Post by Charity on Jan 23, 2006 22:36:29 GMT -5
Creation Versus Evolution as World-Views
The origins controversy is not fundamentally a scientific issue, but rather a life-and-death struggle between the only two basic worldviews, each embracing the origin, destiny and meaning of the cosmos and all things in the cosmos -- material, biological, and spiritual.
COMPARISON OF THE TWO WORLD-VIEWS
Creation Evolution
1. Self-existing eternal Creator 1. Self-originating or self-existing cosmos
2. Cosmos created by divine fiat 2. Cosmos organized by itself
3. Basic systems completed in the past by supernatural processes 3. All systems developed by still continuing natural processes
4. Net changes in created systems "downward" toward disorganization 4. Net changes in evolving systems "upward" toward higher organization
Since each model of origins entails a comprehensive worldview, embracing the whole of reality, each is basically philosophical or, better, religious. The canard that evolution is science and creation is religion is obviously false since it is impossible for scientists actually to observe or repeat unique events of the past. Evolution is based on the premise of naturalism, not science. In fact, evolution is the underlying premise of more religions than creation. Note the tabulation on the following page:
RELIGIONS BASED ON THE TWO WORLD-VIEWS
Creation Evolution
Biblical Christianity Non-Biblical Christianity (liberalism, esoteric cults, etc.)
Orthodox Judaism Non-Orthodox Judaism (Reform Judaism, Nationalistic Zionism)
Orthodox Islam Non-Orthodox Islam
Ancient Pagan Religions (Babylon, Greece, Rome, Egypt, etc.)
New Age Mysticism (Witchcraft, Goddess Worship, Satanism, etc.)
Hinduism (Sikhism, Jainism, etc.)
Confucianism
Buddhism
Taoism
Shintoism
Animism
Humanism
Atheism
Of the three creationist religions, only Biblical Christianity acknowledges that the Creator must also become the Redeemer and Savior. Thus Islam and Judaism, relying on human works (in addition to faith in the Creator), become humanistic in effect. All of the other religions mentioned are basically evolutionary religions, assuming an eternal space-time cosmos, the intrinsic processes of which (often personified as various gods and goddesses) have developed the cosmos into its present form.
FRUITS OF THE TWO WORLD-VIEWS
The Lord Jesus Christ said, "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit" (Matthew 7:18). By this test, the evolution "tree" is certainly corrupt, for its "fruit" has been uniformly evil. Note the following list of harmful philosophies and evil practices. The leading advocates of these philosophies have in every case based their pseudo-scientific rationale on evolutionism.
Evolutionist Fruits
Harmful Philosophies Evil Practices
Communism Nazism Abortion Drug Culture
Racism Imperialism Promiscuity Slavery
Atheism Humanism Pornography Genocide
Materialism Amoralism Chauvinism New-Ageism
Scientism Pantheism Euthanasia Pollution
Monopolism Anarchism Bestiality Satanism
Occultism Social Darwinism Homosexuality Criminality
Behaviorism Freudianism Cannibalism Witchcraft
The above list could be extended. On the other hand, true Biblical creationism has produced good fruits. Consider the following list
Creationist Fruits
Wholesome Human Social Relationships
Monogamous marriage established by God with the first human couple (Genesis 2:21-25; Matthew 19:4-6).
Dominion mandate established human stewardship of man under God over the physical and animal creation, viewing every honorable occupation as a service to God (Genesis 1:26-28; Colossians 3:23).
Human government ordained to maintain order in society as service to the Creator (Genesis 9:1-7; Romans 13:1-7).
True Science
Founding fathers of modern science (Newton, Kepler, Boyle, etc.) were creationists, "thinking God's thoughts after Him."
Uses scientific method based on premise of orderly creation, capable of being understood and described rationally, because designed by intelligent Creator.
True Education
Transmitting truth learned via obedience to dominion mandate from one generation to another, thereby "subduing" the earth.
Centered and controlled in the home and family, stressing, first of all, obedience to God and His Word (Genesis 18:18, 19; Ephesians 6:4).
Transmission of truth through God's people (Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Timothy 3:16).
True Americanism
Founding fathers of American system -- though not all Bible-believing Christians -- were all creationists.
Declaration of Independence assumes American freedom required by obedience to Creator (e.g., "all men created equal").
Background of the U.S. Constitution based on English common law, which was derived mainly from Scripture and efforts of many Bible-believing founding fathers.
True Christianity -- every major doctrine and practice based on creationist foundation
Christology -- Christ as Creator (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; etc.).
Gospel -- founded "everlastingly" on God first as Creator, then as incarnate saving Word (Revelation 14:6, 7).
Saving faith -- centered first of all on God's work as Creator (Hebrews 10:38, 11:3).
Sound evangelism -- note John's example, along with his purpose in writing his Gospel (John 20:31, 31; 1:1-12).
Sound missionary effort -- see Paul's example (Acts 14:1, 15-17; 17:2-4, 23-34)
Fellowship (Ephesians 3:8-12).
Christian life (Colossians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
Christian home and family (Matthew 19:3-6).
Biblical revelation and inerrancy (Psalm 119:89, 90; Hebrews 1:1, 2).
Redemption (1 Peter 1:18-21; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:2).
CONCLUSION
The true worldview is not evolutionary humanism, as taught in the majority of the world's educational institutions, but Biblical creationism, centered in the Lord Jesus Christ as Creator, Redeeming Savior, and coming King and Lord of All.
www.csinfo.org/Creation_Versus_Evolution_as_World-Views.htm
The origins controversy is not fundamentally a scientific issue, but rather a life-and-death struggle between the only two basic worldviews, each embracing the origin, destiny and meaning of the cosmos and all things in the cosmos -- material, biological, and spiritual.
COMPARISON OF THE TWO WORLD-VIEWS
Creation Evolution
1. Self-existing eternal Creator 1. Self-originating or self-existing cosmos
2. Cosmos created by divine fiat 2. Cosmos organized by itself
3. Basic systems completed in the past by supernatural processes 3. All systems developed by still continuing natural processes
4. Net changes in created systems "downward" toward disorganization 4. Net changes in evolving systems "upward" toward higher organization
Since each model of origins entails a comprehensive worldview, embracing the whole of reality, each is basically philosophical or, better, religious. The canard that evolution is science and creation is religion is obviously false since it is impossible for scientists actually to observe or repeat unique events of the past. Evolution is based on the premise of naturalism, not science. In fact, evolution is the underlying premise of more religions than creation. Note the tabulation on the following page:
RELIGIONS BASED ON THE TWO WORLD-VIEWS
Creation Evolution
Biblical Christianity Non-Biblical Christianity (liberalism, esoteric cults, etc.)
Orthodox Judaism Non-Orthodox Judaism (Reform Judaism, Nationalistic Zionism)
Orthodox Islam Non-Orthodox Islam
Ancient Pagan Religions (Babylon, Greece, Rome, Egypt, etc.)
New Age Mysticism (Witchcraft, Goddess Worship, Satanism, etc.)
Hinduism (Sikhism, Jainism, etc.)
Confucianism
Buddhism
Taoism
Shintoism
Animism
Humanism
Atheism
Of the three creationist religions, only Biblical Christianity acknowledges that the Creator must also become the Redeemer and Savior. Thus Islam and Judaism, relying on human works (in addition to faith in the Creator), become humanistic in effect. All of the other religions mentioned are basically evolutionary religions, assuming an eternal space-time cosmos, the intrinsic processes of which (often personified as various gods and goddesses) have developed the cosmos into its present form.
FRUITS OF THE TWO WORLD-VIEWS
The Lord Jesus Christ said, "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit" (Matthew 7:18). By this test, the evolution "tree" is certainly corrupt, for its "fruit" has been uniformly evil. Note the following list of harmful philosophies and evil practices. The leading advocates of these philosophies have in every case based their pseudo-scientific rationale on evolutionism.
Evolutionist Fruits
Harmful Philosophies Evil Practices
Communism Nazism Abortion Drug Culture
Racism Imperialism Promiscuity Slavery
Atheism Humanism Pornography Genocide
Materialism Amoralism Chauvinism New-Ageism
Scientism Pantheism Euthanasia Pollution
Monopolism Anarchism Bestiality Satanism
Occultism Social Darwinism Homosexuality Criminality
Behaviorism Freudianism Cannibalism Witchcraft
The above list could be extended. On the other hand, true Biblical creationism has produced good fruits. Consider the following list
Creationist Fruits
Wholesome Human Social Relationships
Monogamous marriage established by God with the first human couple (Genesis 2:21-25; Matthew 19:4-6).
Dominion mandate established human stewardship of man under God over the physical and animal creation, viewing every honorable occupation as a service to God (Genesis 1:26-28; Colossians 3:23).
Human government ordained to maintain order in society as service to the Creator (Genesis 9:1-7; Romans 13:1-7).
True Science
Founding fathers of modern science (Newton, Kepler, Boyle, etc.) were creationists, "thinking God's thoughts after Him."
Uses scientific method based on premise of orderly creation, capable of being understood and described rationally, because designed by intelligent Creator.
True Education
Transmitting truth learned via obedience to dominion mandate from one generation to another, thereby "subduing" the earth.
Centered and controlled in the home and family, stressing, first of all, obedience to God and His Word (Genesis 18:18, 19; Ephesians 6:4).
Transmission of truth through God's people (Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Timothy 3:16).
True Americanism
Founding fathers of American system -- though not all Bible-believing Christians -- were all creationists.
Declaration of Independence assumes American freedom required by obedience to Creator (e.g., "all men created equal").
Background of the U.S. Constitution based on English common law, which was derived mainly from Scripture and efforts of many Bible-believing founding fathers.
True Christianity -- every major doctrine and practice based on creationist foundation
Christology -- Christ as Creator (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; etc.).
Gospel -- founded "everlastingly" on God first as Creator, then as incarnate saving Word (Revelation 14:6, 7).
Saving faith -- centered first of all on God's work as Creator (Hebrews 10:38, 11:3).
Sound evangelism -- note John's example, along with his purpose in writing his Gospel (John 20:31, 31; 1:1-12).
Sound missionary effort -- see Paul's example (Acts 14:1, 15-17; 17:2-4, 23-34)
Fellowship (Ephesians 3:8-12).
Christian life (Colossians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
Christian home and family (Matthew 19:3-6).
Biblical revelation and inerrancy (Psalm 119:89, 90; Hebrews 1:1, 2).
Redemption (1 Peter 1:18-21; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:2).
CONCLUSION
The true worldview is not evolutionary humanism, as taught in the majority of the world's educational institutions, but Biblical creationism, centered in the Lord Jesus Christ as Creator, Redeeming Savior, and coming King and Lord of All.
www.csinfo.org/Creation_Versus_Evolution_as_World-Views.htm