Printable version - Is Anyone Out There?

This item is available on the Apologetics Press Web site at: http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/24 - it was originally published in Reason & Revelation, 23[5]:48

AP Content :: Reason & Revelation

Is Anyone Out There?

by Bert Thompson, Ph.D.

It’s no secret that governmental agencies in countries all over the world spend billions of dollars annually searching for answers to a variety of questions, many of which undoubtedly are profoundly significant. The search for knowledge is an admirable quest, and should be important to every person.

In point of fact, however, it is not just governmental agencies that are searching for answers to profoundly significant questions. The truthfulness of that statement is reinforced on a daily basis (literally!) for those associated with the work of Apologetics Press. We receive hundreds of phone calls and letters (both by regular mail and via e-mail) during the course of a month’s time, many of which are from people who are searching diligently for answers to a variety of questions (either their own or someone else’s), or who are seeking assistance with an issue that is troubling them (or a friend, relative, or loved one).

The request may be an appeal for information needed to assist someone in refuting one or more segments of the theory of evolution. A person might have questions about ethical issues related to the modern medical technology involved in genetic engineering (e.g., human cloning, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, surrogate motherhood, etc.). Students may need help locating material for their school term paper, debate topic, or science project. Parents and grandparents may need help finding answers to questions that are troublesome to their children or grandchildren. Or, someone may require additional information regarding something bothersome from the Internet.

But one thing is for certain: the questions keep coming. People are searching. Knowledge is important!

Because this special double issue of Reason & Revelation is concerned specifically with the topic of cosmology (a subject that, admittedly, has confused and confounded more than one inquiring soul!), I thought it would be an appropriate time to ask the question,“Is anyone out there?” That is to say, “Is there anyone out there?”—who can provide answers to those “profoundly significant” questions that “confuse and confound” people from time to time.

The answer is, “Yes, there is someone ‘out there!’ ” When we began the work of Apologetics Press in 1979, one of our main objectives was to “be here when you need us,” in regard to helping people find the exact information they require. In almost twenty-five years, we never have veered from that singular goal. My staff and I are happy to try to offer our assistance, and we will work diligently to accommodate whatever legitimate requests come our way.

To that end, we have established an incredibly information-rich and user-friendly Web site that contains a vast amount of free material that is current, up to date, and relevant. I urge you to visit it often for answers to your questions. [As I write this, the site (www.ApologeticsPress.org) is receiving approximately 150,000 page-hits per month, and that number is increasing daily.] However, if you are unable to find what you need on our Web site, feel free to e-mail us (Mail@ApologeticsPress.org) or write us. In addition, we produce an annual catalog of our books, audio tapes, video tapes, DVDs, CDs, article reprints, tracts, correspondence courses, etc. Contact us for a complimentary copy (800/234-8558). If we can be of assistance to you, call on us. We are here to help. Someone is “out there.”

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