Blog Seven, September 19, 2025

By What Authority?

“And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus answered them, ‘I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?’ And they discussed it among themselves, saying, ‘If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things’” (Matthew 21:23-27 ESV emphasis added).

Evolution theory requires valiant speculation and leaves gaping holes unexplained; these are seldom addressed in the ongoing discourse. For example, if DNA mutation is the mode of change which generated new species, where did DNA come from? How did living systems emerge from the primordial brew (water, ammonia, oxygen, carbon dioxide) to amino acids, eventually evolving to the exquisite biochemical pathways which we know today?

Where did the raw materials for evolution come from in the first place? Why does matter adhere rigorously to the laws of thermodynamics (which proponents of every view accepts) – were these properties inherent or did they evolve also?

By the same metering, belief in God as Creator does not explain many details which have to be accepted by faith. In short, regardless of one’s view on the origin of things, assumptions have to be made. Since no one was there recording an eyewitness account, and no scientific exploration was measuring natural phenomena at the inception of the universe, we are forced to extrapolate, back calculate, or theorize.

The naturalist accepts that matter somehow formed into the orderly patterns we see today despite the second law of thermodynamics, which asserts that left to themselves, things move to maximum disorder. The evolutionist takes archaic evidence and attempts to back titrate current knowledge about today’s living systems, building bridges to species which are extinct with scant biochemical evidence, mainly bones and fossils.

Likewise, creationists lay aside many questions, things unexplained in Scripture, and makes a statement of faith: An authoritative Creator spoke all things into being. I would love to understand these “black boxes” of nature; however, if God were to reveal it, our best scientific understanding would be rendered moot. Creation ex nihilo is beyond “science”, like the science fiction which is foundational to the evolution view.

The Christ follower must accept without reservation that Jesus, whose authority was openly questioned and doubted by the religious leaders of His day, was that Creator. The Savior who walked among us, human in form, divine in nature, was the voice that declared “Let there be light.” Simply stated, everyone must make a statement of faith; as we consider the precise order of all matter, its adherence to rigorous natural tendencies, its systemic, self-contained goodness, and its measurability, the choice is ours. Was this the work of an authoritative Creator or random, unguided events void of design? By the grace of God, we are permitted to make that choice individually.

Now, a directive to those who place their faith in a Creator: The Pharisees who confronted Jesus were not prepared to acknowledge His authority. Jesus responded in kind: “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Without a step of faith, there is no engagement with the Savior.

If we accept that Jesus is the Creator and acknowledge the wonder of Creation (His theater of glory), then we must also submit to His authority over the natural realm. We must confess that the Creator is also the Redeemer who saves us from our sin; only then will Jesus, both Christ and Creator, heal us and equip us for a Kingdom journey.

D. E.