Publications of James R Hughes
Additional articles by Jim Hughes, available at Creation.com.
Old Testament Studies
An Examination of The Assumptions of “Eden’s Geography Erodes Flood Geology”
Abstract: In “Eden’s Geography Erodes Flood Geology” (The Westminster Theological Journal, Spring, 1996, pp. 123-154), John C. Munday argues that a cataclysmic view of a world-wide flood cannot be supported after an analysis of the geography of Eden. Munday bases his argument on two unproven assumptions: 1) Moses was the author of Genesis two and 2) the account was written from the perspective of the Israelites living in Canaan around 1500 B. C. These assumptions are invalid. It is more consistent with the data to attribute the account to Adam. He communicated it (possibly orally) from a pre-Flood perspective. Moses used Adam’s account (unchanged) when compiling Genesis. The geographical terms in Genesis two are generic. They are not specific to any location, and could have been used for both pre-Flood and post-Flood geographic features. Eden’s geography was destroyed by the Flood. Its location cannot be found in a post-Flood setting. Creation Research Society Quarterly Journal, 34(3):154-161 (1997)
Daniel - The Man who Feared God
A Bible Study Guide on the book of Daniel. Corresponding bookmark outline [print page twice, back-to-back, cut into four].
New Testament Studies
A Consideration of The ‘Head Covering’ of 1 Corinthians 11
This essay attempts to answer the question: “Does 1 Corinthians 11 teach that women must wear a hat, scarf, or similar object in public worship?” It concludes that long hair is the natural covering given to women. [This article was published in Semper Reformanda, Vol. 13, Is. 1, Spring 2004]
Studies in God's Law
Does God's Law Apply to All Men, in All Nations, Through All Time?
The view that is held by most Christians is that God's laws are at best personal guidelines for holiness and they are not to be considered standards for our nation. This outline, for personal bible study, considers representative verses from the Bible that answer the question posed in the title and show that God's Law applies to all nations, through all time.
Worship and the Christian Sabbath
In Spirit and Truth: Worship as God Requires - Understanding and Applying the Regulative Principle of Worship
There is much confusion about the doctrine of worship and variance in worship practice among those who are Presbyterian and Reformed and claim to accept the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Regulative Principle of Worship taught in the Confession. This book defines worship from the Bible and demonstrates that God regulates worship today. It then identifies the elements of worship for the NT Church and defends the practice of exclusive Psalm-singing without instrumental accompaniment. It also deals with many of the counter arguments and misinterpretations of the Regulative Principle of Worship.
The Sabbath - A Universal and Enduring Ordinance of God
This study addresses the perpetual and universal requirement for all of mankind to keep the Sabbath holy. It considers the Biblical evidence that Sabbath-keeping is a continuing requirement under the NT economy and responds to the arguments against Sabbath-keeping. It then shows that the Sabbath Day was moved to Sunday (the Lord’s Day) by Christ and responds to the contrary arguments of the Seventh Day Adventists. It then gives principles, with applied examples, for how the Sabbath should be observed in the 21st century. This study also demonstrates why the civil magistrate is responsible for enforcing Sabbath-keeping.
Cultural Analysis
The Positive Influences and Contributions of Christianity
A brief essay, outlining the contributions which Christianity has made toward the advancement of civilization. It includes topics such as, Christianity’s stand for absolute truth, morality and justice, human life, and marriage and the family. It also identifies benefits of Christianity such as providing a foundation for operational science, the advancement of material prosperity and selfless service, and the provision of the only solution to mankind’s essential problem (sin).
Defining the Fundamental Rights of Humanity
In The Tyranny of Experts, William Easterly argues that the existence of rights is essential for overcoming poverty. However, he does not define ‘rights’. What are the fundamental human rights which are missing in the countries which are poor? The problem of defining fundamental human rights is made difficult by a number of factors: 1. a lack of precision in definition, 2. a lack of universal acceptance, 3. the expanding definition of ‘rights’, and 4. a lack of an accepted objective standard.
The Church in Cyberspace – The Coming Impact of the Computer on the Church
A review of telecommunication and computer technology (at the end of the 20th century) that was having an impact on the Church for good or bad. A consideration of how the Church may use modern computing technology for the advance of the Gospel, as it did the printing press.
Other
Review: Darwin Devolves – The new Science About DNA That Challenges Evolution, by Michael Behe
In this book, biochemist Michael Behe, a biochemist, considers research at the molecular level making Darwinian evolutionary mechanisms self-limiting and “incapable of building functionally complex molecular structures.” Behe demonstrates the impossibility of life developing by random mutations and natural selection. However, he does not hold to Biblical creation. He accepts long ages for the existence of the earth and evolutionary processes. Creation Research Society Quarterly Journal, 55(4):182-183 (2019)
Escape - Historical adventure romance novel
Set in 16th century Spain during the Inquisition ... Bartolomé Garcia accepts Lutheran teachings while studying in Paris. An urgent request from his father brings him back to Valladolid, Spain where he meets with a calamity—he is struck by a runaway carriage. While under the care of Doctor Abram Mendoza, he meets Catalina, the doctor's daughter, who assists in his recovery. Catalina , a rare educated woman in these times, and Bartolomé share an interest in learning. Not unexpectedly, they fall in love and promise to marry after Bartolomé completes his education. Bartolomé returns to Valladolid in the fall of 1558 where he and his father are betrayed to the Inquisition and imprisoned. Abram , Catalina’s father, is called to serve King Felipe II as part of his household’s medical staff and they move to Madrid with the court. Catalina is separated from Bartolomé, who languishes in prison. She is also promised in marriage, by her father, to a Conde in Felipe’s court ... [Reviewed by Michael A.G. Haykin Gospel Witness (January 2007)]