Creationism: Science, Evolution & Evidence
"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. (Genesis 2:1-3 ESV)
I have to confess that I do not believe the earth is a few billion years old but much younger. (I want to add the disclaimer that I am not a scientist nor am I trained in any of the disciplines of science. I studied communication and rhetoric.) With that said, I do feel as though I have a grasp on the heart of the debate and it does not have to do with empirical science.
I also want to note my perceived audience: those who believe in the Christ and who He is according to the scriptures.
It is with our belief in the scriptures that I want to use as my weapon to hopefully edify brothers and sisters who might struggle with this issue.
First I believe the bible is true. Not in a fully literal sense and not in a fully metaphorical, allegorical or blah-blah blah sense. I believe the whole of scripture confesses and directs us towards the glory of Christ or Lord and God. All of creation was created by Him and for Him. All that is given to us is given to us for His sake. He Himself has revealed Himself to us for His sake, not ours.
Now, with the arguments concerning naturalistic evolution, particularly natural selection and the supposed result of speciation; I must submit by my own conscience and understanding of scriptures that this is not a true ideology.
I hold to a belief in Christ and the scriptures, since my standard of who He is comes from the scriptures, and in doing so submit to their truthfulness. Not only is this true but I also believe the Old Testament is true and not deceitful. So with this established in my mind, it should be difficult for me to conclude and adhere to the truthfulness of a theory or ideology that is atheistic. Even more so, a theory that contradicts the truths of scripture should be examined closely and with brevity before we give our allegiance to it.
A light example and one often understood in the arguments. Naturalistic evolution would declare the earth and all of its parts has taken 4-5 billion years to reach it's state today. With the studies in potassium-argon dating, light travel and others that would date the earth as such, it is an understandable conclusion to reach, outside of scriptures. One biblical perspective, the one I espouse and will represent, believe the account in the book of Genesis to be true in the sense that it is a literal description of creation. I believe here, without inserting or removing some descriptions of time from their context, we find a contradiction between the naturalistic four billion year account and the six day account. If one is right then the other has to be wrong. (I do not wish to argue about either/or or either/and perspectives of truth. As Ravi Zacharias put concerning these two viewpoints you eventually come to a point where you have either an "either/or" or an "either/and" perspective. Chew on that).
A deeper example for Christians might be Christ's adherence to the truth of the history stated in the Old Testament when He talks of Adam and Eve and their marriage being the first. (Even though I write less about this one, think about it more. Christ did not say this account was merely a parable that needed explanation like the others, it was real and true. My two cents)
I want you to have confidence in these few things, because essentially it is all we need. Our Lord is true and good. He is faithful and if you believe in Him He will save you to the uttermost. His word is good and true and given to us so we would know Him and know Him well.
Do not slouch concerning these things and do not be led astray. Hold onto what is eternal with all your weakness. I am going to write another note soon to clarify anything I might need to, such as revelation and how we cannot say nature is revelatory the same way as scriptures. That and other things.
Christopher
(Oh yes, I do plan on talking more of the heart of the issue. I am just out of time.)
