Scripture: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1
Examination: This first chapter of the Bible describes the seven days of creation. God spoke and it was.
Application: The beginning of all things has been debated for centuries. Interesting to note that those who support the theory of evolution mock those who believe in a divine Creator, and sadly, the opposite is often true as well. The claim of evolutionists is that believing in the biblical account of creation is based solely on faith, whereas evolution bases its validity on facts. The truth is that both paths of creation are based upon faith.
In order for something to be acceptable as fact, science states it must be able to be tested repeatedly for validation. Neither evolution nor biblical creation can meet that criterium, thus both must be viewed as faith-based theories.
The view of an evolutionist is that somewhere along the universal timeline, non-living matter became living matter albeit in its simplest form. One of the most accepted evolutionary origins of everything is the “big bang” theory. At the beginning of time, the universe was a very condensed ball of stuff that exploded to eventually form atoms. As eons of time passed, these atoms chose to “evolve” into some sort of microscopic living organisms, which became the onset of life. These tiny entities then randomly chose to become more complicated in form and evolved into higher functioning organisms. This pattern would continue over billions of years until we see the results of that process today in the form of humankind. Has this ever been proven? Can it be tested for validity? No. There were no eyewitnesses to the original event. It has never been replicated in a laboratory, Therefore, by definition, it can only be a scientific faith-based theory.
The view of the creationist is that there was a divine being who personally created everything. The first two chapters of the Bible explain that God spoke and within a six-day period, the universe was created, and everything in it came into existence. This theory also cannot be proven. No one was there to witness these events; therefore, it is a biblical faith-based theory.
Here are two questions that come to mind when comparing evolution with creation.
1. From where did it all begin?
- Evolution – According to NASA, when cosmic inflation stopped, the energy driving it transferred to matter and light – the big bang. One second after the big bang, the universe consisted of an extremely hot (18 billion degrees Fahrenheit or 10 billion degrees Celsius) primordial soup of light and particles.
- Human reasoning asks, ‘Who was there to time this or take the temperature?’
- Answer: No one
- Creation – God spoke the universe and all within it into existence.
- “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” – Colossians 1:16
- Human reasoning asks, ‘How did He do this?’
- Answer: God is omnipotent. “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” – Mark 10:27
2. How did random living matter become so organized and complex?
- Evolution – Simple organic (living matter) molecules are the building blocks of life and must have been involved in its origin. Science suggests that organic molecules could have been synthesized in the atmosphere of early Earth and rained down into the oceans. (University of Berkeley)
- Human reasoning asks: ‘How can something be “involved” in its own origin?’
- Answer: Unknown
- Creation – The action of an intelligent divine Creator, God, brought each unique lifeform into existence.
- “Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.” – Nehemiah 9:6
- Human reasoning asks, ‘Where did God come from?’
- Answer: “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” – Psalm 90:2
There are many other questions that perpetuate the debate between the theories of evolution and creation. Clearly, none of these can be proven. This is where faith comes into play. Upon examination of the evidence that is available, the obvious question is “In what do you want to place your faith?”
Like Joshua, we all need to answer that question. “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (24:15).
As for me and my house, we choose to place our faith in the living God.
Memory Verse: “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” – 1 John 5:4
My faith has found a resting place, not in device nor creed.
I trust the ever-living One; His wounds for me shall plead.
I need no other argument, I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died, and that he died for me.
Enough for me that Jesus saves, this ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him, He’ll never cast me out.
I need no other argument, I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died, and that he died for me.
My heart is leaning on the Word, the written Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s name, salvation thro' his blood.
I need no other argument, I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died, and that he died for me.
(from “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place” by E. E. Hewitt )