RTB Perspective on the Creation Museum

The RTB scholar team

With the Answers in Genesis (AiG) Creation Museum opening on May 28, 2007, people have asked Reasons To Believe (RTB) for comment. RTB has always advocated that the proponents of various creation and evolution models put their best case forward for all to evaluate, and we see the opening of the museum as the public presentation of AiG’s model.

One might expect mutual hostility between AiG and RTB since we fall into two different and disparate creationist camps. For instance, we believe the universe started in a big bang creation event roughly 14 billion years ago; AiG rejects big bang cosmology and puts the age of the Earth closer to 6,000 years. We believe humans were specially created by God between 10,000 and 100,000 years ago; AiG puts humanity’s creation close to their date of Earth’s creation.

However, from a Christian perspective we have more in common than we have areas of disagreement. This statement does not gloss over the significant differences between each view or minimize the importance of working through those differences. It simply highlights the “in-house” nature of this creation debate that God calls us to resolve in a manner that honors Him.

In his introduction to a book entitled The Genesis Debate, Norman Geisler writes:

In the long history of the Church, several views of the creation-day debate emanating from those who hold to the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture have been within the pale of orthodoxy. Indeed, many of the greatest champions of the highest view of Scripture have held divergent views regarding the age of the earth.

The book allows two proponents for each of three creation views–calendar-day, framework, and day-age–to put forth their best case and respond to questions and objections raised by the others.

Similarly, the “Report of the Creation Study Committee of the Presbyterian Church of America” objectively explains in detail four popular views–the three above plus the analogical day view–and outlines the strengths and weaknesses of each. Both documents demonstrate respectful interaction among Christians who strongly hold divergent views of how to interpret and integrate Scripture and nature, special revelation and general revelation.

RTB has participated in recent closed-door conversations among people from various creationist organizations. These meetings are characterized by the grace and generosity advocated by Scripture as participants wrestle with difficult issues.

Whatever position any of us hold, we would do well to remember Paul’s exhortation to the Thessalonians to “examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.” (NASB)

For additional information regarding RTB’s view on various aspects of creation:

Relation of Scripture and Creation see chapter 3 of Without a Doubt
Age of the universe and earth, design in the universe, etc. see The Creator and the Cosmos and A Matter of Days
Origins of Life see Origins of Life
Origin of humanity see Who Was Adam?
Description of creation miracles see The Genesis Question