If indeed nature and Scripture have the same author, as Christians affirm, then there cannot, ultimately, be any disagreement between what we “read” in one book and what we read in the other.[1]– Dennis R. Venema, Ph.D. and professor of biology
Theology shouldn’t merely withstand scientific discovery—it should celebrate it as a display of God’s handiwork.[2]– Daniel M. Harrell, Ph.D. and Senior Minister at Colonial Church in Edina, MN
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4, NIV)
This is one of the most exciting passages in the Bible. The idea that creation pours forth speech is both exhilarating and breathtaking to those of us who see, not only the forest for the trees but also, the Maker of the forest.
The artistry in creation gives compelling evidence for a Master Craftsman. In a very real sense, nature continually speaks truth to humanity, leaving all without excuse (Rom. 1:20). That’s why the young-earth creationist view of “appearance-of-age” is so problematic. In this view, God created the earth with the appearance that it’s 4.5 billion years old when in fact it’s only 6-10 thousand years old. In other words, a scientist might observe something that tells one story when in reality it’s another. This view impugns the character of God by making him appear deceptive, and has the practical effect of gutting the apologetic witness of creation. Rather than drawing an observer to God and his revelation, he or she is driven away because the book of Scripture contradicts the book of nature.
When the book of Scripture, however, is properly understood and handled, science is no longer scary but sacramental—a means of grace to show the majesty of God. What’s more, I’ve found that when you add more time to the process of how God made the world, many parts of the Bible make more sense and God gets bigger, not smaller. Here are a couple of examples: one from my “day at the museum” and other from a trip to India.
It wasn’t until I was in my mid-thirties that I first went to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The Christian schools I attended growing up had little funds; however, even if that hadn’t been the case, I seriously doubt that an outing with the potential of undermining a young-earth perspective would have been a priority. One of the things I recall as I walked into the exhibit hall of dinosaur fossils was seeing a 15’ pterodactyl wing suspended from the ceiling. I couldn’t imagine what it must have been like to see a bird with a 35’ wingspan! I also was fascinated by the fossils showing the evolutionary lineage of the horse, among the best-documented in all paleontology.
This field trip made an old earth and some aspects of evolution seem obvious.[3] Further, rather than undermining or damaging my faith, I found the day at the museum an incredible worship experience.God’s world is so big and amazing. We can’t put him in a box and, again, when you add more time God just gets bigger. Passages like Job 38-40 came alive.
And then I went to northern India, staying at a location where my daily walks included a view of the beautiful foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. The Himalayas are the world’s largest east-to-west mountain chain covering a distance of at least 1600 miles. The Great Himalayas, the Himandri, include Mt. Everest in Nepal. Fascinatingly, the mountain range with the tallest mountain in the world, Everest, is among the youngest mountain ranges in the world: only 47 million years old! When I learned this and began to meditate on it, the opening to one of my favorite Psalms (one of the oldest attributed to Moses) took on greater meaning:
“LORD, you have been our home for many generations. Before the mountains were brought forth you are God. From everlasting to everlasting, you are God.” (90:1, NLT)
As you consider how mountains are used here to illustrate God’s eternity, what gets at that picture better: mountains that are 6,000 years old, or “young” ones that are 47 million years old?!! Check out this video that illustrates the science of how the Himalayas were formed:
Adding more time to the mix only deepens our inner impetus to bow before God’s unfathomable majesty.
Although we don’t say it enough, we need scientists—especially those women and men who share our faith. Further, we need to do a better job of welcoming and encouraging a love of science in our homes and churches, including how this might play out vocationally with some of our children. Pastor John Ortberg’s words are a fitting conclusion:
“I want to say to all those who do science, who teach or do research or are otherwise involved in engineering or medicine or education or biology or physics or neuroscience: you’re doing a noble thing. You are thinking God’s thoughts after him. You are reading the big book of creation alongside the little book of Scripture. You are obeying God’s command given way back in Genesis to exercise dominion, to learn about, to be curious and discover and steward the earth. Those of us who are not scientists can only shake our heads in admiration. We are grateful and humbled, and we cheer you on. We are so glad you are part of the body of Christ. We’re so glad and grateful to part of a community with you. Keep on learning and keep on teaching us! Be patient with us.”[4]
[1] Dennis R. Venema and Scott McKnight, Adam and the Genome (Grand Rrapids: Brazos Press, 2017), 8.
[2] Applegate & Stump, How I Changed My Mind About Evolution (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2016), 124.
[3] During this time, I also found Creation and Time by astronomist Hugh Ross helpful. He not only answered well the most popular young-earth arguments, he listed and explained the many ways scientists use to measure the age of of the earth. Despite discrepancies, all point to an old earth.
[4] Op.cit., 94-95.