How Does the Genesis Account of Creation Differ from Evolutionary Theory?

Direct Answer

The Genesis account says God called everything into existence out of nothing and later restored the earth's productivity, while evolution says all life arose gradually from a single original source.

In the clips, Les Feldick identifies himself as a creationist and says he does not agree with the evolutionary approach whatsoever. He teaches that in the beginning the triune God spoke the word and out of nothing created the heavens, the earth, and everything in them. He also explains that when the earth was brought back to a place of production after a judgment, vegetation and wildlife returned naturally without a new act of creation.

Key Scriptures

Genesis 1:1 — This is the foundational creation verse Les points to when he says God called everything out of nothing, contrasting evolution's gradual process.

Genesis 1:12 — This verse shows the earth bringing forth vegetation after God speaks, which Les references when discussing restored productivity.

What Does the Bible Say?

Scripture, as the lessons point to it, opens with 'In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth' (Genesis 1:1). John's Gospel speaks of the same beginning, and Colossians 1 declares that all things were created by Christ. In Genesis 1:12, the earth brings forth grass and herbs yielding seed after their kind. Later in the Genesis account, the earth is brought back to productivity when God restores the conditions. Throughout the record, creation is the direct result of God's word, not a gradual biological process.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About Genesis Creation vs Evolution?

Les Feldick is explicit: 'I do not agree with the evolutionary approach whatsoever. I am a creationist.' He teaches that in the beginning the triune God spoke the word and out of nothing created everything—the heavens, the angelic hosts, the earth, and all that is in it. He also explains that the earth had been present before and, when God restored its productivity, vegetation and life came back naturally without a new creation. Les uses Mount St. Helens as a modern analogy: after the volcano devastated the area, new vegetation and wildlife returned quickly once conditions were right. Finally, he stresses that the Creator of Genesis 1 is Jesus Christ, the same God who manifested Himself in flesh for redemption.

Did God Create Everything Out of Nothing?

Les says that 'in the beginning, the triune, the Almighty God, called out of nothing everything. The heavens, the angelic hosts, the earth, everything that's in it, all began with our Creator.' He also notes that as God spoke the Word, He created the heavens as well as the earth out of nothing.

Was the Earth's Productivity Restored Rather Than Newly Created?

Les points to Genesis 1:12 and explains that the earth had been there before; when God brought it back to a place of production, things 'just naturally came back on the scene.' He compares it to Mount St. Helens, where after the eruption the growth and wildlife came back quickly once conditions were right. There was no need for a new creation; the condition was restored.

Who Is the Creator of Genesis 1?

Les recalls teaching that 'Jesus Christ was the creator of Genesis 1' and says that the One who hung on the cross was the One who created the wood of the cross and the mountain on which it stood. He emphasizes that Jesus of Nazareth was the same God of Genesis 1:1, only manifested in the flesh.

What Does Les Say About the Gap Between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2?

Les teaches that there was an interruption between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 because of something that drastically took place, referencing Ezekiel 28:13. He does not insist on a specific length of time—'might have been 5 years, might have been 500, it may have been 5 billion'—but he makes clear he does not insert geological ages or the evolutionary approach.

From the Teaching

Restored Productivity

Les uses Genesis 1:12 and Mount St. Helens to show that after the earth was brought back to a place of production, vegetation and wildlife returned naturally without a new act of creation.

Creation Out of Nothing

Les states that in the beginning the triune God called out of nothing everything—the heavens, angelic hosts, earth, and all in it.

Creationist Rejection of Evolution

Les explicitly says he does not agree with the evolutionary approach and that he believes God spoke the word and everything was created as He wanted it, while allowing for an unspecified interruption between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.

Jesus as Creator

Les says Jesus Christ was the creator of Genesis 1, and the One on the cross was the One who created the wood of the cross and the mountain on which it stood.

Creator of All Things

Les says Jesus is the creator of everything that has ever been created, and he ties this back to Israel's covenants and the fall in Genesis 3.

Christ as Creator and Redeemer

Les teaches that Christ was the Creator of the Old and that He could pay the sin debt only because He was the God of glory.

Spoken Word Creation

Les says that as the triune God spoke the Word, out of nothing He created the heavens and the earth.

Jesus is the God of Genesis 1:1

Les recounts teaching that Jesus of the cross was the same God who created everything in Genesis 1:1, now manifested in the flesh.

Bible Verses

Genesis 1:1: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

This is the foundational verse of the entire creation account, showing that God directly created everything.

Genesis 1:12: And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

This verse shows the earth producing vegetation after God's command, with each kind reproducing after its own kind.

John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John's Gospel identifies the Word as God and ties back to the Genesis beginning, showing the divine Creator.

Colossians 1:16: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.

This verse explicitly states that by Christ all things were created, confirming the identity of the Creator.

Ezekiel 28:13: Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering.

Les quotes this verse in discussing the interruption between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2, referencing Eden and the garden of God.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Les Feldick believe in evolution?

No. He states, 'I do not agree with the evolutionary approach whatsoever. I am a creationist.' He believes that God spoke the word and everything was created as He wanted it to be.

Did God create everything out of nothing?

Yes. According to Les, in the beginning the triune God called out of nothing the heavens, the angelic hosts, the earth, and everything in it.

Was the Genesis creation a restoration rather than an original creation?

Les explains that the earth had been there before, and when God restored its productivity, vegetation and life came back naturally, using Mount St. Helens as an analogy.

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Watch the Teaching: Genesis 1:26 Explained: The Trinity & The Creation of Man