Two Thousand Years Before Buddhism, Taoism, or Confucianism
“In the nineteenth century, due to the influence of Darwinian evolution, it was thought that modern religions actually evolved from animistic roots into polytheism and later into monotheism (that is, belief in countless spirits evolved into the belief in specific gods which in turn evolved into the belief in one supreme God). If this is true, primitive societies would have no concept of a Supreme Being (monotheism). However, not only is there no evidence that animism evolved into polytheism and later into monotheism, but there is tremendous evidence supporting just the opposite. It appears that monotheism de-evolved into polytheism. Today, anthropologists and ethnologists have proven that most primitive animistic religions have a latent monotheistic belief, even though they also believe in other spiritual forces. This is a common element in the oldest cultures on earth: the Australians, Polynesians, Zulus, bushmen, Congo tribes, and Mongolians. All of these cultures worship a primal Father. Belief in an all-powerful supreme Being also predates polytheism and pantheism in Eastern religions. For example, the earliest reference to religion in China refers to a Supreme God called “Shang Ti.” This belief goes back more than two thousand years before Buddhism, Taoism, or Confucianism arose in China. Similarly, an original concept of a supreme God is found in the early histories of Sumeria, Egypt, and other ancient civilizations.”
Story, D. (1997). Defending your faith (115–116). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.
09.3.09
The Doctrine of Creation
The Doctrine of Creation – God created the world in just six literal 24-hour days and rested on the seventh. Also, based on the genealogies in the Bible the earth is “young” compared to millions and billions of years being around 6,000 years old. We believe Genesis to be true and we expect science to confirm this, so long as science is sufficiently up to date.
Interpretation of Genesis – We believe the Bible to be the Word of God, authoritative, sufficient, complete, and inerrant. In this, we include the Book of Genesis, and we take the Bible at face value. We reject all pseudo-creationist theories or ideas (progressive creationism, day-age theory, gap theory, or theistic evolution) that water down a belief in the literal, historical truth of Genesis.
It is rightly said that the Bible is not a scientific textbook. After all, textbooks are re-written frequently. The Bible remains the same, because it is God’s Word to the world.
If we don’t believe in the truth of the Book of Genesis, then there is no basis for our belief in the morality taught in the Bible. The Ten Commandments become a waste of time, as does our belief in the Resurrection. And without our belief in the Resurrection, then, in Paul’s words, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” (1 Corinthians 15:19)
Summarized & Notes from The Six Days of Genesis: A Scientific Appreciation of Chapters 1-11
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