This was originally posted as a response to a posting from my brilliant cousin, Brent, on FaceBook. He truly is extremely gifted with a sharp, quick mind. Since we often find each other to differ in opinion from time to time in matters of science, we also often debate topics of this nature. As I was responding to his post, however, I became more and more enthusiastic. Thus, I decided to make it a blog entry for further ponder.
I hope you find it both thought-provoking and encouraging.
For the record, I grew up not only in a Christian house, but a Christian community who believed dinosaurs roamed the earth...right beside human beings. I still believe that.
But the first and most important rule of studying the Bible is to start teaching where the Bible starts, and to stop teaching where the Bible stops.
The problems, often, include that in our urgency to prove our science, two things happen. 1. We ignore the Bible because it doesn't fit with "what we see proven in science" and we diverge the two as if they cannot coexist. 2. We claim the Bible is "mistranslated" and that "thus and such" history may be read through the lines - again to support that same scientific proof (does anyone see the problem with the term "scientific proof"?).
Furthermore, whether one believes that the earth is old or young, of which I most certainly believe the latter, the fact of the matter is that it MUST NOT change faith in Jesus Christ. If it does, then the fundamental focus is at a very wrong place, and the discussion is serving not to enlighten with truth, but only to shatter relationships -- with God, family, church, or otherwise.
While the Bible is not written only for science, it is the primary and most accurate authority on history, faith, and the God we know, love and serve. If we agree there, then we serve the same living God. If we disagree there, then there is a whole different debate we should have, and I'd like to introduce you to someone. But as such, assuming we agree, there is enormous scientific influence from the Bible; we are made easily aware of this by the world-wide and endless debate over Genesis and the accounts of Creation therein.
But I must implore you to consider this: God is the creator, not only of earth and sky and sea and space, but also of Science itself and all things which relate to it, whether law or principle or phenomenon or mystery. He created all things, and there is nothing in existence with which He is not at all times 100% involved and interested. Furthermore, He most certainly did not create anything from human perspective, power, or imagination. This alone should alert us that there are fast and many follies to encounter in our search for what actually happened!
Genesis 1 begins with, "1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
John 1 begins with, "1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."
Revelation 22:19, 20 says, "19b ...and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. 20 He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming quickly.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."
These final words contain, perhaps, our current highest calling at this age.
God created the Earth and heavens, as we know, formed Mankind with His own hands, and breathed life into the man. This is the account of creation that we know for sure. If God did it over 4.6 billion years, He did not tell us. He told us that He did it in 6 days. I'm unsure why we do not believe this. Jesus is returning, and we are NOT ready. We need to spend more time preparing for His return, not squabbling (or even, perhaps, debating) things that the Bible does not clearly state - or which it does not state at all.
"Even so, Lord Jesus, come!"
