The creation and evolution theories have always been locking horns when it comes to the issue of the source of human life and other existing life on earth. The creation theory has over a long period been considered to be true. Nonetheless, since the 19th century the theory of evolution by natural selection brought about by Charles Darwin has raised different thoughts concerning the existence of human life. Among many Christian countries, they have resulted in teaching evolution through natural selection in schools but do not seem to accept that it is right. In the Islam religion, similar controversies have developed and it is becoming rather difficult to decide to choose one theory without considering the other one. Lamoureux (2008) proposes a different approach towards creation; he argues that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit created life through certain evolutionary processes. He believes that the beauty, uniqueness and complexity of the earth depict the work of God. He believes that God created the world through evolution. This paper looks into this unique perspective that marries as the two theories as expounded by Lamoureux.
Lamoureux (2008) is of the opinion that the Bible does not explain every detail of how the earth functions. Most of the issues the Bible talks about are the spiritual ones and even though the Bible explains how the world came to be, it is not specific and hence leaves each individual with more questions than answers. This can be illustrated by the flood brought about by God that covered the whole earth; if the people had the exact details of how it happened or how two human beings Adam and Eve brought about a population of over six billion people, it would become a more plausible theory to work with.
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Lamoureux (2008) also brings out the fact that the occurrences of fossils are evident in both evolution by natural selection and creation and are in order. The fossil records show numerous remains of different animals and plants that have decayed and resulted into stone. There is an order on how these fossils occur below the surface of the earth such that at the rock bottom there are micro-organisms, then we have creatures that live in the sea, then we have big reptiles such as amphibians and dinosaurs and lastly big animals like mammals. This is related to the occurrences the Bible during the floods; when Noah built a big boat to rescue animals in pairs. In this setting during the occurrence of the floods, the animals that were buried first are the creatures of the sea, as the rains increased and the water began to rise the animals that were on the land were buried next followed by the bigger animals and birds. These two settings depict that there is a relation between the creation and evolution.
Lamoureux (2008) continues to state that the earth in the creation theory and evolution theory existed as one mass of land. In the Bible, it is stated that God put all the waters together and separated the land and put it all together into one place and made it one giant land mass. According to the evolution theory, the earth existed as one big continent called Rodinia which then separated due to the contraction and expansion of the earth’s tectonic plates into two continents. These two continents went on to divide into the seven different continents.
However, Lamoureux (2008) still remains a singular voice among many antagonist parties in religious quarters and proponents of evolution. On one hand, the religious folk assert that there is no relationship between the evolution theory and creation. This is found in the basic point of fossil findings. Strong believers in the creation believe that God made a wholesome creation at the sound of his command. Creation was made at its whole as opposed to minute changes in the structure of creation. Using fossil evidence, creation proponents argue that where minute changes were the cause of natural existence, fossils would show evidence of this steady change through fragmentary growth as opposed to wholesome findings that are located in archaeological sites. Therefore, believers in the creation theory assert that the life forms found, being whole, suggest that there was no small change in species to become what they are now. In short, there was no evolution.
On the other hand, evolutionists are persuaded that evolution occurred based on the same archaeological findings. Evidence of creatures that are older than the first appearance of man has been found all over the world, in areas believed to be the places where man first existed. Slow metamorphosis of the bone structures show close proximity to man, both from DNA tests and other forms of identifying information. Therefore, the assertion from evolutionists remains unshaken. Furthermore, evolutionists continue to assert that there is a scientific explanation to the existence of most phenomena on earth, including man and God. As a result, the two parties remain in constant contentions.
These are some of the numerous connections between the evolution theory and the creation theory, as well as the disconnections. Lamoureux (2008) tries to link the two theories of natural existence together. It is, however, quite difficult to consider the creation theory and leave out the evolution theory. Consequently, it is quite possible that the creation theory and evolution theory are just two sides of the same coin.
References
Lamoureux, D. O. (2008). Evolutionary creation: A Christian approach to evolution. Wipf and Stock Publishers.
Smith, J. K. (2013). Science and Religion Take Practice: Engaging Science as Culture . Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, 65(1) , 3-9.
