Evolution and religion provide different accounts of the way things happen. The story of Noah, for example, is depicted as a case where God had a hand in the massive floods that he intended to destroy sinful people with. However, there is evolutional evidence that can be used to explain such phenomena. As a result, both accounts may be difficult to accept at the same time. For a staunch Christian, it becomes increasingly difficult to view evolution evidence dispassionately. Nevertheless, research indicates that there is a close relationship between the evidence provided through biblical teachings and the evidence supplied by the evolutionist. As a result, a Christian may believe in the evolutionary as well as the biblical evidence. The theory of evolution supports biblical evidence by giving it deeper insights. Thus, it is possible to be a Christian and, at the same time, support evolution evidence. Evidence in the Galileo affair, where the connection between astronomy and Bible teachings collided, will be especially relevant to this discussion. The floods of Noah and Darwin’s beliefs can likewise be viewer from an atheist and theological perspectives simultaneously. Such examples as Galileo’s astronomy, Noah’s floods, and evolutionary biology demonstrate that Christianity and science are easily reconcilable, so innovation and the new discoveries should not deter true believers from their faith.
Galileo Affair
For many centuries, the church has provided massive resistance to the use of science in explaining phenomena and the development of new technologies. This same resistance is what Galileo experienced at the hands of the Catholic church. Being an excellent contributor to astronomy, Galileo had much conviction that the Earth was not at the center of the solar system but was somewhat revolving around the sun. Galileo faced opposition. At a certain point in time, he was imprisoned for writing a play in support of the solar systems. However, the suggestions provided by Galileo have been proven to have massive connections with the Bible.
In a letter written by Galileo, he indicates the connection that exists between what he inferred and the Bible. The astronomer acknowledges that the Bible does not say untruthful things. However, he holds that the interpretation of the Bible is what makes a huge difference. For a believer, Galileo indicates that it is possible to have a faith in science and the Bible. The bone of contention between Christians and Galileo was the heliocentrism aspect. Galileo made powerful conjectures about the matter by drawing evidence from the Bible. Job 9:6 says, “Who moveth the Earth from its place….” Through this inference, Galileo suggests that the Bible is in support of the fact that the Earth is a movable object. With these citations from the Bible, Galileo indicated that his perspective of astronomy supported the religious evidence provided in the Bible. In my perception, the Galileo account was correct in the sense that it allows for an insight from the Bible from which he draws his account. Furthermore, the Bible indicates that God has given man the power of free will and the ability to continue with work of creation. Galileo expressed the power bestowed on him by God to study and develop a powerful conclusion in astronomy. Therefore, Galileo’s insights prove that it is possible to believe in the biblical teachings as well as the astronomical concept of the earth.
The letter from Galileo draws robust conclusions from the Bible. Job 26:7 indicates, “He stretcheth out the north over the void, and hangeth the Earth above nothing.” Galileo demonstrates that the Bible calls the space a void in a bid to promote the common perception of human beings. Galileo viewed the earth as suspended in nothing but revolving around the sun. The same concept is supported by the Bible. In this account, the verse cited communicates that the Earth hangs on nothing. Therefore, it is fair to say that the astronomical evidence supports what is enshrined in the Bible. With clear interpretations of the Bible, it becomes increasingly evident that neither science nor the Bible is untrue. Both concepts of astronomy are proven to be accurate. The scientific account of the heliocentric system expounds more on what is indicated in the Bible by providing evidence derived through scientific methods. The Bible offers suggestions, but the aspects of candid testimony are not present. Science, therefore, complements the Bible. These inferences prove that it is possible to have the right balance between scientific and biblical teachings.
Geological Evidence in the Noah Floods
There is a contentious phenomenon where many people, including Christians, fail to believe whether the Noah floods happened. The book of Genesis of the Bible, in chapters seven and eight, provides an account of how the Noah floods occurred. The Bible indicates that there was rain all over the globe for at least forty nights and forty days. 2 Peter 3:6 indicates that the floods destroyed the world that was there before. Through these suggestions, the prevailing logic is that if the floods were so massive, phenomena such as sedimentation and other features associated with this natural disaster were have occurred. Christians and people from other walks of life do not believe in these phenomena as the world does not look like a once flooded place. However, scientific geological evidence is there to prove that indeed, the Noah floods happened.
Scientific geological evidence proves the Noah flood happened. First, fossils of sea creatures are found high above sea level. This phenomenon can be attributed to the Noah floods. Across all continents, sea layers provide evidence of sea creature fossils. The rock layers of the Grand Canyon represent a prime example. Secondly, there is evidence provided by the massive burial of plants. Nautiloid fossils are in high numbers within many areas that have the Redwall limestone. The chalk beds of Europe prove the enormous destruction of plants during the floods. Thirdly, there is scientific evidence of the sedimented areas that have spread in vast regions of different continents. The northern and southern regions of the United States of America are a prime example. In other dimensions, it is increasingly evident that massive erosion occurred. The Coconino sandstone and the hermit formation are excellent examples of this phenomenon. There is also evidence that the rocky parts of the world are attributed to the massive erosion that occurred during the Noah floods. Lastly, the study of geology indicates that the rock strata are laid down in many successions. The arrangement of rocks in many strata are not bent and are arranged in such a way that they follow a specific pattern in terms of density. These inferences are, therefore, crucial in proving that Noah’s floods happened. It is also significant to note that this evidence provides insights into the ways in which science and biblical teachings could work hand in hand.
Evolution and Darwin’s Beliefs
Initially, Darwin’s biological teachings caused a massive controversy with the theological understanding of human life being prevalent at the time. In his struggle to identify the correct way to move forward after taking several years, reflecting on both scientific and theological teachings, Darwin converged the facts that support both aspects of human understanding. The collaboration is enhanced through various insights from both theology and science. The argument of Darwin suggests that to keep faith and theology going, problems such as evolution are necessary. The paradigm of the discussion about God is escalated by the fact that the concept of God itself has evolved. The argument escalates due to the fact that looking at the idea of God from an evolutionary perspective requires one to be strong in their faith. For this reason, it is only sensible that the evolution concept is threaded to go hand in hand with theology. In my opinion, these inferences are valid because one may not identify the truth if they do not know the wrong. Therefore, it is possible to practice evolution alongside Christianity.
Darwin’s teachings on evolutionary biology have emphasized the fact that the world is still coming into being. Bible cites that man is given the power to continue with the creative work of God. Evolutionary biology has created new species of animals and plants, supporting the overall agenda as prescribed in the Bible. Therefore, the Bible and evolutionary biology are complimentary as they explain two forces working in tandem to develop the world of living beings. Furthermore, evolutionary biology has served the purpose of saving people’s lives through medicine. The Bible makes indications of the need to have the mechanisms for healing people. The Bible itself indicates that Jesus was a healer. These inferences, therefore, suggest the need to have a bridge between evolution and Christian teachings.
Conclusion
This discussion shows that individuals can practice Christianity and still rely on the science of evolution. Geology proves that the Noah floods happened. The Galileo affair shows that astronomy is a part of the biblical teachings and is only enhanced through science. Lastly, evolution epitomizes the need for the practice of biblical standpoints of healing and medication.
CONNECTIONS BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND EVOLUTION
