Introduction to my Creation Science Series

I’m very excited to begin a new series tonight on creation science. Congratulations again to the ladies who guessed my topic! I want to begin by sharing my personal testimony of search and discovery in the field of creation science. Then I’ll attempt to explain why I think this field is so important today.

My 8th grade Earth Science teacher’s name was Dr. Wright. I remember her as being friendly enough if you agreed with her, but as I was to learn that year, I did not agree with her in one important area, that of the origin of our planet and of life, itself. I didn’t experience what I would call persecution, but I do remember her laughing at me and belittling me when I questioned her about evolution being theory and not established fact. I also remember that she had a PhD, which meant I wasn’t supposed to question her. In retrospect, teaching 8th grade Earth Science was probably not her dream job and that may have had something to do with her attitude toward me. After being ridiculed I went home to my parents and told them what I had experienced. I can’t remember what my mom said, but it probably made me feel lots better. She has no fear and wouldn’t have minded telling that lady off. But, my dad told me to just answer on my test according to the party line, but that we would start looking into this for ourselves. The first thing we did was read The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. Yes, I was in the 8th grade. And your point is? Next we listened to a series of tapes put out by the Institute for Creation Research. Thus began my interest in all things creation science.

I found my college and graduate school professors much more tolerant. I had some fun and lively discussions with my biology teacher in college, and in graduate school when I studied disciplines such as biochemistry and molecular biology, no one cared. I mean, I don’t remember how we got here ever being discussed. Although origins were not a part of my studies, I couldn’t help but have my beliefs in creation strengthened with every class in physiology, neural science, pharmacology, etc. Think about it. I was studying the human body on a cellular and molecular level. The complexity is phenomenal and has design written all over it. Instead of coming out of graduate school questioning my faith, I came out with my belief in a literal six day creation not only intact, but I was much more confident of it than when I started my quest in the 8th grade. And with every book I read on life, most recently about genetic mutations, I am able to praise God all the more for His wonderful creation.

You may be thinking at this point that you agree with me, so why should you spend time, energy, and brain cells studying creation science. Why can’t you just take the Bible’s word for it, or more accurately God's word for it? I do want you to take the Bible’s word for it, but I also want to encourage you to be ready to give a defense of your beliefs. Evolution has become a stumbling block to many who refuse to hear the gospel because they argue that if evolution is true, and they think it has been proven to be so, then God can’t exist and if God can’t exist then why should they listen to you share your faith. Also, my own faith in God has been strengthened as I’ve marveled at His awesome creation and as I’m always telling my kids, the more you know about God, the more you can praise Him.

Finally, I want to clarify a couple of terms and then ask you a thought-provoking question. When I speak of evolution, I’m referring to macroevolution, or the idea of change across species (protoplasm to tadpole to amphibian kind of stuff). I am not arguing against the reality of small changes within species, also referred to as microevolution. Microevolution has nothing to do with origins, and I’ll probably discuss later that these changes actually point to a shrinking genome, not a growing one.

And finally, I want to ask you to a question which will lead me into my next post. Do you think it is a viable option for Christians to believe in evolution? I held this position once, myself (before Dr. Wright caused me to search out what I believed) and I know many Christians who hold this view still. What I mean to ask is, is theistic evolution consistent with the Bible? Has God told us how He created the world (yes I know the Bible’s not a science textbook, thank goodness!), or has He left it up to debate? Did God use evolution to create the world? There, I think I’ve rephrased it enough so that you know what I’m asking you to think about. After I get some interaction from you, I’ll post the next installment. And by the way, thank you for going on this little journey with me!