In Support Of A
Literal Six-Day Creation
The Bible testifies of itself that God created the heavens
and the earth (Genesis 1:1). “By Creation we mean that free act of God by which
in the beginning he made, without the use of preexisting materials, the whole
visible and invisible universe.”[1] God
affirms he completed this miraculous work in 6 days (Exodus 20:11, 31:17,
Nehemiah 9:6; Isaiah 45:12), proclaiming his work “very good” (Genesis 1:31),
resting on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2), then declaring “This is the history of
the heavens and the earth when they were created…” (Genesis 2:4). Given
that the Bible is both inerrant and infallible, we can trust the biblical
creation narrative (Titus 1:2; 1 John 3:20; John 17:17; Romans 3:4). That said,
“we can resist all attempts to add millions of years anywhere in or before
Genesis 1,” and accept this biblical account as literal evidence.[2]
The Age Of The Universe
Orthodox
Christianity has held to the view of a young earth for centuries[3]. The commonly held view is
that creation began about 4000-5000 years before Jesus Christ, supported by the
genealogies of Genesis 5 & 11[4]. Archbishop James Ussher “arrived
at a date of 4004 BC for the date of creation,” aging the earth to
approximately 6000 years old[5]. From scientific developments
in the nineteenth century came the consensus that the earth was over 5 billion
years old. Several theories have developed since then including the gap, flood,
and age-day theories. According to Millard Erickson, these theories “contain
too many exegetical difficulties and make God an apparent deceiver.”[6] It is therefore safe to hold fast to orthodox teaching
of a literal six day/6000-year-old creation account, and discount the evolutionist
account of billions of years, especially in light of the fact that these
theories are against the very nature of God.
The Historical Adam & Eve
Trusting
in the historicity of the Bible, we can affirm that Adam and Eve were real
people. In accordance with God’s plan and purpose, Adam and Eve were created in
the image of God and made co-regents of God’s kingdom on the earth. (Genesis
1:26). Their primary assignment then was to govern, subdue and to multiply
(Genesis 1:28). They were given free will (Genesis 2:15-17), but later violated
God’s wishes, resulting in a curse upon both mankind and the whole of creation (Genesis
3). The result of their rebellion is death and sin spread to all men (Romans
5:12). All of creation will continue to live under the curse, the effects of
which are realized in pain, disease, guilt, betrayal, wars, natural disasters,
famine, starvation, depression, stress from hard work, pain from childbirth and
spiritual deprivation. The Apostle Paul
refers to Adam and Eve’s actions as causing “the entire material universe to
languish in a state of dysfunction” (Romans 8:20-22). Adam and Eve would begin
the story of a lifetime, still unfolding with every human birth.
Footnotes
[1].
Jack Cottrell, The Faith Once For All: Bible Doctrine For Today, ( Joplin, MO:
College Press, 2003), 100-101.
[2].
Terry Mortenson, “Young-Earth Creationist View Summarized & Defended,”
Answers Research Journal (2011): 2, accessed July 5, 2018, https://learn.liberty.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-24085608-dt-content-rid-291945383_1/courses/OBST515_D04_201830/Mortenson%20DB1.pdf
[3].
Ibid., 3.
[4].
Ibid.
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