“Are you a Young Earth or an Old Earth creationist?” This is a question we get quite often, especially when trying to set up seminars with churches or groups that have never seen or heard of our program. My answer used to always be “Young Earth”. However, I now give a different answer to the question.
Now don’t get me wrong … I do believe in a young earth, recently created about 6000 years ago. I believe in that age because of the genealogies of the Bible, God’s Word. Therefore, today I like to use the term “Historic-earth” creationist (a term coined by Mr. Tom Godfrey as related by John D. Morris, Ph.D. in an article he wrote in How Young Is the Young Earth?, Acts and Facts, Dec 1, 2004. http://www.icr.org/article/how-young-earth/ ).
I realize that “Young Earth” and “Old Earth” are the traditional terms used to describe the age of the Earth and are still valid. However, they can be somewhat misleading. If you believe the very first revelation in the Bible,”In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1), as I do, then consider this … nothing is older than the Earth. All the rest of Creation was created AFTER that event. Therefore, in that aspect, it is an “Old Earth”. The term “Young Earth” is in actuality a comparison to the 4.6 billion years of evolutionary cosmology.
I therefore agree with Tom when he “suggests we call ourselves “historic-earth creationists,” not only because it is accurate, but it acknowledges the true history of Scripture.”
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” II Timothy 3:16
Lanny Johnson
2 Comments
What do you do with all the scientific evidence that suggests a much older earth? I’m not sure there’s much accepted science that supports a 6000 year old earth…
Thanks for the comment and reading our blog. The Institute for Creation Research conducted an eight year research project that was summarized in the book “Thousands…Not Billions. The project title was Radioisotopes and the Age of the Earth, or RATE. This book gives a compelling challenge to Darwinian evolution. In regards to “accepted science” there is not much allowed in many of the journals unless it supports theories already promoted or believed by the respective publishers. There is a Creation Science peer reviewed journal called the Journal of Creation that is published by Creation Ministries International. I hope that you would take some time to look at some differing views and tell us what you think. Thanks again.