How important is the debate over Creationism vs. Evolution to you as a Christian?

Question

To me it is totally unimportant. I see the book of Genesis as an allegory. Allegories are simply using one story to tell another story. Jesus did it many times. Is there a problem in viewing Genesis as one?

I view the theory of evolution simply as God's handiwork.

What's your position on this?

How important is the debate over Creationism vs. Evolution to you as a Christian?

Answer 1

Yes, most likely Genesis is full of symbols and metaphors. I criticize science a lot only to point out that it can be as dubious as people think religion is, but personally I feel the ideas behind Creationism and Evolution are more alike than people think.

Answer 2

It's an interesting debate, but it's not really that big of a biggy to me. I, too, think the particulars of the creation accounts are allegorical. I do think they are based on something that really happened, but I don't know to what extent they are literally true.

The only problem with that view is that the whole book of Genesis obviously wasn't meant to be an allegory. There would have to be a transition from the allegory of the creation to the historical narrative of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Egyptian captivity, Moses, etc. But there is such continuity from Adam and Eve to the Hebrew people that it's hard to say where the transition occurred, and it looks very much like the author took Adam and Eve to be real people.

There are some other theological problems with denying that Adam and Eve were the first man and woman or that all people now living descended from Adam and Eve. According to Paul, sin entered the world through Adam, and death through sin. Jesus is the second Adam who defeats both sin and death, undoing what the first Adam did. If Adam didn't really exist, none of that makes much sense.

If evolution is true, then there either was never a "fall of man" or else "fall of man" must mean something different than that we became corrupted, subject to sickness, death, and decay, etc.---all the things that are supposed to be undone by the resurrection.

Answer 3

Very important!
It isn't Creationism v Evolution, they are both true!
That is like saying day v night!
God created the world, that is true! God created people, plants and animals to procreate, that is true!
So how, if creation was created with the ability to procreate, how can we not believe in evolution?!
Evolution is what happens when things and people keep on procreating!
Evolution is the natural, God given process that comes from creation! If not intended, then everything would have stayed the same!
We wouldn't have electricity, cars, make-up, etc, to name but a few, if it wasn't for evolution!
In other words, Evolution was created!

Answer 4

As a Christian, it is crucial and foundational to our understanding of an omnipotent and omniscient God, man's Fall into sin and God's judgment of it, the promise of a Savior to come, the coming of that Savior and His death and Resurrection in conquering death to offer us eternal life in Heaven.
The story of creation and other corresponding passages does not fit with the theory of evolution at all so how can it be an allegory or parable explaining how God used evolution to create the universe, earth, all life forms and man. It states in Genesis and many other passages in the Bible that God "created" everything in six days...not through descent with modification from common ancestors over millions or billions of years. It also states that man was created in the image or likeness of God....not through a common ancestor with apes. Man is not just another animal which is what evolution teaches....we know right from wrong, animals don't. We are special. Since He created us, God's laws apply to us...not whatever we choose to obey based on our own judgement.
Time and chance are the "god" of evolution ---given enough time and the right chance occurrences, life can evolve over time into many other life forms and needs no Creator to worship. That is not what the Bible teaches us. And there are many evidences that the earth is not as old as evolution would need for it to work. The Biblical flood is usually rejected by scientists as something that occurred which upsets dating methods.
Better to worship and glorify the Creator than His creation. Better to believe God's Word is true than the fallible and imperfect reasoning and knowledge of man. Science is always changing according to new evidence and understanding....God's Word is eternally true.

Answer 5

to a Billion Christians or more who are taught Exactly what you believe. it is not important at all. YOU are correct.
TO a very small minority of christians in the UNited states Teaching Creationism is very important to there ultimate goal.
When logic and sceince can be legislated away. Taking over a goverment of the people, and replacing it with a facsist theocracy is easier. The Christian right in many many ways Mirrors the fascist movement in Italy and in Germany of the 1930's
Replacing logic with superstition is the first step in making good people do unpseakable evil. Gas chambers and death squads.
So the question is very very important to the American People.

Answer 6

Not very. There really isn't a debate. Evolution is well established, although I'll grant that the specific mechanisms still seem a little hazy. That may just be me, though.

I think Genesis is more than an allegory, but I don't think God intended it as a biology or cosmology textbook.

Answer 7

Very important to me. Creationists have misinterpreted the seven days of creation as seven 24 hour days. God is really saying that it was seven eras of modern evolution. God knew that as human scientific knowledge advanced that one day we would be forced to accept that we made a mistake in understanding God's time frame. This will prove both the Evolutionists right at dating the age of the Earth and the Creationists right that God had control of the course of evolution. This new found scientific knowledge of God will then force this to be taught in science classes in public schools.

Answer 8

evolution is for the survival of manknd( as always).so you see its importance.it has preceded the concept of God by many million miles( years). If you accept it ,now answer this question to know better- how can a non existent -like God -thing create an existing thing-like this universe?it's not childish to attempt an answer. for the sake of knowledge.Remember God came much after man.( if you do not accept then go the Q&A way in search of both Man and God .Forget not to be inquisitive and critical.

Answer 9

My relationship with Jesus Christ has given me the foundation for my beliefs. I do believe God created this world and everything in the universe. It is settled for me.

I don't debate or argue with anyone, it serves no real purpose. I do share what God has done for me, when asked. My witness of how Jesus has saved me and changed my life is more powerful than my intellectual sparring with someone else. If two people are interesting in sharing ideas, that's cool, but heated debates/arguments are fultile.

Answer 10

I agree with what you say. I also believe that we are descended from animals- anyone who has lived alot with animals will tell you that we are so similar! I believe in god, and that we can all be better people and animals by showing each other God's love. There is such a thing a speciesism