These large scale extinctions are due a companion star coming close to the sun, disrupting the orbits and causing comets and asteroids to hit the earth. Yet, another approach to the creation of the earth relates to how we view time. In the Bible, each day is assigned a new creation, but is time today the same as it was at the time of Creation? Some scientists believe that each day of Creation is related to a geological time period.
As one period began and developed, God added on to it, thus another day of creation. Each day or time period brings something new and different to the earth. The days of creation could be seen to humans as a hour day; it is easier for us to comprehend a day in a hour period rather than in millions or billions of years.
The Bible in a sense took the easier way out to describe the story of creation to us. The Bible relates in the first thirty-one verses of Genesis the events that span around 16 billion years, from mere hundred words theologically to more than a million words scientifically.
How human beings came to be on the earth is another big topic among evolutionists and creationists. Eve was later made from the ribcage of Adam as a companion. Adam and Eve are the beginning of the human species race, and from them, all human beings descend. This is what separates us from any other species, for human beings have a soul, guided by God. The creation of Adam could be seen differently though depending on how one interprets the Bible. The making of Adam relates to the body.
In the Hebrew language, the word adam is rooted in the word meaning soil. The creation of Adam refers to the human soul, the neshama. Legends and biblical scholars would say that Adam was created at the age of twenty, but it could be possible for him to be made at an earlier age and lived for nineteen years without a soul.
He became a human being at the age of twenty when God created him with neshama. There are several verses within the Bible Numbers , , Deuteronomy that teach at the age of twenty one becomes divinely responsible for their own actions. Before the soul was given, there was something like a man, but not completely human.
So one view could be that Adam was created at the age of twenty, and before his creation, he had evolved from the primate species. Evolutionists have a different view of how human beings came into the world, believing that we have evolved from other species, specifically the primates. Fossil records have shown that Homo sapiens have evolved from four-legged creatures swinging through trees, to 2-legged creatures that walk the earth.
Fossils of pre-historic humans show a remarkable resemblance to the primates, all the way from the jaw and forehead, to the torso and feet. Throughout time, evolution has adapted the human species into modern day human beings, making it possible to live in present-day times. Language developed because of adaptation as the need presented itself.
Creationism and evolution have two very different viewpoints of how the earth and human beings began. Creationism is based on the belief that the Bible is a credible source, which gives the story of Creation. In the span of six days 24 hour days , God created the heavens and the earth, the sun, moon, stars, and all of the creatures of the earth. Creationists believe that the earth is young, and that organisms are fixed, every organism that we see today is the same organism that God created a few thousands of years ago.
Adam and Eve are the beginning of the human race, and we are separated from every other species by the soul that God gave us. Creationists say that those who believe in evolution are immoral. The earth was made over a long period, beginning 4. Life began with inorganic molecules, and with the help of nature, became viable living organisms.
Each time period of the earth had its own characteristics with different organisms and life forms making that period unique, and leaving behind traces with fossils. Animals and plant life evolve, becoming more fit for the environment. We too, will change over time, becoming a different species in future generations. Genesis reveals another aspect of image bearing: all human life is sacred because all humans are made in the image of God.
The emphasis in Judeo-Christian thought on the sanctity of human life is derived in part from this passage. In the New Testament, the idea is expanded further as Christ is revealed as the true image of the invisible God 2 Cor. For centuries, theologians have discussed these and other passages, debating the meaning of the image of God. Here we discuss three common interpretations and consider how these ideas intersect with evolution. One view is that the image of God refers to uniquely human cognitive abilities.
Saint Augustine A. Some people today challenge whether there is a substantial difference between the cognitive abilities of humans and other animals. Studies of animal behavior particularly of chimps and other apes show that animals not only laugh and cry and care for each other, but can learn some sign language and even have basic reasoning ability.
A hundred years of intensive research has established beyond reasonable doubt what most human beings have intuited all along; the gap is real. In a number of key dimensions, particularly the social realm, human cognition vastly outstrips that of even the cleverest nonhuman primates. The often-misunderstood part of this claim for human distinctiveness is that the capacities that set us apart from other animals morality, reason, language, culture, and so on are dependent upon other components of behavior and even brain structures that have evolutionary stories.
This explains why we find hints or precursors of them in other species. Nevertheless, the gap between modern humans and other species is real. We should be cautious, though, in defining the image of God as our unique human cognitive abilities. It is possible that the gap could have been filled by other species that are now extinct. We now know of many extinct hominin species, some of which even interbred with anatomically modern humans.
Would the cognitive abilities of these species reveal only a difference only in degree? Some scientists think that is the case, 5 and if so, that would raise a challenge to understanding the image of God as our unique cognitive abilities.
Another challenge for this interpretation of the image of God is the status of people with mental disabilities. Are they not showing his true likeness? The Christian answer to these questions is a resounding no!
The Bible repeatedly teaches that God values all people, particularly those who are rejected by society or unable to care for themselves. In fact, Genesis points to image bearing as the reason that all human life is valuable. This is a major motivator for Christians who seek to protect the unborn, the poor, and the aged.
This challenge may be addressed in part by recognizing that the image of God was bestowed in Genesis 1 on humanity as a whole—it may not be a property of individuals per se but of the whole human family. These cautions notwithstanding, the idea that God may have bestowed his image on humanity in the fullness of time—at some point during evolutionary history when humans had sufficient cognitive capacities—is consistent with the traditional theological view of the image of God as relating in some way to our cognitive capacities.
Another common view is that the image of God refers to our capacity for a relationship with God. Of all visible creatures only man is able to know and love his creator. The EC community here at BioLogos is no exception. The BioLogos Statement of Beliefs includes beliefs affirmed by all staff and Board members, and convictions shared by most in our community. However, on many topics a range of views exists within our community.
On those topics we do not champion one particular view. For example, everyone at BioLogos believes all humans are made in the image of God , but there are different ideas about what exactly this means. For some, the image of God refers to our cognitive capacities, while others emphasize our unique spiritual capacity to enter into a relationship with God. Or consider Adam and Eve. ECs generally agree that people were made by God and that humans are biologically related to other creatures, but they differ on how best to interpret the early chapters of Genesis.
Some ECs believe Adam and Eve were a historical couple. Many interpretations have been put forward and this remains an exciting area of scholarship. On the science side, all ECs accept that common ancestry is true, but they might disagree about which biological mechanisms drive evolutionary change over time. Regarding the origin of first life , some ECs envision a supernatural miracle, while others see a variety of natural explanations, each under the providential guidance of God.
The groundswell of interest and support for EC over the past decade has coalesced into a thriving community at BioLogos. Communities are defined not just by ideas, but by values and commitments.
In addition to our commitment to the historic Christian faith and EC, at BioLogos we are committed to truth-seeking. Truth-seeking requires community, exploration, and discussion. Questions—and even doubts—are welcome here, as we seek to understand both the Bible and the natural world.
We value the expertise of scientists, biblical scholars, theologians, and philosophers. We value the sensitivity and spiritual understanding of pastors and leaders in the Christian community. We value the experiences and gifts of many, many lay people who love God and science.
We value those who are simply exploring the claims of Christianity. Many people distrust organized religion or have been hurt by Christians, and we welcome them to look for healing here. Another commitment for us at BioLogos is humility and gracious dialogue. Give a Gift of Stock. Donor-Advised Funds. Employer Matching Gifts. Facebook Fundraisers. Free Memberships for Graduate Students.
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