In the Beginning: Seeing God’s Hand in Creation

By Jody Blackwelder

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Have you ever found yourself in a conversation with a friend or coworker, trying to share the hope of Jesus, only to hit a wall when the talk turns to how the world began? Maybe they’ve thrown out questions like, “But what about science? Doesn’t the Bible contradict evolution or the Big Bang?” I know that feeling—it’s one I’ve faced myself, and it’s common among us believers. We want to point people to the Savior, but sometimes our own uncertainties about Genesis make us hesitate. That’s why I’m writing this booklet: to equip you, as disciples of Jesus, with solid foundational knowledge from God’s Word and recent discoveries. This isn’t about winning arguments; it’s about building your confidence so you can lovingly share the truth of a Creator God who made us with purpose, and how that leads straight to the gospel of grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Once you’re secure in His salvation—knowing nothing can snatch you from His hand (John 10:28-29)—you can help others see the same hope. Let’s walk through this together, like a Bible study where we strengthen each other for the mission field of everyday life.

Standing Firm on Scripture: Theories vs. God’s Timeless Truth

As followers of Jesus, our calling is to make disciples, sharing the good news far and wide. But to do that effectively, we need to address the doubts that trip us up, especially around the Bible’s account of creation. Genesis 1 and 2 aren’t just ancient stories—they’re the starting point for understanding why we need a Savior. God created everything perfect in six literal days, on a young earth, but the world pushes theories like the Big Bang and evolution as if they’re undeniable. Remember, a theory is just a human explanation, not absolute truth. I’ve seen believers, including myself at times, feel intimidated by this, wondering how to respond when sharing faith. The key is starting with Scripture: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1, NIV). This sets the stage for humanity’s fall and God’s redemptive plan through Jesus.

When you’re talking to someone skeptical, gently remind them—and yourself—that we don’t twist the Bible to fit science; we let God’s Word guide our view of the evidence. Think of that young person in your life asking tough questions. You can say, “Let’s look at what recent findings show—it’s actually supporting the Bible more than ever.” This booklet will give you those tools, so you can share with confidence, pointing back to the Creator who offers eternal life by grace alone. Have you felt that hesitation? Friend, His truth will hold you steady as you witness.

The Stars Tell a Different Story: What the Telescope Reveals

When you’re sharing Jesus with someone who’s bought into the idea of a vast, ancient universe born from nothing, it can feel daunting. But imagine being able to say, “Actually, the latest space discoveries are raising big questions about that—and they line up with what the Bible says about God creating everything complete and ready.” That’s the kind of foundational knowledge we need as believers, to bolster our own faith and help others see the Designer behind it all. The Big Bang theory claims the universe exploded 13.8 billion years ago, with slow formation over time. But the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), launched in 2021, is revealing things that don’t fit, giving us powerful points to share in conversations about God.

Take those mature galaxies appearing just 500 to 700 million years after the supposed Bang. JWST has spotted ones as large as our Milky Way, fully formed when models say they should be primitive. The COSMOS-Web survey mapped nearly 800,000 galaxies, finding about ten times more at extreme distances than predicted, with no sign of the expected simple structures. One standout, JADES-GS-z14-0, is only 300 million years “old” yet rich in elements like nitrogen, which should take billions of years to accumulate. They’ve identified 300 unusually bright early galaxy candidates using infrared imaging and the dropout technique, suggesting formation much faster than Big Bang models allow, potentially requiring revisions to galaxy theories.

Then the black holes—massive ones existing too soon. A “naked” black hole, QSO1, at 50 million solar masses, appears just 700-750 million years post-Bang, with a sparse halo of pristine gas and no host galaxy or nearby stars. This could be a primordial black hole from the universe’s first instant, upending ideas that black holes form after stars in galaxies. Another in the Infinity Galaxy, a million solar masses, likely from direct gas cloud collapse, with colliding galaxies aligning velocities within 30-50 km/s. A 9-million-solar-mass one at 570 million years is too massive for the timeline, and in early galaxies, black holes can be 1,000 times more massive relative to hosts, suggesting they seeded galaxies.

Don’t overlook the dormant galaxies—over a dozen “Sleeping Beauty” types, masses from 40 million to 30 billion suns, halting star formation early when models predict frenzy. This 10-25 million-year pause, possibly from supernova feedback expelling gas, is unexpected so soon across mass ranges. Half of early galaxies have odd shapes like pool noodles or surfboards, challenging angular momentum theories. Stars form at accelerated rates in “giant balls,” and a 3-million-light-year cosmic web filament appears at 830 million years—structures expected over billions. The 800,000-galaxy map covers 98% of cosmic time, revealing diverse types, hidden black holes, and more early light than predicted.

To equip you further, here’s an overview of recent studies from 2024 and 2025 backing this up. Use these in your talks to show how science is aligning with Scripture, helping others—and yourself—see God’s hand.

First, the “naked” black hole QSO1, detailed in August 2024 preprints and September 2025 reports. JWST data shows this 50-million-sun-mass object at 750 million years old, dominating its sparse, hot hydrogen environment—two-thirds of the mass—with no stars. Theories of post-star formation fail; it’s like a primordial seed, echoing Hawking’s 1971 ideas. Scientists call it “off the scale,” admitting gaps in knowledge. Share this to illustrate rapid creation over slow evolution.

Next, Professor Lior Shamir’s September 2024 Particles journal study uses JWST to support “Tired Light” over Big Bang. Analyzing redshift in 30,000 galaxies, it increases with distance, fitting light energy loss, not expansion. Opposite-spin galaxies to Milky Way show lower redshift, growing with distance—mismatching Big Bang but suiting static models. This questions expansion fundamentals, aligning with biblical “stretched out heavens” (Isaiah 42:5).

Then, the June 2025 COSMOS-Web announcement maps 800,000 galaxies, ten times more early ones than expected. Covering 98% history, it shows dense regions, voids, and excess light, challenging models—the “too much too soon” issue in Astrophysical Journal submissions.

A December 2024 Johns Hopkins study on Hubble tension confirms JWST inconsistencies in expansion rates. This ongoing puzzle questions the standard model.

These aren’t attacks on science—they’re invitations to see design. When sharing Jesus, use them to say, “See how the universe points to a Creator? That’s the God who loves you.” Rest in His grace; it empowers your witness.

What if you practiced now? Think of someone you know—how could this help in your next chat? Jot it down; it strengthens your faith too.

Life’s Blueprint: DNA Whispers of a Designer

As disciples, we’re called to proclaim Jesus as Lord, but questions about life’s origins can stump us when witnessing. Imagine telling a skeptic, “Look at DNA—it’s like a code so complex, recent studies show it couldn’t arise by chance. It points to the God who made us in His image, the same God who sent Jesus to redeem us.” This section arms you with that knowledge, addressing your own questions too, so you can share boldly, grounded in grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) and assured of eternal security (John 10:28-29).

Evolution claims simple life evolved over billions via random mutations and selection. But DNA research reveals complexity that looks designed. Mutations aren’t random: A decade-long Daphnia study shows ongoing variations for adaptability, hinting at pre-programmed diversity. In Arabidopsis thaliana, mutations bias away from essential genes, like built-in protection. Human DNA shows rapid recent changes, not billions-year patterns.

Human origins: Genetics suggest multiple separate groups, complicating single-lineage, implying initial diversity. Culture as evolution driver shifts focus beyond genes.

Neo-Darwinism crumbles: Experts admit irresolvable issues, needing replacement. “Silent” mutations harm, degrading genomes—fitting young earth. Biologists doubt selection’s creativity, literature full of problems. New vision overdue; modern synthesis ignores designed-like systems. Non-coding DNA functional, demolishing neo-Darwinism. Central dogma deconstructed—genes interact, mutations degrade. Morphological novelty unsolved; DNA not sole determiner. Genetics contradict fossils.

This verse hits hard: “So God created mankind in his own image” (Genesis 1:27, NIV). DNA is His signature. Evidence holds us steady in doubts.

Here’s an overview of recent 2024-2025 studies to use in sharing—explain how they challenge evolution, leading to the gospel.

January 2025 Nature: “A new vision for how evolution works is long overdue.” Gradual mutations insufficient; integrated systems drive change—too simplistic for neo-Darwinism.

September 2024 SciTechDaily on Daphnia: Decade-long, 1,000 samples show persistent variations for environment, not random novelty—challenges selection.

October 2024 PMC: “The case against simplistic genetic explanations.” Mutations often irrelevant/harmful; less selection for major evolution—flips survival narrative.

March 2025 creation.com (drawing experts): Neo-Darwinism’s problems; changes responsive, not accidental—Shapiro: “Not accidents”; Ho calls for replacement; “silent” degrade.

May 2025 PNAS: “Complexity myths.” DNA complexity eludes mutation-selection; non-coding functional—reinforces intricacy needs design-like processes.

Use these to say, “See the design? That’s God’s work, inviting us to faith in Jesus.” Pause—how does this equip you for that next conversation?

Earth’s Secrets Unearthed: Signs of a Young World and a Great Flood

In witnessing, geology questions can arise: “But the earth is old—how does the Flood fit?” This section gives you tools to respond, strengthening your faith to share Jesus as the ark of salvation. Evidence points to rapid events on a young earth, like Noah’s Flood.

Solid peer-reviewed discoveries challenge deep time. Soft tissues in dino bones: 2007 Proceedings Royal Society B on T. rex femur—flexible vessels, cell features; iron preservation debated, but fragility questions eons. 2022 Palaeontologia Electronica reviews tissues in vertebrates—osteocytes, vessels; preservation modes, but degradation speed challenges long times. 2021 American Biology Teacher on taphonomy—special conditions needed, longevity debated. 2022 ResearchGate (from Palaeontologia) corrects misconceptions—rare, require quick processes.

C-14 anomalies: 2019 Geoscience Frontiers on diamonds—isotopes, stability issues. 2017 Research Open World on bones—C-14 sources unresolved.

Carbon dating limits: 2018 PLOS ONE on uncertainty—atmospheric fluctuations, 50% inaccuracy possible. 2016 Radiocarbon on Bronze Age—calibration ambiguities shift centuries. 2024 Forensic Sciences on skeletons—reservoir effects skew hundreds years. 2023 Journal Open Archaeology Data on datasets—contamination risks. 2021 Royal Society Open Science on bone—protocols inconsistent. Assumes steady conditions; catastrophes alter.

Flood evidence: 2021 Natural Hazards Earth System on continental floods—simulations show rapid erosion/deposition like graveyards. 2023 Nature Communications on subsidence—amplifies inundation, historical megafloods. 2023 Communications Earth on floodplains—satellite data, ancient floods shaped settlements. 2024 Nature Medicine on mortality—ties to rapid changes. 2025 Geography Sustainability on Korea floods—historical parallels to deluges with sediments.

Ancient buildings: Göbekli Tepe—2010 Documenta Praehistorica on pillars (9500 BCE), organized labor. 2013 Near Eastern Archaeology on phases, later on earlier. 2020 Cambridge Archaeological on geometry—triangles, advanced surveying. Puma Punku/Sacsayhuamán—2022 ResearchGate on masonry—abrasion for fits, hard to replicate. 2013 Latin American Antiquity on Tiwanaku—massive blocks modified later. Megaliths—2025 Heritage on Levantine quarrying—levers, precision puzzling. 2025 Ancient Origins (Journal Archaeological Science) on Carnac (4600 BCE)—early monumentalism adapted.

This equips you to share: “The Flood explains so much, and it’s God’s mercy that offers salvation through Jesus.” Discuss in group—how does this help your witness? Pray for boldness.

Living It Out: Grace in the Midst of Questions

We’ve unpacked a lot, equipping you to address origins when sharing Christ. In daily life, when doubts hit or conversations arise, remember you’re sealed by the Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14). Nothing separates from His love (Romans 8:38-39). Use this in outreach, tying to “In Christ Alone,” or journal: “Lord, help me share Your creation truth.”

I’m no scholar, but grace simplifies—trust Him for your witness.

A Prayer for Anchored Hearts

Father, equip us to share Your creation and salvation. By grace, strengthen our faith to tell of Jesus. In His name, Amen.