Young earth creationism: Difference between revisions

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'''Young earth creationism''' (often referred to as "Biblical creationism", or simply [[creationism]]) is the name given to a set of beliefs espoused by some [[fundamentalist]] [[Christianity|Christians]] which assert that the origin of the Universe and all life on earth was precisely revealed in the [[Bible|Biblical]] book of [[Genesis]].  Using literal [[hermeneutics]] to approach the book, as well as the genealogy of [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] chapter 1, proponents argue that the earth is only 6,000 – 10,000 years old.  
'''Young earth creationism''' (often referred to as "Biblical creationism", or simply [[creationism]]) is the name given to a set of beliefs espoused by some [[fundamentalist]] [[Christianity|Christians]] which assert that the origin of the Universe and all life on earth was precisely revealed in the [[Bible|Biblical]] book of [[Genesis]].  Using literal [[hermeneutics]] to approach the book, as well as the genealogy of [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] chapter 1, proponents argue that the earth is only 6,000 – 10,000 years old.  


While other cultures and religions may hold similar views of a young Earth, young Earth creationism is generally understood to refer to the fundamentalist Christian (or orthodox Jewish) view.
While other cultures and religions may hold similar views of a young Earth, the term "young Earth creationism," coined in the late 20th century, refers to the fundamentalist Protestant (or orthodox Jewish) view.


==History==
==History==
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Young Earth creationism was once a mainstream view in large parts of [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[Christianity|Christian]] [[Europe]] and was not a contentious issue until the 19th century, when scientists (such as [[James Hutton]] and [[Charles Lyelle]]) started publishing work, based on their analyses of geological processes and formations, supporting the view that the earth was not a few thousand years old but, in fact, several millions of years old. This view was based largely on belief in [[uniformitarianism]]. The subsequent publication of [[Charles Darwin|Darwin]]'s ''[[On the Origin of Species]]'' in 1859 and the associated [[Evolution|Theory of Evolution]], also affirmed the view that the Earth was much older than the 6,000 to 10,000 years proposed by young Earth creationists.  
Young Earth creationism was once a mainstream view in large parts of [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[Christianity|Christian]] [[Europe]] and was not a contentious issue until the 19th century, when scientists (such as [[James Hutton]] and [[Charles Lyelle]]) started publishing work, based on their analyses of geological processes and formations, supporting the view that the earth was not a few thousand years old but, in fact, several millions of years old. This view was based largely on belief in [[uniformitarianism]]. The subsequent publication of [[Charles Darwin|Darwin]]'s ''[[On the Origin of Species]]'' in 1859 and the associated [[Evolution|Theory of Evolution]], also affirmed the view that the Earth was much older than the 6,000 to 10,000 years proposed by young Earth creationists.  


Nearly all theologians, including those opposed to the theory of evolution, rejected the 4004BC model and argued the earth was very old. By 1900 the young Earth creationist chronology was no longer viewed as accurate by educated citizens in Europe or America. <ref> Evangelical theologians who adopted a figurative interpretation of the first two chapters of Genesis.</ref?
Nearly all theologians, including those opposed to the theory of evolution, rejected the 4004BC model and argued the earth was very old. By 1900 the young Earth creationist chronology was no longer viewed as accurate by educated citizens in Europe or America. <ref> Evangelical theologians who adopted a figurative interpretation of the first two chapters of Genesis. Numbers (2000)</ref>


===The Scopes Trial===
===The Scopes Trial===


The [[Scopes trial]] tool place in [[Tennesee]], USA in 1925 and was seen as a watershed event in the [[creation-evolution controversy]].<!-- citation needed --> It was the subject of fervent national media attention.<!-- citation needed -->
By 1910 a new theology of "fundamentalism" had emerged among conservative Protestants, especially in the SOuthern Baptistchurch. They revived the 4004BC dating and organized political opposition to the teaching of Darwinism in the public schools. The [[Scopes trial]] tool place in [[Tennesee]], USA in 1925 and was seen as a watershed event in the [[creation-evolution controversy]].<ref> Numbers (2006)</ref>
 
The [[Butler Act]], passed in March 1925 in Tennessee, made it unlawful for any teacher in any of the public schools of the state to teach any theory that "denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals."<!-- citation needed --> The [[American Civil Liberties Union]] (ACLU) began a campaign to challenge this law and sought someone who would be prepared to admit to teaching evolution in a state school and stand trial so that the law could be challenged in court. [[John T. Scopes]] volunteered to play that part. Although the ACLU and Scopes lost the trial, the resulting publicity brought the issue to the forefront of the minds of the American people and many saw it is a set-back for those who opposed the Theory of Evolution. <ref>State v. John Scopes ("The Monkey Trial") by Douglas O. Linder, [http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scopes/evolut.htm] </ref>
The [[Butler Act]], passed in March 1925 in Tennessee, made it unlawful for any teacher in any of the public schools of the state to teach any theory that "denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals."<!-- citation needed --> The [[American Civil Liberties Union]] (ACLU) began a campaign to challenge this law and sought someone who would be prepared to admit to teaching evolution in a state school and stand trial so that the law could be challenged in court. [[John T. Scopes]] volunteered to play that part. Although the ACLU and Scopes lost the trial, the resulting publicity brought the issue to the forefront of the minds of the American people and many saw it is a set-back for those who opposed the Theory of Evolution. <ref>State v. John Scopes ("The Monkey Trial") by Douglas O. Linder, [http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scopes/evolut.htm] </ref>


==Modern-day young Earth creationism==
==Modern-day young Earth creationism==


The modern resurgence of young Earth creationism is generally ascribed to two American theologians, [[John C. Whitcomb, Jr.]] and [[Henry M. Morris]], and their book ''[[The Genesis Flood]]'' (1961)<!-- citation needed -->. They in turn borrowed heavily from George McCready Price, a self-taught [[Seventh-day Adventism|Seventh-day Adventist]] author of ''The New Geology'' (1923).<!-- citation needed -->
The modern resurgence of young Earth creationism is generally ascribed to two American theologians, [[John C. Whitcomb, Jr.]] and [[Henry M. Morris]], and their book ''[[The Genesis Flood]]'' (1961). They in turn borrowed heavily from George McCready Price, a self-taught [[Seventh-day Adventism|Seventh-day Adventist]] author of ''The New Geology'' (1923).<ref> Numbers (2006)</ref>


Several organisations exist throughout the world that support and promote the idea of young Earth creationism. Some of the most prominent ones are [[Answers In Genesis]][http://www.answersingenesis.org], [[Creation Ministries International]][http://www.creationontheweb.org] and the [[Institute for Creation Research]][http://www.icr.org/].
Several organisations promote the idea of young Earth creationism. Some of the most prominent ones are [[Answers In Genesis]][http://www.answersingenesis.org], [[Creation Ministries International]][http://www.creationontheweb.org] and the [[Institute for Creation Research]][http://www.icr.org/].


===Main tenets===
===Main tenets===
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===Creation Museum, Kentucky, USA===
===Creation Museum, Kentucky, USA===


In 2007, a young Earth creationist group, [[Answers In Genesis]][http://www.answersingenesis.org/] opened the [[Creation Museum]][http://www.creationmuseum.org/] in Petersburg, [[Kentucky]], [[USA]]. The construction and opening of the museum generated much interest and controversy in the press and media,<!-- citation needed --> particularly for exhibitions such as those that display early humans at play alongside vegetarian dinosaurs.<ref> Associated Press, "New Bible-Based Museum Has Dinosaurs," in New York ''Times'' May 26, 2007, [http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Creation-Museum.html] (article non-existant when checked on 8th August 2007)</ref>. The museum was designed by [[Patrick Marsh]], who also designed the [[Jaws]] and [[King Kong]] exhibits at [[Universal Studios]], Florida <ref> What's with all the dinosaurs?, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,,1946370,00.html] (accessed on 8th August 2007). </ref>
In 2007, a young Earth creationist group, [[Answers In Genesis]][http://www.answersingenesis.org/] opened the [[Creation Museum]][http://www.creationmuseum.org/] in Petersburg, [[Kentucky]]. The construction and opening of the museum generated much interest and controversy in the press and media.<ref> Associated Press, "New Bible-Based Museum Has Dinosaurs," in New York ''Times'' May 26, 2007.</ref>. The museum was designed by [[Patrick Marsh]], who also designed the [[Jaws]] and [[King Kong]] exhibits at [[Universal Studios]], Florida <ref> [http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,,1946370,00.html] (accessed on 8th August 2007). </ref>


Other groups in the [[United States]] have had similar plans: The [[Creation Discovery Museum]][http://www.creationstudies.org/museum.html] was opened <!-- on which date? --> by the [[Creation Studies Institute]][http://www.creationstudies.org/], a Fort Lauderdale, [[Florida]]-based ministry that promotes young Earth creationism. <ref> Creationism 'Lite': 'Intelligent design' proponents marry God and evolution.  The Record (Bergen County, NJ), August 28, 2005 Sunday,  All Editions, OPINION; Pg. O01, 1680 words, By ALEXANDRA ALTER, Wire Services.</ref>
Other groups in the United States have announced similar museums. The [[Creation Discovery Museum]][http://www.creationstudies.org/museum.html] was opened <!-- on which date? --> by the [[Creation Studies Institute]][http://www.creationstudies.org/], a Fort Lauderdale, [[Florida]]-based ministry that promotes young Earth creationism. <ref> Creationism 'Lite': 'Intelligent design' proponents marry God and evolution.  The Record (Bergen County, NJ), August 28, 2005 Sunday,  All Editions, OPINION; Pg. O01, 1680 words, By ALEXANDRA ALTER, Wire Services.</ref>


==Criticisms==
==Criticisms==


The scientific community has on the whole rejected young Earth creationism.<!-- citation needed --> Additionally, religious creationists who believe in [[old Earth creationism]] also reject the assertion that the Earth is only approximately 6,000 – 10,000 years old.<!-- citation needed -->
The scientific community has on the whole rejected young Earth creationism, which it sees as a religious doctrine.<ref> Numbers (2006)</ref> Religious creationists who believe in [[old Earth creationism]] also reject the assertion that the Earth is only approximately 6,000 – 10,000 years old.<!-- citation needed -->
 
It is argued that most people who support young Earth creationism come to creationism from religion, and that many who claim scientific expertise on the topic have not published papers on creationism in mainstream, refereed science journals. <!-- citation needed -->
 
 
==Notable supporters==
 
[[Raymond V. Damadian|Dr Raymond V. Damadian]] (inventor of Magnetic Resonance Imaging techniques).<ref>Medical Nobel Prize Sparks Protest http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1460631</ref>
 
 
The creationist organisation Answers in Genesis maintains a list of present day scientists and people with scientific training who are purported to accept the Biblical account of creation. [http://www.answersingenesis.org/Home/Area/bios/default.asp#presentsci]


The list of supporters of young Earth creationism show they came to creationism from religion, and that those who claim scientific expertise on other topics have not published papers on creationism in mainstream, refereed science journals.<ref> For list see [http://www.answersingenesis.org/Home/Area/bios/default.asp#presentsci];
see also [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1460631]</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==Further reading==
==Bibliography==


* Bratt, James D., "History of Brief Time" ''Reviews in American History,'' Vol. 22, No. 2 (Jun., 1994), pp. 335-339. (review of Numbers, 1992 edition. [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0048-7511(199406)22%3A2%3C335%3AAHOBT%3E2.0.CO%3B2-5 online at JSTOR]
* Bratt, James D., "History of Brief Time" ''Reviews in American History,'' Vol. 22, No. 2 (Jun., 1994), pp. 335-339. (review of Numbers, 1992 edition. [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0048-7511(199406)22%3A2%3C335%3AAHOBT%3E2.0.CO%3B2-5 online at JSTOR]


* Edward J. Larson: Trial and Error: The American Controversy Over Creation and Evolution 2003  ISBN 0195154703
* Edward J. Larson: ''Trial and Error: The American Controversy Over Creation and Evolution'' 2003  ISBN 0195154703


* Giberson, Karl W.  and Donald A. Yerxa. ''Species of Origins: America's Search for a Creation Story (2002)'' looks at the debate over creationism and evolution in late 20th century; covers Darwinism, young earth creationism, and intelligent design.  
* Giberson, Karl W.  and Donald A. Yerxa. ''Species of Origins: America's Search for a Creation Story (2002)'' looks at the debate over creationism and evolution in late 20th century; covers Darwinism, young earth creationism, and intelligent design.  

Revision as of 11:38, 10 August 2007

Young earth creationism (often referred to as "Biblical creationism", or simply creationism) is the name given to a set of beliefs espoused by some fundamentalist Christians which assert that the origin of the Universe and all life on earth was precisely revealed in the Biblical book of Genesis. Using literal hermeneutics to approach the book, as well as the genealogy of Matthew chapter 1, proponents argue that the earth is only 6,000 – 10,000 years old.

While other cultures and religions may hold similar views of a young Earth, the term "young Earth creationism," coined in the late 20th century, refers to the fundamentalist Protestant (or orthodox Jewish) view.

History

The creationist chronology was originally developed in 17th century England by Archbishop James Ussher, an Anglican, in 1651. Ussher calculated, using the chronologies given in the books of the Bible, that the first day of creation occurred on October 23, 4004 BC. His chronology was typeset in English Bibles starting in 1701; however, the year 4004 BC was already well known among theologians.[1]

Young Earth creationism was once a mainstream view in large parts of Protestant Christian Europe and was not a contentious issue until the 19th century, when scientists (such as James Hutton and Charles Lyelle) started publishing work, based on their analyses of geological processes and formations, supporting the view that the earth was not a few thousand years old but, in fact, several millions of years old. This view was based largely on belief in uniformitarianism. The subsequent publication of Darwin's On the Origin of Species in 1859 and the associated Theory of Evolution, also affirmed the view that the Earth was much older than the 6,000 to 10,000 years proposed by young Earth creationists.

Nearly all theologians, including those opposed to the theory of evolution, rejected the 4004BC model and argued the earth was very old. By 1900 the young Earth creationist chronology was no longer viewed as accurate by educated citizens in Europe or America. [2]

The Scopes Trial

By 1910 a new theology of "fundamentalism" had emerged among conservative Protestants, especially in the SOuthern Baptistchurch. They revived the 4004BC dating and organized political opposition to the teaching of Darwinism in the public schools. The Scopes trial tool place in Tennesee, USA in 1925 and was seen as a watershed event in the creation-evolution controversy.[3] The Butler Act, passed in March 1925 in Tennessee, made it unlawful for any teacher in any of the public schools of the state to teach any theory that "denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals." The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) began a campaign to challenge this law and sought someone who would be prepared to admit to teaching evolution in a state school and stand trial so that the law could be challenged in court. John T. Scopes volunteered to play that part. Although the ACLU and Scopes lost the trial, the resulting publicity brought the issue to the forefront of the minds of the American people and many saw it is a set-back for those who opposed the Theory of Evolution. [4]

Modern-day young Earth creationism

The modern resurgence of young Earth creationism is generally ascribed to two American theologians, John C. Whitcomb, Jr. and Henry M. Morris, and their book The Genesis Flood (1961). They in turn borrowed heavily from George McCready Price, a self-taught Seventh-day Adventist author of The New Geology (1923).[5]

Several organisations promote the idea of young Earth creationism. Some of the most prominent ones are Answers In Genesis[5], Creation Ministries International[6] and the Institute for Creation Research[7].

Main tenets

(To be updated)

Creation Museum, Kentucky, USA

In 2007, a young Earth creationist group, Answers In Genesis[8] opened the Creation Museum[9] in Petersburg, Kentucky. The construction and opening of the museum generated much interest and controversy in the press and media.[6]. The museum was designed by Patrick Marsh, who also designed the Jaws and King Kong exhibits at Universal Studios, Florida [7]

Other groups in the United States have announced similar museums. The Creation Discovery Museum[10] was opened by the Creation Studies Institute[11], a Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based ministry that promotes young Earth creationism. [8]

Criticisms

The scientific community has on the whole rejected young Earth creationism, which it sees as a religious doctrine.[9] Religious creationists who believe in old Earth creationism also reject the assertion that the Earth is only approximately 6,000 – 10,000 years old.

The list of supporters of young Earth creationism show they came to creationism from religion, and that those who claim scientific expertise on other topics have not published papers on creationism in mainstream, refereed science journals.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ J. G. C. M. Fuller, "A date to remember: 4004 BC," Earth sciences history 2005, vol. 24, no1, pp. 5-14
  2. ↑ Evangelical theologians who adopted a figurative interpretation of the first two chapters of Genesis. Numbers (2000)
  3. ↑ Numbers (2006)
  4. ↑ State v. John Scopes ("The Monkey Trial") by Douglas O. Linder, [1]
  5. ↑ Numbers (2006)
  6. ↑ Associated Press, "New Bible-Based Museum Has Dinosaurs," in New York Times May 26, 2007.
  7. ↑ [2] (accessed on 8th August 2007).
  8. ↑ Creationism 'Lite': 'Intelligent design' proponents marry God and evolution. The Record (Bergen County, NJ), August 28, 2005 Sunday, All Editions, OPINION; Pg. O01, 1680 words, By ALEXANDRA ALTER, Wire Services.
  9. ↑ Numbers (2006)
  10. ↑ For list see [3]; see also [4]


Bibliography

  • Bratt, James D., "History of Brief Time" Reviews in American History, Vol. 22, No. 2 (Jun., 1994), pp. 335-339. (review of Numbers, 1992 edition. online at JSTOR
  • Edward J. Larson: Trial and Error: The American Controversy Over Creation and Evolution 2003 ISBN 0195154703
  • Giberson, Karl W. and Donald A. Yerxa. Species of Origins: America's Search for a Creation Story (2002) looks at the debate over creationism and evolution in late 20th century; covers Darwinism, young earth creationism, and intelligent design.
  • Lienesch, Michael. In the Beginning: Fundamentalism, the Scopes Trial, and the Making of the Antievolution Movement (2007)
  • Numbers, Ronald L. The Creationists (2nd ed. 2006)
  • Numbers, Ronald L. "The Most Important Biblical Discovery of Our Time": William Henry Green and the Demise of Ussher's Chronology," Church History, Vol. 69, No. 2 (Jun., 2000), pp. 257-276 in JSTOR


External links

Young Earth creationist organisations

Discussions on creationism

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