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 mind.
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