Why I'm still a Young Earth Creationist
Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2014 12:36 am
I've had, in the back of my mind over the past year or so, the question 'why am I still a young earth creationist?' The position is ridiculed all over the internet. It goes against not only scientific consensus, but seemingly that of biblical scholarship too. It's certainly not hip. I am thinking of writing an article on this question and wanted to express a few ideas.
It's NOT because...
1. It's NOT because I'm anti-science. I actually really enjoy science. I don't see science as a threat, at all, to my Christian faith. I favor finding out as much as we can about the world and following facts where they lead. I'm totally opposed to burying my head in the sand.
2. It's NOT because I'm unfamiliar with the arguments for other views. I know about The Gap Theory, the Day Age Theory, Theistic Evolution, Framework Hypothesis, the similarities and contrasts with creation myths of the Ancient Near East, etc.
3. It's NOT because I'm a fundamentalist that believes in always interpreting the Bible in a wooden literal way. I don't think the Bible is primarily a science book or a history book. I don't think it should be judged based on our modern ways of writing history.
4. It's NOT because I find ministries like Answers in Genesis super impressive. Frankly, I find them annoying sometimes. I think they are far too divisive on the issue, making it sound like anyone who isn't a young earth creationist has all but abandoned the Christian faith.
5. It's NOT that I think my faith depends on YEC being true. I really am open to one of the other theories persuading me. I don't consider it an essential component of my faith.
IT IS BECAUSE...
1. Basically, the best presentations/arguments I have heard have been by Young Earth Creationists. I can't change views until I hear better arguments. But almost all the other arguments I hear are either based on misrepresentations of YECism or they simply don't make the case they're trying to make (usually due to misunderstanding YECism...as in... yeah, we believe that too).
2. The common rhetoric of non YEC's is particular annoying to me. They just tend to use bully language. "Can't we just let YEC go?" "It's over" "YEC is a dinosaur" "It's so obvious". I'm constantly being told that all YEC are anti-scientific fundamentalists. I know that's not true, so the rhetoric leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
3. I have come to believe that the devil accomplishes far more systematically than individually. The pull toward theistic evolution (or anything other than YEC) almost seems satanic to me at times. IF YEC is correct, the devil must be laughing at how easy it is to get many Christians to switch their views simply by creating a scientific consensus on something and then applying pressure on the church to 'stay relevant'
4. I still think YEC is the best fit with New Testament theology. I think it is important that there was an Adam and an Eve. I think the account resonates with reality (it preaches well). It makes much sense of the grand narrative.
5. It's always bothered me how cheesy the dismissals of Genesis 1-11 are from non YECism. Stupid stuff like "Who did Cain marry w/o committing incest?" or "How do we reconcile Genesis 1 & 2 and their blatant contradictions?" To me, these are not very difficult problems to solve. And you can't just discount 1-11 when the family tree touches the characters in 12! Was Abraham real, but his father imaginary?
Most of my favorite Bible teachers/preachers/authors are NOT YECists (Steve seems to be the exception). But I haven't seen anything very persuasive to stop me from being one. I'm open. I've watched Jon Perry's videos. I don't think they make a better overall case than what I've heard my friend Chris Miller (a creationist speaker in my region) present a half dozen times.
It's NOT because...
1. It's NOT because I'm anti-science. I actually really enjoy science. I don't see science as a threat, at all, to my Christian faith. I favor finding out as much as we can about the world and following facts where they lead. I'm totally opposed to burying my head in the sand.
2. It's NOT because I'm unfamiliar with the arguments for other views. I know about The Gap Theory, the Day Age Theory, Theistic Evolution, Framework Hypothesis, the similarities and contrasts with creation myths of the Ancient Near East, etc.
3. It's NOT because I'm a fundamentalist that believes in always interpreting the Bible in a wooden literal way. I don't think the Bible is primarily a science book or a history book. I don't think it should be judged based on our modern ways of writing history.
4. It's NOT because I find ministries like Answers in Genesis super impressive. Frankly, I find them annoying sometimes. I think they are far too divisive on the issue, making it sound like anyone who isn't a young earth creationist has all but abandoned the Christian faith.
5. It's NOT that I think my faith depends on YEC being true. I really am open to one of the other theories persuading me. I don't consider it an essential component of my faith.
IT IS BECAUSE...
1. Basically, the best presentations/arguments I have heard have been by Young Earth Creationists. I can't change views until I hear better arguments. But almost all the other arguments I hear are either based on misrepresentations of YECism or they simply don't make the case they're trying to make (usually due to misunderstanding YECism...as in... yeah, we believe that too).
2. The common rhetoric of non YEC's is particular annoying to me. They just tend to use bully language. "Can't we just let YEC go?" "It's over" "YEC is a dinosaur" "It's so obvious". I'm constantly being told that all YEC are anti-scientific fundamentalists. I know that's not true, so the rhetoric leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
3. I have come to believe that the devil accomplishes far more systematically than individually. The pull toward theistic evolution (or anything other than YEC) almost seems satanic to me at times. IF YEC is correct, the devil must be laughing at how easy it is to get many Christians to switch their views simply by creating a scientific consensus on something and then applying pressure on the church to 'stay relevant'
4. I still think YEC is the best fit with New Testament theology. I think it is important that there was an Adam and an Eve. I think the account resonates with reality (it preaches well). It makes much sense of the grand narrative.
5. It's always bothered me how cheesy the dismissals of Genesis 1-11 are from non YECism. Stupid stuff like "Who did Cain marry w/o committing incest?" or "How do we reconcile Genesis 1 & 2 and their blatant contradictions?" To me, these are not very difficult problems to solve. And you can't just discount 1-11 when the family tree touches the characters in 12! Was Abraham real, but his father imaginary?
Most of my favorite Bible teachers/preachers/authors are NOT YECists (Steve seems to be the exception). But I haven't seen anything very persuasive to stop me from being one. I'm open. I've watched Jon Perry's videos. I don't think they make a better overall case than what I've heard my friend Chris Miller (a creationist speaker in my region) present a half dozen times.