One of the few rules that I try to strictly follow is to not get upset at trivial concerns. Unless something matters – unless my believing or not believing something has true and serious consequences – I refuse to attack or get upset. I call it the “Meh Rule.”
Creationism versus Evolution is a prime example of the “Meh Rule.” In all the teachings of Jesus and in all the preachings of Peter and John and Paul, NOT ONCE is there any demand placed on people about what they believe about the origins of the universe. We are told to repent, to turn away from the dark, to set ourselves free from the bondage of sin and to turn wholly to Jesus Christ alone as our Lord.
I believe this – that Jesus Christ is Lord: my Lord and the Lord.
And here is where we come to the “Meh Rule.” When I get to heaven, if it turns out that the universe was created 10,000 years ago, that Jesus played with T-Rex as a boy, that the Earth and everything in it was created over 6 (24 hour) days . . . “meh!” OK, good to know, now where is Luther hanging out with all the good beer?!!
When I get to heaven, if it turns out the universe was created several billion years ago, that human beings gradually evolved from simpler forms of life . . . again, “meh.” OK, good to know, now where is John Knox hiding the Macallan (and in heaven, it better be the 25 year old)?!!
Simply put, in the grand scheme of salvation, it matters not one whit whether or not the Earth is 5,000 years old or 13 billion. In both scenarios, God has acted, decisively, to redeem it. In both scenarios, God is the prime Actor – the one who is both Wholly Other and yet intimately involved with what he has created.
And this is precisely why I find the Creation/Evolution argument inane: we fight with friends! IF this is an argument between Jesus-followers, then it is an intramural scrimmage. All Christians will agree that (1) there is a God, (2) this God is all-powerful, (3) this God is Creator (and able to act any way God sees fit), (4) that creation serves the purposes of God (it has a beginning and an end), and (5) human beings have a unique role within this creation of God’s.
What should matter most, in this debate, is a sincere pursuit of knowledge and truth – all the while practicing kindness. Christians should be the most genuinely open minded of people – will to assess and reassess the evidence wherever it leads. After all, if God is the source of all that exists and if God is also the source of all that is true – then we have nothing to fear in heaven or on earth.
So – it matters less to me whether or not you believe in creationism – what matters is . . . do you demonstrate love: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” It is time to STOP attacking our brothers and sisters in Christ over the issue of how GOD created our world. God has not elected us to snipe at each other – he has chosen us to serve him and proclaim his faithfulness. God is God – he does not need our help nor does he need us to “defend” him.
SDG
