Why does science seem so against creationism?

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TL;DR:

Science, as practiced by many today, is rooted in naturalism, which excludes supernatural acts like creation. The debate is not between science and creationism but rather between competing worldviews—one that denies miracles and one that acknowledges God as the Creator.

from the old testament

  • Genesis 1 makes it clear that God, and God alone, is the creator of all things: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (v. 1).
  • The God who made the universe revealed Himself through it (Psalm 19:1).

from the new testament

  • John 1:1-3 establishes that Jesus, called the Word, is also God. Not only was Jesus with God before the beginning of creation, but all things were made through Jesus (Colossians 1:16-17).
  • Jesus affirmed creation by God in Mark 13:19. The naturalistic scientist who rejects creationism also rejects Jesus.
  • The apostle Paul used creation as a starting point for evangelism when he preached to unbelievers in Athens (Acts 17:22-31), pointing out that God made the world and everything in it (Acts 17:24).
  • By looking at the general revelation of creation, we can know some things about God, such as His eternal power and divine nature (Romans 1:20).

implications for today

The basic issue of not believing in supernatural miracles, especially the creation of the universe, goes back at least to David Hume, an eighteenth century Scottish philosopher. Hume argued that miracles are violations of the laws of nature, so we could never believe in miracles unless the evidence were even more miraculous than the miracle itself. Although Hume's argument is a popular justification to reject belief in miracles, there is no logical reason to accept his argument. Even the well-known atheist Anthony Flew concluded that Hume was wrong.

While some scientists assert that science and supernatural creation clash, that is really not the case according to Oxford mathematician John Lennox. If there is a God who created the universe and has it running on certain recognizable laws, He’s not constrained by them. He can insert a new, special event, and our knowledge of the laws will help us recognize that event as a miracle. In opposition to secular scientists, many scientists in the field of Intelligent Design theory do accept supernatural miracles as valid explanations. Like other cultural battles we see today, the popular science media often distorts research results to maintain a standard story.

understand

  • The true debate is about competing worldviews, not science vs. creationism.
  • Creationism doesn’t hinder scientific discovery.
  • The rejection of creationism is based on a worldview that denies miracles.

reflect

  • How do you reconcile the scientific view of the world with the belief in a Creator?
  • How do you appreciate the beauty of creation as a reflection of God’s handiwork in your daily life?
  • How does your understanding of the world’s origins influence your faith and relationship with God?

engage

  • How does naturalism as a worldview shape the way people approach the concept of creation?
  • How does the rejection of creationism impact scientific exploration and understanding today, and what limitations does the rejection of creation create for the scientific community?
  • How can Christians engage with those who reject creationism, while maintaining a biblical understanding of the universe’s origin?