How Much Should Christians Care About the Age of the Earth?

Recently, apologist Ken Ham has ramped up his public criticism of high profile Christians who disagree with him on the age of the earth, accusing them of being both “lukewarm” and “compromising.”

Young earth creationism has long been a central feature of Ham’s apologetic ministry, which is perhaps best known for its Creation Museum and Ark Encounter in Kentucky. Ham also famously debated Bill Nye the Science Guy in 2014, which was a national news story.

In more recent times, Ham has been calling into question the ministries of men like Timothy Keller and Andy Stanley for their failure to preach young earth creationism and a literal reading of Genesis 1 that posits the earth is 6,000 years old.

But is this something that Christians should really be dividing over? How important is the age of the earth to the overall story of Scripture, the gospel, and our mission in the world?

On this episode, we discuss Ham’s criticism of old earth creationists, the differing views faithful Christians take when it comes to the age of the earth, and where we think this issue should fit in our overall list of theological priorities.

RELATED RESOURCES

READ: Why Christians Need to Stop Dividing Over the Age of the Earth
The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate” by John Walton

REFERENCED IN THIS ARTICLE

Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple” by Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett
News Story: Ken Ham Accuses Tim Keller of ‘Lukewarmness,’ ‘Compromising’ Following Announcement of Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics
News Story: Ken Ham Announces Plans to ‘Confront Racism’ With New Tower of Babel Exhibit

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