By Chance or Intelligent Design
Recently after visiting a local archeology museum it was apparent that the philosophy of the exhibits, were immersed in evolution. The museum was filled with wide eyed children in awe at every corner reading about fossils, dinosaurs and apes through the lens of evolution which began with Darwinism. Unfortunately, this philosophy is treated as empirical science and not limited to museums, it is taught in our public schools today. “The truth is that Darwinism is not science but a naturalistic philosophy masquerading as science. So an honest debate between Darwinism and Christianity is not fact versus faith but philosophy versus philosophy, worldview versus worldview.”[1] The theory of evolution which is derived from Darwinism does not stand on factual evidence it is a philosophy of naturalism that tries to stamp out God and yet demands an Intelligent Designer.
Charles Darwin a naturalist is considered to be the father of evolution, who proposed a theory on how evolution occurs in the book On the Origin of Species published in 1859. Darwin thought that the origin of life happened by preexisting species developing into new species. For centuries it has been thought that the physical universe was eternal and Darwin was basically stating that there was no need for a creator because life was continually evolving.
As Darwinism claims that we are by chance evolving into forms of life just happening to produce intelligent beings, take a look at just one of the important aspects of the body, called DNA. “Simply put, DNA is like a language in the heart of the cell, a molecular message, a set of instructions telling the cell how to construct proteins-much like the software needed to run a computer. Moreover, the amount of information DNA includes is staggering: A single cell of the human body contains as much information as the Encyclopedia Britannica-all thirty volumes-three or four times over.”[2] So how can evolution by chance or accident produce this type of development? The answer is that evolution can not but an Intelligent Designer can.
In addition since Darwin, scientists have figured out that the universe is not eternal but is expanding and evolution must have a beginning therefore, we now have the big bang theory. “The big bang theory delivers a near fatal blow to naturalistic philosophy, for the naturalistic credo regards reality as an unbroken sequence of cause and effect that can be traced back endlessly.”[3] But the big bang theory, can only trace back to the big bang explosion and along with evolution it still calls for an Intelligent Designer.
Where Darwinism can not provide answers for the difficult questions such as when did the earth begin and who created humans with the capabilities needed in life? Christianity can produce answers. It begins in the Genesis account when “God created the heavens and the earth,”[4] when “God created man in His own image”[5] and when He “breathed life into His nostrils.”[6] It is “apparent that God thought the fact of creation significant enough to put it first.”[7] It is also in the opening statements in the book of John as well as in the book of Hebrews and laced throughout other books in the Bible. It should also be noted that the Creation in Christianity answers the most important question, who are we? Why are we here?
Furthermore, it is time that “all Christians learn how to respond to the challenge posed by Darwinism”[8] in order to expose the holes in the theories of evolution and reveal the truth, which is “in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
Deanna
[1] Charles and Pearcy Colson, Nancy, How Now Shall We Live (Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999), 96.
[2] Ibid, 75.
[3] Ibid, 59.
[4] Genesis 1:1.
[5] Genesis 1:26.
[6] Genesis 2:7.
[7] Erikson, Millard J., Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Academic, 1998, 393.
[8] Charles and Pearcy Colson, Nancy, How Now Shall We Live (Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999), 83.
False Philosophy
Once again Oprah has offered yet another philosophy for success as she featured her friend Russell Simmons, the author of Do You! In his just released book, he offers 12 laws of achieving success. He states that it is through yoga and listening to your inner voice that you can achieve a deep spiritual connection. However, the interesting twist to his philosophy is that you can achieve this power through Muhammad, Buddha, God or your choice of a higher power. Christians must beware not to fall into the trap of following this post-modern philosophy because it is in direct opposition to the Scriptures.
Sadly, many have fallen prey to speakers that mention the word prayer or god associating those words with being a Christian. Russell Simmons used these same words in his interview with Oprah, but he does not represent Christianity. He claims to listen to the inner voice inside, yet this is not what the Bible teaches. Jesus says to “teach all that I have commanded”[1], as well as “sanctify them with my word”[2]. In other words, Christians do not rely on spiritual feelings of an inner voice, but instead the reading of His word. It is through the reading of the Word that God has given every principle for life and godliness.
Simmons also suggests that through yoga there is a process that clears the mind in order to centralize on your higher power. However, this is also in disagreement with the Word of God. Instead the Bible says to meditate on God’s law. Joshua was commanded “not to let the book of the law depart from his mouth; meditate on it day and night”[3]. The Psalms calls the believer to meditate on God’s Word all day long and Romans urges the believer to stop conforming to the world and be transformed by having the mind of Christ. The believer is not called to empty the mind, but to fill it with the Word of God.
Unfortunately, Simmons also suggests an egalitarian view regarding Buddha, Muhammad and God. However, Buddha and Muhammad never rose from the dead nor did they have a ministry in comparison with Christ. Jesus came to save His people, rose from the dead and stated “I am the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through me”.[4]
The recent book by Simmons calls people to empty their minds and connect with their inner higher power, but God is calling His own to have the mind of Christ and live according to all He has commanded. Turn off the T.V., quit searching through the latest philosophy turn to God’s Word and you will find the hope and peace that passes all understanding.
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 1:8)
Deanna
[1] Matthew 28:18
[2] John 17:17
[3] Joshua 1:8
[4] John 14:6