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Index:
A: Interviewer
B: Christian who is open to creation subject
A: What do you believe about the age of the earth?
B: Thanks for the question! First, I would like to know What
does it matter to me if I answer the question?
A: Well, because it matters to the account of creation and
ultimately the whole Bible!
B: To be fair enough, Genesis creation account is much open
to tremendous interpretations without affecting core doctrines like: God is the
creator, He made everything good, He brought order to this world and he made us
in his own image. And that is what we all need to understand in our context
today.
A: But what about the creation days? Wouldn't that affect
the way we interpret?
B: Well, that would have an obvious impact on certain
aspects such as whether the sun was made before the earth or later, whether
there was animal death before the fall, whether humans got evolved or
supernaturally created and so on. But none of these have any impacts on our
belief that God is creator of everything and he created humanity as pinnacle of
his creation to rule this world on his behalf!
A: Well, that sounds sweet to me. But I am concerned about
historicity of Adam and Eve and how creation days could affect these
interpretations. So how would you elaborate on this controversy?
B: I am really pleased with your genuine curiosity friend!
The historical Adam is indeed an issue and as a reputed Christian theologian,
apologist and philosopher William Craig points out, their existence is
inevitable to our faith indeed. The only difference lies in their historic
dating whether they were too near to our present timeline (like 6000 years
before?) or somehow far from our present timeline (like hundred thousand years
before?) and Christians have always been divided in this issue. Whatever be
their timeline, it is their historic existence that has immense significance to
our faith. And yeah, quite obviously, there are certain groups which take Adam
as an allegorical figure but they too find the seriousness of the fall and sin
and a need of savior.
A: Umm okay! So, what about the days of creation? And how
old you think this world could be?
B: To be straightforward, the age of this world doesn't
really matter to my personal relationship with Jesus, like as we are moving so
close to the end times, the time is soon coming when He would turn everything
different in eternal future. He would make the whole universe like garden of
Eden and we would be living and enjoying him forever. Next to your question,
the days could be understood in many ways. It could have been ordinary days or
it could have been metaphorical days. Even the view of ordinary days doesn't
allow the world to be very young. So, I don't think we need to get into
anything deeper into it.
A: Like how could it be the case the ordinary view of days
doesn't necessarily allow for a young world? It amazes me!
B: To note professor John Lennox, the days began very later
since the very first act of creation! So, there could be indeterminate time gap
before vs. 3 even if days were normal. Another view could be long gaps between
days! Still another view like Cosmic temple simply states days as temple inauguration
periods instead historic periods. Other still thinks that God made the world
look very old even if days were literal. So, you can see how it is a possible
case!
A: Oh! that's interesting! What about the evidence? Which
side do you think is more convincing? Like OEC, YEC and TE?
B: Well, from a scientific perspective, it’s all about the
interpretations again. The arguments from those groups are merely
interpretations. Personally, I would take side from OEC, because the Big Bang
still has some relevancy and the scientific, geological evidences are quite
good. However, I am not a defender of this view so I don't try to throw some
cookies.
A: And what's your view of Theistic evolution? Can that be
Biblical?
B: I am just open to that view with higher skeptical mind. I
would be comfortable with it so far as it doesn't negotiate with historical
Adam and the Fall. God might have used guided evolutionary process, who knows?
And to your next question, there must be a marginal line to the word
"Biblical". I don't understand what that term even means. It’s like
asking, is physics Biblical? But the physics has nothing to do with the Bible.
But if the question is on compatibility, then Genesis could be compatible with
evolution in case that the Genesis isn't about material creation as John Walton
notes.
A: Next, how much are you comfortable with YEC view?
B: Ah, I have many friends in my Christian circle who holds
to this position. And by studying the subject of creationism and even having
conversation with my friends, I do see good aspects in YEC view. I love their
reverence for God's word and willingness to keep the scripture above science. I
have gone through many YEC contents such like Ken Ham, Dr. Marcuss Ross, Jason
Lisle, Kent Hovind, Eric Hovind and so many others too. I just don't hold this
position because I still find Biblical relevancy of OEC and this position seems
better to dialogue with non-Christians to open their mind to the Gospel.
Although, I accept the difficulty of other positions in comparison to the YEC.
A: Ahh it’s good to hear about it! 😊
Finally, what do you find common in YEC and OEC schools?
Like where can they really end their rivalry and unite together?
B: To be honest, both of them are arguing for the case of
creation and the way God intelligently created this world. Both of them affirm
historic Adam, Fall and need of Gospel. They have deep respect for the Gospel.
They can unite together to show how science can show the glory of God in fields
of designs, orders and systems.
A: Ahh, that's so sweet! Thanks for your time today!
Perhaps, we would move to associated topics in days to follow! Hoping to keep
in touch with you!
B: Thanks for this opportunity too! Wish to be part of your
project more in future!
For more details, go through these blog sections:
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