Moving beyond matter in the creation debate

_An Indiana Senate committee voted 8-2 on Wednesday in favor of a bill that would require public schools to teach creationism alongside evolution in science class. Is this progress? Or is the already murky water of the creation debate just getting an infusion of more mud?

On one hand, there is the materialist view of man's origin excluding Spirit from the equation altogether. This is found in the teaching that substance and life is 100 percent material and self-evolved.

On the other hand, there is a religious view of creation based on the Adam and Eve story, with man originating in divinely activated dust. Setting aside or perhaps unaware of Biblical scholarship that exposes the contrary, creationists teach that the 7 day explanation in Genesis, chapter 1, results in the hopelessly flawed Adam generation in Genesis, chapter 2, - as if these two accounts are one singular literal rendering of the origin of man.

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_In fact, the Adamic writings date to a much older time than the seven-day account. The first chapter of Genesis was written centuries after the second and following chapters, and is attributed to a more metaphysically inspired author referred to as Second Isaiah. Chapters 1 and 2 of Genesis give two distinctly different accounts of man's origin. The prophet Second Isaiah gave a metaphysical explanation of a spiritual event, metaphorically represented as occurring in seven days (the number seven being a scriptural symbol for completeness and perfection). The Adam and Eve story was a more primitive explanation by an unknown originator (although attributed to Moses), that attempted to answer the question, "Where did evil come from?"

I am a believer that every part of the Bible has value and teaches something. However, scholarship and spiritual insight shouldn't be overlooked. We read in II Timothy, "Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (II Timothy 3:16)

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_Given by inspiration of God, the Bible requires inspiration to be understood. Without it, a literal reading that disregards scholarship and spiritual good sense, would leave us in a tangled mess of conflicting theories. "Continue...knowing of whom thou hast learned them" is so important in discussions of mankind's true origin!

Mary Baker Eddy described the Adam and Eve story in Scripture, of man formed from dust, as "an object-lesson for the human mind." She explains, "The material senses, like Adam, originate in matter and return to dust, — are proved non-intelligent. They go out as they came in, for they are still the error, not the truth of being. When it is learned that the spiritual sense, and not the material, conveys the impressions of Mind to man, then being will be understood and found to be harmonious." (Science and Health, p. 214)

Under the heading True theory of the universe, Eddy explains, "In its history of mortality, Darwin's theory of evolution from a material basis is more consistent than most theories...  Material evolution implies that the great First Cause must become material, and afterwards must either return to Mind or go down into dust and nothingness. The Scriptures are very sacred. Our aim must be to have them understood spiritually, for only by this understanding can truth be gained." (ibid. 547)

The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana argued that teaching creationism in science class clearly promotes one religion's beliefs over another and violates the constitution. Senator Scott Schneider told the committee on Wednesday that teaching creationism as a rival to evolution will benefit students as they learn an alternative to theories about the origins of life.

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_Confining kids' exposure to a single material theory of creation may well be too limiting. But simply expanding the offerings to include another human material theory with God mixed in isn't good enough. If the point is to give more open consideration to the various perspectives one can have on the subject of creation, why not include the wholly spiritual one as taught in Christian Science?

As Mary Baker Eddy explains, "The true theory of the universe, including man, is not in material history but in spiritual development. Inspired thought relinquishes a material, sensual, and mortal theory of the universe, and adopts the spiritual and immortal. It is this spiritual perception of Scripture, which lifts humanity out of disease and death and inspires faith."  (ibid. 547)

Now that would be quite an education.

For more information on what Christian Science teaches about creation, check out the links embedded in this post. Speakers are available to speak to classrooms and organizations on the subject of Christian Science and creation. If you would like more information or to be in touch with the Christian Science Board of Lectureship, you may link to their webpage and explore their offerings.

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