How did we get here? (Part 1)




V


I am not a physical scientist. I don't really understand things like DNA and the Big Bang or evolution. But I am a social scientist of sorts. Well at least my vocation touches on this field. As an educator and curriculum developer the whole notion of knowing - what and how - is something I do try to understand. I digress.


When I was nine, almost ten years old, I began to attend a Christian Church. The children's Bible class would sometimes touch on this topic. So right up front I had a bias towards literal creationism. Six days. Done. Take another to rest up.


Things like dinosaurs were the result of the sinful actions of men (don't recall a lot of the use of feminine references) ... and / or put there by Satan to deceive and confuse human kind ... and were destroyed in the flood. Destroyed, of course, as they were not part of God's original creation. Not allowed on the ark.


As I progressed through my teenage years the story of Adam and Eve was told many times and I was amazed at how neatly the Creation story fit into a seven day week. I was perhaps even more impressed by the logic of the sequence of creation. You needed seas and trees before fish and birds.


As a twenty-something I tried to wrap my head around the notion of the eternal nature of God. Like DNA, the Big Band, and evolution I decided it was something I had to accept by faith. Hebrews 11:1 was the answer to the question, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." I always understood this to mean "Somethings we just don't know, and may never know in our lifetime." Fair enough.


However, in the Spring of 1994 I happened to meet someone whose presence in my life would begin a decade long discussion which would ultimately change me and my view on literal creationism. What is interesting is that the change occured not because of my acquaintance's actions, but rather mine. He was an evolutionist and an atheist. I was a creationist and a practising Christian. He was to be my target for conversion. I would allow the Holy Spirit to work through me to save him.


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One other thing I should mention. Back in Bible class at the ago of ten I was totally smitten with Solomon. The wisest man who had ever lived. I prayed to become wise, many times over many years. God, thankfully, heard and answered by prayers. However, as many believers would say, not in the way I expected.

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