May 29 2009
Creation In Romans?
I doubt any but the youngest among us fail to possess at least a partial understanding of the theory of evolution. Sadly to many - even many Christians - evolution is no longer a ‘theory.’ Many have embraced it as ‘fact,’ However, not only does such a position destroy the authority of Scripture, it destroys our hope of redemption!
How so? As my pastor pointed out recently, a correct view of Genesis is foundational to the Christian faith!
There are currently five theories held by ‘Christians.’ Most seek to marry evolution and creation. However, as we will see, this is an unholy marriage which is detrimental to our faith.
The first theory is the “Day Age Theory”. Proponents of this theory take the six days of creation and turn them into the six ‘ages’ of creation. Those who support this theory are trying to incorporate creation into a timeline based upon assumptions made from studying the geological records.
The second theory is the “Framework Theory”. Supporters of this theory say Genesis is written in ‘poetic’ language. They believe we cannot really know anything for sure about creation because the Bible only gives us general, theoretical viewpoints. Sadly this position is held by many intelligent design advocates.
The third theory is the “Gap Theory.” This viewpoint has its roots in England, beginning in the 1800’s. Those who advocate this theory believe there is a large, undetermined gap in time between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. They say in Genesis 1:1 we have the ‘first’ creation. Then, in Genesis 1:2 we see the second creation which occurred after the fall.
The fourth theory is the “Theistic Evolution Theory.” Proponents of this theory believe God started the process (perhaps He caused the ‘big bang’) and then let it go. They deny anything in the book of Genesis and hold the record as mere fable.
Then there is the biblical viewpoint, which, as Christians we know to be the truth. As Christians we believe God’s word and thus we hold to six literal 24 hour long days of creation. Such a viewpoint is not only necessary to avoid undermining the authority of all of Scripture, it is reasonable.
Never in Scripture is a number word (i.e. first, second, and so on) and the word ‘day’ used to mean anything other than a 24 hour period. Thus we are not only treasonous to our God, but we are playing fast and loose with the Scriptures to assume any other meaning for this word combination in the creation account.
Possibly worse, any ‘theory’ which undermines an belief in the actual six 24-hour days of creation, also destroys any hope we have for redemption. This is clear when you understand the work Christ accomplished on the cross and the words God has said about Himself.
Why did Jesus go to the cross? Was it not to destroy the power of sin and death over His people? Yet, from where did death originate? If not from sin and the fall, then Jesus work on the cross did not conquer and defeat sin. If Jesus did not defeat sin’s power, we have no hope!
Furthermore, look at Romans. In Romans Paul goes into depth in explaining the condition of mankind and how we ended up in this condition. All this is the framework upon which Paul hangs the glorious redemption Christ purchased for His people. Without the framework, can the redemption make any sense?
A brief look at the first five chapters of Romans reveals it is built upon a literal 24 hour day period for creation. Clearly Paul did not hold to any of the first four theories mentioned above.
In Romans 1:18-21 we see God revealing some important things about Himself in what He has made. He reveals His ‘eternal power and Godhead.’ They are ‘clearly seen’ by all men. Thus all men ought to respond in thankfulness and honor to God, but they don’t.
In Romans 4:17b we are given to understand only a Creator can raise the dead and call into existence that which does not exist. When we grasp our own deadness in sin, we realize how desperate we are for Someone to come in and ‘raise’ our dead souls to life again.
In Romans 5:17-21 Paul explains our sin (and thus our salvation) are based on Adam having been a real, literal person who fell into sin. Without Adam we have no understanding of the evil we see around us nor any understanding of how Christ could come as the ‘second Adam’ and purchase our redemption.
Finally, in Romans 8:19-22 we see the corruption in our nature is due to man’s sin. However, if you hold to some form of evolution, you have death (millions of years of death) before man came on the scene. This creates a BIG problem. Where, then does death come from? If not from the first Adam’s fall, the second Adam’s sacrifice does nothing to remove the power of death. If Christ’s work does not defeat death, what can and will destroy death’s power over us all?
To what view of creation do you hold? Do you comprehend the importance of embracing the biblical representation of creation to your salvation? Do you realize how much the evolution theory has undermined the faith upon which we stand? Do you understand that accepting any portion of Scripture as being anything but ‘fact’ - even when we cannot comprehend it in every aspect - destroys the authority of ALL of Scripture?
This is subject holds eternal ramifications. May we not take it lightly!
(I am indebted to Pastor Chris Leavell for much of the information contained in this post)
