How did the universe begin? I’m sure you already know that there are basically two different answers to that question. Our choices boil down to either Darwin’s Theory of Evolution or the Bible’s account of creation. (I’m ignoring the “aliens from outer space” nonsense.)

One side accepts what the Bible says by faith. The other side accepts what Evolution says by faith. They both have to be accepted by faith because no one was around to observe when the universe began. Just a reminder: Scientists can only observe what is happening, and then draw assumptions from what they see. Nothing more.

There have been many large books written using a lot of technical language to defend each of these two positions. That got me to thinking. Does it really matter how the universe got here? Why should we argue about something that has already happened and that no one can change?

I have discovered two advantages that I think are appealing to those who believe in Evolution. I am also familiar with the advantages of believing in the Bible’s account of creation. Let’s look at these things together.

First, if there is no God, as the evolutionists believe, or if He had nothing to do with creating the universe, then we do not need to worry about that Last Day when everyone will be accountable to Him. That means we could join those who say “… let us get wine, and let us drink heavily of strong drink; and tomorrow will be like today, only more so” (Isaiah 56:12). In other words, if God didn’t create the world, then there is no coming judgment in the next life, “… Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die” (Isaiah 22:13).

Also, if God didn’t create the world, then the world doesn’t belong to Him. So, He has no right to tell us what to do. That means it is left up to us to decide what is right and what is wrong. The problem with that view, of course, is that when we eliminate God from life’s equation, we are left with chaos. The Bible warns us that “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God,’ they are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice; there is no one who does good” (Psalm 53:1).

Now let’s look at the flip side. What advantages are there for believing that God created the universe?

If God did create everything, then a good and all-powerful Being exists that we can worship, knowing that He is the One and only God. We know He exists because only a loving and powerful Being could create the beautiful sunsets and gorgeous flowers of this earth. “You alone are the Lord. You have made the heavens, the heaven of heavens with all their host, [i.e. stars and planets] the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them and the heavenly host [i.e. the angels] bows down before You” (Nehemiah 9:6).

The stars we see at night are not only beautiful, but they are also proof that God is the Creator. Think about it. Only an all-powerful God could make billions of stars and planets that all operate under the same physical laws. “Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing” (Isaiah 40:26).

Secondly, if God created the universe just by speaking it into existence, as the Bible explains (see Genesis 1:3-10), then He is powerful way beyond our imagination. “By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible” (Hebrews 11:3).

One last thought. The Creator not only made all the physical things we see, but He also created life itself. Every human birth testifies to God’s power to begin a life that never before existed and that will live somewhere forever.

That is why the Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, [i.e. Jesus] and apart from Him, nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men” (John 1:1–4).

The same Creator who gave physical life to all of us can also give us spiritual life. That’s important because our sin separates us from our Life-giver (see Ephesians 2:1-3). That separation explains why this world is so messed up.

This Creator of the universe also offers real, eternal life to all who will turn from their sin and trust Jesus Christ. “Though we were spiritually dead because of the things we did against God, he gave us new life with Christ. You have been saved by God’s grace” (Ephesians 2:5, New Century Version).

Yes, it really does matter how the world got here! If the universe arrived by random chance, then our futures are bleak and random, too. That belief leaves us with no hope. On the other hand, if God did make us and this world, then He can rescue us from our wayward condition and give us joy. With King David, we can say, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore, my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him” (Psalm 28:7).