Why?
Why a new website? To paraphrase Solomon, “Of the making of blogs there is no end.” So do we really need another one?
Why keep on arguing about the issue of origins and its importance to the Christian faith? Is this continual discussion really necessary?
Why continue to fight against the theory of evolution, in the face of all the evidence that apparently supports it? Hasn’t this already been resolved?
Why not leave these disputes behind, and simply get out there and spread the gospel? (Or, to put it in a slightly more crass fashion, “Don’t you have anything better to do with your time?”)
Why perpetuate division in the church? Shouldn’t we all be working together in a common cause, since we all believe in Jesus Christ, and that’s what’s really important?
And finally, in the now immortal words of Rodney King, “Can’t we all just get along?” Is this debate/controversy/argument/dispute really worth fighting about?
Why?
Because God’s creative work is vitally important to the Christian faith on many levels. What we believe about the origin and development of the universe has an impact that is far-ranging and profound. How we interpret the opening chapters of Genesis affects how we read all of the rest of Scripture. How we view God’s work of creation is closely linked with how we think of everything about God, what he has done, what he continues to do, and what he will accomplish in the future.
David Nelson, writing in Theology and Practice of Mission, wrote the following:
“In order to build a biblical-theological framework for understanding God’s mission, the church’s mission, and the church’s mission to the nations, one must first understand the unified biblical narrative, including its four major plot movements – creation, fall, redemption, and restoration.”
When we get one of those “plot movements” wrong, when we go astray in one of those “grand themes” of the Bible, our error compounds itself. The foundations of our faith are eroded. Our theological superstructure begins to crumble. The progression (or regression) is inevitable, and it’s disastrous. History has proven this to be true, time and again. When the Bible’s account of creation is re-interpreted in an attempt to allow the Christian faith to peacefully co-exist with a currently accepted scientific paradigm, Scripture’s “big picture” begins to fall apart. Creation falls; the fall into sin follows; redemption goes next; and what remains to be restored?
That’s why we’ve developed “Creation Without Compromise.” We know that many Christians struggle to maintain faith in God’s Word in the face of criticism, questions, and scepticism about the Bible’s account of creation. We also understand that others struggle to integrate their understanding of the physical sciences with their understanding of Scripture. And there are others who believe this isn’t an issue at all.
Our plan is to address the issue, and to do so with an unapologetic and firmly held starting point: the Bible is God’s perfect word, and our interpretation of the evidence provided by the sciences must be entirely shaped by it.
Why? Because we ignore this issue at our own peril.
Why? Because God requires us to be “prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks us for a reason for the hope that is in us” (1 Peter 3:15), and to do that “with gentleness and respect.” The Creator God’s work of forming and upholding his handiwork is essential to the hope that is in us (Revelation 4:11).
Why? Because when God’s people are struggling with an essential element of their faith, it’s our duty, and privilege, to direct them back to the unshakeable foundation of God’s Word, and to help them to interpret it with wisdom.
Why? Because how God created all things tells us as much about his character as the simple fact that he created all things.
Why? Because God’s creation astounds us more every day, and our hearts cry out to praise him for it!
May God grant us his grace and wisdom as we seek to defend the truth about creation, without compromise – to his glory, and for the benefit of his people.
— Jim Witteveen
Creation Without Compromise 