Did God Create Over Billions of Years? Exploring the Divine Timeline

Did God Create Over Billions of Years?

Many people wonder if it is possible that God created the world over billions of years. They ask why the age of the earth is such a big deal, especially since it is not directly related to salvation. While the timescale itself may not be the main issue, it does go to the heart of the trustworthiness of Scripture. Compromising with long ages undermines the Gospel message and creates difficulties in evangelism.

The Implications of a Long-Age Timescale

The concept of an old earth originated outside of the Bible. In 1830, Charles Lyell, a Scottish lawyer, published his book "Principles of Geology" with the aim of freeing geology from biblical influence. He proposed that the sedimentary layers found all over the earth were formed slowly over millions or billions of years, contradicting the biblical account of Noah's Flood. This idea was based on the assumption that processes observed in the present can explain the geological history of the earth.

One theological problem with a long-age belief is that these rock layers contain fossils, which represent death, suffering, and disease. According to the Bible, these things only began to happen after Adam's Fall. If Adam existed millions of years ago, it would mean that death and suffering occurred before sin entered the world. This contradicts Romans 5:12, which states that sin brought death into the world.

The God of an Old Earth

The belief in death before the Fall has significant implications for our understanding of God's character. It also raises questions about how evolution fits into this perspective. Evolution is a random and wasteful process that requires countless organisms to die. If God used this process to create, He would have overseen a lottery of death resulting in humans standing on top of layers filled with the remains of billions of dead things. This doesn't align with Genesis 1:31, where God declared His creation to be "very good."

The Gospel of an Old Earth

If death existed before the Fall, it challenges the central message of the Gospel. The hope of the Gospel is the resurrection and the restoration of creation to its original perfect state. However, if death was present before sin, there is no need for a restoration because there was never a perfect state. An acceptance of long ages also undermines the significance of Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection. It robs the Gospel of its power.

The Effect on the Church

The teaching of evolution and an old earth has serious consequences for the church, particularly for young people who are leaving in large numbers. Believers who accept a billions-of-years timescale struggle to defend their faith and explain the origin of death and suffering. This hinders church growth and creates stumbling blocks for those questioning the goodness of God in the face of suffering.

On the other hand, Christians who hold to a biblical view of a young earth have a logical platform for introducing God to those without a scriptural background. Just as Paul used creation when preaching to Gentile audiences, a straightforward understanding of Genesis provides a foundation to share the true God.

Inconsistent Christianity?

While it is possible to be a Christian and believe in an old earth, it raises questions about the authority of Scripture. If Genesis is not real literal history, it becomes difficult to determine where truth begins in the Bible. Placing trust in man-made philosophies undermines the foundation of our faith. Jesus Himself believed in a literal historical Genesis, and we should too.

Why This Matters

The age of the earth is not just a scientific debate; it is deeply tied to our understanding of Scripture and the Gospel message. Accepting long ages undermines the trustworthiness of Scripture and distorts key theological concepts such as death, suffering, and redemption. It creates difficulties in defending the faith and sharing the Gospel with others. A biblical understanding of a young earth provides a logical framework for our faith and aligns with the teachings of Jesus.

Think About It

1. How does accepting an old earth impact our understanding of God's character and the Gospel message?
2. What difficulties arise when trying to reconcile the idea of death before the Fall with biblical teachings?
3. Why is it important to maintain a straightforward understanding of Genesis when sharing the Gospel with others?