I grew up in a very conservative Christian home back in the 50s and 60s. I do not recall ever hearing about any alternative to the Genesis creation account, even in school. The earth was 6000 years old and God created everything by fiat. He spoke, and it happened—no question about any of it.
But at some point in my adult journey as a believer, I became acquainted with the Big Bang (BB) and the Theory of Evolution (ToE). Sheer nonsense! The Bible is clear that the creation is nowhere near as old as the BB claimed. Nor was the ToE even remotely credible. They were both just attempts to disprove the Bible.
And I was happy with that for many years. Until about the time I turned 50. I was challenged then to examine the claims of the BB and the ToE seriously rather than just dismissing them. And I took up the challenge. What followed was a long journey that has led me to where I am now.
A Long Journey
And, as the title of this post suggests, it was a reluctant journey to the Big Bang and beyond. I found it taking me somewhere I didn’t want to go. But, once I had started, I could not in good conscience turn back. I started examining the claims in order to be able to disprove them. But the more time I spent looking into them, the more I began to doubt my own positions. And I eventually came to accept the BB and ToE as largely true.
This journey has been ongoing for 20 years now and is mostly settled, although some questions still remain. The journey has led me to a growing awareness of the vastness and complexity of God’s creation. I have gained a greater appreciation of all he has done to make life possible for us. And it has been intellectually and spiritually rewarding.
A Challenging Journey
Yet, at the same time, the journey has been challenging. The tradition I grew up and served in until recently was solidly in the Young Earth Creationist (YEC) camp. Leaving that camp behind put me at odds with most believers I was in regular contact with. It was a lonely journey. I have been accused of sliding down the slippery slope into liberalism as well as becoming an atheist.
I know not everyone’s experience is the same as mine. And I know some of you have examined the same “evidence” I did and found it lacking. And I am OK with that. But I have tried to be attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit through all of this. And I am confident that I have not gone astray.
Going forward, I plan to talk about the BB and ToE in two different posts. And then how acceptance of these has impacted my understanding of the Bible. The goal is not to convince you of anything. Instead, it is simply to explain them as best I know how. What you do with that is up to you.
- The Bible and Science (1/4/2025) - When the Bible and science appear to conflict, the issue is understanding what God tells us in his two revelations: the Bible and creation.
- A Reluctant Journey to the Big Bang (1/11/2025) - The more time I spent looking into the Big Bang and Theory of Evolution, the more I began to accept them as largely true.
- The Age of the Universe (1/18/2025) - How can we reconcile the age disparity of the creation between what proponents of the Big Bang claim and what Genesis seems to tell us?
I have always wondered why man (Actually Many Men) question Creation… As I look out the window, I see the Trees (different kinds) & Rocks, some Squirrels & an occasional Rabbit. Since I can’t make any of them, I accept that My God made them.
The one thing I do know, is this, Man can’t make anything from Nothing, but he can make something, from something else… Thanks to the knowledge, God gave him…
It’s beyond my comprehension, that many men around the world, can’t see there is a GOD & since we have lived through a few generations, it should be easy by now, to see that living for God & Obeying God, is the TRUE PATH for happiness… & there are no Shortcuts…
By no means do I question creation. God is my creator. What I do question is the means he used in creating all that is.
It is beyond me how a scientist can be an atheist. Newton’s First Law: Inertia
Newton’s first law states that every object will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless compelled to change its stateLaw of by the action of an external force. I haven’t heard of a scientist yet that believes that humans created the earth or were the first to initiate the first motion that Creation would have required.
The Law of the Conservation of Mass basically means that matter cannot be created nor destroyed it simply changes form whether it be solid, liquid or gas. Therefore in order for human or otherwise, it requires something to already exist. Creation disputes science. There is a beginning outside of matter. God…created something from NOTHING. That is exactly what Hebrew texts state. Genesis 1:1, where the word “bara” (ברא) is used, which signifies creation “ex nihilo” (out of nothing)
The Big Bang theory, to me, is the closest scientific theory that encroached upon theology… “And GOD spoke, Let there was light and there was light…” BAM! There it is. Constellations, planets, the sun all hung in the vastness of nothingness! GOD was the movement. His breath spoke life, movement, at His very command. All things began with order and purpose to create a perpetual environment for His greatest creation…mankind– made in His image with power and dominion to rule. YES. I BELIEVE IN CREATION. It is the only thing that makes sense.
If the religious leaders who heard Jesus teach and saw his miracles refused to believe, it is not surprising that folks today refuse to believe. In spite of the evidence.
I see no reason to believe in the Big Bang. John 1 teaches that Jesus is the eternal Word of God who created all things. As he was able to create top-notch wine in a matter of minutes why should he need billions of years to create the universe?
He does not even need 6 days. That God might have used the Big Bang and evolution is not a limitation on him or his ability. He could have chosen any way he wanted to.
Thanks for another thoughtful edition to your posts. Your journey resonates so well with me and supports my feelings (although they started earlier and, at 81, I’ve settled in) about the Big Bang and Evolution being within the purview of an all powerful, loving God. The Genesis stories were given to Moses by God Who knew He had to not challenge his understanding.
Yes, I see no reason to question what means God might have used to create the universe and life.
Ed, I am a fellow traveler along the path and look forward to reading more.
Your experience of seeing more and finding more wonder in God’s creation is mine also. One of the riches I have found is in reading and learning Genesis for what it says. The first chapter alone explodes with a universe of depth and detail that I had passed over. Two groups of three days plus one day, the first grouping completed by the second, only the sixth day described with the definite article, all this and more points to greater wonder.
God’s act of creation is more distinct, more complex, more astonishing than I knew. Rather than the how and when questions, the text opens up the why, whom and who for of this majestic project.
Looking to the physical world, again there is complexity and wonder unimagined.
That God created humans in his image is the crown of creation. In that image, the Son will reveal God while ages roll.
So much more is involved beyond a date in time.
I.am looking forward to the your next posts.
Thanks for sharing
Intriguing…. I was an unbeliever. (was given a degree in science (physics and math — an introductory course in biology.. but not cosmogeny or cosmology)…
I was converted after that based on what I perceived to be a ‘dare.’ I was exposed to YEC as part of the process of considering the veracity of the Bible… I did not think the arguments were a ‘slam/dunk.’ But it was an embryonic science when I converted. I was surprised by the steep slant of the curve … (a fast-rising accumulation of plausible explanations; odd things like polystrate fossils caught my eye…) So, with other evidence (prophecy in line with where things might be going) and even a sudden healing (doctor confirmed) in a church I visited … I converted. YEC stuff has come a very long way in 40 or so years in my opinion. Errors were admitted. People with PhDs on both sides were easy to find. Nathanial Jeanson (PhD Harvard, geneticist) impressed me (his meticulously written book “Replacing Darwin” has gently worded — but impressive — with predictions/retrodictions. (the one on decreasing speciation rate is ‘not bad’ (meaningful) One person (YEC cosmologist) admitted that both sides must develop hypotheses to explain what does not seem to fit their paradigm. The worldwide flood evidence interacts with the age of the earth rather decisively. (I obsess over research). I read a book by an admirer of, and believer in, Darwin — (Neal Gillespie: “Charles Darwin and the Problem of Creation”) And one by the reputable Eugenie C. Scott against creationism (OEC and YEC.) And came out more convinced than ever that macroevolution is in trouble. A book (Guide to Reading Genesis or something like that) by Dr. Terry Mortenson is highly recommended. Not merely scientific.
A problem I did not consider was the conflict between God saying it was very good (when homo sapiens would have arrived on earth) and a fossil record replete with death, disease, (even some thorns). The “fall.” is even threatened. Well, I talk too much, so I will stop. God bless you. I like your citing John 15:17 Amen !!!
I am happy that you have researched and come to peace with your position on creation. While I do not agree with that position, I do respect it.