Science vs. Religion?

You often hear people in the media and elsewhere talk about "Science vs. Religion" or "Evolution vs. Creation" or some other variation, often in big and bold headlines.  The implication is that there is a conflict, and not only that, you have to choose sides.  So, they say if you're a Christian, you have to ignore scientific facts, and that if you're an Evolutionist, you have to be an atheist.

This is simply NOT TRUE!  There are NO conflicts!

On the one hand, one can be an evolutionist and still be a Christian.  Why couldn't God have used evolution as part of His creative process?  He's God, and there are no limits to His power and authority, so there was nothing to prevent him from using evolution.  I personally think there are certain scientific problems with the theory of "accidental evolution," but when you allow God in the picture, He could have handled these problems, if there are any.

On the other hand, one can be a Christian and not be an evolutionist.  Evolution is only a THEORY, and there is no way to prove it - the introductions of the various plant and animal species are in the past and we cannot go back and see what actually happened.  Not only that, there is a good deal of evidence and sound reasoning behind the theory AND there is also a good deal of evidence and sound reasoning against the theory.  While they might be in the minority, there are some well-educated scientists who do not believe in the theory of evolution and have valid reasons for it.

Recently, I talked to a well-known Christian evolutionist.  He seemed convinced, and was very firm about it, that man descended from primates (other than Homo sapiens).  If one wants to believe that and can fit it in with their concept of Christianity, that's their choice.  But, there's nothing that says you must believe that.  For one thing, you've heard of the "missing link."  The reason this phrase is in the popular conversation is that there is an actual missing link, in other words, there is a huge jump between all of the other known species and Homo sapiens, for example, in the ability to communicate verbally.  Not only that, why could God have not used evolution to create all of the animals other than Homo sapiens (including the human-like creatures we have evidence for) and yet the Adam and Eve story still be literal?  There is simply nothing in science that says that the Adam and Eve story cannot be a historic fact.  God is all powerful, so if he wanted to create a man from dust, he could have done so.

Don't let anyone tell you that if you believe the Adam and Eve story that you're going against science, it's just not true.  And, on the other hand, don't let anyone tell you that if you are convinced of evolution, that you can't be a Christian.