Fourteen theological scholars address key topics related to the age of earth, which is the crucial issue of debate in the church today regarding origins. Bringing to bear rigorous biblical, theological, and historical arguments in favor of a six-day creation, the global Flood, and a young earth, they also provide much-needed critiques of a number of contemporary old-earth interpretations of the book of Genesis. This fresh defense of the literal history of Genesis 1-11 nicely complements other studies which focus more on the scientific evidence for young-earth creationism. As such, this book can serve as a versatile supplement to other works, but is also designed to be used as a stand-alone text for seminary and Bible college professors and students, pastors, missionaries, and others who want in-depth apologetic resources.
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Dr Terry Mortenson (M.Div., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Ph.D., history of geology, Coventry University; England) was a missionary with Campus Crusade for Christ for 26 years before joining Answers in Genesis USA in 2001 as a speaker, writer, and researcher. During the past 30 years he has lectured and debated on the subject of creation and evolution in 19 countries. He is author of numerous articles and book chapters on this issue and of The Great Turning Point: the Church's Catastrophic Mistake on Geology-Before Darwin (2004). Dr. Thane Hutcherson Ury (M.Div., Asbury Theology Seminary; Ph.D., Systematic Theology, Andrews University) taught in the Religion and Philosophy Department at Bethel College in Indiana for 15 years, before joining the faculty at the United Wesleyan Graduate Institute, Hong Kong, China, in 2006. He has taught theology, apologetics, and creation related subjects in America, Romania, Nigeria, Trinidad, Singapore, and China.
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13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A "must'have",
By
This review is from: Coming to Grips with Genesis: Biblical Authority and the Age of the Earth (Paperback)
The following review is by Michael J. Vlach, Assistant Professor of Theology, The Master's Seminary Journal, pp. 114-116, Volume 20, Number 1, Spring 2009.
Vlach writes: "The early chapters of Genesis continue to be a battleground in the debate over the age of the earth. The case for six-day creation, a global flood, and a young earth finds a great ally with Coming to Grips with Genesis: Biblical Authority and the Age of the Earth. The editors, Terry Mortensen and Thane H. Ury, have assembled fourteen formidable theological scholars to defend a young-earth view and critique contemporary old-earth interpretations of the book of Genesis. "This defense of a literal view of Genesis 1-11, which is also a tribute to the life and ministry of early earth advocate, John C. Whitcomb, is not intended to be a scientific presentation for a young earth. Instead, this book admittedly complements young earth science books by focusing on a correct exegetical and theological understanding of Genesis. As such, it is intended to be a stand-alone text for seminary and Bible college professors and students, pastors, missionaries, and all interested in what the Bible really says about creation. "Readers should appreciate the two forewords. The first is by Henry M. Morris, who penned his words shortly before his death. This reviewer is glad that Dr. Morris was able to see the fruit of this outstanding book before he left this earth to enter the presence of His Lord. Both editors acknowledge the great influence of both Morris and Whitcomb on their views of Genesis. The second review is by John MacArthur, who also heartily commends this book. "Coming to Grips with Genesis consists of fourteen chapters followed by two appendices. The first appendix, by Paul J. Scharf, is a biographical tribute to John C. Whitcomb. In regard to the chapters, James R. Mook addresses what the early church fathers really believed about the six days of creation. In separate sections, Trevor C. Craigen and Terry Mortensen tackle the topic of deep time in Genesis. Richard L. Mayhue addresses why nature should not be considered the 67th book of the Bible. William D. Barrick discusses the geological implications of Noah's flood. Travis R. Freeman examines the issue of genealogical gaps in Genesis 5 and 11. Ron Minton shows the reader what the apostolic witness states regarding creation and the flood. David W. Hall, Todd S. Beall, Steven W. Boyd, Robert V. McCabe, James Stambaugh, and Thane H. Ury also offer helpful chapters on various exegetical, theological, and historical matters related to Genesis 1-11. "The message of the fourteen chapters is clear - Genesis and the rest of Scripture teaches a sudden, six-day creation of this earth, which is only thousands, not millions, of years old. This position was the view of the apostolic witness and the church for nearly 1,800 years. The church today, to its peril, has largely rejected the teaching of the Bible on creationism, caving in to Enlightenment thinking and dubious science. The solution is to go back to what Genesis actually teaches, with a boldness resting on the assurance that God's Word is true. "In addition to the excellent chapters, one of the most interesting sections of the book is the Epilogue. Here the editors express their appreciation for and concerns with the Intelligent Design Movement. For those who appreciate the IDM and movies like Expelled, but still find something missing, this section is helpful and, in this reviewer's opinion, quite balanced. "The reader should also appreciate that Coming to Grips with Genesis also offers a Recommended Resources section that lists books, Web articles, DVDs, and periodicals that will allow further study of issues related to creation and the flood. Also, the work has an "Affirmations and Denials" document in the appendix. The reader may want to note that this document is also on-line with instructions at the end explaining how other theologically trained people around the world can "sign" the document as a testimony to the church and a call for the church to have a truly biblical worldview in this evolutionized world. The URL for that document is AnswersinGenesis.org/go/Affirmations. "This book is unparalleled in offering a compelling, scholarly, and recent defense of young-earth creationism from a biblical perspective. The greatest strength of the book is its unapologetic commitment to what Genesis actually teaches about origins. As the editors declare, "The authors of this book are convinced that no properly interpreted scientific facts will ultimately contradict a straightforward reading of Genesis." (427). "For those interested in issues related to creation and Genesis 1-11, Coming to Grips with Genesis is a must have. Seminaries and Bible colleges would do well to get this book into the hands of their students quickly."
24 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
High hopes dashed,
By
This review is from: Coming to Grips with Genesis: Biblical Authority and the Age of the Earth (Paperback)
I agree with the opening words of Henry Morris in his foreword to this work, "A volume such as this is long overdue," because this is the only volume of its nature (attempting to argue extensively on an academic theological level) of which I am aware in favor of a Young Earth Creationist (YEC) position. The 13 contributors (of main chapters) produced a total of 14 chapters addressing different issues surrounding the debate regarding the interpretation of Genesis 1-11 and the age of the Earth. The contributors attempt to approach the debate in a much more informed and scholarly manner (dealing with core scriptural, philosophical, and historical issues) than is often present in many of the popular YEC writings. The editors' overarching goal is to defend against what they see as "the undermining of biblical authority and renuancing of God's goodness" by a growing majority of evangelical theologians who hold to various Old Earth (OE) positions. (p. 20) I applaud Mortenson and Ury's efforts because of their desire to defend the doctrine of biblical inerrancy and the goodness of God. I am thankful that they have sought to enter into discussion with OE theologians by pulling together a team of scholars, pastors, leaders, and theologians to put forth a substantive volume dealing with exegetical and philosophical issues that run deeper than the typical level of discussion by lay people.
As is always true in a book with multiple contributors, each contributed chapter had differing levels of value and strength in the presentation of the positions being argued and issues being addressed. I will give a brief assessment of a few of the chapters in an attempt to provide a base from which I can make some overarching evaluations of the work as a whole. By far, Robert V. McCabe provides the strongest contribution in the entire volume with "A Critique of the Framework Interpretation of the Creation Week." He provides a fair, nuanced, and discriminating presentation of the framework interpretation put forward primarily by Meredith Kline. He is careful to note that there are variations of the framework view that disagree with aspects of Kline's position, but because Kline is the most well-known framework proponent his particular interpretation is evaluated. McCabe systematically responds to the main points of Kline's presentation of the framework view, effectively responding with sound exegesis and logical argumentation to overthrow Kline's propositions. McCabe is also focused in the logical conclusions he draws at the end of his chapter. He avoids making the same grandiose, sweeping, yet completely unsupported proclamations with which some of the chapters end. Rather he ends with humble integrity, stating "Therefore, I conclude that the framework view poses more exegetical and theological difficulties than it solves and that the traditional, literal reading provides the most consistent interpretation of the exegetical details associated with the context of the early chapters of Genesis and the overall theological message of Scripture that has a bearing on Genesis 1-2." Academically speaking, McCabe has provided, in this single contribution, a profound argument Kline must answer if his position is to be held with continued integrity. Sadly, this same level of Christian humility and academic, intellectual integrity is not displayed by the other contributors. Other good chapters in the book include Richard L. Mayhue's "Is Nature the 67th Book of the Bible?" and James R. Mook's "The Church Fathers on Genesis, the Flood, and the Age of the Earth". However, these two chapters, though they are among the best in this volume, fall short in areas where McCabe succeeded. Mayhue has a solid chapter, effectively interacting with Hugh Ross' claim that nature is like the 67th book of the Bible. He solidly counters the claim and actually builds a strong case against it. However, he ends his chapter by coming to a conclusion that is a logical non-sequitor. Rather than simply concluding that nature is not the "67th book of the Bible" as Ross implies (the logical conclusion Mayhue has been building towards), Mayhue goes far beyond what he has actually demonstrated and instead concludes, "Christian scholars, leaders, laypeople, and students who have accepted Dr. Ross' progressive creationist views should also abandon this position as unbiblical, and instead believe Genesis." (p. 129) The problem with this conclusion is that the idea of "nature as the 67th book of the Bible" is not even an implied requirement of holding a progressive creationist position. Nor does proving Dr. Ross wrong on one of his claims completely disprove any other claim or teaching he has made, much less those of other progressive creationists. Furthermore, proving Ross wrong on this one claim does not in any way demonstrate that Ross or other progressive creationists do not believe Genesis. This was a disappointing end to an otherwise well-written, convincing, and logically solid chapter. Mook's chapter on the views of the Church fathers was full of good material and sound research. He accurately represents the views of the fathers and their understanding of the earth as being young. However, his chapter is largely a failure because, not only does it fail to rebut non-24-hour arguments, but it actually supports them. Mook commits this mistake because he apparently has not grasped the main thrust of non-24-hour arguments regarding the Church fathers. In order to garner support from the Church fathers, non-24-hour proponents do not have to demonstrate the fathers believed the earth is millions or billions of years old (as Mook assumes they must). Rather, all they must do, and usually attempt to do, is demonstrate that the Church fathers believed valid non-24-hour interpretations to the Creation days are possible. Mook demonstrates very soundly that though the Church fathers believed in a young earth, they also frequently believed that the creation days were not literal, 24-hour days or that though they may be 24-hour days they are also representative of long eras of Earth's history with an ongoing 7th "day". As a result, rather than making his case, Mook succeeded in proving the position of his opponents, thereby defeating himself. The Church fathers as a general rule did not hold to only a 24-hour interpretation of creation days. Therefore, as Mook has shown, his opponents stand firmly within Church tradition when they also interpret the creation days in a non-24-hour manner. The types of mistakes demonstrated by Mayhue and Mook are typical of the least damaging blunders in this volume. A couple of examples of more serious blunders would be helpful to demonstrate why Mayhue and Mook's chapters, even with their problems, are some of the best in the book. In his chapter "The Genre of Genesis 1:1-2:3: What Means This Text?", Stephen W. Boyd commits some major mistakes, frequently begging the question, making weak arguments, and jumping to logically non-sequential conclusions. One example of the sort of weak and counter-productive arguments he makes can be found when he is assessing what he considers the anti-supernatural bias of science. He takes issue with Galileo for saying "the intention of the Bible is `to teach how one goes to heaven not how heaven goes.'" (p. 170) Boyd goes on to quote Galileo as saying that we should not disbelieve what science discovers simply because of "biblical passages which may have some different meaning beneath their words... On the contrary, having arrived at any certainties in physics, we ought to utilize these as the most appropriate aids in the true exposition of the Bible." (p. 170) He then declares Galileo and others are wrong because "It is arrogant to suggest that the plain statements of the Word of God should stand at the bar of man's transient scientific theories... The Bible does not just teach us how to go to heaven but also how the heavens go!" (p. 171) The problem with Boyd's argument here is that Galileo was arguing that a helio-centric solar system (rather than geo-centric system where the sun orbits the earth) is not contrary to the proper interpretation of passages like Joshua 10:12-13, because a "figurative" understanding of those texts is possible. Unless Boyd intends to argue that Galileo was wrong about the earth orbiting the sun, his argument in this chapter actually undermines his own position. Boyd has just provided a very powerful, sound example where he himself likely would echo Galileo's very words. After all, Boyd cannot hold to a helio-centric solar system based upon Scripture, for the helio-centric system is based solely on what science has taught contrary to a plain face-value reading of Scripture. Interestingly, the same accusations Boyd and others in this volume level against non-YEC theologians and scientists were leveled against Galileo: being anti-supernatural, denying the truth of Scripture and God's Word, undermining inerrancy, calling God a liar, preparing the groundwork for a total denial of the basic tenets of the Christian faith (like the virgin birth or resurrection), and denying theological truths about the place of mankind in Creation. As a result of this sort of argument, Boyd demonstrates that his position and argument is completely inconsistent and lacks an intellectual, logical, and theological integrity that should be expected in a professor of Old Testament Studies at the college level. At best, Boyd has failed to think through the implications of his argument and can be excused as negligent and thoughtless. At worst, he has demonstrated a significant level of hypocrisy and lack of integrity by berating someone for doing something he is also doing at that very same moment. Jesus' parable about a plank in one's eye comes immediately to... Read more ›
13 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Important Topic, Academic Style,
By
This review is from: Coming to Grips with Genesis: Biblical Authority and the Age of the Earth (Paperback)
Is the question of the age of the earth too divisive for Christians? Is your interpretation of Genesis, particularly the first eleven chapters, important? Are young-earth creationists good Bible scholars or good scientists? Does Genesis allow for millions or billions of years? Does the rest of the Bible?
Comprised of nearly 450 pages written by 16 men dedicated to the literalism, inerrancy, and theological relevance of Genesis 1-11, this book is a resource for scholars and theologians. Amateur as I am, reading the entire book cover to cover was a challenge. I learned several new words, my favorite of which is phenomenological - just because it is fun to say! Most Creationist books are about science. Some are about the cultural impact of accepting Darwinism. This book is almost unique in that it addresses the theological reasons for believing in a recent 6-day creation of the Heavens and Earth and life in them, as well as, significantly, a global flood. Christians today cannot even be said to be tempted to doubt the authority of Scripture compared to science; it is almost a cultural given that reasonable Christians will submit their interpretations of the Word of God to the supreme truth of scientific evidence as interpreted by a majority of secular and religious scientists. Coming to Grips with Genesis seeks to show that no compromise on the literal narrative of Genesis 1-11 is based in hermeneutics. Theologians who promote the day-age, framework, poetic, or gap theories for interpreting Genesis are inspired only by their conviction that "science" has proven an age of the earth billions of years beyond that recorded by the only witness, the God of the Bible. Topics include: - historic interpretations of Genesis and beliefs about the age of the earth from Jesus, the apostles, early church fathers, reformation theologians, and modern commentators - possibility of gaps in the Genesis 5 and 11 genealogies - theological implications of death and pain and decay before Adam's sin - and discussions of the words, phrases, and style of language in the Creation account of Genesis 1-3, and the Flood narrative in Genesis 6-8. Dedicated to Dr. John C. Whitcomb, Jr., a short biography and bibliography is included at the end of the book along with a personal tribute describing his impact on each contributor opening almost every chapter. John MacArthur and Henry Morris both endorsed this book with their forewords. Every essay is covered in footnotes, and there is an extensive resource list in the back of the book for more information. There is also an index. Several contributors referred the reader to the Institute for Creation Research's RATE Project conclusions. As usual, Master Books has maintained a close relationship with Answers in Genesis, and that ministry is frequently cited in the resource list. Chapter 8, "A Critique of the Framework Interpretation of the Creation Week" by Robert V. McCabe is 38 pages of introduction, discussion, summary, discussion, summary (etc.), conclusion - all about, in my words, the Hebrew word for "and then." If you take my advice, you will read the first two pages and skip the rest. Trust me that this man looked at every possible detail of this "waw consecutive." Much more interesting was the work of Stephen W. Boyd in chapter 6, "The Genre of Genesis 1:1-2:3: What Means This Text?" He included the results of his own statistical analysis of waw consecutives as a sign of historical narrative, with other considerations for determining genre. The chapters that included direct quotes (translated) of church fathers were a helpful and interesting survey of early church theology with the different schools of thought (for example, the way in which most theologians related the age of the earth to their eschatology). One chapter introduced me to Ancient Near Eastern literature. Another emphasized the importance of context in (especially Hebrew) interpreting a passage. A phrase often has a meaning more than the sum of its parts. Page 120 and 121 are a biblical refutation of human empiricism superceding a faith acceptance of the "special revelation" word of God. Chapter 9's play by play description of the Flood with a timeline and occasional phrase exposition is one of the highlights (and I learned about inclusios and chiasms!). My favorite part (more a reflection on my taste for philosophy than the writing or substance of the rest of the book) was the Epilogue, in which the editors contrast young earth biblical creationism with the Intelligent Design Movement (which tends to compromise the statements of the Bible). Ultimately, this book is a plea for faithful exegesis of the Bible and a defense of the methods employed and conclusions reached through traditional hermeneutic approach to Genesis consistent with that used on the rest of the Bible. Coming to Grips with Genesis is an intense work, scholarly and detailed. Theologians, seminarians, pastors, and Bible teachers - especially those whose view of Genesis is not firmly opposed to all forms of compromise - are the appropriate audience for this book. To God be all glory, Lisa of Longbourn
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framework view, historical geology, progressive creationism, semantic approach, biblical inerrancy, paleonatural evil, temporal recapitulation, sequential waw consecutives, mainline narrative, unargued presupposition, scriptural geologists, sequential verbs, literal historical account, systematic theology texts, evolutionary geologists, consecutive plus, framework proponents, resumptive repetition, framework advocates, suffix conjugation, fivefold pattern, ordinary providence, flood narrative, literal days, general revelation Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Grand Rapids, New York, Old Testament, New Testament, Master Books, Hugh Ross, Word of God, Noah's Flood, Westminster Assembly, Colorado Springs, Henry Morris, Green Forest, Book of Genesis, John Calvin, Winona Lake, Did God Create, Downers Grove, Ancient Near Eastern, Biblical Hebrew Syntax, Literary Genre, Jesus Christ, John Whitcomb, Gordon Wenham, Gleason Archer, God's Word Browse Sample Pages:
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framework view, historical geology, progressive creationism, semantic approach, biblical inerrancy, paleonatural evil, temporal recapitulation, sequential waw consecutives, mainline narrative, unargued presupposition, scriptural geologists, sequential verbs, literal historical account, systematic theology texts, evolutionary geologists, consecutive plus, framework proponents, resumptive repetition, framework advocates, suffix conjugation, fivefold pattern, ordinary providence, flood narrative, literal days, general revelation Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Grand Rapids, New York, Old Testament, New Testament, Master Books, Hugh Ross, Word of God, Noah's Flood, Westminster Assembly, Colorado Springs, Henry Morris, Green Forest, Book of Genesis, John Calvin, Winona Lake, Did God Create, Downers Grove, Ancient Near Eastern, Biblical Hebrew Syntax, Literary Genre, Jesus Christ, John Whitcomb, Gordon Wenham, Gleason Archer, God's Word Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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