In the Beginning….What Really Happened?

The Great Debate

CREATION

EVOLUTION

ORIGIN OF THE

UNIVERSE

STARTING POINT

Where did solids, liquids and gases needed for evolution to begin come from?

Origin of Space, Time & Matter

COSMOLOGY

TIME ZERO THEORIES

1) UNIVERSE IS INFINITE AND ETERNAL ‘The world is simply there and is inexplicable’ ‘Steady-State’ model Doesn’t answer question Has been abandoned

TIME ZERO THEORIES

2) UNIVERSE IS SELF-CREATED Ancient roots Premise of Big Bang Theory Does not address original singularity mystery Ex nihilo, nihil fit; “Out of nothing, comes

nothing” ?? First Law of Thermodynamics ??

TIME ZERO THEORIES

3) UNIVERSE HAD A TRANSCENDENT, ETERNAL AND SELF-EXISTENT CAUSE

“In the Beginning God Created the Heavens and the Earth”; Gen 1:1

“He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;        he suspends the earth over nothing”; Job 26:7

Purpose of Universe is Earth “…Thy will be done on EARTH as it is in Heaven…”

Purpose of Earth is Man

Purpose of Man is……

PHYSICS of the UNIVERSE

Age of Earth/Universe

Age of the Earth

Geologic dating Circular argument full of assumptions

Radiometric Dating Major unchallenged assumptions:

1. Rate of decay remains constant 2. No contamination 3. Relative levels of isotope beginning

ORIGIN OF LIFE

BIOGENESIS

Evolution

ABIOGENESIS: random atomic collisions resulted in the formation of some simple form of life.

?? Second Law of Thermodynamics ??

Evolution

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid (protein) that contains all the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and some viruses.

A mutation is a permanent change in the DNA sequence

Evolution

Some mutations are beneficial…

BUT

Most mutations are either SILENT or HARMFUL

Evolution

Macroevolution: Simple life evolved over the next 3 plus billion years into the plants, animals, and humans we see today—using the long term effects of microevolutionary (adaptive) changes.

“Natural Selection”

“Survival of the Fittest”

Modern Theory of Evolution

UNCONTROLLED FORCES OF ABIOGENESIS AND MACROEVOLUTION

ORIGINATING IN AN ACCIDENTAL UNIVERSE

Theistic Evolution

“ Today, many religious denominations accept that biological evolution has produced the diversity of living things over billions of years of Earth’s history. Many have issued statements observing that evolution and the tenets of their faiths are compatible. Scientists and theologians have written eloquently about their awe and wonder at the history of the universe and of life on this planet, explaining that they see no conflict between their faith in God and the evidence for evolution. Religious denominations that do not accept the occurrence of evolution tend to be those that believe in strictly literal interpretations of religious texts. ”

—Science, Evolution, and Creationism, National Academy of Sciences

Theistic Evolution

Theistic Evolution

“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”

“In the beginning God (Triune God including the Word) created the heavens and the earth.”

Evolution

THEORY of evolution

Webster’s Dictionary definition of Theory The analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another A hypothesis assumed for the sake of argument or investigation

Science would like to redefine the meaning: “In the American vernacular, "theory" often means "imperfect fact”; Moreover, "fact" doesn't mean "absolute certainty””

Evolution is a Fact and a Theory by Laurence Moran 1993

Evolution

Science (as it pertains to evolutionism) itself is being redefined

Science is (was) observable, testable, and repeatable

Evolution

Kansas State Guidelines : “Science is the human activity of seeking natural explanations for what we observe in the world around us.”

“Natural Explanations” : Conclusion is predetermined

Assumes man is the only one capable of creation

Matter of Faith

Creation takes up 2 chapters in the Genesis

The remaining 1100+ chapters of the Bible are meaningless if we don’t believe in the Creation

Matter of Faith

TO DATE THERE IS NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE THAT CONTRADICTS

THE BIBLE

Matter of Faith

Modern Day Sun Worship ?

Politically Correct Conclusion

There is nothing in evolution that would lead to the conclusion that there is no God, that the universe is not God’s handiwork or that God does not continue to engage in a personal relationship with each human. Neither is there anything in evolution that would lead to the conclusion that God does exist. Rather, the matter of God is simply not relevant to the questions addressed by evolution. In other words, evolution leaves spiritual belief where it should be (at least, according to Christianity): in the realm of individual choice.

Main Verse

“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.” Ps19:1