Fact Fact Sheet:

Creation versus Evolution

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Fact Sheet by Pastor Andy Weaver Audubon Baptist Church January 17, 2007

The Doctrine of Creation: Key Points 1. God created out of nothing (Psalm 90:2; Hebrews 11:3). 2. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all participated in the creation (Father 1 Corinthians 8:6; Son John 1:3, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:3; Holy Spirit Genesis 1:2). 3. God created all things Both physical and spiritual, Seen and unseen (Revelation 1:4). 4. God created all things good (Genesis 1; 1 Timothy 4:4-5). a. Rejects Dualism, Pantheism, Materialism b. Affirms the Fall as the beginning of evil on earth. c. Affirms the Incarnation. 5. Gods creation of Adam and Eve was unique and special (Genesis 1:26-28, 2:7). 6. Gods creation has value and purpose (Colossians 1:16). 7. All of Gods creation is interrelated (Genesis 1; Acts 17:22-34). Facts concerning the Relationship between the Bible and Natural Science There is conflict between Scripture and Natural Science. o The real issue is what we do with this reality. o The biblical view says that whatever conflict and contradictions exist are only apparent. In our human finiteness we see a conflict, but the reality is that there is no conflict at all. We do not have all the information to determine the truth scientifically. By faith, we believe what God has said in scripture. There are some theories about the creation that are inconsistent with the teachings of Scripture. o Secular Theories Materialism No God exists. Only matter exists. Evolution, Big Bang theories, etc. o Theistic Evolution God begins creation and is involved with it from start to finish. God was involved with and used evolution to create the universe. What is evolution (Darwinism)? "Darwinism [evolution] is a theory of empirical science only at the level of microevolution, where it provides a framework for explaining such things as the diversity that arises when small populations become reproductively isolated from the main body of their species. As a general theory of biological creation, Darwinism is not empirical at all. Rather, it is a necessary implication of a philosophical doctrine called scientific naturalism, which is based on the a priori assumption that God was always absent from the realm of nature."i Definitions: Microevolution versus Macroevolution Microevolution Adaptations within species. Macroevolution Adaptations that lead to new species. Arguments against Evolution 1. Only limited variations have been found or scientifically produced within species. 2. The idea of tiny mutations leading to complex organs (wings, fingers, etc.) is faulty because each part of the whole organ is useless during the supposed transition stages. 3. Fossil records do not confirm evolutionary theories. 4. Spontaneous generation (life without a source), apart from an intelligent designer, cannot be sustained and has not been observed.

Fact Sheet by Pastor Andy Weaver Audubon Baptist Church January 17, 2007 ii The Age of the Earth: A Common Area of Disagreement Millions or Billions of Years of Creation (Progressive Creationism)

Young Earth Theories

Six Literal Days of Creation

Old Earth Theories

Mature Creation Theory (Ideal Time)

God created the earth and universe to look old or mature, but it is actually young.

Gap Theory

There is a gap between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. During this long gap of time, Lucifer fell the original creation of God became void and formless.

Flood Theology Theory

The flood caused changes with the geology of the earth to make it appear very old.

Day-Age Theory

The six days of creation were not literal days, but represented long periods of time (ie. Ages).

Fall Theory

The effects of the fall of Adam marked the geology of the earth to make it appear old.

Pictorial Day Theory (or, LiteraryFramework)

The biblical account is not intended to be chronological, but logical. Moses took the unordered days and ordered in a logical way. This allows for a long period of time for creation to take place.

The idea of six literal days of creation and a young earth fits the biblical evidence most closely. The scientific evidence, whether accurate or not, fits the idea of progressive creationism or an old earth. Bro. Andy personally believes in a young earth with creation taking place during six 24-hour days.

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Phillip E. Johnson, Objections Sustained: Subversive Essays on Evolution, Law & Culture (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1998), 32.

Millard Ericksons Christian Theology and Wayne Grudems Systematic Theology were primary sources for this fact sheet.