Bible Study: The Creation

The creation account in Genesis not only demonstrates how God created the world but it brilliantly sets the stage for God's sovereign plan of man's redemption. There are some minor differences of interpretation when it comes to the fall of man but the creation account itself is divided into two camps: Young Earth Creation and Old Earth Creation.

Old Earth Creation

Old Earth creationists believe that God created the heavens and the Earth but where they differ is on the seven days of creation. They believe the seven days of creation in Genesis is describing seven long periods of time or epochs. They point to Romans chapter eight to say that the whole creation is subject to decay which suggests that the Earth was much hotter in the past.

According to Old Earth theory the universe has been expanding continuously for millions of years. This theory is based on their belief that stars and planets would not be possible unless the universe has been expanding for millions of years otherwise the universe would be filled with hydrogen gas. On the other hand, if the Earth had been expanding for trillions of years they believe the universe would be full of black holes.

The order of the creation account suggests to Old Earth creationists that creation developed over millions of years. They maintain that the appearance of light on the first day was not the creation of light but the light of God. Moreover, they believe the flood of Noah was a local flood which is where Young Earth creationists strongly disagree.

The seventh day is a primary factor in the Old Earth theory as it does not end with, "and the evening and the morning..." as the other six creation days. They believe that had the word "day" mean twenty-four-hour days it would have said, "and the evening and the evening..." which would have indicated a literal twenty-four-hour day.

Young Earth Creation

Young Earth creationists believe the Earth is only six thousand years old and the seven days of creation are literal twenty-four- hour days. They argue that Adam and Eve were created as fully formed adults along with all of the plants and animals. Therefore, the Earth and heavens were also created mature and fully formed.

The phrase, "evening and morning" are consider by Young Earth creationists to mean literal twenty-four-hour days while the seventh day represents eternity which is the rest that awaits all who trust in Jesus Christ.

Exodus chapters 20 and 21 are the main scriptures that Young Earth creationists point to which state that God created the world in six days. The Hebrew word "Yom" means "day" and Young Earth creationists take the word to be literal where Old Earth creationists maintain that it doesn't always mean a literal twenty-four-hour day.

God told the Israelites to work six days and rest on the seventh. Young Earth creationists argue that if the word "day" means long periods of time that God was telling them to work six million years then rest for a million more which to them makes no sense.

Conclusion

Some scholars adamantly adhere to their own view and consider all other views heresy. Nevertheless, most scholars believe that all options and possibilities should be explored if there is biblical precedence for it. One may lean more towards one theory than the other but as long as there is biblical evidence to support the view it should be explored.