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If we take a look at the important Scripture texts about creation, we must turn not only to Genesis 1-3, or Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15, but also to Hebrews 11.
Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.The theological context of this verse defines "faith" this way:
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
The act of creation therefore cannot be seen (even by science) and is an object of faith to Christians. And, we believe that what is seen (the created order) was not made of what is seen, but was created by the word of God.
It's true that some professedly Christian writers have tried to wax eloquent about how the Bible can be supposedly harmonized with the "teachings of science" concerning evolutionary origins. But, the leading verse in this post makes it clear that creation is an object of faith. This means believing that direct creation by the word of God of all that is seen did really happen in space and time, and that it is not just subjectively "real to me" in my mythological belief system. It also means that our faith is in a creation which is an act of God, by the pronunciation of his word by himself, and entirely transcending the bounds of science, with all its mechanisms, laws, and myths of origin or destiny. Real creationism is not a story that merely describes providential operations of God upon matter, confluent with natural law.
The apologetic for creationism taken from natural science still has its place. After all, Darwin knew that he had to find the "missing links," which, by the way, are still missing. (That's why there's hoopla in the press when a supposed "missing link" is discovered, and no hoopla when it's discredited.)
However, the Christian apologetic for creationism using natural science is no substitute for faith in God's word, and what he says is the case concerning his creation. The supposedly scientific story of origins based on naturalistic principles will always be a myth, and always changing, too. That story never happened, because what actually happened cannot be penetrated by the principles of science. But, the story of the Bible will never change, and will always be true.
It's true that some professedly Christian writers have tried to wax eloquent about how the Bible can be supposedly harmonized with the "teachings of science" concerning evolutionary origins. But, the leading verse in this post makes it clear that creation is an object of faith. This means believing that direct creation by the word of God of all that is seen did really happen in space and time, and that it is not just subjectively "real to me" in my mythological belief system. It also means that our faith is in a creation which is an act of God, by the pronunciation of his word by himself, and entirely transcending the bounds of science, with all its mechanisms, laws, and myths of origin or destiny. Real creationism is not a story that merely describes providential operations of God upon matter, confluent with natural law.
The apologetic for creationism taken from natural science still has its place. After all, Darwin knew that he had to find the "missing links," which, by the way, are still missing. (That's why there's hoopla in the press when a supposed "missing link" is discovered, and no hoopla when it's discredited.)
However, the Christian apologetic for creationism using natural science is no substitute for faith in God's word, and what he says is the case concerning his creation. The supposedly scientific story of origins based on naturalistic principles will always be a myth, and always changing, too. That story never happened, because what actually happened cannot be penetrated by the principles of science. But, the story of the Bible will never change, and will always be true.
Reviewed and retained.
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