“Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.” – Job 38:2, 4 NKJV
Six Days & the Age of the Earth
The conflict between Biblical and evolutionary origins is sharply evident in the issue of the age of the earth. Evolutionary chronology teaches millions of years of earth history and an even older universe. Biblical chronology teaches that God created in six 24-hour days about 6,000 years ago. Any mixture of the two is inherently flawed because of a reinterpretation of God’s Word in light of man’s ideas and therefore unacceptable for the Christian. The German reformer, Martin Luther, once said,
“We must understand that these days were actual days (verso dies), contrary to the opinion of the holy fathers. Whenever we observe that the opinions of the fathers disagree with Scripture, we reverently bear with them and acknowledge them to be our elders. Nevertheless, we do not depart from the authority of Scripture for their sake…When Moses writes that God created heaven and earth and whatever is in them in six days, then let this period continue to have been six days, and do not venture to devise any comment according to which six days were one day. But, if you cannot understand how this could have been done in six days, then grant the Holy Spirit the honor of being more learned than you are. For you are to deal with Scripture in such a way that you bear in mind that God Himself says what is written. But since God is speaking, it is not fitting for you wantonly to turn His Word in the direction you wish to go.”[5]
Origin of the Universe. The origin of all things is another important issue where evolutionary and Biblical views are in conflict. Evolutionists are forced to believe in eternal matter. The late Carl Sagan asserted that, “The cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be.”[6] Biblical cosmology teaches that God created all things in the beginning.[7]
Astronomy. The study of the celestial bodies in this star-spangled galaxy is the domain of astronomy. Evolutionary astronomy teaches that the universe evolved over billions of years, the sun existed before the earth which was a molten blob before the oceans formed. Biblical Astronomy teaches that God created the earth 6,000 years ago, waters covered the earth on Days 1-2, dry land was created on Day 3, and the sun, moon, and stars were created on Day 4 (all of which were literal 24 hour days).[8]
Geology. The study of the earth and sedimentary rock layers is the domain of geology. Evolutionary geology teaches that the fossil record is evidence of millions of years of earth history. Sagan also claimed that, “The secrets of evolution are time and death. Time for the slow accumulations of favorable mutations, and death to make room for new species.”[9] Biblical geology teaches that about 4,300 years ago, God destroyed the earth with a world-wide flood. The effects of such a catastrophe would be evident everywhere. Such is the case with the fossil record and spectacular geologic formations all over the globe. Indeed, there are billions of dead things buried in rock layers laid down by water all over the earth.[10] Besides evidence for the worldwide flood, God created everything “very good” and death is the result of man’s rebellion. The Christian, therefore, cannot believe in any philosophy that teaches that death, disease, and bloodshed has been a normal part of life for millions of years prior to Adam’s rebellion against His Creator in the garden of Eden.
Biology, Anthropology, & Sociology. The evidence in support of the Biblical history of the universe in contrast to the evolutionary history of origins can also be seen in the study of biology, anthropology, and sociology.[11] For example, evolution teaches that primordial soup mutated into primitive life and eventually into land-dwelling creatures over millions of years. The Bible teaches that God created animals each according to their kind.[12] Evolution teaches that mankind evolved from primitive ape-like creatures over millions of years. The Bible teaches that God created man in His image, fully grown, and intelligent from the beginning. Evolution teaches that some people groups are more highly evolved than others.[13] This type of racist philosophy can also be seen in the full title of Charles Darwin’s book, “On the Origin of Species.”[14] The Bible teaches that the people groups formed as a result of the dispersion at the tower of Babel.[15] The conflict between these two very different explanations of life is clearly evident.
Ideas Have Eternal Consequences
The Biblical history of the universe is more reasonable, consistent with observable facts, and it is the only starting point that fulfills the inner longings of the heart for transcendent meaning and purpose in life that will echo throughout eternity for the glory of the Sovereign Creator and Merciful Redeemer of mankind. The Holy Scriptures can be trusted when they speak of creation and when they speak of man’s salvation and eternal destiny.
The moral degradation prevailing in western civilization will only increase if the Church continues to fail to uphold the authority of the Word of God over autonomous human reason. It is incumbent for believers who do understand the cultural conflict to humble themselves before the Lord in hopes of being a catalyst for reformation and revival in the current generation. May it be so. Soli Deo Gloria.
Recommended Resources:
“Divided Nation: Cultures in Chaos & a Conflicted Church” by Ken Ham
“The Ever-Loving Truth: Can Faith Thrive in a Post-Christian Culture?” & “Family Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk With God” by Voddie T. Baucham, Jr.
“The Gathering Storm: Secularism, Culture, and the Church” by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
“The Eclipse of God: Our Nation’s Disastrous Search for a More Inclusive Deity (And What We Must Do About It)” by Erwin W. Lutzer
[5] Martin Luther, “What Martin Luther Says: A Practical In-Home Anthology for the Active,” p.1523.
[6] Carl Sagan, Cosmos, p.4, 1980.
[7] See Genesis 1:1 and Exodus 20:11.
[8] See The New Answers Book 2, (Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2008), 103.
[9] Carl Sagan, One Voice in the Cosmic Fugue,” Cosmos, 1980.
[10] Originally coined by Ken Ham, president and CEO of AIG-USA.
[11] For a more complete study of these scientific disciplines, see, The New Answers Book 1, (Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2006).
[12] See Genesis 1:20-25.
[13] “At the lowest stage of human mental development are the Australians, some tribes of the Polynesians, and the Bushmen, Hottentots, and some of the Negro tribes” (Ernest Haeckel).
[14] On the Origen of Species by Means of Natural Selection or the Preservation of the Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life
[15] See. Genesis 11:1-9.
