Genesis and Science

 

  Genesis and Science

Science does not contradict the Bible. Besides strong and mounting archeological support for historical events recorded throughout the Bible, the growth in scientific knowledge has reinforced the Biblical account of early life and its origins in many ways. Here are 10:

1.       A beginning (Genesis 1:1) – over the past 100 years scientists have mounted evidence supporting ‘a beginning’ of time and space in the Big Bang theory. An expanding universe and a measurable, residual cosmic microwave background energy from the Big Bang estimates that such ‘a beginning’ took place approximately 14 billion years ago.

2.       Earth formless and void (1:2) – in its early state, strong evidence supports a planet earth that was gaseous, liquid and lifeless.

3.       Elements for life – Genesis 1:1-5 notes correctly the ingredients necessary for life – physical elements including light/energy and water – were present when life originated.

4.       Order of life – Genesis chapter 1 interestingly supports a chronological progression from plant life, to fishes and birds, to land creatures, to mammals and man. Such is akin to that of evolution. The Bible, however, lists emerging life at the direction of God.

5.       Law of biogenesis – Genesis 1 states that living things are produced and reproduce ‘according to their own kind.’ It is generally agreed by most scientists that statistic calculations disallow the origination of living, reproducing life forms from non-living compounds progressing to the diversity of life we find today within the limited time available from the Big Bang.

6.       Old earth – although the Biblical creation account appears to cover only six days, planetary placement and orbits were established on the fourth day (Genesis 1:14-19), thus allowing for a different definition of the term ‘day’. As well, the Bible proclaims ‘a day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years like one day.’ These offer Biblical support for the possibility of an old earth/universe of up to or greater than 14 billion years.

7.       Changing biosphere – Genesis records an original biosphere that was different from the one we know today. Dramatic changes in climate and age of mortality were brought about by a worldwide flood. Science supports cataclysmic events and resultant changes like the ice age.

8.       Green of the plant is food for all – Genesis 1:30 – explains that ‘the green of the plant’ or chlorophyll in plants marks the beginning of the food chain through photosynthesis producing carbon chains and oxygen required for animal life.  

9.       Physical composition of man – In Genesis 2 the bodies of animals and humans are both formed from the dirt and God’s breath of life, moisture. Science agrees with such elements forming our bodies.

10.   Uniqueness of human – although all living beings are described in the Bible as having a ‘spirit’, only human beings were made ‘in God’s Own Image’ (Genesis 1:26,27). The unique impulse to worship, even in early man, has been documented archeologically. More than the mere intellect, humans have a sense of time, even into the eternal, which no other creature appears to possess. Further, we have a sense of morals in conscience even with impending judgement. Humans are truly unique beings that the Bible describes as spiritual – with an ability to relate to their Creator God.