Genesis
Lesson 4Creation Theories
Before we continue with our study of God creating the heavens and the earth, let’s take a moment to consider some of the worldviews held by others relating to origins of earth and mankind. The most well known of these are (1) "The Big Bang Theory", (2) "Intelligent Design", and (3) "Evolution"; and we will be addressing each of these worldviews in this lesson.
There are many resources available to you, either in printed form or on the internet, which you should consider as we study these three worldviews. As Christians, and as believers that God created the heavens and the earth and everything in it in six literal days (and rested on the seventh); we should be prepared to respond to these popular worldviews.
Consider the following:
- Locate and note a definition for each of three worldviews in the spaces below:
- The Big Bang Theory
- Intelligent Design
- Evolution
- Describe and identify where William Paley’s "watchmaker analogy" would fit within these three worldviews?
- What is the "modern evolutionary synthesis"?
- What is the basic position of "Hoyle’s fallacy" (aka, the "junkyard tornado"? relative to the evolution of cellular life as an explanation for creation?
- What explanation is given by the Big Bang Theory and Evolution for the creation of the first molecule or the first cell?
- Why do many "creationist" Christians reject the Big Bang Theory as an explanation regarding the beginning of creation? Could not God have created the Big Bang?
- What is the "Day Age" Theory, and how does it apply to our study?
From this lesson’s study, we observe that man has developed several complex and even scientific theories and concepts to explain how creation came about, without acknowledging God. In the end, only one explanation provides us with a reason, a plan, a beginning and a destiny for creation and all of mankind; and it is found in the Word of God. Only a literal interpretation of the six days of creation fits with the God of the Universe having a plan and carrying out that plan all in six literal days.
In the next lesson, we will explore some additional reasons to believe that God created all of His creation in six literal days as we look at how he finishes creating the earth and begins to populate the earth that will become mankind’s home.
Thanks for studying with us.
Yours in Christ,
Wes
[2010]