Shepherds College: Systematic Theololgy Session 12

Creation Resources: Discovery Institute: https://www.discovery.org/ Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/ Phillip E. Johnson, Darwin on Trial (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1991) Terminology Ex nihilo Scientific Method Darwinian Evolution Macro evolution Micro evolution Theistic Evolution Materialism Affirmations God created the universe out of nothing. His creation was very good, and done for His glory. I. Explanation and Scriptural Basis A. God Created the Universe Out of Nothing 1. Biblical Evidence for Creation Out of Nothing The Creation of the Spiritual Universe 2. The Direct Creation of Adam and Eve The Creation of Time 3. The Work of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in Creation Genesis 1:2 and John 1:1 A dependent universe: An Independent universe: Pantheism: Dualism Deism B. God Created the Universe to Show His Glory C. The Universe God Created is Very Good D. The Challenge of Evolution Presuppositions: anti-supernaturalism and materialism. Evolution did not arise in a vacuum, but is the outgrowth of skepticism. At best it is Deistic, at worst (and most common) is atheistic. Evolution is unscientific according to the scientific method. Consequences of Evolution II. It is applied to all areas of life, not only the sciences. III. It is based upon observation based upon Hegel IV. It denies objective and ultimate truth/fact, because reality itself is constantly evolving. The Unproven Assumption behind Evolutionary Theory Is "Methodological Naturalism". In spite of all the factual evidence against neo-Darwinian evolution mentioned above, it is tragic that the common opinion, perpetuated in many science textbooks today, is that evolution is an established scientific "fact." Behind this viewpoint is one key assumption, the assumption of what is called "methodological naturalism." Methodological naturalism asserts that, to qualify as scientific, a theory must explain all phenomena by reference to purely physical or material-that is, non-intelligent-causes or processes. But that assumption implies a related assumption: living things were not created by God, who instantly created living things out of nothing or else changed the natural behavior of matter to form living things. (Or else it assumes that the origin of living things is a topic outside the realm of "science"-but that is an admission most scientists are unwilling to make.) How can modern scientists, by an unproven assumption, be sure that they have not excluded the one explanation for the origin of living things that is the historical truth, that living things were first made by a special creative act of God? If modern science is p 364 defined in a way that excludes such an answer, then several hundred more years, even thousands more years, will never be enough to discover the origin of all living things, for a commitment to methodological naturalism will continually prevent the discovery of the actual truth.1 The Age of the Earth The Relationship Between Scripture and the Findings of Modern Science 1. When All the Facts are Rightly Understood, there will be "No Final Conflict" Between Scripture and Natural Science a. There is a possibility that God created a "grown-up" universe. b. There is a possibility of a break between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 or between 1:2 and 1:3. c. There is a possibility of a long day in Genesis 1. d. There is a possibility that the flood affected the geological data. e. The use of the word "kinds" in Genesis 1 may be quite broad. f. There is a possibility of the death of animals before the fall. g. Where the Hebrew word בָּרָא, H1343, is not used there is the possibility of sequence from previously existing things. 2. Some Theories About Creation Seem Clearly Inconsistent With the Teachings of Scripture. a. Secular Theories b. Theistic Evolution i. Objections c. Notes on the Darwinian Theory of Evolution i. Current Challenges to Evolution α. "After more than a hundred years . . ." 136 β. "The vast and complex mutations . . ." 136 γ. "The subsequent 130 years of intensive archeological . . ." 136 δ. "Advances in Molecular Biology . . ." 136 ε. "Probably the greatest difficulty for all evolutionary theory . . ." 136 ii. The Destructive Influences of Evolution in Modern Thought d. The Theory of a "Gap" Between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 3. The Age of the Earth: Some Preliminary Considerations a. There are Gaps in the Genealogies of the Bible b. The Age of the Human Race c. Did Animals Die Before the Fall? d. What About Dinosaurs? e. Are the Six Days of Creation Twenty-four Hour Days? 4. Both "Old Earth" and "Young Earth" Theories are Valid Options for Christians Who Believe the Bible Today a. "Old Earth" Theories of Creation i. Day-Age View: ii. Literary Framework View b. "Young Earth" Theory of Creation i. Creation With an Appearance of Age (Mature Creationism) ii. Flood Geology 5. Conclusions About the Age of the Earth 6. The Need for Further Understanding 1 Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020), 363-364. --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ 2