On what grounds can one claim that the Christian God is the creator?

Introduction

The creation story of BioLogos is compatible with many faith traditions. Muslims, Jews and Christians alike can align their faith with the BioLogos account of our origins, and there is no way to give a scientific proof for one monotheistic faith over another. Therefore, instead of arguing that Christianity is more compatible with BioLogos than other faiths, this response will simply show the compatibility of Christianity with BioLogos. The Bible’s description of God is consistent with what is seen in the world around us.

Consistency

Christian doctrine is broadly compatible with the scientific accounts of our origins. The Genesis creation story, for example, speaks of beginnings in a way that reminds us of the Big Bang theory, although this concept would certainly not have been a part of the author’s worldview. The Genesis narrative also emphasizes the significance of human beings in God’s creation, which is consistent with the evolutionary inevitability of human beings.

The BioLogos account of creation reflects many of the Christian God’s characteristics, such as omnipotence, love and perfection.¹ For example, God’s omnipotence and perfection are evident through the laws of nature, all of which are finely tuned to allow life to develop. From a scientific standpoint, these features of the universe are surprising and warrant further explanation. But in light of the Christian narrative — in which a rational God intentionally created a universe congenial to life — the fine tuning of the universe makes sense. The Bible also claims that human beings have been created in God’s image.² Our ability to love others and engage in meaningful relationships is therefore consistent with the existence of a loving God. And although radical altruism challenges evolutionary explanation, it resonates nicely with Christianity. Why, for example, would Mother Theresa of Calcutta spend her life with the poor? Why would a soldier sacrifice his life for people he does not know? These examples fit comfortably within the story of a God who sacrificed his own life for his creation, and whose image we bear.

Consider the words of Albert Einstein: “The eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility.”³ The simple fact that we have the intellect and skills to inquire and test and make scientific discoveries is remarkable. But with a rational, all powerful God in whose image we are made, it is no surprise that we are able and eager to make scientific sense of the world around us. Oxford University professor Alister McGrath puts it well:

"The Christian vision of reality offers us a standpoint from which we may view the natural world, and see certain things that others might indeed regard as puzzling, or strange — such as fine-tuning — as consonant with the greater picture that the Christian has to offer." ⁴

Many of the underlying themes of the monotheistic traditions are shared. Benevolence and justice, for example, are valued in many faiths. BioLogos is thus compatible with other faiths. The central difference between Christianity and other faiths is the purpose and meaning of Jesus Christ’s life and the truth of his resurrection. There is nothing about BioLogos that conflicts with the central Christian trinitarian understanding of Jesus.

Conclusion

The BioLogos Foundation recognizes that genuine followers of the Christian faith — as well as Muslims and Jews — can embrace a number of different positions on the origins of life. It also offers a seamless Christian way of understanding creation that encourages an enthusiastic embrace of science rather than a fearful ambivalence or even hostile rejection.

Consulted Experts:
The BioLogos Foundation is grateful for the assistance of Alister McGrath in drafting this response.