God does all things in an orderly fashion. People do not, but God does – always.
That is the primary message of our series – Order in the Court of the King!
We’re currently looking at the question of whether Genesis chapters 1 – 11 are history or allegory. We started it last October and will finish it today. You can download the ‘Genesis 1 – 11’ series as an eBook in Volume VI.
You can read previous volumes below –
Discussing Differences
I learned early in my Christian life that while Christians agreed on many things in the Bible, they also disagreed on many things in the Bible. Whether Genesis chapters 1 – 11 is historical or allegorical is one of those things. For those who accept the historical account, some may say that God used evolution to bring about His ‘creation.’ Some may say that the Flood as described in Genesis chapter 6 – 9 was local/regional rather than worldwide/universal. Some may say that the people mentioned as descendants of Noah in Genesis chapters 10 – 11 were only some of the people alive on earth at the time – based on the belief in a local/regional flood rather than a world-wide Flood. If you agree with them, you will have no differences. However, if you disagree with them, you will have differences. The question before us is how to talk with fellow believers on matters you believe are important to discuss.
I came from atheism to Christianity through the process of discussing important matters with people with whom I disagreed. I’ve used the same process in discussing disagreements with Christians. Mutual respect is helpful during discussions. If the discussion disintegrates into rudeness or aggressive behavior from either side, it is very difficult to continue the discussion at any level that will be helpful.
You don’t have to ‘win’ an argument or debate, but you do need to be respectful –
- Ask questions
- Listen to answers
- Pray for wisdom
- Share the wisdom God gives you
That’s the basic ALPS process of discussing disagreements with anyone – believer or unbeliever.
If you are talking with a believer (Christian) about anything in Genesis chapters 1 – 11, you can use the Bible as evidence and support for your position (see previous parts of this series for examples). However, if you are talking with an unbeliever (non-Christian), they may not accept any evidence you present from the Bible. That’s where you can turn to extra-biblical sources to support your position.
Scientific Evidence
God sent a scientist in answer to an atheist’s challenge. I’ve written about that many times. It was scientific ‘evidence’ that grabbed my attention during a two-hour interview with Dr. Henry Morris about Creation and the Flood. Notice I did not write the word ‘proof.’ I wrote ‘evidence.’ There’s an important difference, which I have detailed in previous studies.
Scientific evidence comes from the process of ‘scientists’ using the ‘scientific method.’ I found ‘evidence’ from scientists from many different positions about Creation and the Flood. As Christians presented me their ideas about God using evolution to bring about the expansion and growth of the universe and earth, I looked at scientific evidence for evolution, as well as for ‘specific’ Creation. As Christians presented me their ideas about Noah’s Flood being local/regional rather than worldwide/universal, I looked at scientific evidence for both positions.
The combination of comparing Scripture with opposing scientific evidence led me to continue to believe what I had discovered during my investigation as an atheist. I have continued to read findings from both theories (evolution and specific Creation) through the years. That’s the process of combining findings from both the scientific method and the investigative method.
Knowing what you believe Scripture teaches, along with what scientists discover, will help you in discussing differences with Christians and non-believers. Scripture does not change. It is ‘settled’ –
Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89
However, ‘science’ is not settled. It changes as scientists continue their experiments and research as part of the ‘scientific method.’ Knowledge about our universe and the earth upon which we live has changed through the years since I became a Christian. It will continue to do so because that is the way of scientific investigation.
So, how do you as a Christian stay up with scientific investigation as it relates to our universe and life on Planet Earth? As we say in journalism – ‘follow the science.’ In other words, keep up with what’s happening in the world of scientific investigation. Read books and articles from evolutionists and Creationists. Visit their websites. Watch for news articles that address the subject. From what I’ve seen through the years, the general news media gives more coverage to evolution science than to Creation science or Intelligent Design science. However, you can use that information to keep up with what’s happening with evolution science, then search to see how Creation scientists and Intelligent Design scientists may be researching similar data.
There are more Creation and Intelligent Design articles available now than when I became a Christian 55 years ago. You’ll find good materials on the ICR website (Institute for Creation Research) the Discovery Institute website. You can also receive regular email or direct mail information from both groups that will help you keep up with what’s going on in ‘science’ as it pertains to evolution, Creation, and Intelligent Design.
When you talk with Christians who hold to an evolutionary perspective, you can include pertinent scientific information in your discussion with them. Remember, the point is not to ‘win’ an argument. Be respectful and loving in your comments and responses. The goal is to share what you believe is true, then watch God do what He does best – change minds and hearts for His eternal purposes.
Next Time
This concludes Volume VI of our series, Order in the Court of the King! We have one more to go and will start Volume VII next month.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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