The Early Earth

by John C. Whitcomb

The case for biblical creationism is presented comprehensively in this illustrated classic volume.

Genres: Science, Theology, Nonfiction, History, Christianity, Christian, Evolution

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

JOHN C. WHITCOMB came to know Christ through a campus ministry at Princeton University led by Dr. Donald Fullerton in February, 1943. God mercifully spared his life during the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, December, 1944, where he served in a fire-direction center and as a German interpreter. Graduating from Princeton in 1948, with honors in history, and from Grace Theological Seminary in 1951, he served as Professor of Theology and Old Testament for thirty-eight years. In 2009, at the Pre-Trib Research Center in Dallas, Texas, he received the John F. Walvoord Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Prophetic Studies "in recognition of a lifetime of faithfulness to God by engaging in the study, proclamation, and defense of His prophetic Word." He now serves as an ordained elder in the Conservative Grace Brethren Churches International and as President Emeritus of Whitcomb Ministries. See www.whitcombministries.org for a listing of his books, CD and DVD albums. His wife Norma has had effective ministries with women, writing books and blogs. They have six children, seventeen grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. Their home for the past twelve years has been in Indianapolis, IN.

Reviews

[Some Christian Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Whitcomb has become one of my favorite authors on the topic of young earth creationism… And he did not disappoint with this book either. He makes a compelling argument for a young age of the earth, and argues against such ideas as the gap theory, the day/age theory, and others. He also argues against the idea of theistic evolution. I don’t know how anyone could read one of his books and not be convinced.

[Charity U · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using this book as I teach Genesis. My favorite part is the section on the superficial appearance of history - it makes a lot of sense, and really added to my understanding!

[Jimmy]

In reviewing the book, one might better understand the author John Whitcomb. Formerly a professor of Old Testament at Grace Theological Seminary for thirty eight years, Dr. Whitcomb is an important father of the Evangelical Creationists movement. He has written extensively articulating and defending the historical-grammatical interpretation of Genesis. It is here that one best appreciate Whicomb's "Early Earth" as a work introducing Biblical creationism and it's defense against other theories. In particular, what stood out to me is his discussion of Gap theory, and Whitcomb's scrutiny of this creation account in light of the lexical and grammatical data. This book was originally written in 1972 and have since gone through additional printing since. Readers should understand that this work as an introduction to Creationism, while at the same time the work does provide details and can't be dismissed for being simplistic. For those who are well versed in the creationism/evolution debate, it might a short concise work to remind oneself of the issue, and for those who are unfamiliar with the Creationism side of the story, Whitcomb's work would provide a classic account of the creationist's perspective.

[Christopher Humphrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Early Earth: An Introduction to Biblical Creationism “ by John Whitcomb is an excellent overview of Creation ex nihilo by God in a literal 6 day period. Whitcomb’s introduction is biblically faithful and unmoved by those who wish to deny the existence of God. This is a book that could be used by parents to supplement their family study of Genesis, or it could be used as a helpful supplement during the study of earth science in homeschool. This would also be an excellent book to read before visiting the Creation Museum in Kentucky. Happy reading!

[Joanne Sher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating discussion and look at Creation vs Evolution, giving the Biblical view with facts and arguments that are, in fact, quite convincing. I appreciated John C Whitcomb's arguments and evidences, and how he addressed many people's arguments against creation, countering them with facts and evidence supporting his position.

[Cory Briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Generally a good book. Whitcomb talks about how various theories, such as evolution, and the Gap theory, are incompatible with the Bible and well established science. You will read how established facts, such as the first and second law of thermal dynamics, validate the Bible rather than evolution.

[John Rimmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

People like to mock creation science books, usually because they are afraid of being mocked by people who think the Bible and God are b.s. I enjoy them, and prefer to follow the interpretations of people whose hypotheses include the possibility that there is a God and He did create the world.

[Robin Cunninghame Graham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Habría encontrado al autor más creíble si tuviera alguna formación científica más allá de un par de cursos de licenciatura en geología y paleontología.

Hace un muy buen trabajo al demoler la evolución darwiniana, pero su defensa de su posición es menos que convincente.

[Lee Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good old fashioned fundamentalist defense of the creation. It had some good thoughts—some I agreed with, some I didn’t. At times I felt like I was watching the Princess Bride while The Dread Pirate Roberts and Vizzini were arguing about the iocane powder.

Worth the time if you’re so inclined.

Recommended

[Katerina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Popular scientific theories on origins are in conflict with conservative interpretations of the Bible. People must choose what to believe. "The Early Earth" helps explain the conflict for those who accept the truth of the Bible. "The Early Earth" challenges well-meaning attempts to interpret the Bible in the light of modern science by showing how such interpretations conflict with science, are misinterpretations of the Bible, or are harmful to theological truths. For those who already accept the authority the authority of the Bible, this book accomplishes its purpose. However, it is unlikely to convince someone who questions the truth of the scriptures because the book focuses on theology more than science.

Key quote: "The fundamental issue, in the matter of ultimate origins, is whether one puts his trust in the written Word of the personal and living God who was there when it all happened, or else puts his trust in the ability of the human intellect, unaided by divine revelation, to extrapolate presently observed processes of nature into the eternal past (or future)."

[Rebekah]

This is a great book to read about the Genesis account of creation and how science theories conform to or deviate from it. This is a small book designed more for lay people then scientists, as a biologist I didn't find it quite satisfying enough in it's details. Whitcombs The Genesis Flood appears to be much more in depth and would be better for those who want a deeper explanation of this topic.

However for the average person this is simple enough to understand and complete in its analyses.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Jonathan]

None

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

When read with The Genesis Flood & The World That Perished, it serves as an excellent introduction to Biblical Creationism.