How did the universe begin? Creation? Evolution? How about theistic evolution? What should we believe? How do we know which is true? Does it really even matter? Why does Lutherans For Life (LFL) care about creation?
We are not here to enter into the creation/evolution debate. LFL believes in a six literal-day creation, i.e., God used six 24-hour days to create the universe, as told to us in the Book of Genesis. Extensive apologetics on creation, and information on how the geologic evidence supports creation over evolution, can be obtained from Answers in Genesis (www.answersingenesis.org) and from the Institute for Creation Research (www.icr.org).
LFL cares about creation because all of creation is about life! Everything God created was called into being to sustain, provide for, and enhance human life; and human life was given all of creation to care for. God had a special “hands-on” involvement in the first human lives (Genesis 2:7, 22). This hands-on creative work of God continues through the biological process He has set into place (Psalm 139:13-14). Just as He was involved in the beginning of the first human lives, so He is involved in the beginning of every human life. The Genesis account of creation and the subsequent fall into sin set the stage for our need for redemption. The account points us to our Redeemer (Genesis 3:15) and the re-creation God would work through Him.
Creation and the Preborn
LFL cares about creation because it has an impact on the life issues of our time. First and foremost, it means that the preborn are precious in God’s eyes. We are to value and protect that life. The psalmist tells us in Psalm 139 that God saw you and knew you even before you “looked” like a baby. From the moment of conception, you were a human life who God created and for whom Jesus died. We must defend against the assaults on their lives through abortion-on-demand, embryonic stem cell research, and cloning.
Creation and Persons with Disabilities
Another creation based life issue is persons with mental and physical disabilities. Since we were all created by God and Jesus Christ died for the entire world, our value is not based on what we have done, what we are doing, or what we can do. Our value is based on what God has done, what God continues to do, and what God will do for us. So, for those with disabilities, we need to remember that Jesus calls us to care for the sick and that what we do to our neighbors, we do also unto Him (Matthew 25:36b, 40).
Creation and the Elderly
What about the elderly? Are we to ignore them and tell them that they have nothing to contribute to society? No! Rather, God says, “Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God.” (Leviticus 19:32). By respecting and honoring the elderly, we show reverence to God. Since He created us and redeemed us, life is precious at all ages.
Creation and Euthanasia
Creation is tied to physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia. Should we be in control of when our lives on earth end? God has a plan for each one of us, a plan that was made before we were born! “All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16). King Solomon realized that, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2). But should we fear death or the unknown? Should we be afraid when confronted with a terminal illness? No, we can sing along with the psalmist, “But (as for me), I trust in You, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in Your hands” (Psalm 31:14-15).
Creation and Sexual Purity
What does creation have to do with sexual purity? Because we were created by God and were redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Paul writes that “The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body” (1 Corinthians 6:13). The precious gift of sexuality was intended by God for the marriage covenant. By participating in sex outside of this setting, we are participating in one form of sexual immorality. Paul continues in 1 Corinthians, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (6:19-20).
Sexual purity is more than just abstaining from something, it is a lifestyle. It means to treat the other gender with respect. It means for guys to defend gals, not to treat them as objects to be won or played with. In this lifestyle, we should also consider modesty of dress. Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). By dressing in a revealing and suggestive manner, you are causing your brother or sister in Christ to be tempted. This temptation will eventually lead to full-blown sin. So, in deference to your brothers and sisters in Christ, “Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way” (Romans 14:13).
Creation and Marriage
Another life issue based in creation is the marriage covenant between a man and a woman. When God brought Eve to Adam, “The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.’ For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (Genesis 2:23-24). God intended marriage to unite a man and a woman together as “one flesh,” that is, an inseparable union. God intended this union to be the context for His procreative process.
LFL cares about creation. Understanding creation and what God has done in Christ to re-create us, motivates us to treat human life with dignity and respect. We become this world’s salt and light when we protect those who are the most vulnerable and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. We reflect our faith when we help carry the burdens of others and when we respect and protect God’s gift of sexuality and marriage. Creation is about life! It gives us a message we can share with others, and it is a message that can make a difference in our society.