How Life Began: The Never Ending Debate
A commentary by Paul Suckling
United Church of God pastor, Worcester, MA and Portsmouth, NH
For
almost two centuries arguments between two 'faiths'—one
in evolution, the other in creation—have raged. Both raise questions,
but neither has resolved them to the other's satisfaction. Simply
put, the dividing issue is, did we evolve through natural selection and
survival of the fittest or were we created by a superior being?
These two perspectives remind me of two ships very slowly passing each
other in a dense fog. Neither is visible to the other. So both ships' foghorns
blare out as loudly as possible, proclaiming warnings of their directions.
Yet all aboard each vessel are sincerely perplexed why those on the other
vessel have charted the course they are taking.
The evolutionists have their perspective of 'pure science,' claiming
that their explanation is the only logical, demonstrable one. They are
convinced it is correct. As Richard Dawkin (the current guru of the evolutionist
perspective) says "…evolution allows me to be an intellectual
atheist"—which roughly translates that he has a brain, a
mind, but doesn't have to believe in a God.
The creationists are equally adamant in their claims of intelligent
design—from a source that is above and beyond scientific explanation
or human logic. And there are scientists in many fields who agree. Yet
neither side is willing to back away from championing its particular
source of evidence.
At the heart of the argument is the reliability of the Bible. It claims
to be revealed information—inspired directly by the Creator God.
Within its pages there is an abundance of evidence that relates directly
to the conflict between those whose faith is in evolution and those who
place their faith in creation as an act of God. That evidence is supplemented
by an immense amount of scientific evidence.
Therefore, I don't find it surprising that some scientists are
coming to a screeching halt in their anti-creationists views because
in many areas of their research they can 'explain things no further' by
scientific or evolutionary means. This has led them to the conclusion
that there must be intelligence behind the incredible designs they see
in nature.
As a Christian, I accept the compelling biblical and scientific evidence
that God exists and that man is not a chemical accident. I also accept
the biblical teaching that we are on this earth for a special reason
and purpose.
What is that purpose? Are we here just to live, suffer and die? Or,
as some would say, to go on to some 'nirvana in the sky,' or
even worse, to an ever-burning hell?
The scriptures reveal God's real purpose is in "bringing
many sons' to glory." What does this mean? It clearly indicates
that God is working with humans for a great and wonderful result.
The Bible plainly says that man is a physical being who at death returns
to the basic elements from which he exists—"dust you are
and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19). If God had no plan,
man would simply live, suffer and die with no hope of eternal life.
Thousands of years ago the patriarch Job knew of God's plan.
He phrased the profound question: "If a man die will he live again?" Then
he immediately answered it: "All the days of my hard service I
will wait, till my change comes. You shall call, and I will answer You;
You shall desire the work of Your hands" (Job 14:14-15). The prophet
Isaiah points in the same direction when he says ... "we are the
clay, and you are the potter, and we are all the work of your hand" (Isaiah
64:8).
God, through Jesus the Christ, offers man an eternal future. Jesus
is already the firstborn from the dead (Colossians 1:18). The scriptures
describe man as a potential heir of God, a joint-heir with Jesus Christ
of an eternal inheritance (Romans 8:17).
As humans, we all sin—we 'miss the mark' set by God's
commands (1 John 3:4). So we all must first turn away from sin—that
is, repent (Luke 13:1-3)—and, with Jesus Christ's help, build
the kind of character that that is essential for us to be a truly "new
creation" in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). If we willingly comply,
at Christ's return we can be resurrected and changed by God into
immortal beings (1 Corinthians 1:50-54)—able to enjoy useful lives
for all eternity.
  Because
this topic is so vital, so challenging, I offer you the additional information
needed for understanding it more fully. Just request, read online or
download now your free copies of these exceptionally informative booklets, What
Is Your Destiny? and Creation
or Evolution—Does
It Really Matter What You Believe?
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