Don Stewart :: Can Biblical Creation Be Proven Scientifically?

Creationism, like the theory of evolution, cannot be scientifically proven. The creation model teaches that the universe was created once at a particular time in the past. The Bible says that God has ceased creating. Creation has been finished:

Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done (Genesis 2:1,2).

Creation cannot be observed since it has already happened. One can only observe the effects of creation. John Moore writes:

The concept of creation does not appear to meet the criterion of falsifiability any better than evolution. Science is not at its best when dealing with unique past events, whether these be considered as evolution or creation. Therefore it is surprising to find a statement signed by more than 120 scientists stating that creationism is a purely religious view while evolution is labeled as strictly scientific (John N. Moore, How To Teach Origins, Milford, Michigan, Mott Media: 1983, p. 49).

Predictions

Although neither the theory of evolution nor special creation can be scientifically proven, predictions can be made as to what evidence we should expect to find based upon each theory. Henry Morris explains:

Clearly, neither model of origins - creation or evolution - is scientific in this sense. Neither one can be tested, for the simple reason that we cannot repeat history . . . That does not mean, however, that their results cannot be observed and tested. That is, we can define two models of origins, and then make comparative predictions as to what our observations should find if evolution is true, and conversely, what we should find if creation is true. The model that enables us to do the best job of predicting things which we then find to be true on observation is the model most likely to be true, even though we cannot prove it to be true by actual scientific repetition (Henry Morris in What Is Creation Science?, with Gary Parker, El Cajon, Calif: Master Books, Revised edition, 1987, p. 9).

Design

Though not provable in the strict scientific sense, biblical creationists believe that their view makes more sense out of the available evidence. One of strongest pieces of evidence is that the world shows evidence of design.

Here is a simple illustration: Suppose a husband and wife are walking on the beach and come across a giant sand castle. This castle is very elaborately designed with considerable detail. The wife mentions to her husband the time and hard work it must have taken the person or persons to build it. However, the husband objects to her conclusion. He says it was not built by anyone but came about by a series of random forces such as waves and wind. He insists that the sand castle is merely a result of chance. Now who is right? Neither can prove his or her position. Neither observed the castle being formed and there is no experiment that can be performed to determine whether or not this castle was a result of chance or design. Each believes his position by faith. Though one explanation may be more reasonable than the other, neither can be proved. Why does the wife believe the sand castle was designed? Because it makes the most sense of the available facts.
The argument from design is consistent with the biblical teaching of a caring Designer.

Evidence Clearly Seen

The Bible says that the evidence for a Creator is clearly seen by all mankind:

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse (Romans 1:20).

If the evidence is so clear, why dont more people acknowledge God as Creator? The Bible again has the answer:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18).

According to Scripture, the main reason people do not acknowledge God as Creator is because they do not wish to. It is not because they cannot see; it is because they will not see. They willingly suppress Gods truth because they do not want to worship Him.

Summary

Biblical creationism, like the theory of evolution, cannot be proven scientifically. Yet everything we see in nature testifies to a caring Designer. The testimony for design in nature is there for all of us to see, yet it is only through the Scripture that we can know the identity of the Designer. Therefore, any argument given for design must combine the evidence from the world around us, as well as the testimony of Scripture.