Creation vs. Evolution II

Theory of Creation

by Ross L., Creation vs. Evolution II Team Member

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. Romans 1:19-20.

Many people believe that the Earth and all the creatures in it were created by God. Although most religions have creation stories as part of their beliefs, those who refer to themselves as Creationists are mainly fundamental Protestant Christians. These Creationists believe the version of creation found in the Bible in the book of Genesis. In this account, God created the Universe, including the Earth and all the creatures in it, in seven days. Most Creationists believe this means seven twenty-four hour days. Other Christians and Jews believe the seven days symbolize periods that lasted much longer.

Rather than having life begin in very simple forms - proteins, bacteria, algae, etc., and then gradually evolve into more complex forms, the theory of creation says that creatures started out as distinct and separate organisms when God created them. Although these distinct creatures have the capability to adapt to their surroundings to a certain extent, Creationists do not believe that they change into completely different and distinct animals through evolution. For example, Creationists do not believe that single-celled organisms evolved into more complex plants and animals, finally culminating in modern Homo Sapiens.

Creationists are among the harshest critics of the theory of evolution. They have been instrumental in pointing out weaknesses in the scientific evidence. What are those weaknesses?

• Although there is plenty of evidence for adaptive changes in species (microevolution), we do not in recorded history see one species becoming an entirely different, more highly evolved organism. For example, we have no examples in recorded history of a fish becoming an amphibian or even a bacteria evolving into anything other than a bacteria.

• The fossil record does not show the gradual changes that Darwin predicted.

• There can be errors in carbon dating and other methods that are used to determine the age of fossils and the Earth itself.

• DNA and RNA comparisons between similar and dissimilar species at times confirm evolution, but in other circumstances are inconsistent.

Finally, besides criticizing portions of various theories of how life evolved, Creationists are actively seeking scientific evidence of their own to support the creation account as it is presented in Genesis.

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