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Creation & Science
Conflicting or Complementary?
An exploration of faith and the universe
By: ________________________
The Beginning in the Bible
What do Christians believe about how the world began?
For Christians, the story of how the world began is found at the very start of the Bible in the book of
Genesis. This is a key part of the ‘big story’ of the Bible. The first chapter, Genesis 1, describes God creating the universe in six days and resting on the seventh.
The story tells of God creating:
- Light and darkness
- The sky and the seas
- Land and plants
- The Sun, Moon, and stars
- Sea creatures and birds
- Land animals and, finally, humans
This story is incredibly important as it shows Christians that God is a powerful and creative being who cares for all of life.
Think about it… How does this story show God’s power and creativity?
Different Ways to Understand
Do all Christians believe Genesis 1 is a scientific fact?
That’s a great question! The answer is no. Christians interpret the Genesis creation story in different ways.
- Literal View: Some Christians believe the story happened exactly as it’s written in the Bible—the world was created in six 24-hour days.
- Metaphorical View: Many other Christians see it as a beautiful story or a kind of poem. They believe its purpose is not to be a scientific report, but to teach important truths about God’s power.
- A Different Timescale: Some people think that the ‘days’ in Genesis don’t mean 24-hour periods, but actually represent long ages of time.
So, while the message about God as the creator is central, the way Christians understand the details can be very different.
A Scientific Explanation
How does science explain the world’s beginning?
Scientists use
cosmology to study the origin of the universe. The most well-known scientific theory is the
Big Bang theory.
This theory suggests that about 13.8 billion years ago, the entire universe was an incredibly hot, dense point. This point expanded and cooled, and over billions of years, it formed the stars, planets, and galaxies we see today.
Key ideas of the Big Bang:
- The universe had a beginning.
- It has been expanding ever since.
- Evidence for this theory has been gathered over time by many different scientists.
Your Turn! What is the biggest difference you can see between the Genesis story and the Big Bang theory? Are there any similarities?
A Scientist and a Christian?
Can you be a scientist and a Christian?
Definitely! Many people think that science and faith are in conflict, but lots of Christians see them as
complementary—meaning they work well together.
There are many scientists who are also Christians. People like Dr. Jennifer Wiseman and Dr. Denis Alexander believe their faith in God and their scientific work fit together perfectly.
They might see science as the way to understand HOW the universe works, and their Christian faith as the way to understand WHY it exists. For them, studying the wonders of the universe can actually make their faith stronger.
What would you ask? If you could interview a Christian scientist, what is one question you would ask them about their faith and their work?
Our Role on Planet Earth
Are humans looking after the Earth?
The Genesis story says that God gave humans the responsibility to look after the Earth. This role is often called
stewardship. Psalm 8 in the Bible also talks about the special role humans have in caring for creation.
But have we taken this job seriously?
Evidence of Care:
- National parks that protect wildlife.
- Recycling schemes to reduce waste.
- People working to clean up our oceans.
Evidence of Neglect:
- Pollution in our air and water.
- Deforestation and loss of animal habitats.
- Climate change.
Being a steward of the Earth is a huge responsibility, whether a person is religious or not.
My Conclusion
My Final Thoughts
After studying Genesis and the Big Bang…
Do I think Creation and Science are conflicting or complementary?
Mr Waller’s Lessons 