The word "creationism" simply refers to any Christian doctrine (teaching, or instruction) that professes that God created/made anything or everything. While, on the surface, that seems OK; in this case, it's somewhat derogatory ... in that ... it reduces the grand act of God's creating to simply beliefs taught as though it's root word "creation" may not be so. It's a subtle difference, I know, but it is an important one to take note of.
The word "creation" is the more appropriate use since it refers to (in this context) the actual act of God's creating; rather than simply "the doctrine" (see below for definition) that claims God created:
creation [kree-ey-shuh n] - noun
1. the act of producing or causing to exist; the act of creating; engendering.
2. the fact of being created.
3. something that is or has been created.
4. the Creation, the original bringing into existence of the universe by God.
5. the world; universe.
6. creatures collectively.
{click the link below to see the next two, unrelated to this post}
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creationism [kree-ey-shuh-niz-uh m] - noun
1. the doctrine that matter and all things were created, substantially as they now exist, by an omnipotent Creator, and not gradually evolved or developed.
2. (sometimes initial capital letter) the doctrine that the true story of the creation of the universe is as it is recounted in the Bible, especially in the first chapter of Genesis.
3. the doctrine that God immediately creates out of nothing a new human soul for each individual born.
Source: http://www.dictionary.com/
Did you notice how "creationism" refers to "the doctrine"? Although creation and creationism are both correct, the more powerful usage would be the word "creation", which would be used in context that you -as a believer in Jesus- believe in the whole act of "creation", not just that you have been instructed or taught about creation. Do you see the difference?
Shockingly (from the above source), when you type in the word "evolutionism" into the same search box it forwards to "evolutionist" and only refers to "evolutionism" as a noun, without further definition. Yet, in regards to the "ism" it is the same thing ... a belief in a certain doctrine or teaching. Evolutionism is the doctrine that expresses the beliefs of those that adhere to the theory of evolution. Yet "evolutionism" does not come up with a similar definition to "creationism" on that source. I hope you can see the biased there.
A quick summary of the word "doctrine" ...
doctrine - noun ("instruction", "teacher," or "to teach")
1 : something that is taught
2 : a principle or the principles in a system of belief
Source: http://www.wordcentral.com/cgi-bin/student?book=Student&va=doctrine
Miriam-Webster's Online Dictionary (http://www.wordcentral.com/) at least doesn't return anything for either "creationism" or "evolutionism". I think I'll use this site to look up my words from now on!
So, instead of using the word "creationism", use the the more potent word "creation" because it is more becoming of our faith & trust that we believe God is the Creator and that we are His creation, as is everything else both seen and unseen, as it is written in the bible. An example of the correct usage would be: "I believe in creation!" (not ... I believe in creationism).
In regard to "evolution", the term "evolutionism" is quite appropriate since "evolution" is simply a theory, as in ... "the theory of evolution" ... a belief that we *evolved* from slime in a primordial soup billions of years ago.
And while I'm on the subject ... this generation has been indoctrinated into believing an unproven theory, that of evolution (I say "unproven" because it wouldn't be called a "theory" if it were proven), is a false doctrine, for which we have been warned there would be many false teachers & teachings in these last days.
If you believe this "theory of evolution" take heed!
{2Pe 2:1 KJV} But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
-Apostle Peter
{Rom 1:16-32 KJV} For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
-Apostle Paul
The bible testifies to God's creation, in the beginning ...
{Gen 1:1-2 KJV} In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
-Moses
And, the bible testifies that Jesus did the creating ...
{Jhn 1:1-3 KJV} In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. {"the Word" = Jesus}
-Apostle John
Happy 1st Day of Spring! Thanks for reading ;o}
{Curly bracket comments are mine.}
