The High View of Scripture: 24-Hour Day (Young-Earth Creationism) Leave a comment
As a result of my brief research on evangelicals and the topic of evolution, this observer discovered that Christians who hold to 24-hour days during creation are in the minority. This was surprising to me. Fortunately, there are a few who hold a high view of Scripture, advocating for a young earth in opposition to the prevailing secular mindset of the day.
Ken Ham, proponent of young-earth creationism states, “The clear teaching and the most natural reading of Genesis 1–11, indeed the whole Bible, is that (1) God created the universe in six literal, approximately twenty-four-hour days about six thousand years ago; (2) He cursed the whole originally ‘very good’ creation after and in response to Adam’s rebellion.”{1} The 24-hour day has gained notice due to young-earth creationists engaging the Church and the culture on the Bible’s historical veracity.
There is no doubt that the 24-hour day view is the antithesis of the old-earth theories that support evolution. Young-earth creationists consider word usage and context as part of God’s entire meta-narrative. The 24-hour day position analyzes the hermeneutic approach between the Old and New Testaments. The narrative structure of the creation account cannot be ignored. Genesis 1–2:4a is clearly recognizable as a unit of historical narrative. It has an introduction (1:1), a body (1:2–2:3), and a conclusion (2:4a). These three segments form a unit. Within this unit, several structural elements combine to tie the passage together.{2}
Given the evidence of the text structure and its harmonization with the rest of Scripture, the 24-hour day creation narrative is the most logical conclusion. As for myself, I hold to the confession of 24-hour creation days and a young earth. Other evangelical theories undermine the integrity of God’s meta-narrative.
In short, compromises have been made for the sake of being accepted by the “world’s mindset.” While we can’t characterize Christians who promote old-earth theories as being false converts, their position weakens their testimony to an already cynical secular society. For those who take the minority position, may we stand firm. As Paul states in 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
{1} Ken Ham, “Young-Earth Creationism” in Four Views on Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design, ed. J.B. Stump and Stanley N. Gundry (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2017), 18. Kindle.
{2} John H. Sailhamer, The Pentateuch as Narrative (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), 56. Kindle.
And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Ah Lord Yahweh! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You,
The words of Yahweh are pure words;
As silver tried in a furnace on the ground, refined seven times.
The law of Yahweh is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of Yahweh is sure, making wise the simple.
By the word of Yahweh the heavens were made,
And by the breath of His mouth all their host.
Every word of God is tested;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
