How Ancient Is Ancient?

How Ancient Is Ancient? 

 

Daniel 7:9

“I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.” 

 

There are some Christian leaders who have suggested that Genesis does not teach how old the Earth is. They argue that the main point of Genesis is to show that God created everything, and that we, as human beings, are central to His plans for the universe. Therefore, they say, the issue of the age of the Earth is not important. After all, God is described as the “Ancient of Days” in Daniel 7:9. A 6,000-year age for the Earth is not very ancient, compared to the millions and even billions of years of evolution, so surely these creationists have everything wrong at this point. 

 

In Britain, you will often see signs for places like Stonehenge tThere are often labeled as “Ancient Monuments”, despite the fact that they may only be a few hundred years old. Yet, when you are inside them, you consider them to be ancient. Whether something is ancient or not depends on what you compare it with.  

 

Six thousand years is not ancient when compared to 4.5 billion years. However, it is our contention, from Scripture, that the 4.5 billion years did not exist. So, what is the point of comparing one age with a vast age that did not exist? It is like asking a toddler what they were doing in 1983. The question is meaningless. 

 

Six thousand years of history refers to ancient history. We do not define ourselves in comparison with millions of years that didn’t exist. Instead, we consider the eyewitness account that God gave us, and count it as just that. 

 

Prayer: Thank You for the truth of Your word. Thank You that we can trust it absolutely. Amen. 

 

Ref: Chaffey, T. and Lisle, J. (2008), Old Earth Creationism on Trial, (Green Forest, AR: Master Books), pp. 36-37. Image: Adobe Stock Images, licensed to author