Most Christians think the age of the Earth and the days of creation aren’t that important. But what if that idea is costing us more than we realize? It’s easy to see these topics as side issues, but they strike at the heart of something crucial: the authority of the Bible. Compromising here can have big consequences for how we understand everything else.
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Understanding Theological Triage
Ever heard of theological triage? It’s a way to prioritize what we believe. Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, came up with the idea. Think of it like an emergency room. Doctors and nurses use a triage system to decide who needs help first. Someone with a heart attack gets immediate attention, while someone with a sprained ankle might have to wait. Mohler’s theological triage applies this idea to Christian doctrines. It helps us see which beliefs are most important.
Theological triage has three levels:
- First-Order Issues: These are the core beliefs. Think of the Trinity, Jesus’ death and resurrection, how we’re saved through faith, the full deity and humanity of Christ, and the authority of Scripture. Without these, the Christian faith falls apart.
- Second-Order Issues: These are important doctrines that can divide Christians. Different denominations often disagree on these. Examples include how we baptize, or whether women can be pastors.
- Third-Order Issues: These are doctrines Christians can disagree on and still be in fellowship. Things like different views on the end times (eschatology) or the Calvinism vs. Arminianism debate fall into this category.
So, where does the age of the Earth and the six literal days of creation fit in?
Why the Earth’s Age Isn’t a “Side Issue”
Many argue that the age of the Earth isn’t a first-order issue. After all, it’s not directly tied to salvation. The Bible doesn’t say, “Believe in Jesus and that the Earth is young to be saved.” But here’s the thing: the age of the Earth is a biblical authority issue. And that makes it a first-order issue.
Think about it this way. If we can’t trust what the Bible says about creation, where do we draw the line? What else can we decide to reinterpret or dismiss?
The Genesis 3 Connection
Remember Genesis 3? The serpent asked Eve, “Did God really say…?” That was the first attack on God’s word. The devil wasn’t just trying to get Eve to eat a piece of fruit. He was questioning God’s authority. He was saying, “Don’t believe God. Trust yourself instead.”
The same thing happens today when we challenge the biblical account of creation. We’re essentially saying, “God didn’t really mean what He said.” We’re trusting our own interpretation over God’s clear word. This leads to compromise, and just like in the Garden of Eden, it has consequences.
The “Millions of Years” Question
Where does the idea of millions or billions of years come from? It’s definitely not from Scripture. These ideas come from outside the Bible. People take these outside ideas and try to fit them into Scripture, which leads to a reinterpretation of the creation account.
If you simply read Genesis, what does it say? The Hebrew word “yom,” translated as “day,” means an ordinary day in its context. Each of the six days uses this word. A straightforward reading of Genesis, including the genealogies, points to a young Earth, thousands of years old.
Taking God at His Word
It all comes down to biblical authority. Is God’s word the foundation of our worldview? Or do we add outside ideas to it? It’s vital to start with Scripture first.
For a deeper dive into this topic, check out The Lie, available on the Answers in Genesis website.
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