Five Major Views Of Creation

Systematic theological overview of five major views of the doctrine of creation; atheistic evolution, theistic evolution, etc., by Todd Linn, PhD

1. The Doctrine Of Creation Five Views

2. Five (5) Major Views of Creation Atheistic Evolution Theistic Evolution Progressive Creation (Day-Age Theory) Gap Theory Six-Day Creation

3. (1) Atheistic Evolution Statement of the View : “Everything in the universe has come into existence and has evolved into its present form as a result of natural processes unaided by any supernatural power.”

4. Positive Aspects of the Atheistic Evolution from its Advocates It appears to explain the origin of everything. It offers a single explanation for everything that exists: “ It evolved .” It offers the only real alternative to creation by God. It eliminates God and exalts man. It is thoroughly humanistic .

5. Problems with Atheistic Evolution It rests on a hypothesis that cannot be proved to be true; it is essentially a faith position (just like creationist positions). It is supported by little historical (geological) evidence (only the fossil record) which has many gaps in it and is open to subjective interpretation

6. Problems with Atheistic Evolution It relies on mutations as a mechanism for change, but mutations have not produced new species, and are almost always harmful and destructive. It is extremely improbable statistically. It repudiates special revelation ( Scripture ) concerning creation.

7. (2) Theistic Evolution Statement of the View : “Everything in the universe has come into existence and has evolved into its present form as a result of natural processes guided by the God of the Bible.”

8. Positive Aspects of Theistic Evolution from its Advocates It unites truth known by special revelation in the Bible with truth known by general revelation in nature and discovered by science. God seems to work according to this pattern in history interrupting and intervening the course of events only rarely.

9. Problems with Theistic Evolution It presupposes the truth of evolution which has not been validated (it is not a fact, but a theory ). God has intervened in history many more times than the theistic evolutionist posits. It cannot do justice to both the tenets of evolution and the teaching of Scripture . One must be given precedent over the other. This method of creation does not do justice to the biblical record of creation.

10. (3) Progressive Creation (also known as Day-Age Theory) Statement of the View : “God created the world directly and deliberately, without leaving anything to chance, but He did it over long periods of time that correspond roughly to the geological ages.”

11. Positive Aspects of Progressive Creation from its Advocates It provides a reasonable harmony between the Genesis record and the facts of science. The translation of “day” as “age” though rare, is an exegetically legitimate one.

12. Problems with Progressive Creation (Day-Age Theory) Taking the six days of creation as ages is unusual exegetically. “Evenings” and “mornings” suggests 24-hour periods. Death enters the world before the Fall (conflicts with Romans 5).

13. (4) The Gap Theory Statement of the View : “Between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 there was a long, indeterminate period in which the destruction of an original world and the unfolding of the geological ages can be located. God then recreated the cosmos.”

14. Positive Aspects of the Gap Theory according to its Advocates It rests on an exegetical, biblical base. It is consistent with the structure of the creation account itself. It is possible to translate the Hebrew verb “to be” in verse 2 as “became.”

15. Problems with the Gap Theory It is an unnatural explanation since the text implies an original creation in Genesis 1:2ff (cf. Exodus 20:11). While the view builds on a high view of Scripture, several of the interpretations for it are based on improbable exegesis. In this light some have proposed moving the gap to between John 1:1 and Genesis 1:1.

16. (5) Six Day Creation Statement of the View : “Genesis 1 describes one creative process that took place in six consecutive 24-hour periods of time, not more than 6-20 thousand years ago (many would allow for an older earth and creation date).”

17. Positive Aspects of Six-Day Creation by its Advocates It regards biblical teaching as determinative . It rests on a strong exegetical base. It is the clearest meaning of the text. It is consistent with the laws of thermodynamics . . .

18. Laws of Thermodynamics 1 st Law of Thermodynamics: although energy can be changed in form, it is not now being created (Genesis 2:1-3; Hebrews 4:4,10). 2 nd Law of Thermodynamics: all physical systems, if left to themselves, tend toward atrophy and become disordered (Hebrews 1:10-12; Romans 8:20-22).

19. Problems with Six-Day Creation Data from various scientific disciplines indicates the earth is about 5 billion years old. Creation with the appearance of age casts doubt on the credibility of God. While the view is based on the best exegesis of the text, it contradicts the present conclusions of several branches of science.

20. Creationists Who founded Modern Science Kepler—Astronomy Pascal—Hydrostatics Boyle—Chemistry Newton—Physics Kelvin—Thermodynamics

21. Johann Kepler (1571-1630): At the end of his life his prayer was, “I give you thanks, Creator and God, that you have given me this joy in thy creation, and I rejoice in the works of your hands. See I have now completed the work to which I was called. In it I have used all the talents you have lent to my spirit.”