The Institute for Creation Research is a multi-faceted organization. ICR conducts meetings for university students as well as pre-schoolers. We do scientific research and speak in churches. Our goal is to produce material on every subject at every level. But perhaps the aspect that thrills us most is to see Christians come back to a belief in all of God's Word, have their questions answered, and get the monkey of evolution off their backs.
I can think of many reasons why a Christian should be a Bible-believing creationist and not try to include any form of evolution in his thinking. In this short space, let me briefly mention several of them:
First, evolution is bad science. Anyone familiar with ICR and its materials is aware that the scientific evidence does not support evolution. Evolution is a non-testable concept, non-falsifiable, and therefore not even a proper scientific theory. It violates the basic laws of science and probability. There is no hint in the fossil record that any basic category of plant or animal has ever changed into any other. It ascribes incredibly complex life forms to pure chance.
Furthermore, evolution has evil fruits. The failed concepts of racism, fascism, Marxism, imperialism, etc., are all founded on evolutionary principles, as are the extant concepts of Freudianism, promiscuity, abortion, homosexuality, drug use, etc.
One's self-concept is tied up in his view of origins. It makes a big difference if we were created in the image of God, to bring Him glory and do His bidding versus being the chance by-product of primeval slime.
One's entire world view is likewise at stake. Are we here as God's stewards of life and the earth, with the ministry of pointing mankind back to Him, or are we the mere products of nature, with only personal satisfaction, survival, and reproduction mattering?
The Christian should also recognize that evolution is bad Scripture. Belief in long-age evolution requires twisting of Scriptural references in Genesis 1, Exodus 20:11, Psalm 19:1, Romans 1:20, Romans 8:20-22, Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 11:3, II Peter 3:3-6, etc.
Because it doesn't match with Scripture, evolution is bad theology. If evolution is true, then death preceded sin and cannot be its penalty, and therefore Christ's death did not pay that penalty. One's view of God is distorted when viewed through evolutionary glasses. The concept of billions of years of evolutionary meandering and extinction is inconsistent with God's omnipotence, omniscience, purposiveness, loving nature, and even His grace.
Lastly, one's personal relationship to God is related to origins. The Bible teaches us to worship God for His creative majesty (Revelation 4:11, etc.). I would have a difficult time in prayer if I didn't believe in creation and wasn't able to praise Him as Creator. Our life's work should be to fulfill God's purpose in creation, for we were created as beings on whom He could shower His love and grace, and respond to Him in reciprocal love and obedient service.
Let us not neglect to acknowledge Him as Creator, Author of Scripture, and King of our lives and thoughts.
*Dr. John Morris is the President of ICR.
