Genesis One and the Origin of the Earth

by Robert C. Newman, Perry G. Phillips, Herman J. Eckelmann

The authors look at the data of science and the data of Scripture, to propose a model that harmonizes both, regarding how the solar system (and particularly the earth) came to be, and something of the history of the early earth. This model was first proposed in the 1970s, and with few modifications, is still effective today, suggesting that both nature and Scripture have the same Author.

Genres: Science, Theology

223 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that answered one of my biggest questions many years ago: how can we reconcile Genesis One and an ancient universe? I realize that there are many Christians who believe in a young Earth because they interpret the creation "days" in Genesis One as 24-hour periods; however, the scientific evidence is overwhelming that the universe (including the Earth) is billions of years old.

Even as a pre-Christian teen, I had been wrestling with this question. Then in my 20s, in my young Christian life, I came across this book, and it was literally OMG! Newman and Eckelmann do a masterful job of giving a scientific explanation of what happened "day" by "day" during the Lord's creation of the Earth. Day 4, in particular, had always vexed me because that's the day that Genesis One says the Lord created the sun, moon, and stars. Rather than give away the answer of how the Lord could create the sun, mooon, and stars after He said "Let there be light" on Day One, let me just say: Perspective is everything, as the authors show.

This book profoundly strengthened my faith, and unless you are insistent on a young Earth, I believe it can do the same for you.

[Zachary Hadsell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very short and easy read. The contributors to the book are scientists or theologians, and usually both. You can tell that they aren’t just parroting scientific facts without understanding, but rather they provide an outlook that is true to the scientific method. They discuss several prevailing theories and their pros/cons and then defend their theory. Likewise, the theological side doesn’t just gloss over hypotheticals and analogies, but offers an old-universe explanation that can be consistent with Genesis One.

It’s honestly one of the best treatments of this debate that I’ve read or heard and I really enjoyed it all the way through. It’s refreshing that they don’t narrowly ignore or condemn other theories of origin, but rather respect them and keep an open dialogue for future discussions. Highly recommend.