Exploring Life
by Todd Elder
Author's Background The beginning of Elder's Model of Creation came many years ago in a moment of suicidal thought. At that moment, the meaning of life became a question to be answered. Although unknown at that time, this situation was brought about by growing up watching fictional television, playing video games, and learning a secular education. Each of these contributed to a life that struggled with truth and reality. Ultimately, life was not understand and, therefore, it was given little value.
Questioning Lifestyles - Philosophy The search for meaning to life began in the realm of philosophy. It was obvious that different nations, cultures, and peoples had various views of what life is and how it should be lived. Concepts of life & death, physical & spiritual, pleasure & pain, morality & law, and even art & aesthetic beauty were all topics of interest. As studies progressed, the Epicurean philosophy became the norm. This philosophy places greater value on the pleasures of the mind, such as knowledge and wisdom, than on the pleasures of the body. Thus, the college years were spent in education (on natural resources) rather than socializing. Learning about the possibilities of life seemed more important than experiencing it. Eventually the realization came that Epicureanism, and all other philosophies, produce a lifestyle, rather than a life, that is based on assumptions.
Exploring our World - Science The battle of conflicting ideas and concepts appeared endless. Thus, answers to questions were also pursued in the sciences. Science was inviting because it appeared to have absolutes in scientific laws and mathematical formulas. This was a time of exploration of what was around me with the hobby of photography to help record it all. However, despite all the learning, there was still an emptiness inside. The meaning of life was not to be found in the physical or the mental. Furthermore, it was noticed that life was not matching up with what was taught while growing up. Instead, life was more complex and had deeper levels than what the sciences could manage to explain.
In Search of Life - Theology Beginning with the book of Ecclesiastes, a turn toward the Scriptures was made and the search began in the spiritual direction. Although raised in Christianity, very little was known about what Scripture had to say about life. Yet here was an explanation of life, both physically and spiritually, that matched up with experiences in life. Many new questions formed along the lines of having a relationship with the Almighty, the religious traditions of man which differed from Scripture, and eternal life.
Todd Elder |
Pursuing Life - Camping For ten years, life has been explored through the eyes of a believer in the Messiah. During these years, the pleasure seeking of the philosophers has been abandoned and has, instead, been replaced with the peace that the Almighty offers His people. In particular, this has also been a time of seeking an understanding of the Almighty's creation in both the sciences and theology. This journey has included traveling in either a pop-up camper or a tent to actually experience life and learn, firsthand, what is reality and what is fiction.
Modeling Life - Sharing A man does not go on a journey unless he is searching for something. Elder's Model of Creation is the summary of a journey trying to answer the great questions of life. The public version of the model explores the physical aspects of life in the sciences and the spiritual aspects of life in theology. The spiritual aspects of life are examined through the main topics of the Creator, the creation, mankind's relationship with the Almighty, salvation, and the struggle with evil. The physical aspects of life focus on the physical sciences, the earth sciences, and the biological sciences. The conclusion of the matter is still out there ... but the results so far include a life of blessing and peace.
CSE Citation Elder T W. Exploring Creation [Internet]. Livingston (TX): Exploring Creation; 2011 Nov. 18. [cited your access date]. Available from: http://www.exploringcreation.info/elder.htm
MLA Citation Elder, Todd W. Exploring Creation. Ed. Todd Elder. 18 Nov 2011. Exploring Creation. your access date http://www.exploringcreation.info/elder.htm |
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