The Issues

• When considering our "roots" as individuals, we often focus on the immediate.
• We think of our genetic heritage from parents, genealogy, nationality or race.
• We might consider the sub-culture or nation in which we were raised.
• The question of origin, however, goes far deeper than these immediate ties.
• Origin seeks the first cause & design of all & the source of human personality.
• The question pursues the roots of humanity & our life sustaining environment.

• The secular (non-religious) approach to origin is limited to science & reason.
• Figure: "Origin: Issues, Science & Reason."
• Science has limited method & incomplete theory of origin with low probability.
• Reason offers a logical possibility of a god, but lacks conclusiveness.
• Science & reason have distinct limitations in resolving the question of origin.
• Their limitations, of course, should not lead to a "god of the gaps."

• In light of the limits of science & reason, consider the following approach.
• First, evaluate the Biblical solution to origin on its own merits.
• In other words, does the Genesis account address the issues of origin?
• Second, correlate its position to scientific models.

• The Bible claims the natural world & reason support a supernatural beginning.
• Figure: "The Heavens Are Telling."
• Within the Biblical framework, God's creation & revelation ultimately agree.
• Figure: "God, Author of Creation & Revelation."
• Controversy over origin is one of interpretation not unresolvable differences.
• Data supporting God's creation is viewed from both young & old earth models.
• Figure: "Seven Popular Views of Origin."
• Catastrophic & uniformitarian models exist in the Christian & secular arenas.
• This spectrum of views supports the ultimate agreement of creation & revelation.
• See also: "Origin, A Topical Study from the Foundations Web Site."
• A detailed discussion of origin, however, goes far beyond the scope of this work.
• You are encouraged to seek both young & old earth models from other sources.

• The Bible addresses the question of origin category by category.
• God's work of creation & revelation will ultimately be seen in agreement.
• Psalm 139:13-16 states that God is also responsible for our personal existence.
• The God of the universe determined our time in history & individual makeup.
• The life-sustaining world around us & our very existence we owe to God.