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Deep Time in Genesis
The early chapters of Genesis have generated a battleground between people that believe the Earth is very young (on the order of 6000 years) and those that believe it is much older. What has been mostly missing from this battle are the observations of professional Christian geologists. Webb invites you to join his world to see the kind of work that geologists do that leads them to draw certain conclusions on this subject. It is written in laymen's language and is designed to unite a variety of issues ranging from Noah's Flood to dinosaurs to early hominids to the Garden of Eden, etc. while maintaining the integrity of Scripture.
160 pages, Hardcover
Published March 31, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 10, 2017
"As Christians we do not need to fear scientific observations that are made honestly. We are free to look at all data and see where it leads."
Prior to reading this book (which I just "lucked upon," and am quite glad I did), I was not a strong YEC (Young Earth Creation) advocate at all. If you consider YEC - OEC to be on a continuum, I was somewhere slightly to the YEC side--but I would have readily admitted that I could be wrong. I simply recognized that I am not a scientist and I didn't have all the data required to make an educated judgment. I'm including this just so for reference as to how the book has affected my mindset. I definitely did not start reading this book because I was already an OEC and was just looking for confirmation of my beliefs, in other words.
Other than the fact that this book does a really excellent job of presenting scientific (specifically from the field of geology) facts that all conclude that the earth, at the minimum, has the appearance of being very very old, there are three things I truly appreciated about this book:
1. Author's tone and heart
It is clear throughout this book that the author is not in this to win an argument. He often refers to his concern that the pushing of YEC is a barrier to faith for many (and I believe he is absolutely right). His intent, again, is not to win an argument but to remove arguments that should not be there in the first place. The age of the earth is not a Salvation issue, and should not hinder anyone from coming to faith in Christ. Throughout the chapters, this was a main theme.
2. Earth Age and Evolution separate
The author readily acknowledges that he believes in an old earth (Surprise--not really). But then he also readily admits that he does NOT believe in evolution. He says that this is because of his experience working in the geology field--he does not see evidence for evolution in the fossil record. He also says, especially in his Conclusion chapter, that he feels the real enemy is evolution, not age of the earth. I appreciated that he separated these two scientific theories, not just because it adds to the author's credibility, but also because it gives the reader freedom to choose one, two, or neither of the "evolution" and "earth age" biggies. **NOTE: This is NOT a book on evolution, which the author makes plain. It is a book on Earth age only. He only refers to evolution minimally.
3. High View of Scripture
The author is committed to interpreting Scripture responsibly, as he repeats throughout. For instance, it is not helpful to interpret Scripture literally if it is not meant to be understood that way. I cannot restate all he has to say about Scripture and Scripture interpretation, but I am including this point as a way to assure any who might be otherwise concerned--the author, from all appearances throughout the book, is a Bible-believing and Bible-affirming believer, who presents his arguments *with the support of* Scripture, not *in spite of* Scripture.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is willing to read with an open mind. As believers, we are free to walk in truth. We are free to pursue truth.
This is a short book that is very well-written with only a few minor typos throughout. I, as someone with almost no background in science, was able to read this in less than two days while also doing all my usual mom duties. Might be especially helpful for Christians who are in college or other higher-education institutions. I am already trying to figure out who I want to loan my copy to first.
Prior to reading this book (which I just "lucked upon," and am quite glad I did), I was not a strong YEC (Young Earth Creation) advocate at all. If you consider YEC - OEC to be on a continuum, I was somewhere slightly to the YEC side--but I would have readily admitted that I could be wrong. I simply recognized that I am not a scientist and I didn't have all the data required to make an educated judgment. I'm including this just so for reference as to how the book has affected my mindset. I definitely did not start reading this book because I was already an OEC and was just looking for confirmation of my beliefs, in other words.
Other than the fact that this book does a really excellent job of presenting scientific (specifically from the field of geology) facts that all conclude that the earth, at the minimum, has the appearance of being very very old, there are three things I truly appreciated about this book:
1. Author's tone and heart
It is clear throughout this book that the author is not in this to win an argument. He often refers to his concern that the pushing of YEC is a barrier to faith for many (and I believe he is absolutely right). His intent, again, is not to win an argument but to remove arguments that should not be there in the first place. The age of the earth is not a Salvation issue, and should not hinder anyone from coming to faith in Christ. Throughout the chapters, this was a main theme.
2. Earth Age and Evolution separate
The author readily acknowledges that he believes in an old earth (Surprise--not really). But then he also readily admits that he does NOT believe in evolution. He says that this is because of his experience working in the geology field--he does not see evidence for evolution in the fossil record. He also says, especially in his Conclusion chapter, that he feels the real enemy is evolution, not age of the earth. I appreciated that he separated these two scientific theories, not just because it adds to the author's credibility, but also because it gives the reader freedom to choose one, two, or neither of the "evolution" and "earth age" biggies. **NOTE: This is NOT a book on evolution, which the author makes plain. It is a book on Earth age only. He only refers to evolution minimally.
3. High View of Scripture
The author is committed to interpreting Scripture responsibly, as he repeats throughout. For instance, it is not helpful to interpret Scripture literally if it is not meant to be understood that way. I cannot restate all he has to say about Scripture and Scripture interpretation, but I am including this point as a way to assure any who might be otherwise concerned--the author, from all appearances throughout the book, is a Bible-believing and Bible-affirming believer, who presents his arguments *with the support of* Scripture, not *in spite of* Scripture.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is willing to read with an open mind. As believers, we are free to walk in truth. We are free to pursue truth.
This is a short book that is very well-written with only a few minor typos throughout. I, as someone with almost no background in science, was able to read this in less than two days while also doing all my usual mom duties. Might be especially helpful for Christians who are in college or other higher-education institutions. I am already trying to figure out who I want to loan my copy to first.
May 21, 2016
This is a good, brief book about the subject of Genesis and the age of the earth. Even though the book is brief is does cover numerous subjects in its chapters. Steve Webb does quite a good job in laying out the empirical, scientific evidence for an old earth. Scripture is gone into quite a bit as well but I personally felt it could have gone deeper or that some concepts at times were stretched. However, Webb does do an admirable job of maintaining the integrity of scripture while at the same time looking at scientific data.
For young earth and old earth Christians, or non-Christians looking understand more about science and the Bible. I recommend this book.
For young earth and old earth Christians, or non-Christians looking understand more about science and the Bible. I recommend this book.
May 22, 2016
Hidden Agenda Spoils Book
In its designated subject, age of the earth -- science versus use of Bible as science, this is a very good book. However .................. several references to the author not believing in the evolution of life, especially because 14 billion years is not long enough for it to work. Plus, there is his description of Eden being am island in the middle of an evil earth. I get the impression that he is not faithful in what he is really proposing.
In its designated subject, age of the earth -- science versus use of Bible as science, this is a very good book. However .................. several references to the author not believing in the evolution of life, especially because 14 billion years is not long enough for it to work. Plus, there is his description of Eden being am island in the middle of an evil earth. I get the impression that he is not faithful in what he is really proposing.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews