The reason why I engage in these discussions is very simple: I want to remove the stumbling block to the Gospel message that is being created by a dogmatic presentation of Creationism. Not the belief in a young earth and creation without evolution per se, but the “either/or” teaching that comes with it. I am not here to argue for an old earth or evolution, necessarily (although I do engage in that discussion as well), but against the false dichotomy that so often comes along with Creationism. More and more people are being taught that an old earth/evolution and Christianity are wholly inconsistent and that if you believe one, you can not really believe the other. Such a blanket statement puts two very distinct groups in crisis and I am convinced that souls are being lost to the Kingdom as a result. This may sound a bit over-dramatic, but I have seen too many people distracted from the Gospel message by this issue. Here are the two groups I think are in danger:
First, there are Christians, especially young people, who have been raised in a dogmatic Creationist households or attend such a church, and have been taught that evolution, or even an old earth, are evil and absolutely contrary to Scripture. That if you believe Scripture, you can not also believe in these “lies”. They are taught that those who do believe both are deluded or compromising Christians, probably not even worthy of the name of Christian. They are taught these as absolute truths, rather than one interpretation among the many that sincere Christians hold. These young people are ingrained with this teaching and accept it fully. Then they come into contact with the scientific evidence and begin to suspect that evolution or an old earth might actually be supported by the evidence. This creates a severe crisis of faith. They have been taught that if evolution or an old earth were true, then the atheists are right and the Bible can not be trusted and God did not create everything after all. I have seen this crisis in action. I have discussed this matter with those who either had abandoned Christianity or were about to because of this dogmatic teaching, and did my best to explain to them that the conflict was not inherent and that they could, indeed, accept evolution and not abandon Christianity. Most did not even know that there were Christians who accepted evolution, which shows how sheltered their lives had been.
The other group are non-Christians who come to associate Christianity with Young Earth Creationism. Those who do not know much about evolution and the age of the earth might be able to set aside any such beliefs and adopt a YEC belief and go on just fine. But most of those who really understand what the evidence says simply will not accept YEC teaching. So, if they are told that Christians, by definition, do not believe in evolution or an old earth and, instead, believe that the earth is less than 10,000 years old and that all the diversity of life was developed after a flood 4,000 years ago, this will be a major stumbling block to their acceptance of any Christian message. Thus Creationism becomes a barrier to the Cross for these non-Christians. More importantly, it becomes an unnecessary stumbling-block, since it is not an essential issue for Christian belief.
Here is Dr. Hugh Ross, a Christian Creationist (anti-evolution, but “old earth”
, discussing this issue, it It is actually an introduction to a book called “A New Look at an Old Earth” by Don Stoner. I don’t agree with everything Hugh Ross believes, or everything included in the book, but what Ross writes here is very good. I added a couple of small notes in brackets which I think clarifies what he is saying:
“James, the brother of Jesus, in addressing the council at Jerusalem declared, “It is my judgement, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God (Acts 15:19).” The apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans said, “Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way (Romans 14:13).” Don Stoner challenges us in the following pages to remove a great impediment to the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Instead of focusing on the now overwhelming evidence for the God of the Bible and on the complete accuracy of His Word [Ross believes that the scientific evidence of an old universe actually provides strong support for God’s Creation], many within Christendom would have us discount this potent new evidence, all for the sake of clinging to the rather peripheral (to the Gospel) dogma of a recently-created universe.
This digression [into YEC’ism] has effectively inoculated a large segment of secular society against taking seriously the call to faith in Christ. It also has divided the Christian community into hostile camps that focus more energy on attacking each other than on reaching nonbelievers. . . .
As Mr. Stoner emphasizes, science is man’s attempt to interpret the facts of nature, while theology is man’s attempt to interpret the words of the Bible. God created the universe and also is responsible for the words of the Bible. Since He is incapable of lying or deceit, there can be no contradiction between the words of the Bible and the facts of nature. Any conflict between science and theology must be attributable to human misinterpretation. Such conflicts should be welcomed, not feared or battled, for they point the way to further research and study that could resolve the apparent discrepancies.
Historically such resolutions have not only born the fruit of bringing warring parties to peace and fellowship but also provided new tools for winning souls for Christ. It is in this spirit that this book is written, and it is in this spirit that I hope this book will be read.”
I agree with the sentiments here entirely. My motto tends to be “remember geocentrism”.
First, there are Christians, especially young people, who have been raised in a dogmatic Creationist households or attend such a church, and have been taught that evolution, or even an old earth, are evil and absolutely contrary to Scripture. That if you believe Scripture, you can not also believe in these “lies”. They are taught that those who do believe both are deluded or compromising Christians, probably not even worthy of the name of Christian. They are taught these as absolute truths, rather than one interpretation among the many that sincere Christians hold. These young people are ingrained with this teaching and accept it fully. Then they come into contact with the scientific evidence and begin to suspect that evolution or an old earth might actually be supported by the evidence. This creates a severe crisis of faith. They have been taught that if evolution or an old earth were true, then the atheists are right and the Bible can not be trusted and God did not create everything after all. I have seen this crisis in action. I have discussed this matter with those who either had abandoned Christianity or were about to because of this dogmatic teaching, and did my best to explain to them that the conflict was not inherent and that they could, indeed, accept evolution and not abandon Christianity. Most did not even know that there were Christians who accepted evolution, which shows how sheltered their lives had been.
The other group are non-Christians who come to associate Christianity with Young Earth Creationism. Those who do not know much about evolution and the age of the earth might be able to set aside any such beliefs and adopt a YEC belief and go on just fine. But most of those who really understand what the evidence says simply will not accept YEC teaching. So, if they are told that Christians, by definition, do not believe in evolution or an old earth and, instead, believe that the earth is less than 10,000 years old and that all the diversity of life was developed after a flood 4,000 years ago, this will be a major stumbling block to their acceptance of any Christian message. Thus Creationism becomes a barrier to the Cross for these non-Christians. More importantly, it becomes an unnecessary stumbling-block, since it is not an essential issue for Christian belief.
Here is Dr. Hugh Ross, a Christian Creationist (anti-evolution, but “old earth”
, discussing this issue, it It is actually an introduction to a book called “A New Look at an Old Earth” by Don Stoner. I don’t agree with everything Hugh Ross believes, or everything included in the book, but what Ross writes here is very good. I added a couple of small notes in brackets which I think clarifies what he is saying:“James, the brother of Jesus, in addressing the council at Jerusalem declared, “It is my judgement, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God (Acts 15:19).” The apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans said, “Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way (Romans 14:13).” Don Stoner challenges us in the following pages to remove a great impediment to the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Instead of focusing on the now overwhelming evidence for the God of the Bible and on the complete accuracy of His Word [Ross believes that the scientific evidence of an old universe actually provides strong support for God’s Creation], many within Christendom would have us discount this potent new evidence, all for the sake of clinging to the rather peripheral (to the Gospel) dogma of a recently-created universe.
This digression [into YEC’ism] has effectively inoculated a large segment of secular society against taking seriously the call to faith in Christ. It also has divided the Christian community into hostile camps that focus more energy on attacking each other than on reaching nonbelievers. . . .
As Mr. Stoner emphasizes, science is man’s attempt to interpret the facts of nature, while theology is man’s attempt to interpret the words of the Bible. God created the universe and also is responsible for the words of the Bible. Since He is incapable of lying or deceit, there can be no contradiction between the words of the Bible and the facts of nature. Any conflict between science and theology must be attributable to human misinterpretation. Such conflicts should be welcomed, not feared or battled, for they point the way to further research and study that could resolve the apparent discrepancies.
Historically such resolutions have not only born the fruit of bringing warring parties to peace and fellowship but also provided new tools for winning souls for Christ. It is in this spirit that this book is written, and it is in this spirit that I hope this book will be read.”
I agree with the sentiments here entirely. My motto tends to be “remember geocentrism”.
