Creation vs. Evolution - Essay Example

Creation vs. Evolution INTRODUCTION The study will primarily focus on the notion of creation vs. evolution as per the opinions of Christian and Non-Christian believers. In relation to human psychology, the term ‘creation’ can be understood as the origin of a human being or any living being. It can also be referred as the birth of a human being that is made possible because of God. In life, the aspect of creation plays a very important role, as it gives rise to the notion of evolution (Strobel 21). It is a term that in general refers to the various processes through which different living organisms undergo changes and developments throughout the period of time. Both the terms i.e. creation and evolution have strong interrelations with each other in relation to living organisms wherein the process of evolution takes place after creation (Strobel 87). This aspect can very well be related with the fact that human beings have evolved through apes and this is indeed a fact as there are numerous evidences to prove this fact (Scott 64). However, this essay intends to critically analyze the broad understandings regarding the various aspects of creation and evolution. The role that God played in relation to these two aspects will be also be broadly analyzed upon. DISCUSSION The notion of Creation vs. Evolution has been discussed in the book titled ‘The Case for Faith’ written by Lee Strobel. The book showcased the relationship between creation and evolution and it also highlighted the ways through which the human beings undergo the process of evolution after their creation. It has been learnt that evolution was considered to explain the origin as well as the development of life (Strobel 92). In relation to the beliefs of Christianity, evolution and its theory are considered to be catastrophic. It is felt that evolution can lead to drastic changes in one’s life and also it may result in harmful or depressive activities in the life of an individual or any other living being. It has also been learnt that many Christians have been seen to give rise to numerous objections/obligations in relation to the theory of evolution. In addition, most of the objections have been seen to arise in recent times only (Strobel 169). However, the two aspects of evolution i.e. micro evolution and macro evolution seem to explain a different story. The concept of micro evolution generally applies to the animals and plants wherein the relation between the various species of animals and plants can be bred for numerous purposes. These purposes may include milk production, development of antibiotics and development of useful bacteria through biological processes among others (Think Quest, “Evolution vs. Creation”). According to Darwin’s theory of evolution, it is regarded that life in earth started many years ago. Life in earth started by way of animals and plants that are considered to be the first creatures in this planet. They continue to populate the planet till date. This theory also lays its stress on the fact that human beings were actually developed by way of a long evolutionary process and apes are considered to be true ancestors of human beings. It is strongly regarded as a biological evolutionary process that took the final path after millions of years of this particular process (Mahoney 6). Thus, based on these leanings, it is apparent that the process of creation does have a strong relationship with evolution. Furthermore, other books such as ‘Mere Creation’ and ‘Three Views of Creation and Evolution’ showed relationship between creation and evolution. Most importantly, the preaching in the books was made in accordance with the close relationship between creation and evolution (Got Questions Ministries, “What Does The Bible Say About Creation Vs. Evolution?”). The notions of both creation and evolution can be precisely understood and according to broad Christian beliefs, there is a particular process through which every living organism including human beings passes through (Scott 1-70). Another book titled as “The Jesus I Never Knew”, also highlighted various understandings in relation to the beliefs of Christianity. It is determined as an Christological book which was written by Philip Yancey. This book primarily highlighted the various approaches towards Jesus and it appeals to the Christian populaces. The book also highlighted those aspects and teachings that reflected the life of Jesus Christ (Yancey 12; Horn 181). Along with the teachings, the book also reflected upon the divine life of Jesus Christ. He preached that all living creatures were the creation of God and every living being undergoes evolutionary processes that are an integral part of their life span (Yancey 80). CRITICAL EVALUATION In accordance with the understandings, the notions of creation and evolution relate with the lives of every living being. Jesus Christ preached that the living beings that include animals, plants and human beings undergo the process of evolution after their creation. The evolutionary process can be related with the notion of evolution in China in which it has been studied that humans are evolved from apes. Numerous archeological evidences apparently prove this fact. In addition, the various remains and fossil fuels that are derived out of scientific techniques also suggest that the evolution of human beings started millions of years ago and human beings evolved through the origin of apes itself (Yancey 27). Each and every creation; whether living or non-living is all creation of God. The creation of life is completely dependent upon God and the almighty is solely responsible for ending the process of life as well (Yancey 122). Evolution process can be considered to be a positive aspect as it is regarded as the developmental phase of a living being. In an evolutionary process, there are many changes that positively transform the various aspects of life. However, the evolutionary process is not regarded as a positive aspect by everyone. According to broad Christian beliefs, evolution and its various theories are considered to be catastrophic in nature which can be regarded as a negative facet. According to Christianity, evolutionary process leads to severe changes in one’s life and also it may result in depressive activities in the life of not only human beings but also plants and animals (Strobel 87). This process can also lead to the extinction of living beings. This aspect has seen numerous objections/obligations which came out from the part of the many followers of Christianity (Strobel 169). In the modern day context, the aspects of evolution tend to be largely opposed by many Christian believers and are regarded as a negative facet of life (Strobel 87). On the other hand, Darwin’s theory of evolution emphasizes this theory to be a developmental phase. This theory states that life started millions of years ago. Animals and plants are considered to be the first creatures that came into this planet. In addition, this particular theory also emphasizes the notion that human beings actually came into being by way of apes which are considered to be true ancestors of human beings (Yancey 33). The evolution of apes to human beings took a great deal time and due to the biological evolutionary process the apes were turned into human beings for which God is responsible (Yancey 122). From the perspective of Non-Christian teachings, evolution and creation are not regarded to be as mutually exclusive concepts. It is regarded that God may have used some kind of evolutionary processes to shape up His creation. Thus, this aspect puts the weightage on the fact that the evolution process was used before making certain creations. Nevertheless, according to traditional Christian beliefs, it is regarded that the evolution process takes place after the creation of living organisms (Yancey 27). Therefore, it has been critically evaluated according to Christian and non-Christian believers that the notions of creation and evolution signify different logic along with sequences. However, one facet remains the same, the fact that human beings along with all other creatures on this earth were the sole creations of the one and only God. It was only because of Him that these beings came into life and underwent evolutionary processes before or after their creation (Yancey 122). CONCLUSION From a detailed analysis of the notions associated with creation and evolution, it has been duly taken into concern that all the living beings that consist of human beings, plants and animals among others underwent long evolutionary processes before and after their creation. According to Christian believers, it is however believed that the evolutionary process starts after the creation of life but the non-Christian believers do not agree with this fact and feel that God uses different evolutionary measures to give life to the beings. It is also believed that the creation of living beings was a result of God who gave them their lives. In accordance with different studies, it is also realized that many believers feel that the process of evolution is a positive aspect while others do not concur with this consideration. The divergences in believes regarding creating and evolution amid the Christian and non-Christian have given rise to a number of criticalities that needs to be considered before reaching a justified decision. However, it is of no doubt that creation and evolution are interrelated processes undergone by living beings throughout the ages that possess a long-term profound significance on humanity. Works Cited “What Does The Bible Say About Creation Vs. Evolution?” Home. Got Questions Ministries, 2013. Web. 19 Sep. 2013. . Horn, Stephan Otto. Creation and Evolution: A Conference with Pope Benedict XVI in Castel Gandolfo. United States: Ignatius Press, 2008. Print. Mahoney, Jack. Christianity in Evolution: An Exploration. United States: Georgetown University Press, 2011. Print. Scott, Eugenie Carol. Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction. United States: University of California Press, 2004. Print. Strobel, Lee. The Case for Faith. United States: Zondervan, 2000. Print. “Evolution vs. Creation.” Home. Think Quest, 2000. Web. 19 Sep. 2013. . Yancey, Philip. The Jesus I Never Knew. United States: Zondervan, 2002. Print. Read More