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If God did not create the world, then humans become superior animals struggling to survive instead of the crown of God’s creation. Survival or serving oneself instead of glorifying God is the reason for living. Death becomes a natural event in the long struggle rather than a judgment against sin.
Evolution suggests that we are getting better and better and don’t need to face our desperate need for a Savior. But what about someone who says, “You believe in creation, I believe in evolution. We can agree to disagree. I still believe in Jesus! What does it matter how God created the world?” If one were to take this line of thinking to its logical conclusion, the veracity of all of Scripture could be in doubt.
The biblical account of creation
Take a moment to read the creation account in Genesis 1:1–2:3 and note the phrases that repeat. Repeatedly, God says that he created everything “according to their kinds.” Two hundred years ago, Christians may have wondered why God would repeat such an obvious point. Of course, dogs have dogs and cats have cats. But as a 21st-century Christian, I appreciate God saying that he made animals according to their kinds. The DNA of all these kinds is God’s creation and intended to preserve order in the created world.
Consider how these other repeated phrases from Genesis 1 argue against evolution.
“There was evening, and there was morning—the . . . day.”
“And God said . . . . And God saw that it was good.”
“God created mankind in his own image.”
Holding on to our faith
Read the following passages and comment on what they say about whether
it matters if God made the world as recorded in Genesis 1.
- 2 Timothy 3:16,17
- John 17:17
- Romans 1:20
- Romans 8:19-23
Read 2 Peter 3:3-13
What does this passage teach us about the importance of holding on to our faith in the almighty Creator of heaven and earth?
Read Psalm 19:1,2 and 2 Corinthians 4:6
In your own words describe a time when you praised God for his wonderful works of creation and salvation.
Read more about the topics of creation and evolution in the books Elephants in the Room: Evolution Versus the Message of Scripture and Quick to Listen: Understand Viewpoints that Challenge Your Faith. Available from Northwestern Publishing House, nph.net; 800-662-6022.
Author: David Scharf
Volume 107, Number 08
Issue: August 2020
- Psalm 103: When you count your blessings
- Psalm 91: When God lifts you up on his lap
- Psalm 4: When you draw nearer to the end
- Psalm 42: When you ask, “Where is God when I’m hurting?”
- Psalm 32: When you need forgiveness
- Psalm 130: When rocks fall
- Bible study: Freedom in service
- What does this mean for me? Article 6
- Bible study: Spiritual gifts
- What does this mean for me? Article 5
- What does this mean for me? Article 4
- Bible study: Rejoice in your status!
- Bible study: Baptismal blessings
- What does this mean for me? Article 3
- What does this mean for me? Article 2
- Bible study: Gifts of tongues and miraculous healing
- What does this mean for me? Article 1
- Bible study: Jesus is everyone’s Savior
- Bible study: Love one another
- Bible study: Above all things!
- Bible study: The comfort of God’s providence
- The book of James: Waiting for Christ’s return
- Bible study: Precious grace
- The book of James: Active in using prayer
- Bible study: Rewards of grace
- The book of James: Active in showing love
- The book of James: Correctly evaluating riches
- Bible study: What’s going to happen on the Last Day?
- The book of James: Avoiding loveless judging
- Bible study: Interpretation practice
- The book of James: Taming the tongue
- Bible study: The Bible’s attributes
- Bible study: The importance of the family altar
- Bible study: God’s attitude is grace
- Bible study: The Bible’s account of Easter morning
- Bible study: Different types of sin
- Bible study: God’s inspiration
- Bible study: Giving God glory
- Bible study: Judge for yourself
- The book of James: Using the Word of Truth
- Bible study: The need for the Bible and worship
- Bible study: Citizens of two kingdoms
- The book of James: Active in good works
- The book of James: When battling temptation
- Bible study: God cares
- Bible study: God made the world
- The book of James: When facing trials
- Bible study: A loving God saved people from hell
- The book of James: A blueprint for living out our life of faith
- A Bible story just for me: Guilt
- Bible study: God provides victory over death!
- A Bible story just for me: Anxiety
- Bible study: God forgives and refuses to remember our sins
- A Bible story just for me: Grief
- Bible study: God helps those who cannot help themselves
- A Bible story just for me: Depression
- Bible study: God has not grown soft on sin
- Bible study: Only one path leads to God’s presence
- A Bible story just for me: Trauma
- A Bible story just for me
- Bible study: God wants me in heaven
- Bible study: The incarnation of our Lord