Since Charles Darwin published his theory of evolution in 1859, there has been an ongoing debate about whether modern life on Earth evolved over millions of years, or was created by God over six days, with Him resting on, blessing, and sanctifying the seventh (the Biblical Sabbath). The debate has played out in schools, churches, courtrooms, and even on social media and YouTube with an actual debate between scientist Bill Nye and Christian fundamentalist Ken Ham in 2014. So, creationism vs evolution, how can a believer in today’s world know what to believe?
The answer lies within the pages of a believer’s Bible. When we read the thread (line upon line and idea upon idea) within the pages of our Bible there is no need for debate. God told us that if we wanted to understand scripture, we had to believe what we read. It is only when man looks outside the Bible does God’s word fall into question. This was the big error Adam and Eve made in Genesis. The great debater Satan proposed that Adam and Eve would not die if they took from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This was a theory that Satan purported in order to beguile God’s word. Unfortunately, it worked. Why?
It starts when Belief is tested with human reasoning. This has always been the great error man has always fallen into. A believer is to prove all things by using the Bible alone as a guide. We are told line upon line and idea upon idea. If we do this we will see that evolution is a theory of man, and theories of men are foolish at best. The facts are plain and simple to the believer. The issue lies in the temptation to not believe God. In Titus 3:9, the Christian is warned: “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.” And yet people professing to be followers of Christ love to debate. Why?
The Bible explains in Galatians 1:11 “I want you to understand that the gospel message is not based on human reasoning.” This is the heart of this matter. God’s word cannot be added to or voided out. We only question the truth when we are unbelievers. As Satan reasoned with Adam and Eve, Society reasons with people everywhere. That is why Christians are warned about debate. In Colossians we read Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” Beware is a warning we find throughout the pages of our Bible. We are not just warned of the philosophy of the world, we are also warned of the philosophy of the religious zealot. Such as “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”
So, untruth may be found in Christians and non- Christians alike. The truth is only found in the Bible. Everything else is called unbelief, and the error lies in the recipient not trusting the word of the Lord. In Galatians 5 Paul asks “who hindered you from obeying the truth?” In Adam and Eve’s case, it was Satan. In most people’s cases it’s doubt in the Bible, thus unbelief. Obeying the truth must first start with belief. In order to be a Christian, one must repent and believe the Gospel. Paul goes on asking who is hindering you from obeying the truth. One might question, what is truth?. The Bible is quick to answer as it says phrases like “I am the Truth, thy word is truth” and these words found in Psalm 12:6 “The words of the LORD are pure words.” A believer does not refute, or debate the Lord.
James 3:13 “who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.” This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. It is easy for man to look at human reasoning and yet it always leads man down another path that leads to unbelief. So why do we believe in Creation? Well, we just saw that it starts with belief in the Gospel, and that starts with belief in the Lord. It is only when we do not believe, that other thoughts, or ideas begin to make inroads. That is why we read words like avoid, do not argue, do not use our own reasoning. The Bible says this.
Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. God calls human reasoning, human thought, as something futile and foolish. He said creation points to Him, even His position as God and power to create. So in the end no man can debate the Lord and His word. It comes down to Belief in God, or not so sure, unbelief.
Can a Christian believe in both creationism and evolution? No. As believers, there is either a belief in the God of the Bible or a belief in theories of men. God asks the doubtful how long will you halt between two opinions. Consider only what comes out of the mouth of God. His words are truth, the only truth. Outside the Bible you will always find debate. But inside these pages lies the truth that sets men free from the deceiver and all his devices (including human reasoning). We all are given the free choice by our Creator to live life as we see fit, but one must ask where does that other road lead? Is there any other option other than the words of Genesis “In the Beginning God Made the Heavens and the earth and all the things in them?” Not if you truly believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. As believers, we live by faith, by believing the Gospel as the only truth. We see all other voices as untruth. So the question is never about Creation versus Evolution. The question is, do you believe the Bible? And will you accept what Jesus said when He said I am the truth, the way and the life.