Battle for the Mind
The debate over the origin of species has raged for centuries, with philosophers and scientists largely advocating the theory of evolution in recent times. However, Christians have been unwilling to let go of the idea of creationism. From the perspective of the Christian Church as a social organization, it makes sense for the Church to attempt to regain the ideological ground concerning origin ideologies. However, if a religious belief violates basic facts and has no rational foundation, it is bound to fail. Rational thinkers should calmly and objectively observe and think about the current situation.
Many people in the Christian church believe in the young earth theory, which claims that sedimentary rocks were produced by the great flood of Noah. According to this theory, all animal fossils found in the strata were caused by Noah’s great flood after Adam and Eve had sinned. However, it is difficult to believe that all sedimentary rocks were formed in less than a year.
Theistic evolutionists have not solved the conflict between the Bible and science either. While some claim that God created all things in the universe through evolution, the first chapter of the Bible speaks ten times of God creating living things “after their kind.” This conflicts with the theory of evolution, which claims that categories can be crossed, and all species have the same universal common ancestor. Thus, it can be concluded that Christians who believe in the theory of theistic evolution have at least a discounted belief in the Bible.
Chinese Christians are divided into two camps: young earth theory and evolution theory. Some Chinese evangelists choose to avoid this controversial issue, claiming that science is not truth, and the so-called scientific truth is often denied by later generations. While it is true that today’s scientific truth may be denied by future generations, it does not mean that today’s scientific truth will definitely be denied by future generations. Copernicus’ solar center theory has been confirmed by later generations, and it is now a fact.
Followers of Young Earth Creationism deny the radioactive isotope dating method, citing doubts about decay rates and loss of radioactive elements. However, if proper procedures are followed, this method is basically reliable. The age of sedimentary rocks can also be estimated through the composition, particle size, and direction of change of sediments, combined with the study of hydrodynamics.
In conclusion, the vast majority of Christians are diluting or even dismissing the Bible, especially the first chapter of Genesis. Conservative Christians respond to the challenges of scientific development with skepticism, while liberal Christians accept evolution with ambiguity. The conflict between science and Genesis has made the Christian Church vulnerable. It is essential to seek a common ground between science and religion to prevent further dilution of the Bible.