Is There a Third Choice?

Joshua 24:15b
“…but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Creationists are often asked whether there are only two possible choices in the origins debate – creation or evolution.

Evolution includes a broad range of explanations. Each evolutionary explanation relies on natural forces to explain the creation. Darwinism, neo-Darwinism, pantheistic or cosmic evolution and theistic evolution all rely primarily on naturalistic forces to produce the universe and life. Each denies the Bible’s claim that death is a result of sin and, therefore, that Christ’s death paid for our sin.

Like evolution, creationism is divided into many types. Many different world religions have a Creator God who formed the world and its living things by supernatural intervention. Most of them even agree that creation was completed within six days. Most creation stories make the point that the living things were created in their final form. Both orthodox Jews and Muslims accept the biblical account of creation at face value. Most of the world’s cultures preserve an account of divine, supernatural creation by a Creator.

In summary, both creation and evolution are broad families of belief offered to explain our origins and are based upon either supernatural or natural forces. Either there is a personal Creator, who is intimate with His creation, or there is not. The bottom line is that there are only two possible explanations for our origins: the Creator God or godless evolution.

Prayer:
Father, our day and age frown on those who accept truth as absolute certainty. I know that this can affect my thinking too. Help me to be bold in my faith and unapologetic about holding to the truth You have revealed in the Bible. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Notes:
Photo: The battle between evolution and creation came to a head at the famous Scopes trial. Here we see Clarence Darrow (left), representing evolution, and William Jennings Bryan, advocate for biblical creation.