During a discussion in the Christian Apologetics Alliance on Old Earth Creationism (OEC) it was stated that Young Earth Creationism (YEC) was the cause of young people leaving the church. I don’t think the case has been made, first because the survey in Ken Ham’s book Already Gone indicates the opposite, and second because the outspoken atheists are more likely to discuss the problem of evil as their motivation. One of the real tragedies of compromise on this issue, in my opinion, is the way that this weakens our answers to the problem of evil.

Next time, I will present a similar statement on the three hurdles I find for accepting both Christianity and evolution to be true. But first, its important to understand why I am a Young Earther.

Creation Apologetics rooted in Theology

During the Ken Ham/Bill Nye debate, both persons were asked what it would take to change their minds on their positions, Ken Ham stated his mind would not be changed, and I consider this to be a reasonable position – Alvin Plantinga demonstrated effectively that one does not need a “reason” to believe. Bill Nye argued that facts would change his mind, though considering the number of facts he left on the table unanswered, I’m not sure this response was answered. My answer is, as always, “Find the body.”

Yes, I admit one does not immediately arrive at Creationism from the resurrection, but this is a reasonable extrapolation of the facts, because this influences my view of revelation.

1. The Resurrection As I have noted elsewhere, I believe that the evidence for the historic resurrection of Christ is compelling. A brief thumbnail can be found on my article on disproving Christianity.

2. Christ’s claims to Deity If Christ is resurrected from the dead, it seems to demonstrate his claim to be the God of the Old Testament, and His message.

3. Christ’s imprint on the Bible – In Luke 24:44, and elsewhere, Jesus validated the authority of the Old Testament Scriptures, as well as the teachings of the apostles (John 14:26 – the implication being that the twelve would be inspired teachers). According to Paul, he was accepted by the leading apostles (Galatians 2:1-10). From this I accept the authority and inspiration of the Bible. And if the Scriptures are inspired and authoritative for areas of practice that would include what it says of itself, “the Scripture cannot be broken.”[1]

4.  Christian Premises and Compromise – As I’ve noted in the past Evolution appears to be rooted in premises of a false religion, the religion of naturalism. One of the implications of the first commandment is that we do not attempt to combine Christainty with any other religion, including atheistic ones.

This rather dry discourse will be important as next time I will discuss what it would take to convince me that one can accept Christianity and evolution.

[1] This is an extreme thumbnail sketch of my approach to Bibliology, that I will eventually unpack further. There are, for us part-timers, only so many hours in the day.