As there appears to be quite a few religious fundamentalist on this forum we have decided to post our own thread on this subject which we believe more accurately depicts the creation work. As with most subjects the pendulum generally tends swings to far one way or another, we hope to show there is a middle ground which coincides with common sense and with the Holy Scriptures.
The record of creation as presented in the opening pages of the Bible is accepted by believers as inspired of God and accurate, even honest skeptics have been impressed by its uniqueness. Of scores of ancient creation accounts, whether from Sumeria, Egypt, China, Persia or elsewhere, the biblical record is the only one that approaches a scientific framework, this despite what our evolutionist friends are led to believe, but of course this is not entirely their own fault as many Christian extremist and/or religious fundamentalist have completely disregard many basic scientific principles and have given them plenty of material to ridicule.
Thus it is that many professed Christians lacking sound reason have only contributed to the problem, totally demeaning the scriptural account both before the world and before the skeptic. The Bible, in contrast depicts the work of creation in a definite, reasonable order that agrees with modern science despite what some may believe.
“We read in 1 Tim 6:20, "O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust (the truth), avoiding the profane and idle babblings and oppositions (contradictions) of science, falsely so called." This passage the church nominal has ever been ready to quote when an investigation of nature's laws seemed to develop ideas or theories at variance with her cherished opinions; forgetting sometimes to obey the equal injunction. "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." Paul did not blow hot and cold. In the first place he did not say "science." The word he used means knowledge or wisdom in a more general sense. Secondly, he clearly indicates that it must first be proved to be a vain babbling under the name of wisdom before it is rejected.
Strange to say the church [falsely so called] professing to walk in the light and in the knowledge of God instead of being a leader in the advancement of true science and philanthropy, has not only been a dead load dragging behind, but has often bitterly opposed every advancing step.”
In examining areas touched upon by both science and the Bible, we need to observe certain precautions. Some scientific conclusions may be based largely on theory and conjecture; likewise some biblical interpretations may be based on an incorrect understanding of the text. It is only when the science is factual and the Bible is correctly interpreted that we can expect to find harmony between the two.
Let us now examine the creation account from a logical manner, or as the Lord admonishes us, “Come let us reason together”, (Not speaking, i.e. telling God what we think or imagine, but rather listening to what he has to say upon the matter, comparing what little we know with EVERYTHING that he knows that we might come to a logical conclusion on the issue.) Please understand that much of what we present here in our opening remarks regarding events which may have taken place prior to the actual work of creation, that is the work of preparing the earth for man is speculative at best nevertheless there does seem to be some grounds to support what is purpose, so please bear with us.
In this study we will be taking another look at the creation account as outlined in Genesis, however in order to properly lay a foundation for our particular position on this subject it will prove necessary that we first venture a bit into speculation that is with regards to events proceeding the creative days. There are of course as many theories on what preceded Gods work as it relates to the readying of the earth for man as there are theories on the Genesis account itself. Our object here however is to find a way in which both natural laws and the Word of God can coincide one with another, naturally with the LORD’s Word taking precedence.
As a Christian always bear in mind that it is the theory which must be harmonized with the divine testimony, NOT the other way around.
NATURAL LAWS
“The universe obeys certain rules—laws to which all things must adhere. These laws are precise, and many of them are mathematical in nature. Natural laws are hierarchical in nature; secondary laws of nature are based on primary laws of nature, which have to be just right in order for our universe to be possible. But, where did these laws come from, and why do they exist? If the universe were merely the accidental by-product of a big bang, then why should it obey orderly principles—or any principles at all for that matter? Such laws are consistent with biblical creation. Natural laws exist because the universe has a Creator God who is logical and has imposed order on His universe.”
Everything in the universe, every plant and animal, every rock, every particle of matter or light wave, is bound by laws which it has no choice but to obey. The Bible tells us that there are laws of nature—“ordinances of heaven and earth” (Jer 33:25). These laws describe the way God normally accomplishes His will in the universe.
God’s logic is built into the universe, and so the universe is not haphazard or arbitrary. It obeys laws of chemistry that are logically derived from the laws of physics, many of which can be logically derived from other laws of physics and laws of mathematics. The most fundamental laws of nature exist only because God wills them to; they are the logical, orderly way that the Lord upholds and sustains the universe He has created. The atheist is unable to account for the logical, orderly state of the universe. Why should the universe obey laws if there is no law-giver? But laws of nature are perfectly consistent with biblical creation. In fact, the Bible is the foundation for natural laws.” (“God & Natural Law” by Jason Lisle, Ph.D.)
So in essence the natural laws which we hope to coincide with the Word of God were in fact of His own creation, so it shouldn’t be all that difficult to arrive at some logical conclusions in our study, but first before we begin let us first take a closer look at the opening statement of Genesis, as we wish to explain the reasoning for the statement, “In a beginning” in our posts opening diagram.
We will continue with our next post.