Creation Science Book Review
After Eden
Chapter 8: One Man's Disobedience
Review by Greg Neyman
© Old Earth Ministries
First Published 15 August 2005
This chapter largely addresses the Fall of Man. There is not much here that Morris says that is contrary to an old earth, as old earth creationists can agree with most of what he says.
The Good Creation Declares God's Glory (Page 126)
All old earth creationists can agree with this section.
History Is Changed By Rebellion (Page 127)
Some old earth creationists may have a problem with his interpretation that Lucifer's fall was after Day Six of creation. Specifically, Gap Theorists, which he alludes to, when he says "Satan's fall could not have occurred between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 nor at any time during the creation week. This should present no problem for the Gap theory, however. Nowhere in the creation account is the creation of angels addressed. No doubt the Gap Theorist could say that the "very good" comment about the creation refers to the creation events described. Since angelic creation is not addressed, it doesn't apply here. I leave this for those who are Gap theorists to decide for themselves.
Satan's Lie Fathers the Rebellion (Page 128)
Satan Devises a War Strategy To Compromise Man (Page 129)
No problems here for old earth believers.
Eve is Deceived and Capitulates (Page 131)
There is no problems with the first few pages. His answer to Satan's lie is to have simple faith, just believe the words of God, and to this, he adds things like believing the simple words, such as "eat, fruit, six, days, death, and sin." This obviously is referring to old earth creationists, who in his view do not believe the six day part, nor the death part. As an old earth creationist, however, I can state that we accept these words without any problems...what we don' accept is the young earth interpretation of these words. "Simple faith" in the young earth interpretation of these words is not required by God. I have just as much faith in the Words of God as Morris does...it is our interpretation that differs.
He really hits below the belt on page 133. He says, "Like Christians who follow her example today, Eve decided that her intelligence could sit in judgment of God's Word. Using the tools of science, her brain and her senses, Eve began examining the evidence for herself." He continues on page 134, with "Like too many Christians today, Eve found the temptation to be wise in her own eyes irresistible and thus subjugated God's words to her knowledge and wisdom." Since Morris so eagerly judges my actions and the actions of other old earth creationists, basically calling them sin, we have no need of Christs' judgment seat...Morris does it for Christ! Is Morris so lofty, so arrogant, that he presumes that God will judge us for the sin of "examining the Scriptures" and coming to a different conclusion as he does? God charges us to examine the Scriptures....where's the sin in doing that, which Morris accuses us of? The only thing we are guilty of is reaching a different interpretation than Morris. No sin is present...we use the same Words of God, inerrant, infallible in their original writings. Here we see Morris' real feelings...any conclusion that the earth is old is sinful. Earlier in the book, he calls us Christians...even here, he calls us Christians...but now he sits in judgment of us. I had no idea that young earth creationists "sit at the right hand of God."
Adam's Rebellion Is Deliberate, Wicked, and Inexcusable (Page 135)
Rejection of Personal Responsibility and Guilt (Page 136)
Human Susceptibility to Deception is Confirmed (Page 137)
No problems in the sections for old earth creationism. I agree that humans are susceptible to deception, including young earth creationists, who are blinded by their presupposition that the earth is young. Satan has used their overzealous attitude to drive millions away from the church. When people are presented with an either/or option (either you accept God's Word as saying the earth is young, or you don't), they are forced to decide between the Bible and hard scientific evidence. Many choose to depart the church. There is no need for this...old earth creationists have harmonized the Scriptures with science, while maintaining their infallibility and inerrancy. Young earth creationists, having been taught young earth creation science for many years, refuse to face up to reality, and block out any evidence to the contrary (see this article which explains how they do this).
Creation is not the issue...Jesus Christ, whose death on the cross for our salvation, is the most important, in fact, the only important issue. What one thinks of creation is irrelevant. Young earth creationists should stop their either/or attitude, and strive to reach those who have been driven from the church by their actions.
If you are not a Christian, and you have been holding out on making a decision for Christ because the Church always preached a message that was contrary to what you saw in the scientific world, then rest assured that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, and you can believe in Christ and receive salvation, while still believing in an old earth. Click here for more.
Are you a Christian who believes in young earth creationism? Now that we have shown the many difficulties of the young earth creation science model in this and many other articles, how does this impact your Christian life? If you are a young earth creationism believer, click here.
Chapter List
Chapter 8
Related Articles
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about old earth creationism, see
Old Earth Belief,
or check out the article
Can You Be A
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