The Creation Story
Science, Saga, or Speaking of God?

The Bible begins with a story of creation. Some people have used it to develop scientific theories about the origin of the universe. They call their theories "creation science". Others scoff at both those theories and the Bible in general. To them the Bible stories are nothing more than myths. So how should we view this story that was written more than 3,000 years ago? Does it have anything to say to us today?

Let me say first that the Bible is not a science textbook. It is not in the same realm. The story of creation at the beginning of the Bible should not be considered a scientific account of how the universe developed. It does not really address the question of how. Rather it provides answers to two questions that can never be proved or disproved by science.

The first question is, "What is the source of the universe?" Science has more or less concluded that the universe had a unique beginning at an instant of time. (Nothing is certain in the realm of science.) I believe that that is about as close as science can come to verifying the first 3 words of the Bible--In the beginning.... We may be able to discover through science things about the universe back to that beginning. Nothing in science will ever enable us to discover what was before or the source of that beginning. The Bible begins with the clear assertion that God is the source of the whole universe.

God's Intention in Creating Man

The second question is, "Why are we here?" The answer is not so obvious. Genesis 1:26 records God's intention in creating man. God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness; " God did not create man in some other way but in His own image. This does not refer to man's outward appearance. It refers to his inward being, his mind, emotion, and will. God has thoughts, feelings, and intentions; so does man. Of course, God's thoughts are as much higher than man's thoughts as the heavens are higher than the earth. But one day God came as a man, Jesus Christ, who is in the image of God (Col. 1:15). He spoke God's word (John 12:49), loved what God loved, and chose God's will. He was the first man who really expressed God. God's intention is that we would believe and receive Christ. Then He can begin a process to change our thoughts, feelings, and intentions to match His.

Then what about the question of whether the Bible is right or science is right about the age of the universe, etc. I believe the Biblical record of creation but I don't believe it should be used to develop scientific theories about the history of the universe. Such a simple record leaves lots of room for explanations other than what seems to be the obvious one. I believe the Bible when it says that it is God's word. The Bible is trustworthy but my understanding of it may be off. The Bible is not wrong but even the collective understanding of millions of Bible readers can be wrong.

For instance, some Bible scholars do not agree with the view that the days in Genesis chapter one count from the beginning in verse one. According to this understanding there was a gap between verses one and two. During this time Satan fell and corrupted the earth. God judged that world producing the condition described in verse two and then came in to restore the earth and create man. If this view is correct even in only general principles then all those who have been trying to defend the Bible by arguing for a 6,000 year old universe have been wasting their time.

In any case, so-called "creation science" is not only dubious science, it is altogether missing the main point of the story of creation. It was written so that we could understand something about God and His intention for man. It is a mistake to drag it down to the uncertain realm of scientific theories. Then again, it is a much more serious mistake to reject the God revealed in the Bible and to think that modern man with all his scientific knowledge does not need its message. We need God in this age at least as much as ever before.

What we get out of the Bible depends to a great extent in how we come to it. If we think the Bible is a collection of ancient sagas then that is what we will see in it. If we are satisfied with a superficial understanding of it then that is all we will get. We can also use the Bible to support almost any idea if we selectively quote and misrepresent its teachings. But if we come to the Bible with an honest and open heart to diligently seek God in it then we will find Him. This is much more valuable than the best theories of the history of the universe.