Do you have to be a creationist to be a true Christian?

[AmericanChristian91]

One does need to be a creationist in the sense believing that God created the universe. But you don't need to view the book of Genesis as being accurate 100% to our modern understanding of history and science. Even if your view of Genesis turns out to be wrong, God is merciful and your still a Christian. Being a Christian doesn't mean we have to have correct knowledge on everything.

 

[Waggles]

Being a Christian doesn't mean we have to have correct knowledge on everything.

Really!!!
Where do Jesus and the Apostles write this?

 

[AmericanChristian91]

Really!!!
Where do Jesus and the Apostles write this?

I don't think they did.

But its true that when someone becomes a christian, they still have to deal with human issues. One of those issues isn't having all knowledge.

Im sure you are aware that there are various differences of beliefs within the Christian World. So it's not be surprising for some Christians to have some mistaken beliefs. All Christians can't be right on all of their beliefs.

It would be impossible for all the different types of Protestants, the Catholics, and Orthodox to all be right on all of their views.

 

[Angel Wings 1288]

I find that bizarre. For me to believe in evolution is simply unbelief.
Seeking to believe in the doctrines of men, rather than the truth of God.
Ans as such evolutionists have the problem of calling the Word of God untrue and God a liar.
That could be a problem for one's salvation.

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it?
or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Numbers 23:19
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from
the simplicity that is in Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:3
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool,
that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He takes the wise in their own craftiness.
20 And again, The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
1 Corinthians 3:18-20

I agree with you, namely because the idea of theistic evolution implies that God isn't all-powerful and would therefore need to work within natural law to create life. But God is supernatural and doesn't need billions of years to create something that can be done in six days with his omnipotent abilities.

Perhaps the reason why some Christians accept evolution is because they haven't read the evidence against it. They may find it easier to simply agree with the opinion of secular scientists instead of researching information that shows flaws in the theory of evolution. Many of them probably don't realize that by accepting evolution, they are by default believing that God isn't all-powerful or supernatural and must work within the constraints of natural law to create life.

 

[rjs330]

I agree with you, namely because the idea of theistic evolution implies that God isn't all-powerful and would therefore need to work within natural law to create life. But God is supernatural and doesn't need billions of years to create something that can be done in six days with his omnipotent abilities.

Perhaps the reason why some Christians accept evolution is because they haven't read the evidence against it. They may find it easier to simply agree with the opinion of secular scientists instead of researching information that shows flaws in the theory of evolution. Many of them probably don't realize that by accepting evolution, they are by default believing that God isn't all-powerful or supernatural and must work within the constraints of natural law to create life.

Actually I don't think that accurate. I think a great deal of theistic evolutionists have a good understanding of evolution and it's questions. But they choose to believe in the so called scientific evidence anyway. They believe that God is all powerful bit that he CHOSE to create by evolution. They choose to believe science over Genesis despite having zero scriptural evidence for evolution and having quite a bit of scriptural evidence for creationism.

 

[Waggles]

But they choose to believe in the so called scientific evidence anyway.

But in the end there is NO real evidence for evolution. It is wishful thinking and false science
at best.
God declared that he created space, time and matter (including life) out of nothing.
When we interact with this living planet and observe its marvels from geology to biology to us
we can see the work of God. Design, engineering, complexities, structures,
interdependent ecosystems that boggle the brain.

Really, I don't see what the problem is for any Christian to have full faith and confidence in the
Word of God. It is self evident and truth.

 

[Angel Wings 1288]

Actually I don't think that accurate. I think a great deal of theistic evolutionists have a good understanding of evolution and it's questions. But they choose to believe in the so called scientific evidence anyway. They believe that God is all powerful bit that he CHOSE to create by evolution. They choose to believe science over Genesis despite having zero scriptural evidence for evolution and having quite a bit of scriptural evidence for creationism.

You're saying that theistic evolutionists believe two things: that God is all-powerful and thus has the ability to create everything in six days, like the Bible describes; and that God used his omnipotence to create us over the course of billions of years instead of six days, an idea that isn't found in the Bible.

I'm not making much sense of your opinion. How can someone believe that God is all-powerful but took billions of years to do what is possible in six days?

 

[AmericanChristian91]

I'm not making much sense of your opinion. How can someone believe that God is all-powerful but took billions of years to do what is possible in six days?

That's like saying.....

"How can someone believe that God is all - powerful but took 6 days to do what is possible in 6 minutes or less"

What im trying to get at, is that for God since he is all powerful, he could have created everything in 1 second.

Its not like he is restricted to just 6 days for creating planets.

Billions of years isn't a big time span for God anyways.


Just as you belief that God chose to make the world in 6 days, even though he has the power to do it in less time, evolutionary creationists choose to belief that for whatever reasons, God decided to not make the earth in a fast manner, even though he could do so if he wished.

 

[Armoured]

Option 3: Creationists can't be true Christians

 

[Waggles]

Unlike atheists, though, most of these Christians believe God guided the evolutionary process, that it was his tool for creating humans. Many creationists think this type of Christian who accepts evolution cannot be considered a true Christian.

It would be best to err on the side of caution, and to uphold the truth of scripture.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7
The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
Proverbs 3:19-20
1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass [a circle] upon the face of the depth:
28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. [us humans]
Proverbs 8:

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 9:9-10

 

[rjs330]

But in the end there is NO real evidence for evolution. It is wishful thinking and false science
at best.
God declared that he created space, time and matter (including life) out of nothing.
When we interact with this living planet and observe its marvels from geology to biology to us
we can see the work of God. Design, engineering, complexities, structures,
interdependent ecosystems that boggle the brain.

Really, I don't see what the problem is for any Christian to have full faith and confidence in the
Word of God. It is self evident and truth.

I fully agree!

 

[rjs330]

You're saying that theistic evolutionists believe two things: that God is all-powerful and thus has the ability to create everything in six days, like the Bible describes; and that God used his omnipotence to create us over the course of billions of years instead of six days, an idea that isn't found in the Bible.

I'm not making much sense of your opinion. How can someone believe that God is all-powerful but took billions of years to do what is possible in six days?

I agree. It makes no sense to me either, but that's what they believe. They believe that the evidence of evolution shows that God created that way. There is absolutely NO SCRIPTURAL evidence to support that thought. That is why Genesis has to be allegory and not historical fact. The only way to support their theory is to make Genesis not a real factual account of creation. They choose to believe a man conjured scientific theory over the scriptural account. They believe the scientific evidence proves that God did it that way.

 

[Angel Wings 1288]

I agree. It makes no sense to me either, but that's what they believe. They believe that the evidence of evolution shows that God created that way. There is absolutely NO SCRIPTURAL evidence to support that thought. That is why Genesis has to be allegory and not historical fact. The only way to support their theory is to make Genesis not a real factual account of creation. They choose to believe a man conjured scientific theory over the scriptural account. They believe the scientific evidence proves that God did it that way.

Which then raises the obvious question...

If God intended the Book of Genesis to be only an allegory, why is it written as an historical account of creation?

There isn't anywhere in scripture that would suggest the creation account in the Bible is intended to be allegorical. For all practical purposes, it's the real deal.

 

[Abraxos]

Some Christians think that you must believe every part of the Bible, including the creation narrative in the Book of Genesis, is infallible to be a true Christian. That is, you must believe the universe, Earth, and humanity were created in six 24-hour periods, otherwise they think you’re not a true Christian.

Other Christians have accepted evolution science. Unlike atheists, though, most of these Christians believe God guided the evolutionary process, that it was his tool for creating humans. Many creationists think this type of Christian who accepts evolution cannot be considered a true Christian.

What do you think? Do believers have to accept the creation narrative in Genesis to be a true Christian? Or do you think otherwise?

Christendom is made up of many parts. From the Protestants and it's branches, to the Catholics and it's branches, to the Eastern Orthodox and so on. Just as a body has many parts, all form one body, and despite our many differences and diversities we are all unified by one spirit - and that was exactly how God intended it to be.

But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31.

(Just something I saw though a little simple but I felt was appropriate.)

 

[lismore]

What do you think? Do believers have to accept the creation narrative in Genesis to be a true Christian? Or do you think otherwise?

Hello

It might be reasonable to say that someone who believes all of the bible could be labeled a true Christian more easily that someone who only believes the passages he/she wants to.

The ten commandments say:

Exodus 20: 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day.

Who said this?

Exodus 20:1 And God spoke all these words

God Bless

 

[Dkh587]

I wonder why someone claims to be a Christian yet denies that the Scriptures clearly teach that God made the heavens and the earth in 6 literal days, and on the 7th day rested.

 

[rjs330]

I wonder why someone claims to be a Christian yet denies that the Scriptures clearly teach that God made the heavens and the earth in 6 literal days, and on the 7th day rested.

I have a sneaking suspicion it has nothing to do with Scripture and everything to do with science.

 

[lismore]

I have a sneaking suspicion it has nothing to do with Scripture and everything to do with science.

In other words an interpretation of scripture based on the views of atheists?

 

[rjs330]

In other words an interpretation of scripture based on the views of atheists?

Not necessarily. There are Christian scientists. I'm talking strictly about evolution science. Which isn't really science anyway since it cannot actually test evolution to affirm the hypothesis. And there are Christians who have bought this false science hook line and sinker. And this thread is about that. Can they be Christians and disbelieve Genesis as literal and historical. I say yes because I can't find a scripture that demands they believe what I believe about Genesis. But I do find it perplexing.