SEVERAL years ago on hoard a plane from Geneva to London my seatmate and I began comparing beliefs. He, a French-trained philosopher-evolutionist, presented scientific evidence that he felt supported the theory of evolution, and I endeavored to show how the same evidence could be used in favor of creationism. A valuable lesson was learned through this experience. I found that the most telling arguments in favor of creationism are not necessarily those that can be classified as scientific evidence. The facts are that both evolutionists and creationists employ arguments that are actually based on a very small amount of scientific evidence when compared to the whole realm that might be available. There is just not enough known data on either side to prove one position or the other scientifically and conclusively.
As a creationist, I take the Bible just as it reads and believe God created our world within seven literal 24-hour days. It is my firm conviction that scientific data, when viewed objectively, supports the simple Bible story just as well as, if not better than, the evolutionary theory. If one tenth of the amount of money and study that has gone into the development of the evolutionary theory had been put into the development of a scientific creationism there would be a more universal acceptance of the concept that the weight of evidence is on the side of special creation. It is for this reason that this journal dedicates space each month to current scientific investigation supporting creationism. But since the discussion reported above, I am becoming increasingly convinced that the overwhelming advantage of the creationist's position lies in that which cannot be examined through the micro scope or evaluated in the laboratory.
My discussion with my seatmate led into a look at the question of origins of life from a realistic, practical, personal angle. For instance, we discussed the emotional impact beliefs make on a per son's happiness. Man is a creature with strong emotions. Wars are fought, empires are built, culture is created, and even the human race is propagated more on emotion than any other element. Such emotions as love, fear, hate, and anger are extremely complex feelings that involve the mental and the physical qualities of man. From the moment we are born to the moment we die we are either the victims or the beneficiaries of our emotions.
I recognize that the emotional factor is a reason why some evolutionists reject creationism. They contend that those who are not mature must lean on a belief in a superior being as a source of security. Thus, they say, only the strong can be evolutionists while the weak are creationists.
But this writer firmly believes that the creationist viewpoint does not impoverish man in the least. Does the evolutionist get more out of life than I do? Is life less meaningful to me? Is there greater purpose to his existence than to mine? Would accepting the evolutionary theory make me a happier, more loving and lovable person? If I became an evolutionist would I have a greater or lesser degree of security? What advantages are mine as a creationist? These are certainly fair questions.
Having never been an evolutionist I recognize that I cannot fully understand the feelings or the point of view of the evolutionist. But I am well acquainted with individuals who have changed from evolutionists to creationists, and these unanimously vote in favor of the creationist's way of life. Accepting the scriptural account of Creation brings to us a most elevating and comforting thought. We are creatures made in God's image. He is our Father, and we are His children. A powerful impact is made on our minds when this concept is believed.
Where did the principle of love come from? It could not possibly have evolved! Furthermore, it is a most unnecessary element in the evolutionary theory. In what way could love be included in the process of life evolving during vast eons of time?
The creation of life as we know it demands not only a designer but one with a personality of love. Thus, the principle of love is wrapped up in the Creation story. The creationist sees every manifestation of creative power as an expression of infinite love on the part of a personal God. Whether it be an atom of air or a giant galaxy of stars, infinite love is expressed through His created works. Believing this makes me a stronger man. It matures my attitude toward my fellow man and gives me a greater appreciation for my neighbor.
Some years ago our country was involved in investigating a leading citizen who was working as a spy for a foreign government that had eliminated from its political philosophy any concept of a supreme being called God. The former spy, after the trial was over, wrote of his transformation from an atheist to a believer in God and His creative power. One special incident started him on the road of belief. One day while eating with his family his eyes focused on his child's ear. As he looked at the intricate con figuration of this seemingly insignificant part of his body, the thought struck him forcefully as to the impossibility of a human ear evolving over a long period of time without a personal designer. Then he reasoned that if an ear could not be produced through evolutionary processes, how could the more complex portions of the human anatomy evolve by chance? The obvious answer led him into a relationship with the Creator.
True Happiness in Life
When my emotions rise up as an over whelming tide of joy when viewing a gorgeous sunset, or when looking at a quiet countryside with its hills, streams, and forests, my mind can be lifted up in praise and gratitude to a Supreme De signer. What does an atheist do when he sees the same sights or when he holds his own tiny infant tightly in his arms? What a leanness of soul must be his if he does not have the thrilling experience of letting his mind focus on the Creator-God who has given us every intellectual and artistic gift, every emotional capacity, and every gift of grace and love. Life is more than animal existence—life in its very essence is spiritual. True happiness in life is measured not by quantity but by quality, and the creationist view surely adds this latter dimension.
Another point to consider is the tremendous sense of security and self- worth bound up in this concept. With sociologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists attempting to help men experience some degree of self-worth, I suggest that they teach them the story of Creation. Security thrives on the creationist be lief. When God made man in His own image He wanted man—He needed man. It is impossible for me to under stand how a true sense of security and dignity can exist outside an understanding that life has come into existence through God's creative power.
Finally, the promise of an eternal existence in a re-created perfect world is held out, not to creatures who have evolved from a near zero ancestor to what we are now, but to sons and daughters of Adam, who was the son of God. Christ sacrificed His life to redeem fallen man created in His own image, not that of noble beasts. Even if the whole story of redemption were a lie, I would rather order my life after the principles found in the Scriptures, which are far more elevating in concept than those found in the evolutionary theory. Only in the Scriptures is there held out to me life beyond the grave.
If man is just a meaningless cosmic accident, and if the evolutionists' goals consist of changing our world into an earthly heaven by political, social, and economic reforms, I ask on what basis do they hold out any hope of permanent success? Past history provides absolutely no evidence of any permanent change in man's behavior through humanistic endeavors. But it does supply numerous examples of individuals who have changed for the better through a surrender to and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Strange indeed that the altruistic motives of the evolutionist who may work diligently to better man's life should not lead him to a thorough consideration of God's plan revealed through the Scriptures. To provide man now with a superior life involving his mental, physical, and spiritual capacities is the objective of God's plan.
But this plan goes far beyond our present existence, to eternal life in the future. The true Christian can have his cake and eat it too—today, tomorrow, and forever! Those who in this life live according to God's plan certainly get more out of life than those who reject it. This, plus the additional insurance benefits of eternal life never makes a person a loser, but a winner.
These are a few of the things my philosopher-evolutionist friend and I discussed while on the plane. When our conversation terminated he reached over and grasped my hand and while looking me straight in the eyes said, "I would give everything I own in life to believe as you do." Here was a man who wanted to believe in a Creator-God but couldn't. The seeds of doubt had been sown so deeply in that man's poor soul that he couldn't, at least at that point, rise above the miasma of unbelief to acceptance of a personal God who created the universe. My new friend, by his own admission, was a very depressed, discouraged individual. Could it be that his state of mind was to a great degree traceable to his evolutionary beliefs?
J.R. S.
