Creationism vs Evolution |
Big Bang vs Christianity |
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Creationism vs EvolutionThe Christian doctrine of a young-earth, Creationism, was invented in response to the enormous popularity of Darwin's theory of evolution. Since evolution requires long time periods for life to get started, Christians thought to combat the idea of life originating by natural processes (without creation by God) by demonstrating that the earth is very young. Since then reliable scientific evidence has accumulated indicating that the earth is indeed very old and that it began with the big bang. But young-earth creationists have been unwilling to honestly consider this evidence. Instead they have undermined the scientific method by introducing the "appearance of age" theory in which they claim that even though the universe looks old, it is actually young; but God created it to look old. This rejection of the established facts of science has alienated the scientific community and caused our science and technology-based culture to look upon Christianity with scorn, rejecting it out of hand. However, there is a growing number of scientists who are Christians who believe that Biblical truth is harmonious with scientific truth. Featured article: The Ramifications of Information Theory The Creation-Science WarThere was no such teaching as Creationism until after the time of Jesus; the Old Testament rabbis didn't teach it nor did the apostles teach it. The earliest form of the teaching that the earth is young began several hundred years after Christ with the notion of 6,000 years of human history (by equating each day in the Genesis creation story with 1,000 years). This view is provably false but was taught both by Christians and Rabbis. It is ironic that modern young-earth creationists who quote the Early Church Fathers as "proof" of their view reject this 6,000-year teaching even though that is clearly what these early writers believed. Young-earth Creationists claim to interpret the word "day" in Genesis 1 literally: but alas, they are not so literal after all (link to Days of Creation). In these articles I review five books by Hugh Ross who is a progressive creationist. I am not claiming that Hugh Ross's ideas are the true and correct views, but I am highlighting his ideas to illustrate that there are indeed views of old-earth creationism which match well with biblical interpretation and which do not deny God's role in creation. Chronology of the Universe According to ScienceFrom Hugh Ross books . . .
What well-known Scientists Say"We can't understand the universe in any clear way without the supernatural." (Allan Sandage) "The values of these numbers [in the laws of science] seem to have been very finely adjusted to make possible the development of life." (Stephen Hawking) Albert Einstein wrote of his desire "to know how God created the universe. I am not interested in this or that phenomenon. . . . I want to know His thought, the rest are details." (Albert Einstein) "A superintellect has monkeyed with physics." (Sir Fred Hoyle) "The laws [of physics] . . . seem themselves to be the product of exceedingly ingenious design." (Davis) After Albert Einstein published his equations of general relativity he acknowledged "the necessity for a beginning" and "the presence of a superior reasoning power." What the Bible SaysHe stood, and shook the earth; he looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains crumbled and the age-old hills collapsed. His ways are eternal. (Habakkuk 3:6) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1) The big bang. He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing. He wraps up the waters in his clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight. (Job 26:7-8) From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. (Psalm 33:13-15) Hugh RossHugh Ross is a Christian Creationist, an astrophysicist who has written 5 excellent books that deal with this topic. In related articles of Hugh Ross books I provide the following:
I have no affiliation whatever with Hugh Ross or his organization. Links ...
Offsite Links ... The Literal Interpretation of the Genesis One Creation Account Two articles critical of evolution by Robert Locke who claims to not be a creationist: The Scientific Case Against Evolution and Evolution Is In Trouble Article originally written March 23, 2000. Statement of Faith | About the author
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