This past weekend, my church continued their series “Between a Rock and a Hard Place.” Last week, we kicked it off with “Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?” This week, we tackled creationism and evolution…and to be honest, this is one of those things that you either believe or you don’t. So take my thoughts today with a grain of salt, take them or leave them – you have the freedom to choose either way (of course, that really goes without saying).
Evolution at its simplest form states that something came from nothing. Meanwhile, creationism at its simplest form states that something came from something…God. Either way, each point of view requires a heavy dose of FAITH on top of whatever facts may be available.
Without doing some of my own research, I don’t feel that I can accurately explain evolution. (Click HERE for the original message and a much deeper discussion of evolution and creation.) I do know that Darwin started to question his own theory stating, ” innumerable transitional forms must have existed, why do we not find them embedded in countless numbers in the crust of the earth?” Better stated, where is the evidence…the fossils to prove the transitions of human beings, animals, plants, etc. – they don’t exist (in fact, there were several failed attempt at proving the evolution of man – the Nebraska Man, Java Man, Piltdown Man and Peking Man).
To be honest, I think both sides tell an interesting story but I am convinced that there are entirely too many holes in the evolution story for it to 100% explain how we all got here. I should mention that I don’t completely discount the theory of evolution either – I just believe that our world is entirely too complex (consider the complexity of the eye or our universe for example) for a higher power not to have kicked it off with a “big bang”…and of course, I believe that that higher power is God.
To be honest, I think both sides tell an interesting story but I am convinced that there are entirely too many holes in the evolution story for it to 100% explain how we all got here. I should mention that I don’t completely discount the theory of evolution either – I just believe that our world is entirely too complex (consider the complexity of the eye or our universe for example) for a higher power not to have kicked it off with a “big bang”…and of course, I believe that that higher power is God.
Genesis 1:1-2 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” I believe just as the bible says, that the world…that our universe started as nothing. Beyond that, I don’t know if we live in a young world or an old world…I don’t know if a day in biblical times was 24 hours or 1,000 of years but I think that’s where faith kicks in.
I am clearly over my head, but why is this whole conversation even important? Here are some things for us to think about moving forward:
- When you see God as the creator, it will impact how you worship God and it will impact your relationship with God. We don’t worship the plants, the animals, the sky…nature in general. However, I think we can all agree that nature is an incredible source of inspiration for us – not only in photography and music (among other art forms), but in our worship.
- When you see God as the creator, it will make you more aware of the sacredness of life. Just read Psalm 139. Each one of us is tailor made in the image of God. Each individual is someone who matters to God…each and every one of us. If we believe this, it will impact how we treat other people. How could you be a racist and also believe that God created each of us in his own image.
- When you see God as the creator, you can accept how he created you. Your personality, not matter how quirky, delightful or dysfunctional was designed by God for a very specific purpose. And we don’t always know that purpose. God loves a little variety. He created over 300 billion galaxies, thousands of tree and flower species, and billions upon billions of human beings. We are each fearfully and wonderfully made.
With all that said, I’m going to back away from the scientific language – I don’t even claim to know what I’m talking about when it comes to science. But, for all that I do not know, I will always believe. Have a wonderful Tuesday!
