Faith Rooted in Creation
Two-thirds of Americans believe that God should be credited with creating humankind—but two-thirds of Americans also reject creationism.
A recent Gallup poll shows that just over one-third of Americans believe that God created the world and humans in the recent past (less than 10,000 years ago). About one-third believe that God was involved in creation, particularly in the origin of humans, but that life evolved over long ages. Just under one-third believe that God was not involved at all in creation and that the theory of evolution accurately describes the origins of life. The key lies in the middle third of respondents. Their view—that God guided human origins within an evolutionary process—helps explain how belief in God as Creator can remain a majority position, even as creationism itself fails to command majority support.
This discrepancy of thought ought to drive us to seek strong intellectual answers that affirm Scripture’s teaching on creation. That is, the issue is not merely what Scripture says about the what and how of creation, but what Scripture reveals about why creation is essential within the broader biblical worldview.
For example, Genesis 1 tells us that God spoke and things that did not exist came into existence. Only later in scripture do we find that one of the primary reasons God is worthy of worship is because He made all that is. (See Psalm 86:9 and Nehemiah 9:6.) The first angel’s message clearly reveals this: “Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water,” Revelation 14:7. An artist is honored for the work they create, not for the work of another. In the same way, God is worthy of honor because He made all things. This is why God is often depicted in scripture as astonished that humans would worship “gods” they themselves have created. (See Exodus 32:8; Isaiah 2:8.)
If the God of Scripture used long ages, randomness and vast amounts of death to produce the complexity of life we observe today, then He could hardly be called all-powerful and all-knowing. After all, such a process would suggest trial and error rather than purposeful design. If this was how God created, then rather than praising God’s goodness, mercy and love, we might instead be justified in questioning His character. The notion of creation over long ages also erodes the rationale for observing the Sabbath. Scripture is clear that we rest every seventh day because God did so at the beginning. (See Exodus 20:8-11.) This is why affirming a literal, seven-day, twenty-four-hour, consecutive creation is
invaluable.
Perhaps the greatest reason—at least in my view—to affirm the biblical creation account is that rejecting it undermines the foundation upon which salvation rests. If death existed before the Fall (See Genesis 3.), then death is not the result of sin—and it becomes unclear what Christ’s death on the cross is actually saving us from. And perhaps more importantly, what is He saving us to? More pain, misery and death after the resurrection?
Many who challenge the biblical view of creation fail to recognize this essential point: God created everything good and perfect in the beginning, but an enemy entered and distorted God’s perfect order. God did not create this world in its current condition, though He continues to sustain it for a time. Ultimately, God will bring this world to an end and re-create it as it was in the beginning, when “God will wipe every tear from their eyes. “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away,” Revelation 21:4.
By Endi Stojanovic, Assistant Professor, Department of Religion, Southwestern Adventist University
