6-8 thousand year creationism

[sola fide]

I put this post in this forum because I want a Christian take on the subject. I adhere to the teaching that the earth is approximately 6 thousand years old. I also believe that the Word of God is perfect and inerrant.
I've only been back to college for just over 2 weeks now this semester, but have felt more resistance from professors than ever on this subject...especially my world civ. teacher.
Here's my question though...My teacher has not made one mention of Judaism to this point, and we are already to 500BC (Alexander the Great) in our lectures. She began talking about "zoroastranism" today, and made the bold claim that it was the precursor to modern day Christianity, and that it was the first religion to incorporate monotheism and the concept of a "good god" verses and "adversary". She also said that it was the beginning of the idea that living a "good life" would lead to eternal salvation.
Of course, I finally raised my hand and engaged, and let it be known that our God was not ahura-mazda, and that our salvation was not works based. She cordially nodded me off....I then engaged her on the claim that it was the first monotheistic religion(around 600BC). I asked her about Judaism....and the law of Moses, etc...and mentioned that history has proven that the books of Moses were written around 1400BC...once again she nodded me off and simply said..."well that's debatable".
I then tried to engage her after class, and she shrugged me off....
Any advice from anyone? Are there any small books you could recommend that I could give her? Any help would be greatly appreciated, my prayer is that I can show her the true history behind the Bible...I have a huge history book on the Bible and its people, but I think I need something smaller for her to actually read it.
God bless.

Soli Deo gloria!

 

[Reformationist]

Originally posted by sola fide
I put this post in this forum because I want a Christian take on the subject. I adhere to the teaching that the earth is approximately 6 thousand years old. I also believe that the Word of God is perfect and inerrant.
I've only been back to college for just over 2 weeks now this semester, but have felt more resistance from professors than ever on this subject...especially my world civ. teacher.
Here's my question though...My teacher has not made one mention of Judaism to this point, and we are already to 500BC (Alexander the Great) in our lectures. She began talking about "zoroastranism" today, and made the bold claim that it was the precursor to modern day Christianity, and that it was the first religion to incorporate monotheism and the concept of a "good god" verses and "adversary". She also said that it was the beginning of the idea that living a "good life" would lead to eternal salvation.
Of course, I finally raised my hand and engaged, and let it be known that our God was not ahura-mazda, and that our salvation was not works based. She cordially nodded me off....I then engaged her on the claim that it was the first monotheistic religion(around 600BC). I asked her about Judaism....and the law of Moses, etc...and mentioned that history has proven that the books of Moses were written around 1400BC...once again she nodded me off and simply said..."well that's debatable".
I then tried to engage her after class, and she shrugged me off....
Any advice from anyone? Are there any small books you could recommend that I could give her? Any help would be greatly appreciated, my prayer is that I can show her the true history behind the Bible...I have a huge history book on the Bible and its people, but I think I need something smaller for her to actually read it.
God bless.

Soli Deo gloria!

Hey sola fida!  Books don't change people's minds.  Your words don't change people's minds.  Only God can do that.  You could pray that God enlightens your teacher to the truth.  Again, you must understand, a college course of that type is intended to dicuss historical "facts" as espoused by recognized cirriculum.  You need not agree with it, but if you take the course, you must learn the material.  Again, I urge you to limit your evangelical responses to how they relate to the course material.  The classroom is not the place for it.  Most recognized field experts, i.e., professors, don't think you know something more about their topic than they do.  Not to mention, they probably won't want you interrupting the flow of the class.  Don't worry.  If it is God's Will that she be brought to an enlightened understanding, then she will.  It might not even be you that God uses.  That's okay too.  His Will will be done, no matter what you do.

I have a question for you.  Did she ask for some material regarding your viewpoint?  Because, if not, it's a bit presumptuous, and not at all beneficial to your credibility, if you assume she would be interested in reading it.  Have you asked her if she would care to look at some information you have?

Don't worry brother.  Your heart's in the right place.  Just put your faith in the right place too, that is, in God.

God bless.

 

[camaro540]

I would like to ask a question as well. How do you come to your idea that the earth is only 6-8 thousand years old?

Patrick

 

[sola fide]

First, to Reformationist, no I have not asked her yet. We are now in our 3rd week of class and I have kept silent about the teachings of our book and the professor until that last episode, and she did ask a question in regards to that issue. She asked if we saw similarities between zoroastranism and Christianity. I answered no. I haven't addressed the issue of creation with her. Only the existence of Judaism before zoroastranism. Actually, I have one advantage in that class. My pastor, who is my mentor also, is taking the class with me. He just didn't happen to show up for class Tuesday morning b/c his and his wife's latest addition kept them up all night. We have been praying for her, and in a way I'm glad I'm confronted with the issue b/c it challenges me to study. Thanks so much for your response. I haven't actually conversed with you, but from your posts that I have read, I respect your doctrine and opinion. God bless you.
Secondly, to answer the question posed by camaro. I believe in the approximate 6 thousand year time frame b/c tracing the geneology taught in the Bible would give you that conclusion. By no means do I, or will I ever agree with the so-called "millineal-gap theory" taught by some modern day evangelicals such as Benny Hinn and John Hagee. God bless.

Soli Deo gloria!

 

[sola fide]

Just for clarity, I probably misnamed this thread. I don't mean to get on a discussion of creation, I'm just interested in the opinions of Christians who hold to similar doctrines as myself.

Soli Deo gloria!

 

[Reformationist]

Originally posted by sola fide
First, to Reformationist, no I have not asked her yet. We are now in our 3rd week of class and I have kept silent about the teachings of our book and the professor until that last episode, and she did ask a question in regards to that issue. She asked if we saw similarities between zoroastranism and Christianity. I answered no. I haven't addressed the issue of creation with her. Only the existence of Judaism before zoroastranism. Actually, I have one advantage in that class. My pastor, who is my mentor also, is taking the class with me. He just didn't happen to show up for class Tuesday morning b/c his and his wife's latest addition kept them up all night. We have been praying for her, and in a way I'm glad I'm confronted with the issue b/c it challenges me to study.

Well, good luck to you brother.  Have faith that if it is His Will that this woman be brought to an understanding of Him, He will make sure that comes about.  I pray that all the things you seek to understand God will show you.

Thanks so much for your response. I haven't actually conversed with you, but from your posts that I have read, I respect your doctrine and opinion. God bless you.

Thanks man.  That's extremely nice of you.

By no means do I, or will I ever agree with the so-called "millineal-gap theory" taught by some modern day evangelicals such as Benny Hinn and John Hagee. God bless.

I don't know anything about Hagee but I urge you to steer clear of all if Benny Hinn's teachings.  I don't know that I've ever heard a more inaccurate explanation of the Gospel as what comes from that man.  It's quite scary.

God bless.