Peril in Paradise – Theology, Science and the Age of the Earth
Peril in Paradise Theology Science and the Age of the Earth
Young Earth verses Old Earth — the debate has gone on for centuries, with most modern Christians disputing the scientific claim of an ancient earth. But is an old earth truly inconsistent with Scripture? Dr. Mark Whorton seeks to give biblically based answers and challenge the modern thinking that to be an evangelical Christian is to believe in a young earth.
Using evidence as diverse as the bombardier beetle and St. Augustine, Dr. Whorton, a Christian apologist and genuine rocket scientist, provides a compelling answer to one of the most difficult and heated issues for modern Christians.
Major topics include:
• Thinking Believers
• Creation Paradigms
• The Eternal Purpose of Creation
• A Day in the Life of Adam
• Suffering and the Plan of God
• Animal Death in a Very Good World
• Vegetarian Delight
• The Uncompromising Truths of Creation
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Supplies an overlooked part of the controversy
There has been, and still is, a raging controversy over creation and evolution. Most of the fighting takes place between scientists who believe in a natural origin of the universe, life, and life's species, and, on the other hand, Bible believers who think that the Bible requires belief in a recent (about 6,000 years ago) creation by God's miraculous power.
Whorton, a scientist and a Bible student also, believes that both sides have part of the truth, but that this controversy can, to a large extent, be settled by a better understanding of the Bible and of scientific findings.
I believe his primary contribution to this debate is his distinguishing two different views people have had of the Bible's creation accounts. The recent-creation view holds that the initial creation was perfect until Adam sinned in the garden of Eden. There was no human death, and no animal death (at least for higher animals). Death came after man sinned. Therefore, all the fossils and other evidences of animal death must have come in the last several thousand years, after humans were created, perhaps mostly in the flood of Noah. Whorton calls this the "Perfect Paradise Paradigm."
Whorton offers a different view of the Bible's teaching. God created the universe, Earth, animals, and humans in a condition that allowed illness, death, and other "evils." He did this because he had a bigger plan in mind. As a sovereign God, with an eternal plan designed to glorify himself and to bring chosen humans into everlasting righteousness and glory, this universe was a staging ground for a better future–"the new heavens and new earth" spoken about in the Bible. The existence of animal death before the fall helped to prepare the earth for humans and for advanced civilization, including modern industry and technology. Also, since Adam's fall into sin was foreknown by God (and even a part of his plan), this universe was designed to be temporary. When God finished the creation, he said it was "very good." This does not mean "perfect as it is." Rather, it means "perfect for the purpose I have made it." Whorton calls this the "Perfect Purpose Paradigm."
This book should be especially helpful for Christians who struggle with the idea of death before the fall. Also, it is helpful for those who think the Bible is hopelessly out of date and unscientific.
2 Stars Good Biblical refutation of YEC, but bad support for science
I got this book for Biblical arguments against YEC after being confronted by a few YECers. The author has thought thoroughly about Biblical arguments against a Perfect Paradise Paradigm, but as a PhD. for NASA betrays his fellow scientists.
The beginning spends significant time on Biblical inerrancy. Fine, but like most Christian authors, the main points are repeated over and over again. I got it the first time. The book could be much shorter if a point was stated half the number of times.
Once you are past the "I'm a true believer" foundation, the author gets into the critical arguments. The main argument is that God has a Perfect Purpose and His plan is eternal. His plan can not be thwarted by man and suffering, struggle, and death have always been part of the eternal plan to bring glory to Him. He discusses life in the Garden before the Fall and after, pulling from various verses in the Old and New testament for support. This portion of the book is very interesting theologically. There is some generic scientific support such as the argument that animals genetic makeup cannot have been different before the Fall. That their digestive system would have to be very different than we now know if they were to be herbivorous. There are many more interesting arguments made by the author.
In wrapping up his book, the author slips into typical creationist arguments against evolution. Stating things like "Every day scientists are further confirming that the universe and the laws of nature appear to be precisely tuned to a grand design." This was very disappointing coming from a NASA scientist. I shouldn't have been surprised, but after reading "The Language of God" from Dr. Francis Collins, this was a let down. The author slips right into the non-science nonsense of intelligent design. "…while my creationist leaders had done an excellent job bringing light to the insurmountable problems with naturalistic biological evolution…" and "when the evidence is examined, the conclusion is hard to miss: the heavens, the earth, and life itself are the products of a purposeful designer." For this reason, the book was a let down, and I will not recommend it as reading material to my creationist friends and family. I found it disappointing that one can accept an old earth, but not accept biological discoveries. I will rather refer them to Dr. Collins' book. One can believe in the Perfect Purpose Paradigm and accept evolution.
5 Stars Gets to the heart of the YEC/OEC debate.
This book thoughtfully addresses the theological questions in the old earth/young earth creationist debate. The examples from scripture are carefully selected and applied. This book addresses questions that science itself cannot touch, such as redemption, God's ultimate purpose in creation, and His purpose in allowing pain and suffering in the world. However, it also addresses some of the scientific difficulties of the YEC view. This book is a great tool that I hope will bring reconciliation and understanding between two groups of people who have more in common than not. I pray that it will help us join together to glorify God in the sight of those who do not yet believe.
5 Stars A breath of fresh Old-Earth revelations amidst stale Young-Earth diatribes
I have been a born-again believer since 1974, taught science at a private Christian school, and now work in medical research studying mitochondrial respiration and inflammation pathways.
Cut to the chase — I was a devout Young-Earth Creationism (YEC) for about a decade until the whole paradigm started to crumble under the weight of scientific REALITY. The Bible, the Word never faltered but the YEC ship was sinking fast. Worse yet, when trying to discuss Old-Earth Creationism (OEC) evidences with YEC friends they turned a deaf ear and essentially refused to consider clear evidence from many fields of science. I took a 20-year hiatus from the whole mess. That was then, this is now.
I cannot more highly recommend the fine work Dr Whorton has put into approaching YEC arguments and clearly freeing the spirit and the mind of believers to at last walk in the freedom of the OEC paradigm. Whorton shows that being an OEC adherent doesn't demand one leave their faith in the Redeemer/Creator. Neither must an OEC visionary drop their God-given, open-minded intelligence at the doorstep of YEC's psuedo-science theories and their tradition-staled theology of homocentrism.
Creation was not about a Paradise for Man to frolic in that God just whipped together in 144 hours — no way! God's timeless and eternal Purpose has been snowballing for billions of years and the Garden of Eden was just a small part, the stage for Man to dance well or not — and all in all will be in the culmination — the Glory of God and when He looked over all Time and Creation he saw it was indeed "very good".
I predict YEC has a current viable lifespan of about 40 years or at least until the Creator, the Ancient of Days, Yeshua the Lord returns . . .
5 Stars High marks from a young earth creationist
Dr. Whorton's Peril in Paradise is a must read for my fellow young earth creationists. In a detailed study that incorporates scripture, science, and logic, this book challenges the long held assumptions of the 'Perfect Paradise Paradigm', the bedrock of young earth creationism. Utilizing careful word studies, concrete biblical examples, and numerous citations from old earth and young earth theologians, Dr. Whorton presents a positive alternative called the 'Perfect Purpose Paradigm'. In this model, an ancient creation positing animal death, suffering, and natural disasters before the Fall is deemed consistent with the holy scriptures, orthodox Christianity, and modern science. Though young earth creationists may recoil at such a prospect, the Bible calls us to test all things. If we call upon evolutionists to test their assumptions and presuppositions, we must be willing to do the same when it comes to our own theological and scientific framework.
Dr. Whorton makes a number of thought provoking biblical and scientific arguments in his defense of an old earth creationist perspective. Most importantly, it addresses a number of very sensitive issues in a polite and respectful manner, which is often times lacking in the young earth vs. old earth creation debate. In order to carefully weigh all the theological, scientific, and historical aspects of the biblical creation model, Peril in Paradise should be analyzed with an open mind.
Related posts:
- Beyond the Firmament – Understanding Science and the Theology of Creation
- Holman QuickSource Guide to Understanding Creation
- Coming to Grips with Genesis Biblical Authority and the Age of the Earth
- Set of 5 Watchtower Books – Paradise Lost, Paradise Restored
- Creation As Science A Testable Model Approach to End the Creation evolution Wars
- The Bible – Rocks and Time, Geological Evidence for the Age of the Earth
- Thousands not Billions – Challenging the Icon of Evolution – Questioning the Age of the Earth
- Early Earth
- Starlight and Time – Solving the Puzzle of Distant Starlight in a Young Universe
- The Meaning of Creation – Genesis and Modern Science
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