On the subject of Origins

One constantly reads and hears these days about the "creationism versus evolution" debate. Almost everyone has an opinion one way or the other on this, and most (on both sides) are so steadfast and unwavering in their beliefs that the "debate" usually devolves into more of a name-calling fest. I'd like to outline my thoughts on this subject, and see what you folks out there think.

First off, let me say that I believe God created the universe and everything in it. A lot of people might stop reading right there, writing me off in their minds as a lunatic or simpleton - but I think if you continue reading you will see that I am not. I am a Christian, so I cannot accept that God had no involvement in the world that we see around us; neither can I believe that God simply does not exist.

Many folks who espouse the modern theory of evolution would come down on the opposite side: they would say that they cannot believe in a God, and therefore "creationism" is impossible. Either way, it is not the evidence at hand that sways people one way or the other - it is the world view we start with that leads us to look at the world and interpret the things we see in a way that fits with our fundamental beliefs.

In fact, to truly understand where I fall on this one must take a step back and look at the terms that are bandied about so loosely:

Creationism - Many think that this is a purely Regis view that takes no science or evidence into account. To me, though, it is not so much a statement of how God created the world as it is simply a believe that it was created and did not simply come from nowhere. This topic is a worthy philosophical discussion, but science can in no way touch on it: if one posits, for a moment, the existence of a supreme being (as most who believe in Him think God is) and that He created the universe, there is no way that science can either prove or disprove that. We can see evidence for - or potentially against - it, but in the end one could point out that this Being could entirely hide His presence and yet still exist. As such, this is indeed a matter of faith.

Evolution - Usually when someone uses this term they refer to Darwin's theories on the origin of species, and the various other thinking that has come as a result of that. I would like to point out, though, that there are two clear types of evolution: micro and macro. Micro evolution deals purely with variation in a species, and can clearly be seen over time. Certain colorations of animals might tend to outlive others, or animals with longer or shorter physical attributes might fare better than others. All of that is due to environmental situations, and only results in cosmetic changes over time. Macro evolution, on the other hand, is the idea that one species can change into something very different given enough time. This, so far as I know, has never been observed - even in the fossil record; if someone out there has evidence to the contrary I would dearly like them to provide it. It is my opinion that micro evolution is fact, and that because it works so well people were drawn to the idea that over time-spans far beyond what we can readily observe macro evolution might be possible. I would hold that as far worse pseudo-science than anything that "creationists" have come up with, since it in no way adheres to the scientific method!

There is one other term that I would like to mention, and which when it comes up is often equated with creationism: Intelligent Design. This is the more scientific approach to the creation side of the origins debate; rather than going purely on faith, this pursuit looks for evidence of a Creator in various scientific fields. Having read somewhat on this relatively new approach, though not nearly as much as I would like to, I think it has a lot of merit. When the topic of what should be taught in schools comes up, I think that if you are going to teach at all on the origin of man (and I don't necessarily think this even belongs in modern curriculum's - but that is another topic entirely) then both Intelligent Design and Darwinian evolution should be represented. Each should be shown equally, both the good and the bad, and it should be left at that.

Now that this post has gone a bit off of the direction I had planned, let me pull it back on course. As I said near the beginning, I believe that God created the universe. I think that He did it in six literal days, as is described in the first chapter of Genesis, since if it had been done differently I think He would have told us. I am, however, open to the possibility that God chose to use a longer period of time - and perhaps even other methods than simply making things out of thin air. I don't see any evidence of that, though, either in Scripture or in the world. In the end, the key thing to me is that He is the Creator, and as such the final authority on how we should live our lives. The fact that He made me, and the whole of the universe that existed before me, lets me know that there is a reason for all of this; moreover, through His words to us in scripture (the Bible) we can know what that reason is!

Without that, we would simply exist for no reason. There would be no justification for morality, right and wrong, and might would simply 'make right' as the old saying goes. I don't think I could live in a world like that, and if most people thought on it long enough I doubt they could either. Because of the way evolution it taught, though, and because people are more and more divorcing themselves from God, that is the way many people think - and look at the horrors it has led to in our society! I digress, though, and have dragged this on too long for one day. Please, though, if you have read this far why not leave a comment? :)