Believing the Bible’s Creation Account is Called “Pagan Superstition”
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton
"For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day" (Exodus 20:11).
WorldNetDaily released an article on May 6, 2006, titled "Bible literalism 'pagan superstition'?" In it are quotes from a Vatican astronomer, Guy Consolmagno. For many decades the Roman Catholic church has taken the stand that God used evolution to create the universe, despite the clear statements to the contrary found in Genesis chapter 1. But now it appears they have gone a step further. Mr. Consolmagno says, "believing God created the universe in six days is a form of 'pagan superstition,'" according to the article. "Religion needs science to keep it away from superstition and keep it close to reality, to protect it from creationism, which at the end of the day is a kind of paganism -- it's turning God into a nature god," he said.
It appears to me that Mr. Consolmagno has it backward because his belief that the world came about by evolution is stating that nature created itself. It elevates the created above the Creator. Paul warned long ago that men would rise up "Professing to be wise, they became fools" (Romans 1:22). A consequence of this man-made wisdom would be seen in people "who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen" (Romans 1:25).
Mr. Consolmagno wasn't around when the world was created. His "knowledge" of the events is only those things that he currently observes. The observations of men are being used to intellectually guess what caused the seen results. But they remain guesses because they cannot be verified or recreated; in other words, they cannot be proven in a scientific manner.
Christians, however, have a document professed to be written by the Creator (I Timothy 3:16-17). In that document are the statements of God concerning His creation of the universe (Genesis 1-2). And yet a spokesman for the Roman Catholic church has relegated this first-hand account by the Creator of the universe to a "pagan superstition."
Of course, we must wonder whether Moses could have been inspired when the Ten Commandments were written if we believe Mr. Consolmagno. After all, he refers to this "pagan superstition" in the Ten Commandments and uses it to justify Israel's remembering that God rested on the seventh day by doing no work every seventh day (Exodus 20:11).
It is a wonder that Jesus didn't understand that according to the Roman Catholic church, man did not come into the world until millions of years after the beginning. It seems the Catholic church thinks Jesus was wrong when he said, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female'" (Matthew 19:4). It follows that Mr. Consolmagno believes that Jesus based his teachings concerning marriage on a "pagan superstition."
Oh, the evidence concerning the truth of the Bible exists. It is all around us. You can easily spot the many facts which evolutionists can't explain. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools" (Romans 1:18-22).
"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" (John 17:17). This becomes just one more reason why the Roman Catholic church is not the pillar and foundation of the truth. It once again demonstrates that it believes it is more knowledgeable than God. It does not believe God's own Word, the Truth.
