What is old earth creationism?

Answer

Please note that as a ministry, GotQuestions.org officially adheres to young earth creationism. We firmly believe that young earth creationism aligns best with the biblical account of creation. However, we acknowledge that old earth creationism is a valid perspective that a Christian may embrace. Old earth creationism is not considered heresy, and individuals who hold this view should not be excluded as fellow believers in Christ. We deemed it valuable to publish an article that presents old earth creationism in a positive light, as it is beneficial for our beliefs to face challenges, prompting us to delve deeper into the Scriptures to ensure the biblical accuracy of our convictions.

Old earth creationism (OEC) is a term that encompasses biblical creationists who do not affirm that the universe was created within the last 6,000 to 10,000 years in six consecutive 24-hour days. Instead, old earth creationists maintain that God created the universe and all its inhabitants (including a literal Adam and Eve) over a significantly longer period than what young earth creationists propose. The roster of prominent Christian leaders who are at least receptive to an old earth interpretation is extensive and continues to expand. This list includes individuals such as Walter Kaiser, Norman Geisler, William Dembski, J.I. Packer, J.P. Moreland, Philip E. Johnson, Chuck Colson, as well as the late Francis Schaefer and Old Testament scholar Gleason Archer.

Old earth creationists generally accept the conventional scientific estimates regarding the age of the universe, humanity, and Earth while simultaneously rejecting the assertions of contemporary evolutionary theorists concerning biological evolution. Old earth creationists and their young earth creationist counterparts share several key beliefs, including:

1) The literal creation of the universe from nothing at a specific point in time (creation ex ni

1) The literal creation of Adam from the dust of the ground and Eve from Adam’s side, along with the historical accuracy of the Genesis account.

2) The rejection of Darwinists’ claim that random mutation and natural selection are sufficient to explain the complexity of life.

3) The denial of the idea that God utilized evolution to develop humanity (theistic evolution). Both old earth and new earth creationism firmly oppose the concept of common ancestry.

However, old earth creationists differ from young earth creationists in the following aspects:

1) The age of the universe. Young earth creationists assert that the universe was created 6,000-10,000 years ago. In contrast, old earth creationists place the creation event around 13.7 billion years ago, aligning more closely with conventional scientific beliefs on this matter.

2) The timing of Adam and Eve’s creation. Young earth creationists date Adam’s creation to no later than 10,000 years ago. Old earth creationists have varying estimates, ranging from 30,000 to 70,000 years ago.

The dispute between these two creationist perspectives centers on the interpretation of the Hebrew word “yom,” which means “day.” Young earth creationists argue that “yom” in the context of Genesis 1–2 signifies a 24-hour period. In contrast, old earth creationists contend that “yom” denotes a much longer timeframe. Old earth creationists support their stance with several biblical arguments, including:

1) The usage of “yom” in other parts of the Bible to indicate an extended period, notably Psalm 90:4, later referenced by the apostle Peter: “A day (yom) is like a thousand years” «But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. », (2 P

1) The Bible teaches that God is timeless and unchanging (Malachi 3:6)..

2) The seventh “day” spans thousands of years. Genesis 2:2-3 mentions that God rested on the seventh “day” (yom). Scripture indicates that we are currently in the seventh day; thus, the term “day” may also denote an extended period when compared to the preceding six days.

3) The term “day” in Genesis 1–2 exceeds 24 hours. Genesis 2:4 states, “This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made earth and heaven” (NASB). Here, “day” encompasses the first six days collectively, suggesting a broader meaning beyond a single 24-hour cycle.

4) The sixth “day” likely extends beyond 24 hours. Genesis 2:19 describes Adam naming and categorizing every living creature on earth. At first glance, it seems implausible for Adam to accomplish such a monumental task within a mere 24-hour timeframe.

The differences between young and old earth creationists are intricate and significant. Nevertheless, this matter should not become a litmus test for orthodoxy. There are devout individuals on both sides of this discussion. Ultimately, biblical creationists—whether young or old Earth proponents—share many commonalities and should collaborate to uphold the historical accuracy of the Genesis narrative.