Introduction. The existence of the universe requires an explanation. How it came into existence and why we are here are among the greatest inquiries of any culture. Those who reject God and His revelation are forced to create a “better” explanation, or failing that, at least another account. Scientists, philosophers and religious leaders throughout the history of the ages have inquired and developed answers to the existence of the universe and our role within it. Encyclopedias call the results of these answers “creation myths”, listing multitudes of different cultures and divergent views. It defines “myth" as “in popular usage the term myth often refers to false or fanciful stories, formally, it does not imply falsehood. Cultures generally regard their creation myths as true.”
After assessing all cultural “myths”, one truth becomes clear. They were formed by their religious beliefs, or designed to establish them, and then became a settled conviction. Whatever gods they served were at the heart of their view of the creation. For the Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks and Romans, it all began with chaos, and then, depending upon their deities, order came out of this chaos. As each of these cultures ruled the world, their science, now called a “myth” was considered the wisest and most up to date explanation. Each culture, convinced they knew the truth, mocked all those who came before them. Though the myths differed, the narrow-minded arrogance that held to them did not. No matter how illogical their own ideas, other reasonable explanations were firmly rejected.
Fast forward to our own generation. While scientists and the enlightened in our generation feel a sense of both pity and amusement at those who believe in creation myths, when carefully analyzed, their own explanation is not really that much different. Like the “creation myths” of Greece and Rome, our science also begins with the chaos of the “big bang.” Then as the Egyptians or Babylonians before us, order arose out of that chaos with what we call “evolution.” While the greatest difference is the removal of all gods, it is also its greatest flaw and weakness of our own science. How can chaos be turned into order and complexity without a mind working over matter? One thing hasn’t changed! Our theories are held with the same narrow-minded hubris as the Greeks, Romans or any other culture before us
After assessing all cultural “myths”, one truth becomes clear. They were formed by their religious beliefs, or designed to establish them, and then became a settled conviction. Whatever gods they served were at the heart of their view of the creation. For the Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks and Romans, it all began with chaos, and then, depending upon their deities, order came out of this chaos. As each of these cultures ruled the world, their science, now called a “myth” was considered the wisest and most up to date explanation. Each culture, convinced they knew the truth, mocked all those who came before them. Though the myths differed, the narrow-minded arrogance that held to them did not. No matter how illogical their own ideas, other reasonable explanations were firmly rejected.
Fast forward to our own generation. While scientists and the enlightened in our generation feel a sense of both pity and amusement at those who believe in creation myths, when carefully analyzed, their own explanation is not really that much different. Like the “creation myths” of Greece and Rome, our science also begins with the chaos of the “big bang.” Then as the Egyptians or Babylonians before us, order arose out of that chaos with what we call “evolution.” While the greatest difference is the removal of all gods, it is also its greatest flaw and weakness of our own science. How can chaos be turned into order and complexity without a mind working over matter? One thing hasn’t changed! Our theories are held with the same narrow-minded hubris as the Greeks, Romans or any other culture before us
Many encyclopedias include the Genesis account of creation as one of the creation myths. Yet they do not include the big bang and evolution. Why? Because it has already been concluded that for the first time in human history, our science has found the truth! We have done what no one before us was capable of doing. We have found the truth of the creation! Yet look again at the basic tenet of all creation myths: “Cultures generally regard their creation myths as true.”
Any Christian would be happy to debate the science of the Genesis account against the science of the big bang and evolution. Any fair-minded person can look at the universe and see design and complexity beyond anything man with all his wisdom and knowledge can comprehend and let alone duplicate.
When we compare the science of the big bang to all the works of mankind, we see the great disconnect with reality. While nothing man has ever developed works on the principle of the big bang, science tell us the entire universe does! No explosion or disaster has brought greater order and complexity. Never has a tornado changed a shack into a mansion. No bomb has been able to change a Chevy Nova into a Corvette. No one returning to a factory involved in an explosion expects to find greater order and complexity. We all know what a bomb does! An explosion creates chaos not order!
If an explosion can’t create a better computer or television, how did it create the stars that form galaxies and solar systems? If a bomb cannot create a fully functioning electric grid or sewer system, how could even evolution added to the big bang create even a singe human body? The faith required to accept evolution is far greater than the faith to accept God created the heavens and the earth. This was Paul’s point to the Romans.
Conclusion: While we can easily look back and see the folly of the creation myths of Egypt, Greece, or Rome, it is much more difficult for us to look at our own “creation myth” of the big bang and evolution. Future generations will look back at our “scientific explanations” with the same amusement we do the Greek creation myth. The only logical explanation that fits all the facts is: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1)
Any Christian would be happy to debate the science of the Genesis account against the science of the big bang and evolution. Any fair-minded person can look at the universe and see design and complexity beyond anything man with all his wisdom and knowledge can comprehend and let alone duplicate.
When we compare the science of the big bang to all the works of mankind, we see the great disconnect with reality. While nothing man has ever developed works on the principle of the big bang, science tell us the entire universe does! No explosion or disaster has brought greater order and complexity. Never has a tornado changed a shack into a mansion. No bomb has been able to change a Chevy Nova into a Corvette. No one returning to a factory involved in an explosion expects to find greater order and complexity. We all know what a bomb does! An explosion creates chaos not order!
If an explosion can’t create a better computer or television, how did it create the stars that form galaxies and solar systems? If a bomb cannot create a fully functioning electric grid or sewer system, how could even evolution added to the big bang create even a singe human body? The faith required to accept evolution is far greater than the faith to accept God created the heavens and the earth. This was Paul’s point to the Romans.
- "what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." Rom. 1:18-20
- "The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge." Ps 19:1-2
Conclusion: While we can easily look back and see the folly of the creation myths of Egypt, Greece, or Rome, it is much more difficult for us to look at our own “creation myth” of the big bang and evolution. Future generations will look back at our “scientific explanations” with the same amusement we do the Greek creation myth. The only logical explanation that fits all the facts is: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1)