Do the Doctrines of Creation and Resurrection Reinforce Each Other? | The Institute for Creation Research

Do the Doctrines of Creation and Resurrection Reinforce Each Other?

We rightly acknowledge God as Creator of all, but it behooves us to remember that while all three persons of the Godhead were involved, it was Jesus Christ, God's "dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His blood" (Colossians 1:13-14) actually doing the work, for "all things were created by Him, and for Him" (v. 16).

On the cross, Jesus Christ willingly dismissed His spirit once His work was "finished" (John 19:30). Furthermore, after three days in the grave, He chose to take His life back again. As He told His disciples, "I have power to lay [my life] down, and I have power to take it again" (John 10:18)—an empty claim from the lips of any but the Creator. As the Creator and giver of life, He has the authority to do as He chooses.

Some think it of no value to give evidences for either creation or the resurrection, claiming evidence would do away with the need for faith. But Christ taught otherwise. After He had returned from the dead, He appeared to His disciples. Thomas, who was not present said, "Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails [i.e., the evidence] . . . I will not believe" (John 20:25). Eight days later Jesus again appeared to them, including Thomas, to whom He said, "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands [i.e., 'come see the evidence'] . . . be not faithless, but believing" (v. 27).

Evidence for creation and the resurrection is persuasive and real. It is not a substitute for faith, but rather shows the doubter the reasonableness of faith, and becomes an impetus for the believer to grow ever stronger in his faith. Without a doubt the two greatest "miracles" of all time are the Creation of all things in six days and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

That creation occurred by the hand of the Creator is so "clearly seen," the Bible tells us, one is "without excuse" if he rejects it (Romans 1:20). Meanwhile, testimony to the resurrection was given by a multitude of witnesses and "many infallible proofs" (Acts 1:3). Presentation of the evidence for both, forms the backbone of any apologetic effort. It stands to reason that they would be interrelated, attributed to the same source, and require the same great power.

Consider, first of all, the creation of life—plant, animal, and man. Life possesses unfathomable complexity, on every scale, at every level. This design extends to every part and the combination of parts into the whole. Furthermore, the origin of every process that life performs exceeds the reach of purely natural sources. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the process of reproduction, where a new living entity emerges. Surely a living, supernatural Creator stands behind them all.

The apex of God's creation was reached when "God created man in His own image" (Genesis 1:27). Initially, "the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground," of the same chemicals from which He had made the plants and animals, but then He "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Genesis 2:7). Animals also possess breath, but, man's "breath" and "soul" came directly from his Creator as life was imparted.

Cite this article: John D. Morris, Ph.D. 2004. Do the Doctrines of Creation and Resurrection Reinforce Each Other?. Acts & Facts. 33 (4).

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