Our Origins: Chance or Design – Why does it Matter?

In in minds of some the answer to question of how the world came to be – “was it purposeful creation, chance evolution or evolution by intelligent design?” - has become a barrier to trusting God or following Christ.

The reasoning often appears to be a) if chance evolution is the process by which the world came into being, then b) there is no purposeful God and, while not often stated directly, c) therefore:

• we are essentially alone in the universe

• there is no one greater than ourselves to trust, rely on or pray to

• the cross was a cruel accident, the resurrection an impossible dream, and call of Jesus Christ to follow him of no greater or lesser importance than the call of any human being to follow

• there is ultimately no one to whom we are accountable

• there are no moral absolutes

• there is no purpose or direction in life and we are free or obligated to make up our own meaning and identity

• we are animals, can do as we wish, and therefore often do act as animals (sexually, violence, 'me first')

Some may resist such a direct logical progression but the human cost of choosing to believe life is a chance meaningless power struggle is depicted in much of the world around us.

For those who take the Scriptures seriously the starting point in understanding the universe is rooted in the question of whether Genesis 1 is intended to be a poem in a Hebraic form (which most scholars agree it is) or a linear depiction of a literal historical progression over seven 24 hour days (which few suggest).

The key question the Bible addresses is not so much how the world came about as why it did. How the world came about should not become a stumbling block following Christ because how is secondary to why. Science cannot address the question of why.

The critical elements of the origin of the world reflected in Scripture which affect us most profoundly rather are these:

1. God chose to bring the world about. We are not an accident.

2. God's purpose for bringing us into being was good.

3. The universe is orderly and purposeful rather than ultimately chaotic.

4. God chose humankind (at whatever point in the historical process it took place), to reflect God's image (Genesis 1:26), and to be in personal intimate covenant relationship with Him.

5. As such, humankind in community reflects God's magnificence and purpose to the degree we are willing and are accountable to God for what we do with this high privilege and calling.

The implications of these realities are far greater than the secondary questions of how God accomplished them. And the effects of getting bogged down in the 'how' questions - resulting in the rejection our high calling and purpose - are producing the devolution of culture in the post-Christian west.