025September 14, 2025

Shocking Amount of Food Wasted

God has given us more than enough food for every man, woman, and child on this planet. Jesus told His followers to use what God has given. In Matthew 25:34-46, Jesus tells us what His disciples need to do. Providing food, water, and clothing are at the top of His list. Those who don’t provide these things for those in need are condemned. The problem is the shocking amount of food wasted.

I am directly involved nationally with programs that provide for those who are in need. Locally, I am involved with a program called “Feeding America,” and our small congregation provides food for over 100 people every month. Similar programs, both nationally and locally, are conducted by people who call themselves “Christians.” There are no atheist programs anywhere doing this.

So, if all this is going on, why is there a shortage of food worldwide? In the United States, one in every five kids doesn’t have enough to eat in spite of the fact that 530,000 metric tons of food are thrown out. The shocking amount of food wasted in schools is an example. Data from audits of schools in Miami and Orlando, Florida, show that the food thrown out amounts to 1.06 billion pounds from school cafeterias every year. These cafeterias also waste 20.9 billion gallons of water annually, resulting in a loss of $1.7 billion. Sixty percent of cafeteria waste is fruit and unopened milk.

This is just one case in two large Florida cities. Can you imagine how much waste there is nationally? As America continues to reject God and Christianity, we can expect this problem to get worse. In the biblical record, we see God telling humans to use what He has already given them. God doesn’t condone waste and will not provide for us what we can provide for ourselves. We see passages like Proverbs 6:6-11 where people who won’t work are called “sluggards” who will end up in poverty. Christians must lead the way by not wasting what God has given us.

Reference: World Wildlife for Fall 2025, page 4.

September 9, 2025September 8, 2025

Microbiomes in Living Tree Trunks

A study of microbiomes in living tree trunks reveals that the woody tissues of trees contain a trillion microbial cells in addition to the actual tree cells. This includes single-celled bacteria and archaea, which are specialized for different parts of the tree and for various tree species.

The research team, led by Jonathan Gewirtzman of Yale University, studied more than 150 trees across 16 species in the northeastern United States. The trees examined included red maples, black birches, and white ashes. They discovered that microbes can live in both the outer sapwood and the inner heartwood, with each region hosting its own microbiome. Sapwood is mainly inhabited by microbes that require oxygen, while heartwood contains anaerobic microbes.

The study shows that microbiomes in living tree trunks vary from species to species. But how do these microbes get inside the trees? It might happen through wounds or openings, or they could be passed through the tree’s seeds. Perhaps, there is another route scientists have yet to discover. Regardless of the method, Gewirtzman explains, “What looks like one thing is a trillion-in-one organisms living together.”

When you see a tree, you might not realize how intricate its design is. Genesis 1:11-12 states, “Then God said, ‘Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds,’ and it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seeds according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seeds in it according to their kinds.”

Like many other living things, scientists are only beginning to understand the complexity of microbiomes in living tree trunks. We can recognize that there is a God through the things He has made, including trees. (See Romans 1:20.)

Reference: dnyuz.com