ORIGINS OF THE EARTH AND LIFE ON EARTH
There is so much emotion involved with these issues, but regardless of your beliefs, it’s important to understand this theory in order to understand those who oppose it.
Evolutionists believe that the universe began several billion years ago when a pinpoint singularity (an infinitesimally small black hole) exploded outward with all the mass needed to form the countless stars in the universe. About 6 billion years ago, our solar system was formed.
Life began on this planet with blue-green algae and became more complex until modern life as we know it evolved.
The following sites are written in layman’s terms and easily understood:
'Talk Origins' gives a basic explanation of Evolutionary Theory.
'Evolution: Theory and Science' gives a basic understanding of Evolutionary Theory and how it affects different scientific disciplines.
'Cosmic Journeys' is NASA’s site, which is mostly concerned with cosmological beginnings.
This view incorporates scientific and biblical views. It attempts to bridge the gap between two diametrically opposed beliefs, stating that God created the universe and the life in it through evolution. William A. Dembski in “The Intelligent Design Movement” states, “Intelligent Design begins with the observation that intelligent causes can do things which undirected natural causes cannot. Undirected natural causes can place scrabble pieces on a board, but cannot arrange the pieces as meaningful words or sentences. To obtain a meaningful arrangement requires an intelligent cause.” Visit his website
Another easily understood site is 'The Idea Club' This is a forum for people of all views to meet, discuss, and debate this subject.
The coolest site that we’ve found is 'The Creationist Zone'
The Gap Theory is another attempt to blend standard scientific thought with the book of Genesis in the Bible. It states that there was an unknown period of time between, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth.” Gen.1:1 and verse two, which actually says, “and the earth became without form and void.” This gap in time could encompass years of the rise and fall of numerous species, including the dinosaurs.
We were surprised that we couldn’t find many websites supporting this view. If you find others, please E-mail them to us
The most easily understand site on the Gap Theory that we found is 'Christian Geology Ministry'
The following on the Gap Theory is taken from Man's Origin, Man's Destiny, by A. E. Wilder Smith, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1966:
"The Genesis account informs us that in the beginning GOD created the heavens and earth and that the earth was (or became) waste and void (according to whichever translation one prefers). It is argued that the creation could not have come originally from the Creator's hand in a condition of voidness and waste. Everything that comes directly from his hand must be perfect. What is void, waste, dark or empty, thus indicating a state of incompleteness or chaos, cannot have come as such from his hand. Thus, according to the Gap Theory, if the creation could be described at any time as dark, void or waste, it must have become thus. The proponents of the Gap Theory argue that it could not have been made so by GOD without denying GOD's attributes or character. Of course, GOD need not have created the perfect world in one fell swoop by necessity. He may have chosen to do so, but He was not forced. He healed the blind man by stages."
"It is postulated that just as the total creation at the time of Adam was involved in Adam's fall, so an earlier creation before Adam fell when its prince fell to produce death and darkness before Adam. For GOD created heaven and earth and installed Lucifer, the lightbearer, as chief prince of his pristine creation. Lucifer was a perfect angel of GOD with free will and therefore the ability to love and serve GOD. But he abused this free will and essayed equality with GOD. This brought about a fall in creation prior to Adam's fall and ruined the original creation before the creation which involved Adam. It is postulated that this original fall made the earth waste, void and dark. The serpent, Satan, was thus in a fallen state before Adam's fall. He seduced Eve into the fallen condition in which he already found himself, thus merely extending his kingdom into Adam's new realm. Thus Satan, Lucifer, was not created as a sinful creature but fell into that state after creation."
"On this view, therefore, sin and death had already entered the world before Adam and Eve which, of course, denies the scriptural teaching that sin and death entered the world the first time by Adam's sin. When Adam fell, Satan entered, as it were, merely another corner of unfallen creation. The seven days mentioned in Genesis 1 and 2 become, on this basis, seven literal days of reconstruction and rehabilitation. The geological layers, with their pre-Adamite witness of death before Adam's fall, would thus be merely witnesses of Satan's prior fall and the death this produced before Adam's sin. Adam's creation is thus to be viewed on this theory merely as a part of the re-creation and renewing of a previously fallen universe."
Creationism believes in a very young earth and universe, which were created within a six-day period. Every animal that ever existed on earth was created at this time. Please visit these sites, even if you don’t agree with these people. I used to think they were all idiots until I read “Answers in Genesis” by Ken Hamm, which was intelligently written. I may not agree with everything found on these sites, but they are presented so that scientists and laymen can understand and enjoy them. Much of the science presented is revolutionary, but the history of science has been full of radicals who were later proven to be correct. An open mind is imperative in order for scientific knowledge to progress.
'Answers in Genesis' is a great site for the layman. It is easily understood, even for children.
'Reasons to Believe' and “Wonders of Science” are also easy to understand.
For those who want a meatier site with more scientific content, our favorite site is 'Center for Scientific Creation' This site gives us access to a complete book on the subject and is continually being updated.
There are other beliefs out there, but these are the most popular. Please take our poll and let us know your beliefs on our origins.