The Six-Day War in Creationism deconstructs the debate between the Young Earth Reform Movement and the theology of Genesis with three historical teachings in Christianity: 1. The Nature of God, 2. the Purposes of the Bible and 3. the Mission of the Church. This blog focuses on the strange notion in the Young Earth Movement that preaching the age of the earth is central to the Mission of the Church and the Gospel.
Young Earth Missionary Trips
In a telling article YE evangelist Terry Mortensen shares his “missionary trip” to Russia saying: “For eleven days [we] had the privilege of presenting the truths of [YEC] in Russia, a huge country of 11 time zones and 140 million people.” Mortensen writes:
“There were a few key Christian leaders who were influenced by the [Young Earth] messages. Several American missionaries who believe Genesis in a straightforward way were strengthened to see its foundational importance—and their need to influence others to see this. A couple of missionaries who are compromised on the idea of millions of years were challenged to rethink their position… there is a great need for the [YE] message in Siberia.”[i]
In language that mimics the book of Acts, Mortensen, traveling from city to city, goes on to part with Acts by altering Paul’s mission of preaching the Gospel in favor of his unorthodox Young Earth “missionary trip.”
Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis writes: “We warn people that compromising God’s Word in Genesis is an authority issue, a gospel issue, and indirectly, a salvation issue” (emphasis mine). Ham also writes:
“Foremost is that allowing [for an old earth] undermines the foundations of the message of the Cross… As soon as people allow for millions of years for the fossil record the whole foundations of the Message of the Cross and the Atonement have been destroyed.”[ii]
How strange.
Modern Christianity’s Mission
Nouhan emphasizes that the mission of Christianity isn’t about defending an exclusive interpretation of Genesis but preaching the Gospel of repentance and the forgiveness of sins to the world as Jesus said in Luke 24:47-48. This mission involves translating the message of creation and redemption into actions and teachings that resonate in today’s diverse and interconnected world.
Ken Ham Heresy
On the Answers in Genesis website, Ken Ham recounts an extraordinary dialogue with a new Christian woman recently baptized. Ham tells her that she could not have repented of her sins because she was not a Young Earth Creationist. In a piece entitled “What Is the Gospel?” Ham writes:
“She didn’t want to admit that without Genesis, she could not answer the question [what is sin?]. Because the meaning of anything is dependent on its origin, you could not define sin without referring to the literal event [eating forbidden fruit] of the Fall in Genesis. The literal rebellion of Adam, as recorded in Genesis, is the foundation necessary to understand the meaning of sin.” [iii] (emphasis mine)
Besides the genetic fallacy inherent in this quote, Ham doesn’t understand that eating forbidden fruit is not a definition of sin but a sinful act. Jesus said that nothing people eat can defile them spiritually (Mark 7:18-20). Young earthers seem to disagree with that. All sins, then and now, illustrate separation from God; therefore, Ham’s innovative theology on “genuine repentance” breaks down. The Holy Spirit convicts one of sin unto repentance; YEC has nothing to do with it.
To declare otherwise is heresy.
Engaging with Science and Faith
A significant part of Christianity’s modern message, as Nouhan points out, is the relationship between science and faith. He argues that Christians should engage with scientific discoveries not as threats but as opportunities to deepen our understanding of God’s creation. This engagement should be characterized by humility and openness, recognizing that both science and faith are seeking truth but from different perspectives.
Conclusion
Gene Nouhan not only challenges conventional interpretations of Genesis but also reminds us of what the mission and message of Christianity has always been: Preaching the Gospel to the world and making disciples of Christ. Nouhan’s work serves as a corrective for compromising the Church’s Mission and maintaining God’s self-disclosure that finds its end point in the Incarnation of the Son of God.
The Young Earth Reform Movement does not get us there.
[i] Dr. Terry Mortensen, “Proclaiming the Truth in Russia… From the Very First Verse,” May 20, 2006, AiG website.
[ii] Ken Ham, “The Necessity for Believing in Six Literal Days,” December 1, 1995, AiG website.
[iii] Ken Ham, “What Is the Gospel?” Last featured on January 2, 2016, on AiG website.