Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Sunday School Class: “Creation as Foundational Truth,” Week 11

Section 9:  Genesis as Foundation of Doctrine, continued:
 
Last week, we looked at the Doctrine of God (Theology), the Doctrine of Man (Anthropology), and the Doctrine of Sin (Hamartiology), as seen in Genesis.
 
Doctrine of Salvation (Soteriology)

The Bible teaches that God in His mercy and grace forgives our sin, but only when the penalty is paid by a substitutionary blood sacrifice. This is first seen in the promise that the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15). The first actual blood sacrifice was performed by God Himself when He made coats of skin to clothe Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21).

Take away Genesis and we lose this promise that speaks of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Satan does not want anyone believing this verse (3:15), because it spell his doom and redemption through the Lord Jesus Christ.

If Genesis is a myth, then so is Jesus Christ.

Evolution hinders man from putting faith in Christ. Theistic evolution is simply a sugar-coated version of the same idea and produces the same results.

A number of other doctrines have their foundation in the book of Genesis.  Examples:

Doctrine of Angels (Angelology). It shows us Satan (a fallen angel) in 3:1, and the Cherubim (a type of angel still faithful to God) in 3:24.

Doctrine of Last Things (Eschatology). Future things make no sense without Genesis as a foundation.

Conclusion

All major Christian doctrines have their source, directly or indirectly, in the book of Genesis.

There are those who object to this foundational view of Genesis in that it does not agree with the evolutionary theories of modern-day “science.”

As Bible-believing Christians, we stand in awe of the handiwork of the Creator (the “Potter”) instead of the supposed intellect of the clay. “Woe to him who strives with his Maker! … Shall the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’” … (Isaiah 45:9, NKJV).

Every atheistic evolutionist amounts to a fool in God’s eyes … “The fool has said in his heart, There is no God” (Psalm 14:1, NKJV). We ought not to give any credibility to the ramblings of such fools. “They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one” (Psalm 14:3, NKJV).

Section 10:  Quotes from Evolutionists and Other Scientists

Even prominent evolutionists have some very serious doubts about their beliefs. Recommended Reading:  That Their Words May Be Used Against Them - Quotes from Evolutionists Useful for Creationists, Institute for Creation Research, Compiled by Henry M. Morris, 1997.
 
The bold emphasis in these quotes is mine.

Self-proclaimed Marxist and world-renowned Darwinian geneticist Professor Richard Lewontin:  (Italicized words are his.)
 
"Our willingness to accept scientific claims that are against common sense is the key to an understanding of the real struggle between science and the supernatural. We take the side of science in spite of the patent absurdity of some of its constructs, in spite of its failure to fulfill many of its extravagant promises of health and life, in spite of the tolerance of the scientific community for unsubstantiated just-so stories, because we have a prior commitment, a commitment to materialism...we are forced by our a priori adherence to material causes to create an apparatus of investigation and a set of concepts that produce material explanations, no matter how counter-intuitive, no matter how mystifying to the uninitiated. Moreover, that materialism is absolute, for we cannot allow a Divine Foot in the door." (Richard Lewontin, "Billions and Billions of Demons,"  The New York Review, January 1997, p. 31)
 
Another evolutionist said the following, and it was an honest statement:

“If living matter is not, then caused by the interplay of atoms, natural forces and radiation, how has it come into being?  I think … that we must … admit that the only acceptable explanation is creation. I know that this is anathema to physicists, as indeed it is to me, but we must not reject a theory that we do not like if the experimental evidence supports it.”  (H.S. Lipson, FRS, Professor of Physics, University of Manchester, UK, “A Physicist Looks at Evolution.” Physics Bulletin, Vol. 31, 1980, page 138)

Steven J. Gould, who along with Niles Eldredge came up with the idea of "Punctuated Equilibrium" in the early 1970’s, said the following:

"The extreme rarity of transitional forms in the fossil record persist as the trade secret of paleontology. The evolutionary trees that adorn our textbooks have data only at the tips and nodes of their branches; the rest is inference, however reasonable, not the evidence of fossils. We fancy ourselves as the only true students of life's history, yet to preserve our favored account of evolution by natural selection, we view our data as so bad that we never see the very process we profess to study."  (Stephen J. Gould, "Evolution's Erratic Pace," Natural History, vol. 86, May 1987)

"The absence of fossil evidence for intermediary stages between major transitions in organic design, indeed our inability, even in our imagination, to construct functional intermediates in many cases, has been a persistent and nagging problem for gradualistic accounts of evolution." (Stephen J. Gould, 1982)

Even though Gould discounted the evidence for Darwin, he still accepted evolution and instead turned to punctuated equilibrium.  Note:  If the evidence is bad, maybe the idea is bad, too. Why not just throw out evolution?
 
"Paleontologists have been insisting that their record is consistent with slow, steady, gradual evolution where I think that privately, they’ve known for over a hundred years that such is not the case." (Niles Eldredge, 1981)

My summary of the ideas of punctuated equilibrium evolutionists:  "We know the evidence for evolution is bogus, but evolution is true; it has to be. We just have to figure out another way for it to have happened, since it couldn’t have happened the way we thought it did, and clearly, God couldn’t have created everything."

From a letter from Dr. Colin Patterson, senior paleontologist at the British Museum of Natural History to creationist Luther D. Sunderland:

"I fully agree with your comments on the lack of direct illustration of evolutionary transitions in my book. If I knew of any, fossil or living, I would certainly have included them. I will lay it on the line; there is not one such fossil for which one might make a watertight argument. It is easy enough to make up stories of how one form gave rise to another, and to find reasons why the stages should be favored by natural selection. But such stories are not part of science, for there is no way to put them to the test."

Another quote from Lipson:

"Darwin’s book - Origin of Species - I find quite unsatisfactory:  it says nothing about the origin or species; it is written very tentatively, with a special chapter on 'Difficulties on Theory;' and it includes a great deal of discussion on why evidence for natural selection does not exist in the fossil record. As a scientist, I am not happy with these ideas. But I find it distasteful for scientists to reject a theory because it does not fit in with their preconceived ideas."  (H.S. Lipson, FRS, Professor of Physics, University of Manchester, UK), 'Origins of Species,' in 'Letters,' New Scientist, 5/14/81, page 452)

Charles Darwin wrote the following:

"To suppose that the eye with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting the focus to different distance, for admitting different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical and chromatic aberration, could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest degree." (Charles Darwin in The Origin of Species, J.M. Dent & Sons, Ltd. London, 1971, page 167)

This is a favorite quote of creationists, and evolutionists say we use it out of context by not including what Darwin said next. He goes on to say, "The difficulty of believing that a perfect and complex eye could be formed by natural selection, though insuperable by our imagination, can hardly be considered real. How a nerve comes to be sensitive to light, hardly concerns us more than how life itself first originated."

My interpretation:  "I don’t really care how it got started. The eye does exist, so it must have evolved, and any absurdity we think we see is simply not real. Given enough time, it could have happened." That is typical evolutionist nonsense.

Another statement: "The age of our globe is presently thought to be some 4.5 billion years, based on radio decay rates of uranium and thorium. Such 'confirmation' may be short-lived. There has been in recent years the horrible realization that radio decay rates are not as constant as previously thought. And this could mean that the atomic clocks are reset during some global disaster, and events which brought the Mesozoic to a close may not be 65 million years ago, but rather, within the age and memory of man." (Frederic B. Jueneman, FAIC, “Secular Catastrophism.” Industrial Research and Development, June 1982, page 21)

"We all jumped at the Origin of Species because the idea of God interfered with our sexual mores.” (Sir Julian Huxley). They not only express doubts, but they also give away their true motives. Evolution = no God = no one to whom I must answer = no absolute standards = I can do as I please.

"The irony is devastating. The main purpose of Darwinism was to drive every last trace of an incredible God from biology.  But the theory replaces God with an even more incredible deity - omnipotent chance."  (T. Rosazak, "Unfinished Animal", 1975, p. 101-102)

"If complex organisms ever did evolve from simpler ones, the process took place contrary to the laws of nature, and must have involved what may rightly be termed to be miraculous." (R.E.D. Clark, Victoria Institute , 1943).

"... evolution became in a sense a scientific religion; almost all scientists have accepted it and many are prepared to 'bend' their observations to fit with it ..." H.S. Lipson. “A Physicist Looks at Evolution." Physics Bulletin, Vol. 31, p138, 1980)

From The Humanist Manifesto II:

"I am convinced that the battle for humankind's future must be waged and won in the public school classroom by teachers that correctly perceive their role as proselytizers of a new faith: a religion of humanity that recognizes and respects the spark of what theologians call divinity in every human being. The classroom must and will become an arena of conflict between the old and new:  the rotting corpse of Christianity, together with all its adjacent evils and misery, and the new faith of humanism, resplendent with the promise of a world in which the never-realized Christian ideal of 'love thy neighbor' will finally be achieved.”  (John Dunphy, Humanist Manifesto II)

“Christianity has fought, still fights, and will continue to fight science to the desperate end over evolution, because evolution destroys utterly and finally the very reason Jesus’ earthly life was supposedly made necessary. Destroy Adam and Eve and the original sin, and in the rubble you will find the sorry remains of the Son of God. If Jesus was not the redeemer who died for our sins, and this is what evolution means, then Christianity is nothing." (G. Richard Bozarth, “The Meaning of Evolution,” American Atheist, p. 30, February 1978)
 
We should never forget that the real aim of evolution is to remove God from the picture and make man free to do as he pleases.

Evolutionists like to say that the Bible and evolution can be harmonized. Only gullible Christians fall prey to believing such foolishness. Evolutionists absolutely know better. Richard Dawkins, one of the best-known atheists and evolutionists, openly admits that he became an atheist because of his exposure to and acceptance of Darwinism. Other evolutionists are not happy with him for being honest enough to blow their cover, but it is clearly true that evolution and Christianity are in no way compatible.

We need to be aware of Satan’s devices. (2 Cor. 2:11).

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves”  (Matthew 10:16, NKJV). “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.’  He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure” (Psalm 2:2-5).
 
 
Continued and concluded next week with  "Scientific Evidence for Creation."
 
 
Following are some of the resources, in addition to the Scriptures, that have helped me a great deal as I have studied to teach this Sunday school topic. These include the following:
 
Materials from the Institute for Creation Research, including the book The Genesis Record by Henry M. Morris.
 
Materials from the “Answers in Genesis” website, and the book The Lie: Evolution by Ken Ham.
 
Sermons by John MacArthur from the website, “Grace to You.”
 
Icons of Evolution by Jonathan Wells, a proponent of the Intelligent Design movement.
 
The “Got Questions?" website.
 
The "creation.com" website, specifically http://creation.com/genesis-the-seedbed-of-all-christian-doctrine.
 
Various other resources, both printed books and websites.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Sunday School Class: “Creation as Foundational Truth,” Week 10

This section should really be connected with Section 1, “The Importance of Genesis.” I will reorganize the material the next time I teach it.
 
Section 9:  Genesis as Foundation of Doctrine

Genesis is the foundational book of the Bible. Genesis 1:1 declares, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

The word “genesis” actually means “beginnings” or “origins.” Every important theme and teaching in the Scriptures find their beginnings in Genesis.

Genesis is not simply the record of creation, but also the foundation of Biblical doctrines.

If we dismiss Genesis as a myth or mere symbolism, then we have no starting point for all the vital teachings of Scripture, which in turn means that we have no solid rock for our faith.

The fact that Genesis gives us the origin and initial explanation of the major biblical doctrines is a big reason for the continued attacks on Genesis, especially chapters 1-11.

They want to kick the foundations out from under our faith.

If a building has no solid foundation, the structure cannot last for long. “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3, NKJV).

Evolution is an attack on the foundation.

Lack of faith in Genesis has brought about unbelief in the Bible in general.

Trying to “make the Bible relevant” to modern-day so-called “science” is a losing battle and a waste of time. The Bible is already relevant.

“… Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge (“science”) — by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith” (1 Tim. 6:20-21, NKJV).

Remove the authority and inspiration of Genesis and the rest of the Bible must crumble.

This is exactly what Satan intended when he cast doubt on the Word of God and then blatantly denied the Word of God. Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?’” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’” And the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:1-4, NKJV).

Atheistic and Theistic evolution have sought to destroy the foundation of Scripture.

Those who reject the literal interpretation of Genesis do not really believe the Bible.

 

Major categories of doctrine addressed in Genesis:
 
1. Doctrine of God (Theology)
 
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
 
This verse tells us many things about God:
 
He is the Creator. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves” (Psalm 100:3).
 
He is all-wise.  The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens” (Proverbs 3:19, NKJV).
 
He is all-powerful. For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; and His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker” (Psalm 95:3-6).
 
He is in control of all things. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him  (Colossians 1:16).
 
Genesis also presents God as Lawgiver in His command to Adam not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:17).
 
God is seen as Judge following Adam’s disobedience,as well as in His judgment at the Flood, at Babel, and on Sodom and Gomorrah.
 
God is also seen as Savior (Genesis 3:15). This is seen in His saving Noah and his family from the judgment of the Flood. Without the flood of Genesis, we cannot really explain why there are billions of fossils, since fossils are formed by rapid burial in water and mud, not over millions of years. The flood presents us with the fact that God must punish sin. This is not a popular teaching and is another reason people reject the whole idea of God judging the world by the flood. If we really believe the Bible, we must accept all of Genesis, even the parts we don’t fully understand.
 
God also saved Lot and his daughters from the judgment on Sodom (Genesis 18 and 19).
 
As the Creator of all things, God has the absolute right to rule over all things, and He exercises this authority in the world — demonstrating His sovereignty. This is seen in Genesis in four outstanding events:  the Creation, the Fall, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel. It is also seen in God’s choice, call, and direction of four outstanding people:  Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.
 
The Trinity is seen in Genesis. The Hebrew word for God, Elohim, in Genesis 1:1 is a plural name with a singular meaning, a “uni-plural” noun, thereby suggesting the uni-plurality of the Godhead. God is one, yet more than one. In Genesis 1:26, God says, “Let us make man in our image.” This shows the “Tri-Unity” of God.
 
The Spirit of God is mentioned “hovering over the waters” in Genesis 1:2.
 
Christ is mentioned prophetically as the “seed of the woman” in Genesis 3:15.
 
2. Doctrine of Mankind (Anthropology)
 
The first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve, appear in Genesis as special creations of God.
 
Adam was made from the dust and Eve from Adam’s rib. Both were made by God in the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27).
 
We are not evolved animals, or a mere conglomeration of chemicals, but we are beings with a spiritual or God-conscious nature.
 
Clearly, the whole human race is descended from this first man and woman (Genesis 3:20).
 
Eve was created to be a “companion” for Adam (Genesis 2:20–22).
 
From this follows the doctrine of marriage (Genesis 2:24–25 and confirmed by Jesus in Matthew 19:4–6), as the union of one man and one woman for life (not the union of two men or of two women, or something else). God has originated and defined marriage, and no one has the right to redefine it. Since God ordained marriage between one man and one woman, this fact forbids polygamy, adultery, non-marital sex, and homosexuality. These four practices result from disobedience to God, but are defended as human rights. Belief in evolution makes acceptance of these very easy. Evolution is a denial of God's created order, and that allows humanity to justify just about anything. 
 
If we did not have the book of Genesis how would we explain the institution of marriage?  Without it, man would simply be on the same level as animals.
 
3. Doctrine of Sin (Hamartiology)
 
With the first man came the first sin — seen in Genesis as violation of the law of God (Genesis 3:6–11), and as depravity imputed to the whole human race (Genesis 4:8; 6:5). When God created Adam and Eve, they had the ability not to sin, as well as being able to sin. They had “free will” in a way no one has it today. They had the ability to choose to be sinners or not. We don’t have that choice today. Today, “free will” must be defined as “the freedom to act according to one’s nature.” When Adam and Eve chose to reject God’s rule over them, they and mankind lost the ability not to sin; instead we have an innate sinful nature.
 
The first sin brought the first guilt (Genesis 3:8). Some today try to say that there is no real guilt, only guilt feelings, and those feelings are caused by Christians and their preaching against sin. However, guilt is real.
 
The first sin also brought the first judgment (Genesis 3:14–19). There would be enmity between Satan’s seed and the woman’s seed (Christ - the One would come into the world and defeat sin and Satan forever). Women and men would suffer in their respective roles. All humanity would now be subject to death. The result of the fall was murder, sickness, sorrow, pain, death, and separation from God.
 
Genesis also describes how mankind became increasingly wicked. “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5, NKJV). “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth” (Gen. 6:11-12, NKJV).
 
Some believe that education is than answer to all the terrible things that are present in the world today, but no amount of education can make the nature of man better. Everyone is, by nature, bent on disobeying God and His word. “The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside,  they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one” (Psalm 14:2-3, NKJV).
 
 
Continued next week with more doctrines that have their origin in the book of Genesis, and then on to "Quotes from Evolutionists and Other Scientists." This study will conclude in two weeks with "Scientific Evidence for Creation."
 
 
Following are some of the resources, in addition to the Scriptures, that have helped me a great deal as I have studied to teach this Sunday school topic. These include the following:
 
Materials from the Institute for Creation Research, including the book The Genesis Record by Henry M. Morris.
 
Materials from the “Answers in Genesis” website, and the book The Lie: Evolution by Ken Ham.
 
Sermons by John MacArthur from the website, “Grace to You.”
 
Icons of Evolution by Jonathan Wells, a proponent of the Intelligent Design movement.
 
The “Got Questions?" website.

The "creation.com" website, specifically http://creation.com/genesis-the-seedbed-of-all-christian-doctrine.
 
Various other resources, both printed books and websites.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Sunday School Class: “Creation as Foundational Truth,” Week 9

“Thus says God the Lord,
Who created the heavens and stretched them out,
Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it,
Who gives breath to the people on it,
And spirit to those who walk on it”
(Isaiah 42:5, NKJV).

 
“He has made the earth by His power,
He has established the world by His wisdom,
And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion”
(Jeremiah 10:12, NKJV).

 
More information on Natural Selection (Added to Section 6, “Icons of Evolution”)
 
This information is taken from the article, “The Peppered Moth: Popular ‘Proof’ That Doesn’t Prove Evolution,” by Ken Ham on May 4, 2016.
 
A recent evolution article, entitled “8 Animals That Are Evolving Quickly”
(http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/photos/8-animals-are-evolving-quickly/rapid-adaptability), gave an explanation for quick evolution:  “rapid adaptability.” However… “rapid adaptability” is not evolution. In fact, it’s really the opposite of a molecules-to-man type of supposed process.
 
The first caption in the article reads, “Whether it’s climate change or other environmental conditions, animals are constantly evolving (My note:  "Adapting would be a much more accurate word.) to better survive. Most people think of animal evolution as being something that takes place over hundreds of thousands or even millions of years. But this isn’t the case for the resilient species listed here.”
 
All of the examples given show animals adapting to new and changing environments using information that was already in their genome.
 
A genome is an organism’s complete set of DNA, including all of its genes. Each genome contains all of the information needed to build and maintain that organism. In humans, a copy of the entire genome — more than 3 billion DNA base pairs — is contained in all cells that have a nucleus.” (https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/hgp/genome)
 
Can anyone seriously say this is a result of random, accidental natural processes? This should cause every scientist to stand in awe before our Creator.
 
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well” (Psalm 139:14, NKJV).
 
None of the animals created new genetic information to form a brand-new feature.
 
Environmental pressure simply resulted in the expression of a new variation of already existing genes or the increased survival of a certain variety of that created kind.
 
Though the animals the article talks about can’t actually be used as examples of evolution, they do highlight how quickly animals can adapt and change to new environments, using the information God placed in their DNA. This showcases the creativity and wisdom of our all-powerful and all-wise Creator.
 
The idea that evolution and natural selection are one and the same is a very popular idea. But they aren’t the same thing. In fact, they are complete opposites. Natural selection leads to the reshuffling or loss of genetic information. But evolution requires the addition of brand-new information, a process that has never been observed.
 
The observational evidence confirms God’s Word:  kinds always reproduce according to their kinds (Genesis 1:24–25).
 
From a creationist perspective, natural selection is a process in which organisms possessing specific characteristics (reflective of their genetic makeup) survive better than others in a given environment or under a given selective pressure (such as antibiotic resistance in bacteria). Those with certain characteristics live, and those without them diminish in number or die. Natural selection works with information that already exists. Therefore, the term “evolution” cannot be rightly used in the context of describing what natural selection can accomplish.
 
Natural Selection Can:
 
1.   Decrease genetic information.
 
2.   Allow organisms to survive better in a given environment.
 
3.   Act as a “selector.”
 
4.   Support creation’s “orchard” of life.
 
Natural Selection Cannot:
 
1.   Increase or provide new genetic information.
 
2.   Allow organisms to evolve from molecules to man.
 
3.   Act as an “originator.”
 
4.   Support the evolutionary “tree” of life.
 
Summary of Natural Selection
 
The creationist view of natural selection is supported biblically and scientifically.
 
Natural selection is a God-ordained process that allows organisms to survive in a post-Fall, post-Flood world. It is an observable reality that occurs in the present and takes advantage of the variations within the kinds and works to preserve the genetic viability of the kinds. Evolution requires an increase in information that results in a directional movement from molecules to man.
 
Natural selection cannot be a mechanism for evolution because it results in a decrease in information and is not directional. Speciation may occur as a result of natural selection, but it only occurs within a kind. Therefore, it is also not a mechanism for evolution but rather supports the Biblical model.
 
Natural selection is an observable phenomenon that preserves genetic viability and allows limited variation within a kind — nothing more, nothing less. It is a great confirmation of Bible truth.
 
Continuation of Section 8 from Last Week:  Common Sense Reasons to Believe in Creation and Reject Evolution
 
Remember John MacArthur’s statement:
 
“Believing in a supernatural creative God who made everything is the only possible RATIONAL explanation for the universe, for life, for purpose, and for destiny.”
 
An appeal to common sense makes creation by God a much more sensible answer to origins than the absurdity of evolution. Following are a few common sense reasons, which are neither scientific nor theological, for accepting creation and rejecting evolution:
 
Creation requires miracles performed by a miracle-working God. Evolution requires miracles performed by blind chance, which means miracles performed by no one.
 
Creation requires that a designer be involved in the production of intricate design. Evolution requires that intricate design has been produced without benefit of a designer.
 
Creation requires a great “first cause” of all things, which is God Himself. Evolution requires that there is no “first cause.” Either matter itself is eternal, having never had a beginning, or matter was somehow created by accident out of nothing by no one.
 
Evolution is mathematically impossible. Chance could never intervene into natural laws to the extent of producing the universe, life, and all living things. Only the Creator could do that. If He did not do so, then we do not exist. There is a famous quote which says, “I think. Therefore, I am.” Even more true would be the statement, “I am. Therefore, I was created. If I was not created, then I am not here” or, “If God doesn’t exist, neither do I.”
 
The chance that God, who is all powerful, could create all species is 100%. The chance of one species evolving into another by mutations is, for all practical purposes, ZERO.
 
Also, there would have to be a huge number of such zero possibility sequences of evolution to explain all the life forms we have today.
 
This is one reason evolutionists demand massive amounts of time. They realize none of this could happen in a short time. Reality:  It couldn’t happen in a long time, either, even the amount of time they claim they have. All of the efforts to wish evolution into existence are futile. Bottom line on evolution caused by mutations:  Evolution is an absurdity and simply could not happen.
 
Creation requires that life came from the One who is the source of all life. Evolution requires that life came from non-life.
 
Creation requires faith in God. Evolution requires faith in blind chance, matter, Charles Darwin, etc., all of which are much less than God.
 
Creation is a positive teaching, elevating man to a special creation of God, and placing him in a position of responsibility. Evolution is a negative teaching, degrading man to the status of an animal which was produced by accident, removing all responsibility from him, and ultimately leading to anarchy.
 
There can be no law or civilization without God and His laws and principles. Regardless of all that, for the Christian, the very best reason for believing in creation is the fact that God says He created, and we ought to take Him at His Word. It is tremendous that the scientific evidence, when viewed honestly, points to creation and totally refutes evolution. However, even if we did not have that, we know that creation is true, because God, who cannot lie, has told us so.
 
“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Hebrews 11:3, NKJV).
 
 
Continued next week with Section 9:  “Genesis as the Foundation of Doctrine”
 
Following are some of the resources, in addition to the Scriptures, that have helped me a great deal as I have studied to teach this Sunday school topic. These include the following:
 
Materials from the Institute for Creation Research, including the book The Genesis Record by Henry M. Morris.
 
Materials from the “Answers in Genesis” website, and the book The Lie: Evolution by Ken Ham.
 
Sermons by John MacArthur from the website, “Grace to You.”
 
Icons of Evolution by Jonathan Wells, a proponent of the Intelligent Design movement.
 
The “Got Questions?" website.
 
Various other resources, both printed books and websites.