YEC vs OEC

[Courty P]

Can anyone explain to me the differences between a old earth christian and a young earth christian? I have never heard of this term before. Your help is appreciated.

 

[Vance]

The opening post here:

http://www.christianforums.com/t842473

explains all these varieties of creationism, as well as the other forms of beliefs about origins held by Christians.

 

[Remus]

Might not be a bad idea to make that post or one like it sticky.

 

[Courty P]

Ok, having read the link you provided (thank you for that by the way), do i understand this correctly:

1)YEC basically dont believe in the dinosaurs, or that there was life on earth before Genesis 1

2)OEC basically believe in life on earth prior to Genesis 1, and this life included dinosaurs and perhaps cavemen



Thank you for your assistance

The opening post here:

http://www.christianforums.com/t842473

explains all these varieties of creationism, as well as the other forms of beliefs about origins held by Christians.

 

[Ceris]

One correction: YEC do believe that dinosaurs existed, just not in the time frame that modern science gives (65 - 215 or million years ago).

 

[Didaskomenos]

Ok, having read the link you provided (thank you for that by the way), do i understand this correctly:

1)YEC basically dont believe in the dinosaurs, or that there was life on earth before Genesis 1

2)OEC basically believe in life on earth prior to Genesis 1, and this life included dinosaurs and perhaps cavemen

Well, number 2 is only partly right. Adherents to the "gap theory" believe there was life before our present creation, but that occurs in between v. 1 and v.2. But not all OEC's are gap theorists. Some just believe more time has passed than 6,000-10,000 yrs, believing that the genealogies that yield the YE date should be interpreted differently than YEC's interpret them.

 

[In Christ Forever]

Ok, having read the link you provided (thank you for that by the way), do i understand this correctly:

1)YEC basically dont believe in the dinosaurs, or that there was life on earth before Genesis 1

2)OEC basically believe in life on earth prior to Genesis 1, and this life included dinosaurs and perhaps cavemen

So how many believe this is an actual Leviathan in the sea?

Isaiah 27:1 In that day the LORD with His severe sword, great and strong, Will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan that twisted serpent; And He will slay the reptile that [is] in the sea. 2 In that day sing to her, "A vineyard of red wine!....

 

[Courty P]

Oh my I believe I am more confused now then when i originally asked the question

 

[Vance]

Oh my I believe I am more confused now then when i originally asked the question

Don't feel bad, I am a veteran on these issues and I have no ideas what he is talking about there either.

 

[Courty P]

Goodness.. I think it's being made more complicated than it needs to be. Personally I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal savior regardless of the actual age of the earth. Too often we focus on little, insignificant details rather than our own salvation. Hey if someone has got a "layman's" breakdown for me I appreciate it.

Don't feel bad, I am a veteran on these issues and I have no ideas what he is talking about there either.

 

[Vance]

Goodness.. I think it's being made more complicated than it needs to be. Personally I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal savior regardless of the actual age of the earth. Too often we focus on little, insignificant details rather than our own salvation. Hey if someone has got a "layman's" breakdown for me I appreciate it.

I think you just gave it! :0)

 

[Courty P]

WOW! I didnt even realize. You know, I come on Christian message boards to fellowship, and to learn more about the Word. The hard part comes in with participating in boards that don't generate too much confusion. I am a stickler for details and I love little factoids and learning new things.. but too often I see people getting lost in the details and missing the bigger pictures (this being me on occasion). I appreciate everyone's comments and hope to learn, teach, and fellowship in a positive manner

I think you just gave it! :0)

 

[horuhe00]

I think that one day for God could be an instant or an age in our time. So I guess I'm an Old Earth Christian?

 

[United]

Goodness.. I think it's being made more complicated than it needs to be. Personally I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal savior regardless of the actual age of the earth. Too often we focus on little, insignificant details rather than our own salvation. Hey if someone has got a "layman's" breakdown for me I appreciate it.

Hi Courty P!

Welcome to the forum! The main difference between YEC and OEC is the interpretation of the six "periods" mentioned in Genesis 1 and 2:

-YEC's believe that the "periods" were days.They believe that these six days of creation occurred approximately 6,000 - 10,000 years ago, & all Dinosours etc would all have lived in this period.
-OEC's believe that the "periods" were undefinable periods of time - perhaps millions or billions of years. During these six periods God created everything including Dinosours which became extinct 65 million years ago.

There's much more I could explain - but it's probably clearer if you prompt the areas you need clarification on.

 

[PaladinValer]

One correction: YEC do believe that dinosaurs existed, just not in the time frame that modern science gives (65 - 215 or million years ago).

In reality, both you and the other are correct; some do as you suggest but other YECs actually deny the very existance of dinos.

 

[Courty P]

I believe that dinosaurs existed, however where they fit in the scheme of things im not sure.. I think it would be unwise to suggest they never existed - what about all the skeletons that have been discovered.. are they fakes?

In reality, both you and the other are correct; some do as you suggest but other YECs actually deny the very existance of dinos.

 

[PaladinValer]

Some YECs hold that they are fakes. If not that, these YECs hold that they are of some other species already known of.

As for the validity of these YECs beliefs, I'm sure you've probably guessed what I think, so I'll let you come to your own conclusions without further imput.

 

[Courty P]

hmm.. it's a possibility but not a probability that they are fakes.. I mean anything is possible, but it's the probability that that occurred which needs to be considered here. I think it's a greater probability that they existed. Think of what needed to be done to make and place these fakes. What would making these "fakes" actually accomplish? What is there to gain? I mean either way it still doesn't affect our salvation. Obviously God didn't find the dinosaurs important enough to include their info in the Bible. So I dont think people should waste energy argueing about it

Some YECs hold that they are fakes. If not that, these YECs hold that they are of some other species already known of.

As for the validity of these YECs beliefs, I'm sure you've probably guessed what I think, so I'll let you come to your own conclusions without further imput.

 

[PaladinValer]

1. They are not fakes; they did exist, and to deny it is to deny centuries-worth of powerful evidence.
2. What is there to gain? To these YECs who hold that view, they believe, literally, that the Devil is at work, influencing the minds of those evil, God-hating scientists to spread lies about the "Truth." Are they right? I'll let you, again, to be the judge of that.
3. Humans wrote the Bible, not God. And since the Bible is a book of spirituality and religious Truth rather than secularness, it wouldn't matter if they were or weren't discussed as it isn't an issue. Why turn the Bible into a history or science textbook which it never was meant to be? There lies the rub.

 

[ChristianCandy]

I believe in the Gap Theory, an old earth & a new creation created just for Adam & Eve, with the old civilization disappearing with the Ice Age.


If you want to read more about the Gap Theory, you can visit this website:


http://www.kjvbible.org/


Blessings to you.