Evolution vs. Creation

                             Understanding Biblical Truth

Sanchez Family Publishing 

Evolution vs. Creation

So, what is the origin of life?  Today, we are confronted with two major doctrines to explain the formation of life.   The first is accepted in the secular world and the scientific community as the Theory of Evolution.  The second is the cornerstone of many religious entities, as the foundation of their faith, known as Creationism.  Are there any similarities to these two concepts?  Are there any differences between them?

Let us start with the similarities between the two doctrines.  First, both belief systems came about before human existence, so there exists no human testimony that can verify that the events occurred as proposed, or that they even occurred.  Therefore, there are no human witnesses; for belief in either doctrine, there must exist some level of faith that the believed doctrine is true. 

So, what is faith?  Faith is defined as complete trust in someone or something.  Faith is established by physical experience or by the acceptance that an idea is true, even when it is not reproducible by humans.  Since prior to the existence of life, there was no conscious human intellect, there cannot exist physical testimony of life’s origins.  In other words, there was no human being alive to witness the origins of life.  This means that at some level, both the theory of Evolution and Creationism are based on faith.

Next, we find that both belief systems came about similarly.  Since the Universe does exist, and humans do exist in it, we can infer that something occurred that caused the Universe and humans to exist.  Remember, the Universe, and everything in it, exists as matter.  The definition of Matter is “anything that has weight and occupies space”.  So, if all that exists in the Universe is a form of matter, then before the existence of the Universe, there only existed empty space.  Both Evolution and Creationism agree that the origin of life came about from a state of nothingness, a place where no form of matter, or even time, had existed before.

Here is where the belief systems begin to differ.  In Evolution, we begin with a primordial dot.  This tiny dot, the size of a pinhead, was the only thing that existed.  Somehow, an unknown force caused this dot to excite, heat up, and this eventually caused the dot to separate by explosion.  From this dot developed all the elements that led to the formation of life.  This is evolutionary theory is known in the scientific world as the “Big Bang Theory”.  Of course, this is an incredibly simplistic explanation of this theory, and I invite you to further study this concept so you can form your own opinion on its significance.  

What are some of the factors that evolutionists have failed to explain?  Well, the first and most obvious problem is, where did the primordial dot come from?  Remember that both belief systems are based on the notion of nothing.  Evolution begins with empty space, devoid of matter.  The primordial dot is the evolutionist’s origin of matter, but where did it come from?  To date, there has been no answer to this question, so it must be believed that it “spontaneously” formed, without any intervention. 

The next question that must be answered is what caused this primordial dot to heat up, oscillate, and explode?  Our understanding of science today shows us that a single object, in a vacuum (empty space – no other objects), will not have any force exerted upon it.  It is the force upon an object that causes heat, movement, and a need to occupy greater space (expand).  So, if the primordial dot existed in empty space, as the is taught in this theory, what caused the energy to change this dot’s state, and led to its dissipation?  Currently, science is postulating the idea of multi-universes.  This idea proposes that Multiple Universes exist, and some of them, or all of them, had a primordial dot.  Therefore, according to this theory, each universe had the potential of exerting a force on other universes, and this is what caused the energy necessary for the primordial dot in our universe to energize, oscillate, explode, and change the primordial particles into the elements we find in our universe.  Currently, this has remained a theory, since there is no evidence to support it. 

So, what does Creationism teach its followers?  Let me start by admitting that I am biased in this subject matter.  Although I am a student of the sciences, biology, physics, and chemistry, I remain a believer in Creationism.  If you will please allow me to explain why. 

As a student of the sciences, I believe in deductive reasoning.  Therefore, when no empirical evidence exists, I will lean toward the theory with the most sequential logic available.  I do not negate the need for faith in acceptance of either belief system, as a matter of fact, Creationism demands it, whereas Evolution attempts to dispel it. 

Creationism begins with the existence of an “all-knowing”, “ever-present”, “all-powerful” being, referred to as Godhead.  Additionally, these entities exist as emotional beings who exist as “love”.  This is opposed to the primordial dot, which has neither emotion nor a state of consciousness. 

Creationism differs drastically from Evolution as they pertain to the reason life came into existence.  You see, in Creationism, the purpose of the Godhead, Jehovah, is to create and preserve life.  The actions of the primordial dot were to explode and allow life to form without direction or purpose.  Therefore, Creationism caused life and matter to come into existence through purpose and direction, whereas Evolution just came into existence through random chance. 

Next, we find a logical order for God’s creation of life, as opposed to that of evolution.  We find through the scriptures that before creation was brought into existence, only the Godhead existed.

Out of a need for love, since the Godhead is love, they decided to come together to create life that could return their love.  Since God is love, He desired that this creation be capable of experiencing the love and beauty that He had created for them.  The Godhead wanted mankind to be conscious of them and the environment that had been created for them, and to have the ability to interact with both nature and its Creators.  But before said conscious life could be created, a place where this life could peacefully reside would have to be created. 

On the first day of Creation, the Godhead uncovered nature’s need for an energy source, or sources.  As Jehovah contemplated in the dark, since there was no light, He decided to create the first form of energy needed to sustain life, light.  Once, having decided that this light source would be the best form of energy to initiate life, he commanded nature that light come into existence, and the all-powerful, all-knowing God caused light to come into existence.  He then evaluated what He had created to ensure His creation was in perfect harmony with what would later come into existence. 

On the second day of Creation, Jehovah realized that life could not exist as a concentrated connection or collective, as this would remove the objects’ ability to experience diversity.  Creation must be free to occupy its own space to properly exist and interact with the remainder of matter in the universe.  Therefore, on the second day, the LORD Jehovah commanded nature to cause a firmament to come into existence.  This firmament we call pressure.  This pressure immediately caused a separation of the waters, or spaces.  Again, the LORD examined that which He created to ensure that it was in full compliance with the light, and what would be created in the future. 

So, on the first day and the second day of creation, our God created the sources of energy that led to our individuality and ability to exist, even before humanity came into existence.  This was done out of love for His creation, before there was even a need for it, confirming that God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and loving.

On the third day of Creation, the Godhead realized that He desired an entity that He could interact with, and this entity would require a place to exist.  So, He commanded that nature cause the waters below the firmament to gather unto one place, and it did so.  This created a space, where before there was water(s), occupying said space.  He then commanded nature to cause dry land to appear, and it was so.  Finally, Jehovah caused the grasses and the fruit trees to come into existence, and it was so.  He then evaluated what he had created to ensure that it was in perfect harmony with the nature that was previously created, and what would be created soon.  The actions of a God of love.

Let us review.  First, there was God, and empty space; this was the existence before “the beginning”.  God commanded that light should exist, and nature obeyed; here we initiate “the beginning”.  Then God commanded a separation between the space (waters) that divided the empty space into two distinct spaces, and again, nature obeyed.  Then God focused on the waters that were beneath the heavens, and He commanded that the waters concentrate into one region, leaving an empty space, and nature obeyed.  Then God commanded that dry land appear, where some of His creation would soon reside, and nature complied. 

So, we see a logical sequence of events, from the creation of energy sources that would be required to create additional life, sustain life, and create diversity of life.  This is a consequence of having an all-powerful, all-knowing, loving Creator, as opposed to a non-feeling, non-caring, random manner of evolution. 

On the fourth day, the “Almighty” Jehovah, realizing that there existed a need for a place of rest, commanded that two great lights come into existence.  He gave dominion to these lights, one called the Greater light to rule the day, and the other He called the Lesser light to rule the night.  Remember, when God created light on the first day, He separated the day from the night.  He also created the stars and placed them in the heavens. 

God then commanded that these lights should be used to define signs, seasons, days, and years.  Therefore, on the fourth day, the LORD created what we know as days, nights, and time. 

On the fifth day, the LORD commanded that the water bring forth the creatures that swim in the seas, those that fly in the firmament, and the whales.  He then commanded his swimming creatures, flying creatures, and whales to be fruitful and to multiply, and it was so.  Once again, the “Great I am” examines that which He has created to ensure that it is in perfect harmony with what has been created, and what is yet to be created. 

So, on the fifth day, God begins to create a purpose for mankind, to name and care for God’s creatures, even though humanity still did not exist.  This shows the nature of an all-knowing, all-powerful, loving Creator.

On the sixth day, the Creator, the Word, commanded dry land to bring forth the cattle, the creeping things, and the beast of the earth, and it was so.  God then looked back at His creation to ensure that it was in perfect harmony with everything that had been previously created, and with mankind that would soon be created, and he found it all to be good.  He then gave every herb for the cattle, creeping things, and the beasts of the earth to eat, and it was so.

Additionally, the Godhead said, “Let us (plural) make man (mankind) in our (plural) image, after our (plural) likeness.”  This language is evidence for the Godhead, what we believe to be the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  In this sentence, we find the plural form of people, not singular.  We find it three times, so that it leaves no place for doubt. 

Mankind was created in the image of God; therefore, it was created in a state of perfection, just as was Lucifer.  It was our choice, and that of Lucifer, to separate

ourselves from the perfect state we existed with God, into a state of enmity with

Him.  Neither angels nor humans were ever created in a state of sin.  Sin is a personal choice, just like sanctification back with God is. 

God, after the creation of Adam, followed by the creation of Eve, creates the distinction between man and woman.  He then instructs man and woman to be fruitful and multiply, or to procreate.  This is an actual merger between a man and a woman that we know today as marriage.  Therefore, since God created this marriage institution, and He gave no exceptions, a Bible-based marriage can only exist between a (single) male and a (single) female.  God then gave this married couple the right to engage in sex between themselves, for the purpose of showing love and reproduction.  Since God made no exceptions to this rule, all other forms of sex are outside of marriage and are considered unnatural sex.   

Next, God examined all that He had created to ensure that it was in perfect harmony with the rest of creation, and He found it to be perfect. 

Finally, on the seventh day, after examining all that He had created —the universe —the Lord, recognizing that His creation required a specific time to be with Him, made a day of rest, a Shabbat.  On this Shabbat, all of Creation would stop its work to focus its attention on its Creator God.  All of nature would recognize that this Jehovah was their Creator and worship Him as such.  Humanity would come together as a collective, as equals, to devote their love and appreciation for all that the Creator has done.  To celebrate the perfect union that existed between God, nature, and humanity. 

Since Jehovah created the Sabbath Day, and since He gave no alternatives to it, we, as His children, should honor Him by keeping this Sabbath Holy.  It was given to man to be an eternal day of remembrance and worship of our Creator, Sustainer, and Savior. 

Brothers and Sisters, “remember” the Sabbath Day, the Seventh Day of the Week, to keep it Holy.  

Remember, we are all sinners; we have all fallen short of the glory of God.  Our Savior does not condemn us. He begs us to repent so that He can forgive us and save us.  Let us ask for a truly repentant state of mind, so we can allow Jesus to overcome sin for us.  

God bless and keep you.  Amen. 

 

 

The Glory of God

 

 

The Glory of God

The Relationship between God and Moses, and God and Me

Exodus 33:1-6 & 12-23

And the Lord said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:

Note:  Here we find that God revokes Himself as the “Deliverer of Israel”, and places the title on Moses, by doing so, He is making Moses aware that He (God) no longer considers the Children of Israel His people.  This is not because God is rejecting the people, but rather that they reject Him.  1 Samuel 8:7 -  And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.  United States today.

² And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:

Note:  God informs Moses that He will send another, an angel to conquer the nations before Israel, to fulfill the promise of giving this land to the offspring of Abraham, but that He (God) will not go before them. 

³ Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.

Note:  God, in His mercy, states the reason that He will not go up with the Children of Israel, because of their rejection of God, he would have to destroy them. 

⁴ And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments.

Note:  When Moses informed the people that God would not be amongst them, they mourned for the consequences of their actions.  In an act of humility and repentance, they took of their ornaments, the things which made them proud.  Therefore, they removed their pride, so that they could truly repent before God. 

⁵ For the Lord had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.

Note:  The Lord commands that the people remove their arrogance, that which separated them from God.  By removing the instruments that led to their stiff necks, they were able to be truly penitent, and obtain forgiveness.  Therefore, God was able to restore them.

¹² And Moses said unto the Lord, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.

Note:  Here Moses reminds God, that He, and only He is the Deliverer of Israel.  Moses asks of God, how can you say that You are my friend (know thee by name), and that he has found grace in God’s sight, and yet God has not informed Moses just who would go before the Children of Israel, an angel or God?  Is Israel restored or rejected by God.   John 15:14-15 -  ¹⁴ Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.  ¹⁵ Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

I find Moses being very bold with God, because they were friends, much like Abraham, when he negotiated with God over the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.  This is the type of relationship that God wants with His people, and it is the reason that He created mankind. 

¹³ Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.

Note:  Here we find that Moses wants an even deeper relationship with God.  He wants to know God’s way s­­­­o that he can understand and relate to Him.   Moses then boldly asks of God, as a friend, to restore Israel as His people.  Moses goes boldly before God, just as we, His children can.   Hebrews 4:16 - Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  Exodus 25:22 -  And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

¹⁴ And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

Note:  God, in his love and marvel, declares and restores the Children of Israel as His people, when He states that He, not an angel, will go with them.  Ezekiel 37:27 - My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Additionally, He reinforces this promise, by promising to give them Shabbat, Sabbath, rest.  Ezekiel 20:12 - Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.

¹⁵ And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

Note:  Here Moses states to God, we will not accept another, no Vicar.  Either Christ goes before us, or we do not enter into the promise land.  Exodus 20:3 - Thou shalt have no other gods before me.  Here Moses shows a commitment to God.

¹⁶ For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.

Note:  Here as his relationship with God grows, Moses becomes bolder with God, reminding God, how will the world know that we have found grace in your sight, and that we are your people, unless you go before us?  How will the world see us as special in your eyes.  Exodus 19:5-6 - ⁵ Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

⁶ And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

¹⁷ And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

Note:  God confirms to Moses, the special friendship that now exists between Him and his creation.  God informs Moses that because He loves His friend, he will, in love to His friend, do that which his friend asks.  John 14:12-14 - ¹² Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.  ¹³ And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  ¹⁴ If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

¹⁸ And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

Note:  Now Moses is no longer afraid.  Before Moses knew of God, now he knows God, and has been befriended by God.  Now Moses asks an extremely bold request, one which only a friend can ask.  Shew me thy glory.  This request, risks life itself.  Moses wants so desperately to know God, that he is willing to risk his life.

¹⁹ And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

Note:  God is going to show Moses, the essences of God, His Glory.  Moses will see all that is good, he will even learn the actual name of God.  He will be on a first name basis with the Almighty.  We too can have this privilege.  Revelations 22:3-4 - ³ And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:  ⁴ And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

²⁰ And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

Note:  Mortal man cannot be in the true presence of God.  If imperfection is in the presence of perfection, imperfection ceases to exists.  When mortal man finds himself in God’s presence, God has covered His true essence with some form of matter, in order to protect His child.  2 Samuel 6:7 - And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.

²¹ And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:

Note:  God used His creation to shield Moses from death.  He used the “rock” to put a barrier between Him and Moses, so that Moses could experience that which he requested, and live.  God uses another “Rock”, the “Rock of Ages” to protect his children from the death of sin.  For man to see God in His glory, if for man to experience death.  Christ’s righteousness shields us from the consequences of our sins. 

²² And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:

²³ And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

Note:  Even though Moses has gone from being a servant of God, to being a friend of God, he still is mortal man.  Therefore Moses is not allowed to see the face of God and live.  John 6:46 - Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.  As we read in Revelations 22:4, one day we shall be able to gaze upon the face of God, thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus the Christ.  

Just what did Moses see, when he asked to see God’s Way and His Glory?

We find in Exodus 34 how God defined “His ways”.  God commands Moses to carve out two tables of stone, and once again writes the Royal Law upon them.  So in order to know God, we have to emulate his Character as defined by the Ten Commandments and Holy Statutes.  Thee will be many who claim to be Christ’s children, but the Sheppard will not recognize them as His sheep, because they did not love Him, by keeping His commandments.  Mathew 7:23 - And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

So what is God’s Glory?

To help illustrate the Glory of God, we can search what is written in the “Spirit of Prophesy”.  Sister White gives a beautiful interpretation of this in the book “The Desire of Ages”. 

In the beginning, God was revealed in all the works of creation.  It was Christ that spread the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth ….. It was He that filled the earth with beauty, and the air with song. And upon all things in earth, and air, and sky, He wrote the message of the Father's love.

Note:  When God created the Universe, all that He had created was perfect.  This perfect creation was a perfect emulation of the Glory of God.   Genesis 1:31 - And God saw every

thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good (perfect). And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.  Psalms 18:30 - As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

Now sin has marred God's perfect work, yet that handwriting remains. Even now all created things declare the glory of His excellence.  Psalms 19:1 - The heavens declare the Glory of God.

Note:  Since sin has changed God’s perfect creation, the imperfect creation can no longer represent that which is perfect, in a perfect manner, but it can point to that which is perfect.  This is much like the Law of God does not lead man to salvation, but rather to their Savior. 

So why did God send Christ?

"The light of the knowledge of the glory of God" is seen "in the face of Jesus Christ." From the days of eternity the Lord Jesus Christ was one with the Father; He was "the image of God," the image of His greatness and majesty, "the outshining of His glory." It was to manifest this glory that He came to our world.

Note:  Since imperfect creation itself could not properly manifest the Glory of God to man, God sent His Son, so that we once again could see the true perfect Glory of the Father.  Since Jesus is one with the Father, or exactly as Him, He is the only true representation of the Father’s character and glory.  John 10:30 - I and my Father are one.  John 14:11 -  Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

But turning from all lesser representations (including nature-pagan), we behold God in Jesus. Looking unto Jesus we see that it is the glory of our God to give.

Note:  Throughout history, man has attempted to define God.  Often he has added or taken away so that his feeble mind could comprehend the magnanimous nature of the Almighty.  It is this distortion of truth that leads man away from God.  We must adhere to the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit as the sole basis of our study and incorporate the writings of man only when they agree entirely with the scriptures, otherwise we lead ourselves and others to error. 

We must incorporate the God’s Law with His Glory, and worship Him in Spirit and Truth.  John 4:24 - God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

God’s glory is Agape, a selfless love, a giving love He harbors for His creations.  Satan’s glory is Hedonism – a selfish love, one that takes and gives back nothing.

Let us adopt the giving love of Christ.