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  • You are here: Blogs Directory / Apologetics / A Voice in the Wilderness Welcome Guest
    A Voice in the Wilderness
          A Call to Repentance

    Wed, Mar 18th - 10:34AM

    Creation/Evolution



    Creation in Genesis and the Value of God’s Word

     

    In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  Gen. 1:1

     

    Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers...

    For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water...2Pet. 3:3a,5

     

    I’d like to present some thoughts here on a recent discussion of the Creation verses Evolution debate in the community I am a part of.  What we believe about the book of Genesis, especially the creation account and the fall of man into sin as set forth in the first three chapters of this book, is an exact measure of what we believe about the entire Bible, and how we interpret it.  Our brother Mark has been leading us through these first chapters of Genesis and faithfully illustrating the rudiments of Biblical doctrine therein, including the first (veiled) mention of the Gospel in chapter three.  The assault on the word of God actually began in the third chapter of this book.  Rather than directly contradicting God’s commandment not to eat of the fruit of the tree in the center of the garden, Satan, in the form of a serpent began his attack with the question, “Hath God said...?”  That same question, and the subtle way it is posed has plagued man ever since.

     

    In the nineteenth century a theological movement known variously as modernism or “higher criticism” arose in Europe as an outgrowth of the rationalistic thinking of that day.  The miracles of the Bible were challenged, as being mere allegories of spiritual truth, and the creation account in Genesis was eventually relegated to the level of the mythology of the other creation stories of various religions and cultures.  As an outgrowth of this attack on the Bible, the historical text of the Bible was undermined by a new study of existing and newly discovered Bible manuscripts.  Thus, the pseudo-science of “textual criticism” came into being.  Most of these textual critics who developed a newly compiled text of the scriptures upon which nearly all modern Bible versions are based, were adherents of the theological modernism of that time.

     

    While Charles Darwin, the originator of the concept of Evolution did not develop his theory upon religious grounds, it has had a profound impact upon the professing Christian Church and its understanding of the Bible up until the very present.  Many contemporary believers, including those in pastoral ministry fail to recognize the dangers that a rationalistic attempt at Biblical interpretation presents.  I believe that it can be fairly documented that many, if not most Christian youth entering Bible colleges today come to these institutions with a simple faith in the literal account of creation as plainly taught in Genesis.  However, they often leave these schools confused, doubting and accepting evolution in one of its insidious forms as historical fact and reality.  Thus, the very foundations of their faith is shaken.  The admonitions of the New Testament are in need of serious attention here. 

     

    O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane [and] vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:  Which some professing have erred concerning the faith...  1Tim. 6:20,21

     

    Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  2Tim. 2:15

     

    We are exhorted in these and other New Testament passages to beware of godless men and their godless attempts to undermine the truth of Scripture that brings salvation to all men.  We are further, cautioned to use a proper means of study and interpretation of the word of God,”... rightly dividing the word of truth.”   This entails the employment of internal evidences from the Scriptures themselves in the interpretation of passages, which may seem difficult on the surface, rather than attempting to prove the Bible by natural phenomena.  As brother Mark has said, “the Bible is its own best interpreter.”  It is only by faith that such interpretation can be accomplished, not that our faith is unreasonable and blind to the reality of the world around us.  When we employ a proper method in our study of the Bible, the doctrines we derive from it will not only be “scriptural,” but will also be in harmony with the plain revelation of the creation that is evident to all men.  Rom. 1:20,21ff.  Faith is seeing that which is unseen naturally.  Our faith in God is inseparable from our faith in what He says in His holy Word.  That is why it is so important to reason with non-believers on the basis of the Word, which calls them to a remembrance of the evidence of the creation in their own consciences, and their rebellion against His moral law. 

     

              To attempt to place the study of natural science on an equal level with the Word of God inevitably leads to a compromise of the truth of Scripture.  In our attempt to make the creation account of Genesis appear as naturally plausible, we often fall into the trap of agreeing with the world that it wasn’t really a literal account.  “Theistic evolution” is one of the results of this attempt to

    make the creation account fit into the lie of evolution.  When Paul says that “a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump”, he is referring to this very thing, allowing a seemingly small error into our teaching, which will eventually corrupt our entire doctrine.  See Gal. 5:9

     

              In the so-called “Scopes Monkey Trial” in the 1920’s Christians who held steadfastly to what the Bible says about creation were ridiculed as being blind adherents to an illogical belief that is contrary to scientific fact.  Since that time many in the church have been unwilling to bear the reproach that accompanies their faith in God and in His Word, and have allowed a number of small, seemingly insignificant errors into their churches.  These errors have contributed greatly to the decline and apostasy (departure from God) we see occurring all around us today.  Gospel truth will always be rejected in this world, not because it is illogical or contrary to science, but because of the hardness of man’s heart.  The god of this world has blinded their minds (2Cor. 4:4), and only the Spirit of God can illuminate them.  All of our human reasoning, which often leads to a compromise of truth cannot bring them to the truth.  That does not mean that the issue of Creation vs. Evolution should not be studied.  But, how and why we study it is of utmost importance.  If we are not grounded on the divinely inspired and preserved Word of the living God, but rather fear men and try to cater to their carnal minds and theories we will surely be ensnared (Prov. 29:25) by their theories.

     

              The Bible clearly tells us that the cross and the wisdom of God that the cross represents is foolishness to the natural mind and to the world.  (1Cor. 1:18ff)  Our attempts at saving the world through salvaging the public school system and other social and political institutions in our society is, largely a futile effort.  We are commanded to witness to the truth, suffer for it when necessary, and call men to repentance, and out of this present world into the coming kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  The Book of Revelation tells us plainly that the world’s system of political, economic and religious harlotry will eventually come to a head and be destroyed by Christ at His return.  Our part, as God’s children is to proclaim the truth of the Gospel and stand firm in it, not to attempt to alter the world’s course.  Faith in the Word of God must be the ultimate and final determinant in our reasoning on all matters, especially in our view of the Bible itself and what it says.  An assault on any one part of the Bible is an assault on the whole.  It is, therefore of the greatest importance that we give the Bible, which is the full and complete revelation of God its highest value  so that we may properly address all of the challenges to it in our contemporary world.

     

    For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.  For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.   Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where [is] the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.  1Cor. 1:18-21

     

    By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.  Ps. 33:6

     

    For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.  Ps. 119:89

     

    for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name... Ps. 138:2

     

    The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.  Isa. 40:8

     



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    About Me

    Name: W. Michael Clark
    ChristiansUnite ID: wmichael
    Member Since: 2006-04-04
    Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
    Denomination: Attend a Mennonite church
    About Me: I am a broken vessel, hopefully able to contain His grace and glory, and to faithfully deliver the message entrusted to me. 2Cor. 4:7

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