I had an interesting conversation today with a good friend of mine, whom I will not name for his own protection J. We were discussing a little bit of Ken Ham’s new museum in Kentucky, and eventually the conversation turned to a discussion on Biblical interpretation and science. It was believed that the scientific evidence “clearly” shows that the earth is billions of years old, so how do we reconcile the Bible and science?
This is a good question. For this question is not coming from someone who rejects the Bible, but from someone who actually has come to believe in God and his Son Jesus Christ. Perhaps for many Christians who have already resolved this issue in their minds such as myself, we may easily tend to forget that others who may be coming out of an evolutionary worldview may still be struggling. So I would like to interact with some points that were made in order to give rise to honest and sincere dialogue.
One issue that was raised was the fact that there is so much disagreement among Christians. Since this is the case, could it be that perhaps Christians are wrong in their interpretation of the Bible? Could it be that the Bible is not clear or that “we have only translations and copies that may not be reliable?
This is one of those situations where one could spend arguing evidence for the Creation account and never get anywhere. We could argue the many “clocks” that one could use to judge the guess the age of the earth. When I pointed out that all conservative interpretations of the Bible show that Genesis 1 & 2 are clear as well as the rest of the Bible is clear as to an actual 6 day Creation account, it was agreed that perhaps the Bible is clear. So how do we reconcile the apparent problem? The problem is not evidence but our thinking.
Why is guessing the age of the earth clear? Is not reason involved? Is logic involved? How do we account for such things? Does Reason become our ultimate authority? Simply using the naturalist’s arguments while borrowing from the Christian worldview when convenient is not satisfying. Which “supernatural” worldview does one accept if we agree that naturalism doesn’t answer our presuppositions? If we think naturalism is true, then which theory of man do we follow? How do we account for such presuppositions?
Why does science trump the clarity of Scripture? Why should I as a Christian accept man’s reasoning over God’s revelation? I realize that it is extremely tempting to believe what appears to us to be obvious. Yet we must be willing to examine the presuppositions that give rise to such conclusions as an old earth. Old earth theories are not based upon science. They are based upon a non-Christian worldview. Then the presuppositions are read into the evidence.
As a Christian I have come to understand that you may not have more than one ultimate authority. To simply think that science is one area of knowledge while religion is another and both are equal is to fool yourself into thinking you are somehow objective and neutral. Man is not morally neutral and is by nature an idolater. He exchanges the truth of God for a lie.
Col 2:1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face,
Col 2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself,
Col 2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Col 2:4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.
Col 2:5 For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.
Col 2:6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
Col 2:7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.
Do not be deceived. Verse 3 is clear. Christ is the fountain of all knowledge. How could it be otherwise? Would not the One who created us and is the Creator of all things be the source of all knowledge? We must start with Christ and finish with Christ. Anything else is to fall into foolishness.
Naturalistic Science is making a claim. It is making claims upon the lives of men and women worldwide. Jesus Christ is making a claim. He makes His claim upon the lives of men worldwide. You may not have two Masters. You must follow one. Which will it be?
Greg Bahnsen 3 -part lectures on this very topic is a must. You will be blessed.
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