Return to the Main Menu
Previous Devotional
Next Devotional

The age of the earth has sparked heated debates—even among Christians. Prominent Christian theologians rushed to find some way to fit billions of years into the Bible when they heard that “science” says “The earth is billions of years old.” To fit with what the world was teaching, they had to put the billions of years between “In the beginning, God create . . .” and “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Every attempt puts billions of years between “In the beginning . . .” and “male and female he created them.” Here’s the problem. Jesus said: “But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.”

A second problem comes up. Either the Flood caused the rock layers or billions of years caused the rock layers. It can’t be both. (You find out more about this here.)

According to a Barna poll, 14% of people who no longer trust the Bible’s accuracy cite this reason: “Science says the world is old.”  Science doesn’t talk. Science doesn’t have opinions. People have opinions. Science is supposed to be a method that is unbiased. The trouble is that humans are involved and humans are biased.

Why do so many believe the earth is billions of years old? The usual answer: “Because most scientists say so.” Why do so many scientist say so? Because they think most other scientists say so. How many have critically examined the evidence for themselves, and how many just believed what they heard in classes, saw in videos, and read in books? Most scientists feel pressured to conform. In science, you risk your career if you ask certain questions. If you challenge certain sacred cows such molecules-to-humanity or billions of years you lose status. You can even lose your job and your career.

Christian apologists explain and defend the truth of the Christian faith using Scripture, logic, evidence, and philosophical arguments. However, Christians who focus on apologetics often drift away from Christ and into a cold intellectualism that can never lead to truth or any fulfillment in Christ. They often leave the Holy Spirit out of it. They try to defend God while accepting the idea that God doesn’t reveal truth. They try to depend on the carnal human intellect. No one can read Scripture or observe nature objectively. The Holy Spirit must interpret everything. The alternative is to follow what comes out of carnal minds that have locked Christ out. We believe the Bible because the Holy Spirit testifies to the truth of the Bible.

Ask God to answer these questions.

1. Why do some people think the earth is billions of years old?
2. Science is a method. It doesn’t talk. Why doesn’t science say anything about the age of the earth?
3. Why do ungodly people use surveys or public opinion to get their way?
4. Why do some scientists believe in evolution or an old earth?
5. What does the Holy Spirit have to do with understanding the Bible?

Bonus questions:

1. What is Christian apologetics?
2. Jesus said: “But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.” How does this destroy the idea of billions of years?
3. Why do some Christians trust what is called “science” over the Bible regarding the age of the earth or other issues?
4. How does the appeal-to-popularity fallacy apply to the belief in a billions-of-years-old earth?
5. What pressures or risks might scientists face when questioning mainstream views like billions of years or molecules-to-humanity evolution?
6. What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping you interpret Scripture and nature?
7. Why do some Christians drift into intellectualism through apologetics and hinder their relationship with Christ?

1. Pray for the Lord to protect you and keep you in His presence and His presence only.
2. Direct your mind toward the Lord only.
3. Ask God what He want’s to talk about.
4. You can ask God any questions. In all of this, be led by the Holy Spirit. God promises that He will answer you if you ask Him.
5. Do not edit or change what God says even if you don’t understand it.
6. Reject the lies and receive the truth.
7. Take notes.
8. Transfer your notes to your journal without editing what God said to you.

Keep in mind that God doesn’t want you to ever disconnect from Him. He wants to flow through you constantly in knowledge, wisdom, and love.