Got Creation?

A British astrophysicist known for his theories on the origin and the destiny of the universe was recently honored with one of the world's leading religion prizes. Martin Rees, a 68-year old expert on the extreme physics of black holes and the Big Bang, was the recipient of the 2011 Templeton Prize which is awarded by the John Templeton Foundation.

The $1.6 million award is among the world's most lucrative. Rees, who professes no religious belief, was chosen because of the nature of his research, which he said he invites everyone "to wrestle with the most fundamental questions of our nature and existence," said Dr. John M. Templeton, Jr.

In an interview at a London hotel ahead of the prize announcement, Rees told The Associated Press that he was attracted to "big questions which we can't answer." One of the biggest has been posed by scientists who wonder why it is that the physical laws of the universe seemed perfectly calibrated to support human life. Even a slight tweaking of what scientists call universal constants could so alter the cosmos as to make it inhabitable.

In one of his many books, Ree's argued that the perfect tuning was neither a mere accident nor the act of a benign, or benevolent creator. Instead, he said, "an infinity of other universes may well exist" where the constants are set differently. Some would be too sterile to support life, others too short-lived. Ours happens to be just right.

How important is it that Christians appreciate creation as a miracle? Should we take the Genesis record and the days of creation as symbol, myth, or legend in order to harmonize with science? If we weaken faith in creation as a miracle, what effect does that have on the evidence for the all-wise, all-powerful, true and living God and in Jesus as His Son and in the Bible as His revelation?

Miracles are used throughout the Bible as evidence that God exists, that Jesus' claims were true, and that apostles and prophets were sent by God. This, in turn, constitutes proof that the Bible is the word of God.

This explains why unbelievers, atheists, agnostics, liberals, modernists, skeptics, and believers in evolution continually deny or undermine Bible accounts of miracles. It likewise shows why true believers must recognize and defend Biblical miracles.

There is no denying that creation is a controversial topic. We couldn't even begin to touch on everything that has been written or said about the topic here. I will, however, leave you with some things that you could use in your own personal study of the subject; with your bible study group, or religion class. It is my most sincere hope that you will find these scriptural references helpful and reassuring in your journey with God.

The Bible repeatedly affirms that no one but God could create the universe. Psalm 72:18; Psalm 95:1-7; Isaiah 40:25-28; Nehemiah 9:6; 1 Chronicles 16:25-27; Jeremiah 32:17; Job 38:4-11; Heb. 11:3; Jer. 10:10-12; Psalm 100:3; 86:8-10; Job 9:8-10; Ecc. 11:5; Rom. 11:33-36

Specifically, living things were created supernaturally, not by natural reproduction. Genesis 1:11,12; Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7,21-23;

The Bible uses various descriptions to refer to miraculous works of God. Job 9:8-10; Psalm 139:13,14; Psalm 33:6-9;

Let's Pray:

Holy Father, we praise you and give you glory; we bless you for calling us to be your holy people; remain in our hearts, and guide us in our love and service. Help us to let our light shine before others; and lead them to the way of faith. Holy Father, we praise you now and for ever. Amen.

Bless you!

Paige