Is Intelligent Design Enough?

For by Him (Jesus) all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17

This past week, there has been a lot in the media about the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin who were born on the same day - February 12, 1809. Perhaps it is a “providential coincidence” that these two men with such different legacies should be born on the same day.

As Darwin’s legacy has been discussed, a couple of shows have focused on the battle between the Evolutionists and the Creationists. The latest form of the Creationist side is being spearheaded by the “theory” of Intelligent Design. This is simply a counter to the Darwinist position that everything just came into existence by chance. Intelligent Design says that the Universe shows evidence of intelligence that points to a creator. Many Christians (and even non-Chrisitans) are using this new “science” as a means to refute the Story of Evolution. But is the theory of Intelligent Design really enough?

For those who wish to deny The Story of Evolution, Intelligent Design is probably enough. All that it has to state is that things came into existence by some force of intelligent purpose rather than blind chance. However, it doesn’t really answer the question of “who” or “what” did the designing. The thing that both of these theories submit to as their final authority is science and the scientific method. This is why they are both “theories” and nothing else. They both present supporting evidences, but neither can prove their case through testing and validation. They are just theories.

In Colossians 1 (quoted above) and John 1 and Hebrews 1, The Scriptures tell us that everything that exists was created by Jesus Christ. Everything was created by Him, through Him and for Him. All things are being carried along toward His good and glorious conclusions (see Hebrews 1:1-4). This is not just Intelligent Design; This is Creation by Christ. What a radical and scandalous option! This may seem like a “theory” too, but History will prove that this is the True Story. Christ will return to vindicate His truth.

As I listened to several debates on this issue this past week, I become more and more agitated that those who were Christians in the debate seemed to be backing down from the truth in order to tolerate some of the Evolutionary arguments. As we deal with those who reject the truth, we should always be gentle and patient. However, we can never back down from the full proclamation of THE Truth. The reality of The True Story of Life is always going to be scandalous and “foolishness” to those who continue to “suppress the truth in their unrighteousness.”

On just one of these shows, I wanted someone to say, “I don’t believe in Intelligent Design; I believe that all things were created by Jesus Christ.” Intelligent Design is only a half truth; it stops short. And I think this is why the Darwinians have dominated in our culture. They have proposed an “Alternative Story” that submits to Science as the ultimate court of appeal. But these rules are the ones they have shaped and twisted to their own ends. The Defendant has become the Judge in this case and insanity has been the outcome.

The Truth is scandalous to those who will not submit to it. I wonder why so many in the faith continue trying to play by the rules of those who will not submit to the truth? I wonder what would happen if we simply decided to stop playing their game and get back to proclaiming the powerful Message of Truth that is able to bring every opposing theory into submission to Christ? The Roman Empire could not survive the subversive power of the Gospel and neither will Darwin’s.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,...” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5