As stated in Part 1 of this blog, a Christian’s salvation does not depend on whether he or she believes the earth is old or young. However, this issue IS one of authority. It boils down to whether we believe in the supremacy of Scripture or the supremacy of science. True science is totally compatible with Scripture. But old earth creationism opens the door to the acceptance of evolution and thereby naturalistic atheism – the denial of a Creator God. Evolution (we’re not talking about observable adaptation or natural selection within kinds) is not a fact but a theory at best. Unlike legitimate scientific theories, it cannot be tested, repeated, or falsified. Actually, the whole spectrum of evolution, from the Big Bang to the development of man on earth, is full of assumptions, some of which are flat out wrong. Whether old earth creationists (OECs) hold to evolution or not, they believe in long ages of time (millions and billions of years). OECs desire to align with “mainstream” science (i.e., evolution), but mainstream science has been proven wrong in the past. The position one takes on origins is based on assumptions and an interpretation of scientific facts. This debate is not one of science versus religion, but of contrasting worldviews. Following are the second five of ten areas where scientific and other facts show a young earth creationist interpretation to be the more reasonable position on the issue of origins.
- Astronomy supports young earth creation
Matter cannot create itself (First Law of Thermodynamics).
The universe had to have a beginning (Second Law of Thermodynamics).
Spiral galaxies lose their shape in an old universe. (Winding up dilemma).
The sun is too dim/earth too cold in a billion year old Solar System. (Faint Young Sun Paradox).
Comets do not last long enough – there’s no evidence for a comet-producing Oort Cloud.
Retrograde orbits and rotations defy the nebular hypothesis (Law of Angular Momentum).
If stars are being formed now, they require the existence of previously created stars.
- Geologic features support young earth creation
Formation of geologic features does not require long ages – evidenced by Mt St Helens catastrophism.
A global catastrophic flood is a superior explanation to many worldwide geologic features and fossils.
The many bent rock layers of sedimentary rock had to be laid down and deformed rather rapidly.
The plant mat theory of coal formation is superior to the slow swamp theory.
The depth of sea floor sediments in no way supports a multi-billion year old ocean.
The earth’s decreasing magnetic field limits earth’s age to thousands of years.
- Ice cores support young earth creation
The Milankovitch (Astronomical) theory is based on “orbital tuning” and circular reasoning.
The Ice flow model (for dating ice cores) is self-fulfilling, based on evolutionary assumptions.
Ice layers are not necessarily annual – a WW2 P-52 plane was found in “1000 yr old” ice.
The creationist meteorological model reasonably explains a single post-flood Ice Age.
A single post-flood Ice Age explains early civilization migrations.
- Human experience supports young earth creation
Laws of logic and human reasoning are abstract, not naturalistic.
Laws of morality must come from a higher source, otherwise there’s no agreement.
These laws don’t result from the electro-chemical evolution of the brain.
The biblical worldview gives purpose and hope; evolution breeds atheism, nihilism and fatalism.
Evolution is the foundation of murderous eugenics, abortion, Communism, Nazism, etc.
We see in our world great order and design, not results of random chance.
Man is inherently self-centered (human sin nature).
Global population growth matches a young earth much more reasonably.
Extra-biblical chronologies align with biblical generations.
Ancient human records confirm cold (post-flood Ice Age period) temperatures.
Language origin studies more reasonably align with the Tower of Babel history.
- The straightforward reading of Scripture supports young earth creation
Hebrew grammar structure of the creation account (Genesis 1, 2) is narrative, not poetry or symbolic.
Hebrew grammar structure requires the days of creation to be 24-hour periods (Exodus 20:11).
The order of events of creation in no way matches the processes of evolution.
Noah’s Flood was global, not local or regional (Genesis 7:19,22; 9:15; 2 Peter 3:6).
Evolution says death is “natural,” while scripture calls it a (intruding) last enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26).
Those who reject the evidence of creation have no excuse in the judgment (Romans 1:20).
Biblical chronologies clearly place the age of the earth at about 6,000 years (Genesis 5, 10, etc.).
Jesus Christ made statements confirming creation (Matthew 19, John 5:47, Mark 10:6).
Jesus Christ, the “Last Adam,” brought life to counteract the sin and death brought by the first Adam, a real individual (Romans 5:12, 1 Corinthians 15:45).
We put confidence in the authority of God’s Word and not man’s theories (Psalm 118:8, Colossians 2:8).
God wants us to be wise stewards of the earth (Genesis 1:28), pursuing the truth of scientific observation, discovery, and development for His glory and for the benefit of mankind. Although there is still much we don’t understand about this vast universe, as Christians, we should view all scientific evidence within the framework of the authoritative Word of God. Although Old Earth Creation is taught in most Christian colleges and seminaries, it is NOT a reasonable interpretation of either the scientific evidence or Scripture, which clearly teaches a young earth.
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