GENESIS 1:1–2:7
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being
(Gen. 2:7).
The origin of life has been a fascinating field of study for scientists and philosophers throughout history. Unfortunately, too many have deviated from the God-centered foundations that establish the principles from which we formulate our understanding of life. In their hatred of God, they have developed every imaginable theory in their quest to rip God of His power and authority as Creator and Sustainer of life. In our government educational system, and sadly to say even in “Christian” circles, we have theories concerning the origin of life promoted as fact. We are told that we originated from eternal matter which suddenly unified into an orderly life-form without any kind of outside interference. We hear that the substance of life comes merely from energy—energy that is itself eternal while the physical manifestations of that power are finite. We are also told that life originated in some alien species that itself is eternal, even though no explanation is given concerning the essence of that eternal condition.
Conspicuously absent from much of the teaching and discussion on the origin of life is God. Yet, the answer exists within Him and has been revealed to us through His Word. Genesis 1 tells us that “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Then in the second chapter we read that “God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Job 26:13 says, “By His Spirit He adorned the heavens,” and Psalm 104 informs us that without God’s Spirit, life would cease to exist: “You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the earth.”
Matter is not intelligent, nor is it eternal. God created everything by His power out of nothing. He gave life through His Spirit and endowed man with his intellectual, moral, and emotional qualities. He alone is the source of all life, knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Without the Holy Spirit all is dead and devoid of meaning, but in Him and through Him we have life, we have existence.
CORAM DEO
Proverbs 1–2
1 Corinthians 13
What is the evolutionary theory? If you don’t know what this is, look it up in the dictionary or encyclopedia. How is this theory irreconcilable with the biblical account of creation? What is your responsibility before God as your Creator? How is evolution a denial of God’s authority? Why is this an unacceptable position for the Christian?
For further study: Ex. 31:2–4 • Job 38 • Ps. 104
wednesday
september