There are at least 5 Reasons my son believes in Catastrophism, and why he doesn't believe in macroevolution. (Post may contain affiliate links).
Before I get into what my son believes and why, I would like to start with a few definitions.
First, what exactly is catastrophism?
“Catastrophism is the theory that the Earth has largely been shaped by sudden, short-lived, violent events, possibly worldwide in scope.” (Wikipedia).
This is in contrast with the term “Uniformitarianism.”
“Uniformitarianism is also known as the Doctrine of Uniformity. It is the assumption that the same natural laws and processes that operate in our present-day scientific observations have always operated in the universe in the past and apply everywhere in the universe.” (Wikipedia)
So, when I say that my son believes in catastrophism, this is what it means. It means he does not believe that the same natural laws and processes that we observe operating today can fully explain the origin of our universe.
What exactly is meant by the term “Evolution?”
When the term “evolution” is used, it is often unclear what exactly “evolution” means. And to complicate matters further, definitions differ between catastrophists (flood geologists) and uniformitarianists (evolutionary scientists).
The main reason for the disagreement is because two types of evolution are often discussed, Macroevolution and Microevolution.
Macroevolution refers to the theory that, “All things are evolving in a positive beneficial direction.”
For example, Macroevolution is defined as, “the process of one type of animal (fish) evolving into a completely different type of animal (amphibian).” This is what evolutionary scientists believe to be true.
However, Catastrophists don't agree that Macroevolution is true.
The reason we don't agree with evolutionists on this definition is because
Macroevolution requires an increase in genetic information, which has NEVER BEEN SHOWN to happen.
Another concept that is important for me to clarify is the term “Natural Selection.”
Natural Selection is, “the process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.”
So, how does this relate to Microevolution?
Well, Natural Selection is an example of Microevolution. Natural Selection is an observable phenomenon–when it is correctly used as an example of Microevolution, because:
Microevolution has been observed in the laboratory.
For example, Microevolution is what is happening when bacteria become immune to antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is not the result of an increase in information. It is the result of the passing on of already existing antibiotic resistant genes that are present in the surviving organism.
To sum it up, when I say that my son believes in Catastrophism, I mean that he believes that the Worldwide Flood of Noah discussed in the Bible is an acceptable explanation for how the world came to be in the state it is occurring. And when I say that he does not believe in evolution, I am referring to the fact that he doesn't believe Macroevolution – molecules to man, amoeba to man, etc.
Now that we’ve got that cleared up, I want to mention a few ways I believe have helped my son decide on his own that creation and catastrophism make more sense than evolution and uniformitarianism.
5 Reasons My Son Believes in Catastrophism
1. He has been Given a Firm Foundation through Solid Biblical Teaching
We attend a church that teaches the Bible, verse-by-verse. This means that when the Pastor teaches from the pulpit, he starts in Genesis 1 and goes all the way to the end of the Book of Revelation. He then starts over. The same principle applies throughout our church, from Preschool on.
Also, the Bible is taken literally and in a straightforward manner. For instance, if the Bible says that God created in seven days, we don't use “science” to determine what God means by a day. We look at the Hebrew, which clearly shows that God meant one literal 24-hour day when he used the word “Yom.”
Every summer our church has Vacation Bible School (VBS). And they have always been from Answers in Genesis which emphasizes creation and the trustworthiness of the bible. My son absolutely loved VBS. In fact, he went every single year from pre-kindergarten until 6th grade. In fact, he was really bummed when he found out he was too old to attend.
And this past summer (2019), he attended by helping with one of the VBS classes. This is one of the first times he's taken initiative like this. And I am so proud of him! (Yes, he loved it, and I am sure he will be doing it again next year)! 🙂
Thus, my son is growing up with knowledge of the entire Bible within context.
The Bible is the only true source of a firm foundation. The bible is also the only way to effectively combat the lies of the enemy.
2. We Have Spent Time Discussing the Power of the Media
Whenever I watch a movie with my son, if there is anything questionable about it, we will discuss it. For example, the Jurassic Park series. Many people don’t realize that the theme of evolution flows through the plot of the entire Jurassic series. For example, when they show ostriches running at the end of the first movie, the implication is that they are the descendants of dinosaurs. Or when they discuss the amber that the dinosaur DNA was found in, it is stated that the amber is millions of years old. That is, it is never questioned.
Dinosaur Dan on PBS
My son used to watch this show. In every single show of the series, Dan states “65 million years ago” at least once. Teachers know that if you want a child to remember a fact, you mimic it repeatedly. This is why I don't believe it is a coincidence that Dan states “65 million years ago,” in every single show. The producers want the young children to remember this “fact.” Every time I would hear Dan say that I asked my son, “How do they know that? Were they there? When you dig up a fossil, does it have a date engraved on it? What about the problem of index fossils?”
3. Books that apply the Creation message.
One of my all-time favorites is the “The Time Twins” series by DB Macks. I discovered this series through Creation Research Society Quarterly Magazine. I can honestly say I have never read a more eye-opening series than this one. Because there are a few scenes that are graphic, I waited until Nathan was 10 to read it to him. And he absolutely loved it. =)
My OWN Paleontologist Kids Unit Study is one result of my years of studying this important message. Click here to see it.
I have met some interesting people over the years. One friend I met while at Loma Linda University has had a profound effect on Nathan. MaryAnn works with Dr. Gary Parker in Florida. When she visits, she always brings hands-on goodies, such as fossils, to share and discuss with Nathan.
4. The eruption of Mt. St. Helens 1980.
This disaster is nicknamed, “The Little Grand Canyon.” Mt. St. Helens testifies that it doesn’t take millions of years for layers and fossils to form. There is a little museum on the road to the Mt. St. Helens that you can visit. Here you will find evidence and discussions of the alternative viewpoint that you won't hear at the “main event” up the street. While MaryAnn worked at the museum, Nathan benefited from her connections. 🙂
5. He has been exposed to ALL the evidence
When kids attend public school, they are only exposed to one side of the issue. Evolution is taught as fact with no alternatives allowed. The public school system has been “scrubbed clean” of any mention of the creation viewpoint. People have been led to believe that evolution is “science” and creationism is “religion.” Thus, most people don't have a problem with that at all, to the detriment of their kids, who are growing up with a faulty foundation that will color their point-of-view for the rest of their lives. 🙁
I have gobbled up all the good books I could find on the subject since before I even knew I was going to have a child. From preschool on up. This is an extremely critical issue to me, and it should be to other Christians as well. This why I have taken every single opportunity I have had and continue to have to make sure my son sees things from both sides so that he can DECIDE FOR HIMSELF what he believes.
Creation and Our Kids – “Already Gone” by Ken Ham
The main reason we are losing our kids in college is because we have not prepared them for the onslaught of evolutionary thoughts and ideas that they will be exposed to at the college level. And the sad reality is that most so-called Christian universities are also compromising with the message of the bible and secular science.
The point I am trying to make is this. Do everything you can to go along with your child, side-by-side, so that you can continually show alternative viewpoints to the media onslaught of evolutionary ideas they are receiving through TV, the movies, radio, and the internet.
Why Don't People Believe in Young Earth Creationism?
6 Reasons I'm Thankful for Autism
A Parent's Guide to Outdoor Safety
4 Things the Bible Does NOT Say about Race
FREE! Dinosaur Research Sheets
5 Grill Hacks to Help You Lose Weight
