Creation vs. Evolution

My little sister recently asked me a short, but difficult question: “What are your thoughts about evolution?” Here are some excerpts of my response: Whenever I have tough questions, http://www.gotquestions.org/ is a GREAT starting point. They usually give concise and biblical answers, point to scripture references, and direct you to good resources as well. Here is a list of questions they have answered on creation: http://www.gotquestions.org/search.php?zoom_sort=0&zoom_query=creation I would read the gotquestions answers before you go anywhere else. Dr. Mohler (president of my seminary, and nationally-known Christian commentator) wrote a good blog today about how Christians should regard/consider archaeological evidence. http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=1184 Here are some other websites if you want to go even deeper: http://www.answersingenesis.org/ http://www.icr.org/ I used to use http://www.reasons.org/ and Hugh Ross as a resource, but John MacArthur pointed me to some very good points about his methodology in prioritizing general revelation through nature over God’s special revelation in Scripture. Things to keep in mind regarding Creation/Evolution discussions: 1) lots of discussion on evolution (like the end times) can degenerate into prideful/"I know more than you" type arguments 2) God's Word trumps Science over and over and over. The Bible is true and can be trusted for all things. The creation account in Genesis 1-3 is literal and not figurative. 3) You will never have all the answers in regard to God. He is infinite and we are finite/limited, to include in our academic/reasoning ability. Be careful not to limit God with human logic/reason and our own limited capacities. 4) Bottom line of creation: God created. Some of my specific thoughts to Christian responses to evolution (keep in mind I am limited in my understanding on these things...hence my usage of “probable”) Serious Doubts/Probably Unbiblical Interpretations: Day-Age, Framework, Old-Earth, Theistic Evolution, Gap Theory More probable/biblical: Mature Earth (created mature), Young Earth, 6 Literal Days Some good quotes from John MacArthur: "evolution was invented in order to eliminate the God of Genesis and thereby to oust the Lawgiver and obliterate the inviolability of His law” "Scripture, not science, is the ultimate test of all truth" "Absolutely nothing in the text of Genesis 1:1–2:3 speaks of evolution or long geological ages in the creation process" "In other words, what God made did not evolve. He gave the order, and it came into existence complete and fully functioning." THE BATTLE FOR THE BEGINNING: The Bible on Creation and the Fall of Adam by John MacArthur seems like a good reference for you if you want to go more in depth. I just finished skimming through it, and it is a solid, biblically-based resource. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deep in storehouses.Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.(Psalm 33:6–9)

True Needs - Earthly Poverty vs. Eternal Death

The extreme poverty I witnessed this past week was not a new experience for me. It was a reminder however that the greatest need in our lives is not for physical comfort, but for spiritual salvation and hope provided through a saving faith in Christ alone.

As Americans, our initial response to witnessing poverty is a conviction of how well we live and (hopefully) a compassionate response to meet those needs in a real and loving way.

When I returned home Sunday evening I was flipping TV stations and saw our version of a compassionate response to physical needs...Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. As wonderful as the things are that happen on this show, when you think about it, the efforts and money could be much better applied and distributed. The end result of every show is often a 2,000-4,000 sq.ft. palatial home that is overdone to every detail and luxury. Although the families are often needy and hurting, the excesses done to meet the "perceived need" in a home is indicant of a cultural problem in America and many other nations.

Many Americans contribute some portion of their incomes to charitable causes and to churches. As good as we feel about these contributions, the statistics bely that only about 2% of household incomes are given to charity (http://www.generousgiving.org/page.asp?sec=4&page=161)

Although an increase in financial giving and donation of time in service would be a helpful response, we must understand that humanity's true needs are not met in physical comfort. Humanity's true need is salvation from sin and is found in Christ alone. This need can be met by Christians sharing their faith boldly, courageously, and regularly. It is a free gift, but also the most-neglected in being shared.

If we begin to have an eternal perspective when looking at those around us (a perspective provided through the reading and studying of God's Word)...whether rich or poor... we will begin to have a passion for sharing Christ, the gift that can truly makeover people's lives in an extreme way that lasts for eternity.

Prosperity & Gospel Receptivity

Salvation is impossible apart from the grace (unmerited favor) of God through the provision of His Son Jesus Christ . It cannot be earned by good deeds, purchased through riches, or merited through any religion. It is possible only through true faith and belief in Jesus Christ as Lord of your life, demonstrated in a love for others, perseverance in the faith, and obedience to His Word.


As I had the privilege of helping distribute Gospels and share my faith with hundreds of Mexicans this past week, I was amazed at their overwhelming reaction and response to this simple yet important gift. They were excited!


Very few of those we met as we went door to door were negative, confrontational, or hostile. There were some who were somewhat disinterested, but the vast majority were filled with joy at the simple gift of a book of the Bible.


The adults and children that I was blessed to speak with had great interest in discussing and reading the Bible with me. They recognized it source (God) and its importance and applicability to their life. Although there was much confusion with what they were exposed to (heavy exposure to Catholic doctrines along with cults such as Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons), they clearly understood the difference of how salvation is provided by grace & faith alone and not by works, good deeds, etc.


The Jews of Jesus' day lived in a culture and religion that similarly supported the necessity of doing good things and obeying rules to be saved. Matthew 19, Mark 10. & Luke 18 all recount a discussion Jesus has with the rich young ruler. It is then he uses the oft-remembered phrase, "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."(Matthew 19:24) This passage points not to the fact that rich man cannot go to heaven, but rather that salvation does not come from mankind, good deeds, or human riches, but rather from God alone through His grace. Salvation is possible only through God.

"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26)

It saddens me to think about the responses I get in my own country when I share my faith, even with a simple invitation to church. The responses are more hostile, negative, confrontational, and plain rude. Our country is so blinded by our wealth, busyness, success, entertainment, and our self-worship that we are far-less receptive to the amazing gift of salvation in Jesus Christ.


It is my hope and prayer that our nation, and all the nations of the world, are broken and brought down to the point that they seek salvation not in themselves (good deeds, riches, religion, self-worship, etc.) but in God alone through His gift in Jesus Christ.