Creation vs. Evolution - Does it matter?

[John812]

Certainly the title of my thread could mean many things, but I will sharpen the focus greatly:

I will state my arguments with regards to four groups of people below:

1) Concerning those of us who believe in God and believe in Jesus Christ and that He died for our sins so that we may have life through Him - it doesn't matter whether creationism is correct or evolution is correct or another theory of why we have life: because no matter how we came to be, God exists and He sent Jesus Christ and Jesus saves us! Our focus on earth should not be to ponder why it is we have life, but to use this life in order to serve God.

2) Concerning those who do not believe in God - I used to not believe, and I can tell you that the creation story to me at the time seemed comical because of my deep belief in evolution and the big bang and science. People that do not believe in God will not believe in the Christian creation story. Assuming this, it is senseless to argue about evolution vs creationism to these people because it will not save them. These people need the Holy Spirit, not theories. Through our prayers, miracles, love and all manner of righteousness can we influence these people to seek God. (Matthew 7:7-8)

3) Concerning all other people who do not accept Jesus Christ, sent by God in order to die for our sins so that we may have life - Whether these people believe in the creation story or evolution or some other theory, what good will their beliefs do them if they have not accepted Jesus as their Savior? These people need the Holy Spirit, not theories. Through our prayers, miracles, love and all manner of righteousness can we influence these people to seek God.

4) Concerning children - Children lack much understanding and wisdom and their faith, in many children, does not have a strong foundation. Being exposed to both theories will probably have a confusing effect. Being exposed to both theories seems for the most part unavoidable. I don't know what the best course of action would be with regards to evolution vs creationism. As always, Christians have the responsibility of praying for kids, loving them, reading the bible with them and any other way of building up their faith. As kids grow, gaining wisdom and understanding, Christians must begin to explain this issue to them in a delicate way so as not to confuse them. I don't know what the right approach would be, I think parents will have to make their best judgement as to how they handle teaching their children about creationism vs evolution. Eventually, Christian children will become Christian adults, in which case I will refer you to my opening argument in #1.


In conclusion, I believe it is not important whether creationism is correct or evolution is correct. We will know for certain when it is revealed to us at the proper time. While we are on earth, our focus ought to be to serve God, and be a light to those without light, so that through us those without light may be influenced to believe as we do.

God Bless!

 

[gluadys]

4) Concerning children - Children lack much understanding and wisdom and their faith, in many children, does not have a strong foundation. Being exposed to both theories will probably have a confusing effect. Being exposed to both theories seems for the most part unavoidable. I don't know what the best course of action would be with regards to evolution vs creationism.

Fully agree on parts 1-3. But I do not understand why it should be a problem to discuss with children that Christians have different views on evolution and creationism. Children, especially once they have started school, are aware of differences among families. And curious about them. But not particularly phased by them.

Tell me, would you have difficulty telling your child that some Christians baptize infants and others do not? Would you have difficulty explaining what you believe about baptism and why---without casting aspersions on the faith of those who differ from you about this sacrament?

Why should it be anymore difficult to tell your child that some Christians accept evolution and others don't? Then explain your own position and why you support it---without casting aspersions on the faith of those who differ from you about this issue.

Most important, I believe, is to tell your children never to fear the truth. No truth can ever be at odds with God. Tell them you believe your position is the truth, but that you are only human and might be mistaken. When they are older and have had a chance to examine the evidence, they may decide another position is closer to the truth. That is ok. Christians can and do decide differently on these things.

Tell them it is ok to be confused and not sure what to believe. We all go through stages like that, but prayer and study will eventually help clarify matters and help them decide. And tell them that no matter what they eventually decide, God still loves them, Christ still died for their redemption, and they are still welcome in the household of God.

 

[seebs]

I don't think it matters directly. The problem is that people are trying to invalidate each others' ways of learning about the world.

 

[John812]

If I had children, I would certainly do my best to explain to them that the beliefs of Christians differ from individual to individual, with regards to baptism and other issues, including evolution. To me, it is just that children lack much wisdom and knowledge and the foundation of their faith is not very solid so it is extremely important that we say the right things so that their faith will be preserved. I myself believed in God when I was younger, but later I lost faith and did not believe that God existed. I cannot recall for what reasons I decided that I didnt believe in God, but evolution was probably one of the main issues.

Gluadys, I very much like your ideas that you presented about the issue of children and I think that if I had children I would take your advice. I think its very important for parents to give their children special attention with regards to their faith, to delicately nurture it with love and wisdom and all righteousness so their faith will grow strong and have a foundation that will stand the test of time.

God Bless!

 

[thekawasakikid]

John812:

Concerning your point 1, ardent creationists would state that to deny the literality (is that a real word?!) of the Creation account is to deny the atonement of Christ, since a literal Christ is traced to a figurative Adam. I know, I was told this in no uncertain terms by my creationist brothers.

Not that I would agree with this myself - just adding this information to the discussion

 

[John812]

There is a great deal of evidence to support evolution, and although I myself am not decided as to how our life originated on this planet, neither do I think it matters because of what I wrote in the 4 points. As Christians, there are certain beliefs which unite us all. There are not many, but these are the beliefs that we ought to embrace and unite under. Creationists have their own views about many things. Other Christians have different views concerning those things. We should not allow these matters to divide us. I believe that to say that not believing in creation is denying Christ's atonement for our sins is no small statement. I would interpret this saying to mean that those of us who do not believe in creation will not be saved. I don't know how other people feel about this, but this greatly unsettles me. I feel like the creationists who say such things are slamming the door of salvation in my face, even though I believe that Jesus died so that we could have atonement. For me, the problem is that I do not believe in everything that is written in the bible because it conradicts itself. Examples of this include the genealogy of Jesus as stated in the gospels of Matthew and Luke which offer different accounts of Jesus' genealogy, even not agreeing on who Jesus' father's father was. Another very important example of a contradiction has to do with Jesus' last words. The gospels of Matthew and Mark write that Jesus said, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?". The gospels of Luke and John do not write that Jesus said this. It's my opinion that he did not, although I am not certain. Another contradiction is that in the gospel of Matthew the two robbers who were crucified with Jesus "...heaped insults on him" (Matthew 27:44). In the gospel of Luke one of the criminals defends Jesus, to which Jesus rewards him by replying, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). I think we must be very careful about what we believe from the bible, because it was written by mere men who made mistakes. There is much truth in the bible, but also mistakes. In conclusion, I am convinced that Jesus did walk this earth and did die for our sins! Alleluja! No matter what contradictions there are in a book written by men, The Lord Saves!

To thekawasakikid - literality is not a word. I wasn't certain myself so I checked it and the correct word to have used in your sentence is literalism.

God Bless!