Theories and Evidence for Creation Psalm 111:10 Proverbs 1:7

Overview What is the “God of the gaps” argument? What is the “God of the gaps” argument? Does Biblical creationism generate new scientific theories? Does Biblical creationism generate new scientific theories? How should Christians go about sharing theories of creation? How should Christians go about sharing theories of creation?

God of the gaps How have people throughout history explained natural events? E.g., the weather, physical illness, etc.? How have people throughout history explained natural events? E.g., the weather, physical illness, etc.? The “God of the gaps” argument states that we can’t just use God to explain away any phenomenon we don’t understand The “God of the gaps” argument states that we can’t just use God to explain away any phenomenon we don’t understand Evolutionists argue that critics of evolution are doing the same thing Evolutionists argue that critics of evolution are doing the same thing

No gaps, just the beginning “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Although we may blame God when our car doesn’t start, most of us still check the weather channel before dressing for work Although we may blame God when our car doesn’t start, most of us still check the weather channel before dressing for work We believe in a God who created the earth and set into motion all natural laws (for us to figure out, not to confuse us) We believe in a God who created the earth and set into motion all natural laws (for us to figure out, not to confuse us)

Theories of creation If God didn’t create every variation of animal we see today, what did he create? If God didn’t create every variation of animal we see today, what did he create? Genesis 1:11-12, 21, Genesis 1:11-12, 21, “Kinds” that had enough genetic variation to adapt to many different environments “Kinds” that had enough genetic variation to adapt to many different environments Still up to creation scientists to develop better taxonomies to illustrate original “kinds” Still up to creation scientists to develop better taxonomies to illustrate original “kinds”

Trees of life

Catastrophism What do creationists believe formed many of the natural wonders we observe in the world today? What do creationists believe formed many of the natural wonders we observe in the world today? Matthew 24:37-39 Matthew 24:37-39 Evidence for rapid burial for many fossils Evidence for rapid burial for many fossils Modern examples of the power of one-time catastrophic events in producing great change (e.g., Mt. St. Helens) Modern examples of the power of one-time catastrophic events in producing great change (e.g., Mt. St. Helens)

Geologic Observations May 18, 1980

The Little Grand Canyon of the Toutle River Geologic Processes Picture by Steve Austin, Ph.D. Geology

Other examples Information theory and specified complexity Information theory and specified complexity "In brief, living organisms are distinguished by their specified complexity. Crystals are usually taken as the prototypes of simple well-specified structures, because they consist of a very large number of identical molecules packed together in a uniform way. Lumps of granite or random mixtures of polymers are examples of structures that are complex but not specified. The crystals fail to qualify as living because they lack complexity; the mixtures of polymers fail to qualify because they lack specificity.“ – Leslie Orgel

Other examples Irreducible complexity (Michael Behe) Irreducible complexity (Michael Behe) For a biological structure, a unit of design that cannot be reduced (i.e., a part removed) without causing the whole structure to failFor a biological structure, a unit of design that cannot be reduced (i.e., a part removed) without causing the whole structure to fail Mousetrap exampleMousetrap example

Other examples Russell Humphreys – “Starlight and Time” explains the apparent age of the universe (e.g., galaxies, stars, etc) based on the theory of relativity Russell Humphreys – “Starlight and Time” explains the apparent age of the universe (e.g., galaxies, stars, etc) based on the theory of relativity Second law of thermodynamics – things in the universe tend to become more disordered, not more ordered (Colossians 15-18) Second law of thermodynamics – things in the universe tend to become more disordered, not more ordered (Colossians 15-18) No examples exist of raw energy leading to increased complexityNo examples exist of raw energy leading to increased complexity Vestigial organs Vestigial organs “Out of order” fossils “Out of order” fossils

So how do we tell our story? From the Answers in Genesis website: From the Answers in Genesis website: “On the basis of these events (Creation, Fall, Flood, Babel, etc.), we have a set of presuppositions to build a way of thinking which enables us to interpret the evidence of the present. Evolutionists have certain beliefs about the past/present that they presuppose, e.g. no God (or at least none who performed acts of special creation), so they build a different way of thinking to interpret the evidence of the present. Thus, when Christians and non-Christians argue about the evidence, in reality they are arguing about their interpretations based on their presuppositions.” In other words, we must start off by making clear that both sides have presuppositions In other words, we must start off by making clear that both sides have presuppositions

Our story requires the Bible More ideas for specific conversations we may have: More ideas for specific conversations we may have: “When someone tells me they want ‘proof’ or ‘evidence’, not the Bible, my response is as follows: ‘You might not believe the Bible but I do. And I believe it gives me the right basis to understand this universe and correctly interpret the facts around me. I’m going to give you some examples of how building my thinking on the Bible explains the world and is not contradicted by science. For instance, the Bible states that God made distinct kinds of animals and plants. Let me show you what happens when I build my thinking on this presupposition. I will illustrate how processes such as natural selection, genetic drift, etc. can be explained and interpreted. You will see how the science of genetics makes sense based upon the Bible.’’

A lot of information Remember, don’t ever worry about remembering or knowing all of the information concerning this or any other topic Remember, don’t ever worry about remembering or knowing all of the information concerning this or any other topic Although we always seek to grow in our faith, we can’t know everything Although we always seek to grow in our faith, we can’t know everything How does God remind us that we are only a part of the body of Christ? How does God remind us that we are only a part of the body of Christ? Galatians 6:2 Galatians 6:2

Bible verses Psalm 111:10 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom Psalm 111:10 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge Genesis 1: Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1: Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1: So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1: So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1: And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1: And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Matthew 24: As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 24: As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Colossians1: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. Colossians1: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. Galatians 6:2 - 2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 - 2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.