Creation Science Book Review
Refuting Compromise
Chapter 10: Biblical Old-Age Arguments
Book Review by Greg Neyman
© Old Earth Ministries
First Published 22 August 2004
Billions of Years is a Better Illustration of God’s Eternality? (Pages 322-323)
Here Sarfati generalizes this argument, showing that Ross’ train of thought actually supports a young earth as well. No problems here for old-earth belief…
Biblical Old-Age Words (Pages 323-326)
Put a hundred Hebrew scholars in a room, and they will disagree as to the meaning of Hebrew words. Yes, you can find Hebrew and Greek scholars that say the words of the Bible support only a young earth…just as you can find equally talented Hebrew and Greek scholars who support an old earth, with the exact same words!
Just because a young earth creation science scholar (a biologist at that (Sarfati)) says the words show a young earth, does not make the earth young. Conversely, just because a scholar says the words support an old earth (an astronomer (Ross)), this does not make the earth old. Rather, we have the evidence from science to consider. Since science conclusively says “old,” then the scholars which say the Bible can represent the earth as old must be correct.
(NOTE: Once again...notice that we have a BIOLOGIST (Sarfati) and an ASTRONOMER (Ross) arguing about Hebrew and Greek!)
Why Weren’t Vast-Age Words Used in Genesis 1? (Pages 326-328)
More word arguments that could be taken either way. Sarfati’s claim here does not rise to the level as to overturn Ross’ claims.
God is a Master Craftsman So Would He Take a Long Time? (Page 328)
Ross’ argument is sound in principle, but as Sarfati points out, is shallow. I myself prefer to think that Ross is correct. God loves His creation…he knew billions of years ago that the final creation would be man. He loves man so much that he spent billions of years crafting the universe for us. Thank You Lord for being a God of great detail and artistry!
“Fear of the Millions” (Pages 328-329)
Ross is completely accurate! Sarfati shows that young earth creationist Gish said that evolution would not happen even in billions of years. Ross and I agree. Why is it then that young earth creationists oppose old earth creationism? Sarfati fails to answer the mail on this one. Ross and others have plainly shown that you can be an evangelical, fundamental Christian and believe in an old earth…so what do they fear? Why don’t they accept old earth believers as a valid alternative, and join us united in an effort to oppose evolution and reach the world for Christ? Their opposition is mind-boggling to say the least.
Conclusion
Sarfati’s claims in this chapter are very weak, and present no serious evidence for us to consider.
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.
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