Heather, you are so right about what you commented ...about creation. There are two extremes. The evolutionists and the Creationist. Both are missing the true point.
This is what I believe.
BILLIONS of people have read or heard what the Bible says about the beginning of the universe. The 3,500-year-old account starts with the well-known statement: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Many people, however,... mehr anzeigen
Heather, you are so right about what you commented ...about creation. There are two extremes. The evolutionists and the Creationist. Both are missing the true point.
This is what I believe.
BILLIONS of people have read or heard what the Bible says about the beginning of the universe. The 3,500-year-old account starts with the well-known statement: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Many people, however, are unaware of the fact that Christendom’s leaders, including so-called creationists and fundamentalists, have spun the Bible account of creation into numerous tales that deviate from what the Bible really says. These interpretations fly in the face of scientific fact. Even though those tales are not found in the Bible, they have caused some people to dismiss the Bible account as mythical allegory.
The real Bible story of creation has gone largely unnoticed. This is a shame, for the Bible actually presents a very logical and credible explanation of the beginning of the universe. What is more, that explanation harmonizes with scientific discovery. Yes, you might be pleasantly surprised by the Bible’s untold story of creation!
THE UNCREATED CREATOR
Infinity
The Bible account of creation hinges on the fact that there is a Supreme Being, Almighty God, who created all things. Who is he, and what is his nature? The Bible reveals that he is quite different from the deities found in popular culture and mainstream religion. He is the Creator of all things, but most people know very little about him.
God is a person, an individual. He is not a vague force devoid of personality, floating aimlessly throughout the universe. He has thoughts, feelings, and goals.
God has infinite power and wisdom. This explains the complex design found everywhere in creation, especially in living things.
God created all physical matter. Hence, he cannot be made of physical elements that he himself has created. Rather, he is of a spiritual, or nonphysical, nature.
God’s existence is not limited by time. He has always existed and will always exist. Hence, no one created him.
God has a personal name, which is used thousands of times in the Bible. That name is Jehovah.
Jehovah God loves and cares for humans.
HOW LONG DID GOD TAKE TO CREATE THE UNIVERSE?
Face of a clock
The Bible states that God created “the heavens and the earth.” This broad statement, however, makes no reference to the length of time involved in creating the universe or to the methods he used to shape it. What about the widespread creationist belief that God created the universe in six literal 24-hour days? This concept, widely rejected by scientists, is based on a gross misunderstanding of the Bible account. Consider what the Bible really says.
The Bible does not support fundamentalists and creationists who claim that the creative days were literal 24-hour days
The Bible does not support fundamentalists and creationists who claim that the creative days were literal 24-hour days.
The Bible frequently uses the term “day” to designate various periods of time. In some cases these periods are of an unspecified length. The account of creation found in the Bible book of Genesis is one example of this.
In the Bible account, each of the six creative days could have lasted for thousands of years.
God had already created the universe, including a lifeless planet Earth, by the time the first creative day began.
Evidently the six creative days were long periods during which Jehovah God prepared the earth for human habitation.
The Bible account of creation does not conflict with scientific conclusions about the age of the universe.
DID GOD USE EVOLUTION?
Theoretical process of evolution
Many who do not believe in the Bible embrace the theory that living things emerged from lifeless chemicals through unknown and mindless processes. Supposedly, at some point a bacteria-like, self-replicating organism arose, gradually branching out into all the species that exist today. This would imply that ultimately the mind-bogglingly complex human actually evolved from bacteria.
The theory of evolution is also embraced by many who claim to accept the Bible as the word of God. They believe that God produced the first burst of life on earth but then simply monitored, and perhaps steered, the process of evolution. That, however, is not what the Bible says.
The Bible account of creation does not conflict with the scientific observation that variations occur within a kind
According to the Bible, Jehovah God created all the basic kinds of plant and animal life, as well as a perfect man and woman who were capable of self-awareness, love, wisdom, and justice.
The kinds of animals and plants created by God have obviously undergone changes and have produced variations within the kinds. In many cases, the resulting life-forms are remarkably different from one another.
The Bible account of creation does not conflict with the scientific observation that variations occur within a kind.
A CREATOR PERCEIVED IN CREATION
In the mid-1800’s, British biologist Alfred Russel Wallace agreed with Charles Darwin on the theory of evolution by natural... mehr anzeigen
The Bible account of creation does not conflict with the scientific observation that variations occur within a kind.
A CREATOR PERCEIVED IN CREATION
In the mid-1800’s, British biologist Alfred Russel Wallace agreed with Charles Darwin on the theory of evolution by natural selection. But even this renowned evolutionist is said to have stated: “For those who have eyes to see and minds accustomed to reflect, in the minutest cells, in the blood, in the whole earth, and throughout the stellar universe . . . , there is intelligent and conscious direction; in a word, there is Mind.”
Almost two thousand years before Wallace, the Bible had already observed: “For [God’s] invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship.” (Romans 1:20) From time to time, you might want to take a moment to reflect on the marvelous complexities found in nature—from a single blade of grass to the countless heavenly bodies. By examining creation you can perceive the Creator.
‘But if there is a loving God who created all things,’ you may ask, ‘why would he permit suffering? Has he abandoned his earthly creation? What does the future hold?’ The Bible contains many other untold stories—truths that have been buried under human ideas and religious agendas and, therefore, hidden from most people. The publishers of this magazine, Jehovah’s Witnesses, would be happy to help you examine unadulterated Bible truth and learn more about the Creator and the future of his human creation.
THE TIME LINE OF CREATION
THE BEGINNING
The material heavens and earth are created.—Genesis 1:1.
Earth formless and dark
DARKNESS
The earth is formless, desolate, and dark.—Genesis 1:2.
Day 1: light; day and night
FIRST DAY
Diffused light evidently penetrates the earth’s atmosphere. If there had been any observer on the surface of the earth, the sources of light would have been imperceptible to him. Yet, the difference between night and day became discernible.—Genesis 1:3-5.
Day 2: expanse
SECOND DAY
The earth is covered with water and a dense mantle of vapor. These two elements are separated, creating a gap between the watery surface and the canopy of vapor. The Bible describes this space as “an expanse between the waters,” and calls it “Heaven.”—Genesis 1:6-8.
Day 3: dry land and vegetation
THIRD DAY
Surface water subsides and dry ground appears. The atmosphere clears up to allow more sunlight to reach the ground. Some vegetation appears, with new species sprouting through the third and subsequent creative days.—Genesis 1:9-13.
Day 4: heavenly luminaries
FOURTH DAY
The sun and moon become discernible from the earth’s surface.—Genesis 1:14-19.
Day 5: fish and birds
FIFTH DAY
God creates underwater creatures and flying creatures in great numbers with the ability to procreate within their kinds.—Genesis 1:20-23.
Day 6: land animals and humans
SIXTH DAY
Land animals are created, both large and small. The sixth day culminates with a masterpiece of God’s physical creation: the first human couple.—Genesis 1:24-31.
Yes, it is possible that God used MICRO-evolution (mutations within a species) to make different kinds of birds (from birds) and different kinds of plants (from similar plants). However, this is God we are talking about. He is beyond the limits of our understanding- we barely... mehr anzeigen
Yes, it is possible that God used MICRO-evolution (mutations within a species) to make different kinds of birds (from birds) and different kinds of plants (from similar plants). However, this is God we are talking about. He is beyond the limits of our understanding- we barely use a tenth of our brain power, how can we expect ourselves to fully understand the One who gave us that brain in the first place?
We both fully acknowledge that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and omnipresent. However, keep in mind that the universe was created by God. You could compare it to how we as writers create fictional worlds. We make characters, both major and minor. we make creatures that may or may not be connected to what we ourselves experience in our own lives. we make rules if there is magic in this world we create, rules that make sense. we are that world's creator. those rules did not exist before we thought them up and jotted them down somewhere.
the same is true with God and His creation. The rules of physics did not exist before God put them in place( besides, since he is all-powerful, the rules don't really apply to him anyways, hence: miracles). Since the rules don't apply to an all-powerful Being, then it is entirely plausible that he created the world in literally six days.
The bible says that the world was created in six days. You look at the Greek version, and compare it to other translations, and they all match up: the word in Greek means "day", from the time the sun rose to the time the sun set. bear in mind that "All scripture is God-breathed", meaning that every single word in the Bible is inspired by God, that it is there with His blessing. So, since the Bible was written by God, meant to tell us the story of salvation, and all that He has done for us, the Bible has the final say in all matters. People can argue all they want about the "Day/Age Theory" vs. "6 Literal Days theory", but at the end of the day the Bible wins, every time. If the Bible says Days, who are we frail mortals to say different? That may seem like blind faith, but it isn't blind. We have Special Revelation and General Revelation. Special Revelation is the Bible, and General Revelation is creation, every single thing around us. You cannot help but see Irreducible Complexity everywhere you look.
I'm sorry, but I have to reject Jehovah's Witnesses. Jesus Christ is literally the Son of God incarnate. He physically came to earth and endured hardship, never once sinning. Try going an entire day without sinning- even if you make it to the end, you will feel pride in your own accomplishment, and take the glory for yourself. Your first thought will be praise towards yourself, then maybe it'll turn to God. That's how we all got cursed in the garden in the first place: we wanted to stand where God is, we wanted to be the big cheese.
We agree on so many things...unlike most people in the world. Sure, there are differences between us...that's not unusual.
Of course Jesus is the Son of God incarnate. And he was perfect as was Adam and Eve. He too was given Free Will. The difference was he chose to obey His Father.
Jesus was God's first born. He was there right from the beginning...and then on earth..and now He is the King of Kings...ready to take over total control of earth's affairs, and bring about what was lost in Eden.