The Creation-Evolution Debate

Creationist view – God created man, animals, earth, plants. NO descent from other life forms.

Evolutionist view – Man, plants, animals descended from simpler life forms like bacteria, amoeba, etc.

Evolution –a process of continuous change from a lower, simpler, or worse state to a higher, more complex, or better state. Creation – the act of bringing the world into ordered existance.

Does this suggest that man is descended from apes ?

Faith and Science both seek truth Genesis – the story of creation – Does it exclude evolution? How long did it take to create the earth, plants, animals, and man? Days or …?

St. Augustine – His view of the Genesis was that the universe was not fully formed but could adapt or transform itself according to God’s will. – Saw creation as a continuing process in which the commands of God were fulfilled progressively not instantaneously.

Pope Pius XII – Cautions against belief that evolution explains the origin of living things – Evolution rightfully belongs in the realm of science where it is not fully proven – Research into evolution with regard to the origins of the human body as coming from pre-existing and living matter is acceptable

Can evolution and creation co-exist? Kenneth R. Miller – Finding Darwin’s God – As a scientist, I know very well that the earth is billions of years old and the appearance of living organisms was not sudden but gradual. As a Christian, I believe that Genesis is a true account of the way in which God’s relationship with the world was formed. As a human being, I find value in both descriptions.