The teaching of Creation in school is a thorny subject, not only amongst those directly involved in education but also amongst others whose concerns have been expressed very publicly. An eminent professional religious leader has stated that the teaching of Creation brings the Bible into disrepute. A prominent scientist has described the teaching of Creation as pure poison. The current government has threatened to withdraw funding from schools that do it. Where should a Bible believer stand in this debate?
Those who profess Christianity often choose to ignore the fact that Jesus Christ believed the Creation record and used it as the basis of instruction on divorce.
And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Mark 10:5-9).
Jesus was quoting directly from Genesis 1 & 2. If Jesus was mistaken or was speaking falsely, He would not have been perfect before God, and could not be eligible for resurrection to everlasting life. Therefore, because He was raised from death, these words must be accepted by true followers as accurate and authoritative.
Further, the apostle Paul uses Creation as evidence of the existence and qualities of God...
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: ........ Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. ....... Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 1:18-25)
If there is no belief in a Creator, then the feeling of responsibility and respect for an all-seeing, all-powerful Being who will ultimately pass judgement, rewarding with either everlasting life or everlasting death, is greatly reduced. No wonder, then, that there is a rising incidence of crime and violence, if there is no belief, or a diluted belief, in One who will call to account one day. That this would be a consequence of unbelief was foreseen many years ago.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Psalms 14:1-3)
The apostle Peter wrote of those who would fulfil these words, would scoff and then do what they liked...
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. ....... Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:3-13)
As we show month by month, God has recorded His purpose with this earth; events in the world, both large-scale and small-scale, are demonstrating that God’s foreknowledge is perfect and His control absolute; and events are rapidly approaching the climax to which Peter was referring. Events in the Middle East, particularly, emphasise the urgency of taking stock of our status before God and preparing for the day of which Peter wrote.