Creation Science

Creation Science Book Review

Is the Big Bang Biblical?

Question #7.  Do you have to believe in a young earth to be a Christian?

 

Review by Greg Neyman

© Old Earth Ministries

Review Published April 2006

 

     No, you don't, and Morris correctly answers the question itself.  However, he argues against old earth belief in the process of answering this question.

     He claims that "the weight of the scientific evidence points to a young earth."  Morris needs to wake up!  Over 99 percent of all scientists believe the earth is old.  If what Morris said were true, we would have many more young earth scientists.  It is only when you look through the "rose-colored" glasses of young earth creationism that you see a young earth.  When correctly examined, the evidence is overwhelmingly old. 

    Morris even claims that the geologic and physical evidence is compatible with a young earth.  There is some evidence of fossils that are catastrophically buried, but aside from this, there is no other young earth evidence.  Concerning these fossils, you must take them out of context in order to say they are young.  You have to ignore the geologic layers above and below these fossils, which both obviously took long ages to deposit.  That is why geology recognizes that there were catastrophic events that occurred millions of years ago that explains the presence of these rapidly buried fossils.

     Morris falsely claims that one cannot believe in an old earth and a global flood.  There are old earth creationists who believe this.  They believe the Flood left only negligible traces, and did not destroy the existing rock layers.  I believe they must appeal at this point to the supernatural, that God killed the animals but restrained the destructive powers of the water to leave the land intact, but if they choose to believe this, they are free to do so.

     Morris claims that "The doctrinal absurdities which result from a local flood and old earth are well documented in creationist literature."  This website and others shows that there are no doctrinal problems with old earth belief.  Morris is referring to the fact that an old earth interpretation is contrary to his young earth interpretation.  Both of these are just that...interpretations of the same inerrant Word.  The doctrines of the Bible are unaffected by the age of the earth.

     He mentions the Death Before Sin issue, which clearly presents no issues (see the link for more).  Since physical death cannot separate us from God (only spiritual death, or sin can do that), then physical death as a punishment for sin is an empty threat.  We will continue to exist in spirit after the physical death.

     In the final paragraph, he says that belief in an old earth "destroys the foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."  As an old earth Christian, I can testify that I believe in the same Gospel.  Think of it this way.  I will someday die.  Is my death in any way affected by the death of millions of animals prior to Adam's sin?  No.  Whether I believe in death before sin or not, either way I will die someday.  And no matter what I believe, I still need Jesus Christ to pay the price for my sins.  In the end, it is not what you believe about the age of the earth...it is whether or not you believe in Jesus Christ that matters.  This is why it appears that God does not care what you believe about the creation.


 

     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.