By Bernie Dehler 9-16-07
Geoligion is a term I made up. It is what you get when you try to combine the truths of Geology with Religion. The biggest issue that I see for geoligion is the question of the age of the Earth.
There are two camps of Christians that take the first book of the Bible (Genesis) somewhat literally. (There are also Christians that take the book quite figuratively, so there's no scientific conflict with them.) These two are called "old earth creationists" and "young earth creationists". An example of a young earth group is Ken Ham's ministry called Answers in Genesis (click here to see their website). An example of the old-earth camp is Hugh Ross' ministry called "Reasons to Believe" (click here to see their website).
According to modern science, the Earth is about 4.5 billions year old (click here for the reference). Old earth creationists agree to this. Young earth creationists, however, claim a more literal interpretation of Genesis and insist on an age of about 6,000 years (click here for the reference). Both have highly technical answers, and so it is required for the seeker to learn about geology for themselves to know the truth. The seeker at least needs to look at the articles in debate, and determine for themselves the main arguments and how valid they are. Personally, that is the process that I'm undertaking.
Ultimately, the seeker will come to conclude that either the Earth is very old (as modern science agrees), or very young (as the Bible seems to say in its most literal form). The implications are very, very deep!
If the young earthers are correct, then modern science is way off-base. As a parallel with theology, it would be like saying that nearly all Christian preachers are preaching the wrong gospel.
If the old earthers are correct, then the Bible story of creation, in Genesis, can't be interpreted in the most literal (and apparently intended) way. Therefore, the book of Genesis must either be figuratively interpreted, or one may even consider the Genesis creation story as a typical religious myth. There are lots of creation myths in the various religions (click here for more info on them).
Dear seeker, yes, the implications are very deep, but don't let it scare you. Press on. God designed us with brains and is pleased when we use them. God reveals himself in nature and by his works, so have no fear in seeking God with all your heart, soul, and mind, as Jesus recommended:
Matthew 22:34-40 (NIV)
"The Greatest Commandment"
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
For more on sciligion and related topics, click here.
It seems to me (merely speculation), that new "discoveries" keep coming out in favor modern science (e.g. fossils), whereas the arguments of young earth creationists have not changed in a long time. Eventually the scientists will come up with something that will be logically irrefutable -- or maybe they already have.
Posted by: Ray Dehler | September 18, 2007 at 09:28 AM