There is a big discussion about creation versus evolution. I’m not going to debate that here, but I’m going to focus on an aspect that I usually overlook. Why do we want either side to be wrong? This may seem irrelevant, but it goes to motive.

I can only speak from one viewpoint, creation. I was taught how evolution was “fact” throughout my school science classes, so that is my exposure to thinking it is true. I will try to be unbiased, but make no promises.

To start with, we can look at why people want evolution to be true. Nearly all reasons here stem from one main reason, people do not want God to exist, or least don’t want Him to be in control. The vast majority of quotes I have heard supporting evolution include some reference to God not being needed. These quotes are from people who say they don’t believe in God anyway. Why do they have to disprove Him? I don’t believe in fairies and I don’t have to prove they are unnecessary. If you don’t believe in God, why spend so much time talking about Him? On a side note, this is an area where atheists put us Christians to shame. They can often spend more time talking about God than we can.

Maybe they are just trying to convince other people. That could certainly be true. But, I think that they are also trying to bolster their own beliefs. Like when we try repeating something hoping it will come true. The thing is, they have a whole lot riding on God not existing. If He does not exist, they are fine, and can do whatever they like. But, if He does exist, they are going to end up in deep trouble. The Bible says that we will all have to give an accounting for what we’ve said and done. That is why I think disproving God is the main reason people push evolution. I’m sure someone could offer other reasons to believe in evolution, but I don’t think they would stray too far from what I mentioned above.

Now, are creationists any better? What is their reason? Though there are non-Christian creationists and those who believe in Intelligent Design (not necessarily the Christian God as Designer), most creationists say the God of the Bible made the whole universe. This doesn’t mean they advance creation for the right reason automatically. There’s bound to be a few that do it just to start disagreements. For the most part, the reason you’d probably get if you asked is, because the Bible says so. Valid, but not the best one.

The best one ties into why evolutionists want the opposite to be true, what is riding on it. If creation is true, Christians have Heaven to look forward to. If not, nothingness awaits them. At the same time, we should be trying to persuade evolutionists out of concern and compassion. Think what they are facing without Christ. Do you want to withhold the gospel from them?

Now, I know there are degrees of both belief systems. Again, my intent is not to debate that, but to think about why the systems are supported. Christians, we should be advancing creation to save souls, not win debates and arguments. That is what we are called to do.