There are two reasons that “creation” is the word chosen for “creation journaling.” The first, which I discussed in the post “What is Creation Journaling?” highlights the fact that there is an intelligent God behind all of nature.
The second, which can be overlooked or ignored, is the fact that “creation” stands in opposition to “evolution.” The stats on the beliefs of evolution within the church are staggering. I have met many people who tend to compartmentalize “God” and “Science.” They believe in God, but still believe the Science has proven beyond doubt that evolution exists. So either they keep these ideas separate in their minds, or they attempt to reconcile the ideas with “theistic evolution.” this is the idea that God ordained evolution.
This attempt to reconcile the ideas shows a strong faith in the inerrancy and faithfulness of scientists, rather than the inerrancy of God’s word. However, there are interpretations of the Bible which suggest that the “days” are symbolic of millenia, which attempt to preserve the inerrancy of Scripture through this reinterpretation.
The main (Biblical) argument that I find against these interpretations is that evolution is entirely based on a process of natural selection, which means that the organisms with the better, more helpful, mutation will survive, while the lesser one will die. The key word here is: die. If you believe that death entered the world through sin via Adam, then evolution cannot be part of your theology. You must either choose to live with them unreconciled in your mind, or else deny one of them. Evolution would mean that death in the created world occured millenia before Adam (man) existed. In fact man (and the evolutionary precursors of man), would have had to die for millenia themselves, before attaining to a fully rational human that could meet with God in the garden. Ultimately, theistic evolution says that the God of Life used a process steeped in millenia of death, before sin had entered the world.
Creationists believe that God created a perfect world. When Adam sinned, death entered. The curse plagues not only humans but all of nature. But through Jesus, who redeems us from sin, we will have victory over death, and the whole world will be remade into an eternal life more enthralling than the most beautiful sunset or mountains. Creationists believe that Science is not the enemy- quite the opposite. The more one studies science and math, the more one is pointed to the existence of God.
Creation Journaling is a space to discuss the Biblical creationist worldview, acknowledging the ability of God to create creatures and galaxies, light and energy, with his words. It is a way to worship God for his intelligence, his care for his creation, his power, and his ultimate redemption story. It is a way to recognize God as the ultimate scientist and mathematician, and order-maker.
For more information about creation see this website:
