A LAYMEN'S GUIDE
to the conflict between
THE BIBLE and EVOLUTIONARY THEORY
Biblical Discipleship Publishers Rockwall, Texas
NOTICE:
The goal of this book is to provide the reader with easily accessible
information on the creation versus evolution controversy. Any part of this
book may be reproduced for personal or classroom use as long as it is not
sold for profit. Please note that there are quotations in this book from
copyrighted materials which may reserve all of their legal rights.
Thou art worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power: For thou hast
created all things, and For thy pleasure they are and were created
(Revelation 4:11).
This book is dedicated to my Creator and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
To God alone be the glory.
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Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But unto Thy name give glory, For Thy
mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake (Psalm 115:1).
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All who gave of their time and talents in producing this book did so by God's
grace and for His eternal glory, for our sufficiency comes from God (2
Corinthians 3:5),
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and without Him we can do nothing. (John 15:5b).
PREFACE
This book is a condensation and simplification of more than twenty years of
studies that moved me from unquestioning belief in Darwinian evolution to
undoubting trust in the special six-day creation by God as presented in the
Biblical account. It is my conviction that a simple discussion of the major
questions in the creation/evolution controversy is needed for those men and
women who have little or no background in science. Thus, I have attempted to
address pertinent issues as simply as possible—fully recognizing that those who
have studied intensively in specialized areas of science may accuse this book of
being too simplistic.
The book touches on the evolution of a creationist (me) but emphasizes
the inherent conflicts between evolutionary theory and the Bible. This
work is a compilation of thoughts and writings that God used to change my belief
system.
It is my conviction that the Old and New Testaments of the Bible are God's
inspired, infallible, inerrant Word. The Bible is to be interpreted in the
normal, historical, grammatical, literal fashion. Yes, the Bible uses figures of
speech, but they are evident when used. The King James Version of the Bible is
quoted throughout because of its universal acceptance.
When I use the term “evolution” I am referring to the idea that after the earth
was formed it took millions of years to produce organic molecules and then many
more millions of years of evolutionary processes and “survival of the fittest”
to produce people (the molecules-to-man theory).
For those of you who read with extreme concentration, never missing a word or a
thought, please overlook the repetitions. Some of us need repetition so that we
can better understand a concept.
Finally, when speaking about origins (Where did I come from?), we are dealing
with a system of faith. It may be faith in eternal God or faith in eternal
matter and energy. This book will attempt to help the reader discern which
system of thought about our beginnings he or she believes. Is it the impersonal,
plus chance, plus billions of years? Or is there an infinite Creator/Designer
capable of creating the universe and all it contains in six 24 hour days?
I would encourage parents and young people to start building a personal library
of good creationist literature. Helpful creationist books and organizations have
been included here for your reference. Many high school and college students are
writing reports from a creationist perspective and Professors can appreciate
their excellently documented scholarship even when they disagree with the
creationist's position.
My personal thanks to all of the courageous authors who have influenced me and
suffered for the sake of righteousness in their endeavors to glorify our Lord
through their writings. The first book that I read on this subject (in 1971)
impacted me greatly. It was The Genesis Flood by Dr. Henry Morris and Dr.
John Whitcomb. The second book was written by Dr. Bolton Davidheizer and is
entitled Evolution and the Christian Faith. These two books played a
significant role in my evolution out of evolutionary thinking.
I know that apart from God's Spirit working within people's hearts to convict
them of truth, mere human efforts to make an apologetic and change people's
minds are futile. I also believe that the "Battle is the Lord's" (II Chronicles
20:15) and yet He somehow delights to use His saints in the battles—for His
ultimate eternal glory. I humbly bow before my Creator and Savior, the Lord
Jesus Christ, and am trusting Him to use His Word to speak to your heart. He is
faithful (II Tim. 2:13) and His Word is true (John 17:17) and living and
powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). His truth will
ultimately prevail—eternally!
THE MARVELS OF GOD'S CREATION
The “Marvels of God's Creation” will display the uniqueness of certain creatures
in God's creation. Evolutionary belief is based on the premise that plants and
animals don't evolve something new until it is needed. For example, textbooks
talk about fossil turtles and fossil cockroaches being several hundred million
years old. These fossil creatures look exactly like living turtles and
cockroaches look today. So why have they not changed over millions of years?
“They were perfectly suited for their niche in nature and did not need to
change.”
Evolution simply cannot explain the origin of the unique animals discussed in
this book. There is no way their existence could have happened apart from
special creation. They would have “died in process” trying to evolve the
necessary equipment and functions to maintain life. Brilliant men have spent
lifetimes attempting to prove creatures evolved. That job has yet to be accomplished!
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