What Really Happened 'In the Beginning'

Darrel Falk grew up in a "wonderful home and a wonderful church" near Vancouver, British Columbia. A shy, serious child, he had a reputation among his friends for never lying or swearing. He asked Jesus into his heart at age 4, and through an altar call at age 10, asked for a second work of grace, in the holiness language of his Nazarene church. "I feel so clean inside," he said afterwards in tearful wonder.

Todd Wood was born a generation after Falk in Rives Junction, an unincorporated village in the heart of Michigan. His father was a truck driver, and they lived on 13 rural acres, out of sight of the nearest neighbor. Northwest Baptist, a small, fundamentalist church his parents had helped to start and many relatives attended, was at the heart of his life. He attended a K-12 Baptist school with 25 students in his graduating class. A quiet boy, Wood loved doing research papers, going far beyond teachers' expectations in tracking down extensive sources. Few in his acquaintance had been to college, and he had never met a scientist.

Both Wood and Falk grew up with absolute confidence in the Bible, a strong sense of family, and a belief that church was the place to find meaning and community. Both of them had an unusual aptitude for mathematics and an interest in science—though neither one had much idea what science was. They could have followed very similar pathways, and in a sense, they did.

But the controversies over evolution within the Christian community have taken the two scientists on very different journeys in a time when common ground on human origins and the Genesis narrative seems to be shrinking.

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Chris

The writer was apparently paid by the page and not for content. There is no useful or factual information in this article to support creationism – as usual. Every week I read new articles that backup and refine what we know about evolution and NONE that don't. Creationism is a joke that wastes people's time and money.
- lambsev
  
  How old do you believe the universe to be Chris?
KnowTheTruthToday

Let's see if we can figure this out:

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Let's see now – yep, pretty plain – even a person that does not possess all their faculties can understand it.
- http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
  
  There are dozens of creation myths. Even a person who does not possess all their faculties can grasp that the Christian myth is no different.
  - KnowTheTruthToday
    
    Ok I was wrong – some folks can't read simple English.
    - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
      
      I realize you prefer information that is written in simple words, but that hardly makes it true.
      - KnowTheTruthToday
        
        No proof otherwise – by the same token, nothing but theory on what you believe.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Science is built around theories. It is the cornerstone of science.
      - DWoodPC
        
        I would prefer another word then cornerstones, because cornerstones are eternally stable.Theories can and have been proven erroneous.They imply eternal truth and most scientists do not consider them to be.Nobel prizes are given to those who find the inconsistencies.It happens all the time.But you are right, science is built around them.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        A cornerstone is hardly eternal. It is a term used in construction and buildings do not last forever. It is important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.
      - DWoodPC
        
        True, I agree with that definition of what it is, and I know that science does the same thing using theories, but what happens when the cornerstone is found out not to be one? This becomes a real structural problem, Jeff. And often when this happens you find a lot of denial and even scientists will not like to admit that their life's work was built upon, essentially, sand and is being washed away by the tides of "new" science.
        
        What happens then? I say they might find solace in the new "cornerstone" but their life is already practically depleted from working in the other solid structure they thought existed. Where do they turn now, Jeff?
        
        Go to a library and peruse the stacks.There are stacks upon stacks of books representing the labors of many that are NEVER checked out because the cornerstone upon which they are built NO LONGER EXISTS.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        The word "theory" is often used by laymen to mean "just a guess." But when scientists use the word, it means a very powerful explanation for a set of observations. A good theory not only makes sense of the facts, but also allows predictions to be made based on that explanation. It may begin as a guess, or hypothesis, but to become a theory, a proposed explanation must be verified many times by different groups of scientists. Thus, theories are proven explanations, not mere guesses. Theories are generally accepted as true. Theories can be overturned; but it takes a better alternate theory, with hypotheses that test true and predictions that also test true.
      - DWoodPC
        
        When theories are overturned, Jeff, that means they were not true. Truth does exist. In science we just don't know the Truth. I don't think (now remember I am a scientist) … I don't think it is possible to know the Truth using science. The best we can do is know theory. Does that make sense to you?
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        That is not accurate. Do you understand why Newtonian kinematics was accepted for more than a hundred years only to be overturned by Einsteinian relativism? How could that be possible, if Newtonian physics had been "proven true", as is your expectation for any accepted scientific theory? The answer is that Newtonian physics was NEVER proven; it was only shown to produce highly accurate predictions. When Einstein came along and produced even MORE accurate predictions, then Newtonian physics was overruled. Einstein's theories of relativity were never "proven" either; they were only shown to produce very accurate predictions.
        
        Newtonian physics is still used in certain applications. How is that possible if it was shown to be false?
      - keyboardshark
        
        Jeff says: "Science is built around theories. It is the cornerstone of science."
        
        No, science is built around Scientific Laws. Without these Laws, we would have no basis for understanding the behavior of matter and energy, and many modern scientific achievements would never have occurred. For example, without Ohm's Law, Gauss's Law, and Faraday's Law of Induction, circuit analysis would not be possible, and all the electronic marvels we have today would likely not have been developed.
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohm's_law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauss%27s_law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday%27s_law_of_…
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        That is simply not accurate. Scientific theories are the most reliable, rigorous, and comprehensive form of scientific knowledge. The defining characteristic of all scientific knowledge, including theories, is the ability to make falsifiable or testable predictions. The relevance and specificity of those predictions determine how potentially useful the theory is. A would-be theory that makes no observable predictions is not a useful theory. Predictions not sufficiently specific to be tested are similarly not useful. In both cases, the term "theory" is hardly applicable. For example Creation Science makes no observable predictions. That is one reason why it is completely useless.
      - keyboardshark
        
        Jeff says: " For example Creation Science makes no observable predictions."
        
        Yes it does. It predicts that we would find fossil evidence buried in layers from a world-wide flood, which we do. Further, it predicts that those fossils would show organisms appearing suddenly and fully formed, rather as intermediaries. And again, this is true. And it would show that the layers were laid down rapidly, rather than over long periods of time. Lo and behold, we find strong support for this with polystrate fossils, which extend through multiple layers.
        
        Evolution makes no testable or observable predictions that I know of, because it never happened.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        We find animals buried based on the time-frame they lived in, not all jumbled up as a flood would achieve. You will never find a rabbit in the Cambrian period for example. Never.
      - keyboardshark
        
        Jeff says: "We find animals buried based on the time-frame they lived in, not all jumbled up as a flood would achieve."
        
        They would not be "all jumbled up" after the flood subsided. Ever hear of sedimentation? The heavier particles would have settled out first, followed by the next heaviest, and so on. We would therefore expect to find the remains of similar-sized creatures buried in approximately the same layer. The so-called time periods such as Cambrian are merely an invention of evolutionists.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Nowhere do any of them explain how creationism or "intelligent design" can explain any of the mysteries they're challenging science to explain; they simply assume that it must be able to, because it's so vague that it can predict anything.
        
        That is the operative watch-word of creationism: VAGUENESS. It is the same basic rhetorical weapon that is employed by all forms of pseudoscience, not to mention many conspiracy theories. How better to make an invincible theory than to make it so vague that you cannot generate any specific testable predictions?
      - keyboardshark
        
        You asked for observable predictions, I gave you observable predictions. I did not say they offered any explanation of how creation was done. Creation was a supernatural event, so there would be no natural explanation. Of course it cannot be tested, nor can evolution, because the past is, well, past, and a supernatural event would not be testable by finite means anyway.
        
        There is nothing vague at all about creation. God spoke, and it was. How much simpler can it get than that?
  - Evermyrtle
    
    Jeff, whether you believe will make no difference in HIS eternity but I thought I would give some scripture that could help you come to the truth.
    
    II Tim. 2:2:11-13
    
    11. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with HIM, we shall also live with HIM.
    
    12. If we suffer, we shall also reign with HIM: if we deny HIM, He will also deny us:
    
    13. If we believe not, yet HE abides faithful. HE cannot deny himself.
    
    I Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith,being much more precious than of gold that perish, though I be tried with fire,might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of JESUS CHRIST
    - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
      
      Scripture will never help anyone come to the truth.
      - Despeville
        
        :0 What will? You messiah of ignorance?
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Humpty, not everyone requires a mythical messiah to be able to handle life. I know you need your crutch. You do not have the mental capacity to handle reality.
- Evermyrtle
  
  Anti-GOD, anti-CHRIST don't have all o faculties, that is a great problem. It is so difficult to get them to believe and they will not be able to live with the TRINITY forever unless you believe. It is so sad and so simple with everything they need ot know is written int HIS WORD called the BIBLE.
  
  You learn there that GOD did indeed create the entire universe and everything in it. It gives the ten commandments which are reduced to two commandments, in the new testament.
  
  Matt. 22:36-40
  
  36. Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
  37. JESUS said unto him, Thou shalt love the LORD THY GOD with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
  38. This is the first and great commandment.
  39.. The second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
  40. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
  
  That is not all HE tells us that every one of us will meet HIM face to face.
  
  I Cor. 13: 12-13
  
  He also tells us how he will divide HIS people from those who wanted nothing to do with HIM.
  
  Check out Matt 25: 31-34
  - KnowTheTruthToday
    
    It's is hard for the guys to learn, because they already know everything.
    - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
      
      We do not know everything, we merely prefer to learn from factual sources.
      - KnowTheTruthToday
        
        Well, you are in the right forums to learn about factual sources – hope you will leave the fantasy land you are in and make some progress.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        No, I am in the right forum to help people understand their delusions. For factual sources, I will turn to scientific forums.
      - KnowTheTruthToday
        
        Since you are in a delusion – you might be good to help others – why don't you try the atheist forum and see if you can help them?
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Atheists do not need help. Theists do.
      - Despeville
        
        HAahahaha well almost every post of yours Dixon shows to the contrary.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        How would you know, Humpty? You were lost to reality years ago.
    - Evermyrtle
      
      KnowThe Truth…Wouldn't it be wonderful if they were just half as smart as they think they are. If they were they would be able to accept GOD'S truths, just as they stand!!
      - KnowTheTruthToday
        
        Yes it would – every once in a while one will wake up and see the truth – while unfortunately, others just continue on in their ignorance.
      - Evermyrtle
        
        You are right, people come to the LORD every day and I pray for these who are so critical of GOD, HIS SON JESUS CHRIST and everyone who loves and speaks the truth of HIS WORD.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        If we were half as smart, we would be Christians.
  - DWoodPC
    
    The real problem hinges on this, from the article:
    The Holy Ghost teaches NOT the person, not even if he is a prophet. That is an absolute truth found in biblical scripture. In the article Schumacher states: "Until they truly encounter God, and pastors/teachers become less like motivational speakers and more like real prophets of God, the Church will continue to be a place where unbelievers come and leave with no transformation having taken place, with the end result being lives lived out that stand in stark contrast to Biblical principles." How did prophets of old teach? Answer: By the Spirit, if He does not teach by the Spirit, He does not teach. Same thing goes for anyone trying to bring an unbeliever to belief. God is in charge.
    - DWoodPC
      
      The Holy Ghost teaches, the person preaching is NOT the teacher, not even if he is a prophet.
lambsev

Evolutionists use every human faculty of THEIR OWN intelligence and DESIGN to say that the things that exist cannot be the result of intelligence or design. This despite the overwhelming evidence of design in every particle, atom, molecule, cell, being eco, solar, and gal axial system of the universe. Talk about short-sightedness… the epitome thereof!
Jim

Just like with all the other things that are being debated and occuring in the world at this time. It all boils down to whether or not you are on GOD's side or the world's side. You cannot just stand by idly anymore, the time to make your choice is here. You see the evil being done clearly every day. GOD has told you what to expect and you must heed his warnings before it is too late.
http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon

When theories are overturned, Jeff, that means they were not true.
- DWoodPC
  
  okay… I meant in the absolute or ideal sense of the term true.. you know… True with a capital T
  - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
    
    No theory is true in the absolute sense.
    - DWoodPC
      
      you just said an absolute truth Jeffbut only because imperfect humans are involvedhave you given #4 definition I sent you some thought?
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        A theory by definition cannot be absolute. If it was, it would be a law.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Not sure what you are referring to about the #4 definition.
      - keyboardshark
        
        Jeff says: "A theory by definition cannot be absolute. If it was, it would be a law."
        
        Exactly. That is why we cannot place too much confidence in a theory, even though there may be some evidence to support its premise. Laws, however, are universally true and CAN be fully trusted.
        
        I prefer to stick with operational science that can be observed and tested in the present. Anything beyond that is mere speculation from a scientific vantage point. Better yet, I prefer to stick with a source that I know to be absolutely true–the Bible.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        Key, you place confidence in theories every time you fly or drive a car.
        
        In science, theories explain more than laws.
        
        They also explain more than the bible can ever attempt to try and explain.
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        It is just a theory
        
        One thing I hear repeatedly from theists is that evolution is a "just a theory". In their mind, this means it is nothing more than a guess. This is what it means in everyday usage, that it means an idea, a guess, something to consider. What many of them do not understand is that the term theory in science means something different than how it is used in everyday conversation.
        
        What is a scientific theory? It means that a falsifiable hypothesis has passed EVERY SINGLE test. It means that predictions by the hypothesis always, in every single case, conform to the theory. It means the hypothesis explains the facts accurately. Only those ideas which pass this test are referred to as theories by scientists. And Evolution has passed every test assigned to it. Let me repeat that. It has passed EVERY test. Does that mean we know everything about Evolution? No, not at all. But there are many accepted theories that we do not fully understand. In fact, we do not FULLY understand any theory. But what is really interesting is that Evolution actually has more evidence than any other theory.
        
        However, no matter how times this is pointed out to them, they retort, it is a theory, not a fact. This is another idea that is misunderstood by the general public. Evolution actually is a fact. However, it is not a law. Theories never become laws. Isn't that a problem for the validity of the idea? Actually, no, There are other theories that are very well known that are completely accepted. It is also somewhat misleading. Because, although Evolution and Gravity are theories, they are also describing things that are facts.
        Gravity is a fact. And gravitational theory explains this fact.
        Disease is a fact. Germ theory explains this fact.
        That life evolves is a fact. The theory of evolution explains this fact.
        
        They also want to argue that theories are incomplete because they are not laws. However, theories can not become laws, because the purpose of a theory is different from a law.
        
        A theory explains a law. The law of gravity states that there is gravity- this is clearly a fact, and is concrete. Einstein's theory of gravity (or whichever theory is currently supported) explains how gravity works. Theories can be replaced if another, better explanation is formed. New theories do not need to be radically different from their predecessors, and can simply be modifications (although if the modification is very slight, it may still be considered the same theory).
        
        So, the next time someone tries to dismiss Evolution for being "just a theory", I will proudly let them know we appreciate the vote of confidence.
      - keyboardshark
        
        Jeff says: "Key, you place confidence in theories every time you fly or drive a car. "
        
        Not sure which theories to which you refer, but an internal combustion engine makes use of the First Law of Thermodynamics.
        
        "The first law makes use of the key concepts of internal energy, heat, and system work. It is used extensively in the discussion of heat engines. The standard unit for all these quantities would be the joule, although they are sometimes expressed in calories or BTU.
        
        It is typical for chemistry texts to write the first law as ΔU=Q+W. It is the same law, of course – the thermodynamic expression of the conservation of energy principle. It is just that W is defined as the work done on the system instead of work done by the system.
        
        In the context of physics, the common scenario is one of adding heat to a volume of gas and using the expansion of that gas to do work, as in the pushing down of a piston in an internal combustion engine. In the context of chemical reactions and process, it may be more common to deal with situations where work is done on the system rather than by it."
        http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo…
      - http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
        
        If you need to build a car battery, you should be aware of the theory of electricity and magnetism for example.
http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon

Dwood, that is because a theory by definition cannot be absolute.
msjallen

Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (God the Son created the universe in less than a second.)
Gen 1:2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. (In Hebrew tohu: dump waste & bohu: barren)
The earth had become a disaster area since Satan used it as his headquarters. Satan was removed and an ice pack was put on the earth to keep the fallen angels out. Then in the creation of man the earth had to be restored for the occupancy of man on planet earth. It was God the Son who restored the earth in six days and then on the 7th was a day of rest which means the work was finished. The original creation was made in less than a second by God the Son Gen 1:1.
Continued in next comment…
msjallen

Is 45:18 For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste (tohu) place, but formed it to be inhabited), “I am the LORD, and there is none else. (The earth was not originally created a desolation.)
Is 14:17 Who made the world like a wilderness and overthrew its cities, who (Satan) did not allow his prisoners to go home?’
Gen 1:3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
(The same way that the Holy Spirit shines Bible Doctrine into our souls in the Church Age. “Light shines out of darkness”)
Col 1:16-17 For by Him (Jesus Christ) all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
(Even in the cradle and through all of His life on earth and all during the Church Age through all the ages and eternity. We don’t have to be afraid of any evil nation – when it is time for us to go, we will go.) Continued…
msjallen

John 1:3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
Hebrews 1:10 And, "YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS;
I would rather believe the Word of God instead of the word of mere man.
Marcel Blaise

Did Adam have a navel?
- Richard
  
  No, why would he have one? This is such an old chestnut. Think of something more challenging if you are wanting to refute creation. If however you are wanting to refute evolution, that's a different matter entirely.
- http://rationalresponses.blogspot.com/ Jeff Dixon
  
  No, for there was not a historical Adam.