So, we have THE TRUTH – and one certainly and absolutely exists, whether or not we know it at this or any other time. And Gen 1:1 is TRUTH, as is Gen 1:2. Again, I politely refer young-earth subscribers to the necessity of explaining Satan’s presence in the garden by Gen 3 without any illumination of his fall in Gen 1 and 2 FROM Scripture? The events of IS 14 and EZ 28 certainly occur sometime between even Satan’s own creation in Gen 1:1 and the subsequent events form Gen 1:2-ff. That Gen 1:1 was not created formless and void is confirmed in IS 45:18; therefore, the English rendering of ‘is’ as opposed to ‘became’ suppports only that the translators could not connect these events in the absence of science, nor does it presuppose any flaws in the science of men, the laws of which are established by a TRUTHFUL God who would not resort to deceit in order that his people be unable to apprehend his being ANCIENT OF DAYS and CREATOR of ALL.

FInal point: Evolutionists err because they discard the notion of God ‘establishing’ His will in creation. Young earth Creationists fail to remember that God is TRUTH, so science should only confirm the truth according to the laws prescribed by Him. We must look awfully foolish to the Omnipotent One in even having this debate at all. (LOL) Merry CHRISTmas, all!

{Jennifer} is correct and Dr D is also correct.

In Gen 1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” Which simply means that the earth could be thousands or millions of years old, its really no big deal! Since, there is no way to explain In the beginning. Like I said Adam and Eve is the start of the human race not how old the earth is. In closing remember this get all of your bible facts together before jumping on a position.

God Bless!

Since satan is already in the garden by Gen 3, his rebellion and fall to earth preceeded the story of man and his relationship with God as the Bible is written for us [Ez 28, Is 14].
Thus, that the earth became formless and void is understood in the context that Gen 1:1 and 1:2 are chronological, though not immediately sequential, a tough concept for people to comprehend. But the Hebrew concept of eternity is to be “timeless” or “without time.”

We are therefore left with Gen 1 as a picture ofthe Gospel – that God created everything – that Satan rebelled and was cast down, thus corrupting the virgin beauty of the earth (became formless and void), that God recreated or regenerated the earth (light established in darkness, seperation by predetination, third day resurrection from the land…days 1, 2 and 3 – a repeat for population – heavens of stars, Sun and moon (believers, Jesus and Israel/church in phases), the birds and fish that dwell in seperation, and finally the new creation – the First Adam).

Early brethren (those in the movement known as the Plymouth Brethren which started with Darby and led to the re-acquantence of rapture, dispensationalism, and New Testament church pricniples which decried heresies like replacement theology and the apostolic signs and wonders in the church) often spoke and wrote on these matters. Most expressively was hyper-dispensationalist E.W. Bullinger.

We don’t really need another book about God’s Word – we all just need to be reading the Bible and let the Holy Spirit teach us all things. Nevertheless, Walton places his credibility among those who are “respecter’s of persons”: which may impact a few on the fence…for as Paul says, we are not to be “ignorant brethren.”

Regarding the various (credible) creation positions – what does this one make – is this number 6? – Old earth, young earth, framework, analogical day view, gap theory, and now this one (some might include theistic evolution)

This view is interesting! I do like that this view allows for age of the universe and earth be what they measure.

(I would say) It is a difficult position to say that the universe and earth are young (6000 years old).

We know that “truth” is a property of a statement that conforms with reality.

To say the universe measure 15.7 billion years old or the earth is 4 billion years old cannot be called false statements. Perhaps you can call them false but the person claiming it can simply point to the measurement.

To say that the earth is 6000 years old does not conform with reality – again point to the various measurements.

I think it would be very difficult to be a Christian scientist if one HAS to hold to a young earth position.

Consider the following situation –

What does this historical document date to? – 200 years old – and it conforms with what we know.

What about this artifact from China – 1500 B.C. – and we know it conforms to the history we know.

But know we find something that dates to say 15,000 years old, a strict young earth position states that you can’t claim that measurement – you have to go ask a young-earth Christian how old it really is.

I see difficulties being an honest astrophysicist, cosmologist, paleontologist, astro-biologist, geologist, zoologist, and so on.

Anyway – just some thoughts.

-Jennifer

I would argue that death of all kinds is a result of the fall (of Adam, not Autumn

Thus, any view in which death occurs prior to Adam, for whatever reason, is an errant view.

Blessings,
Todd