As Christians, many of us grapple with questions like: "Did God create the world over billions of years? Does it really matter how long He took?" While it may seem like a trivial issue to some, how we answer these questions touches on something much deeper—the trustworthiness of Scripture and the very core of the Gospel message.
The Bible begins with a straightforward declaration: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). The six days of creation, as outlined in Genesis, seem clear and specific. Yet, some argue that God could have used billions of years to create everything. But if this is true, what does it mean for our understanding of Scripture and our faith?
What Does the Bible Say?
The issue of whether God used long ages or created in six literal days is not just about timescales—it’s about whether the Bible says what it means. Genesis describes God’s creation of the world in six days, and Exodus 20:11 affirms that the six days of creation are to be understood as literal days: "For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day."
When we interpret the Bible as speaking of billions of years, we insert a concept that comes not from Scripture, but from modern interpretations of science. Yet, the Bible tells a different story—one of creation, fall, and redemption, with no room for long ages of death and suffering before sin entered the world. Romans 5:12 is clear: "Sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men." Death, in all its forms, entered the world because of Adam’s sin, not before it.
The Problem with Long Ages
If we accept that God used millions of years to create, we face a theological problem. These long ages, as taught in modern geology, are filled with evidence of death, suffering, and disease—all before the Fall of man. But the Bible teaches that death and suffering are the direct result of sin. How, then, could God have called a world filled with death and disease "very good" (Genesis 1:31)?
This brings us to a critical point: the Gospel itself hinges on the fact that death is the result of sin. If death existed before sin, it undermines the entire foundation of our faith. Why would Christ need to die to conquer death if death was simply part of God’s "good" creation? First Corinthians 15:26 declares, "The last enemy to be destroyed is death." Jesus came to destroy death, not to endorse it as part of His creation.
So why is this important?
Because if we cannot trust the Bible’s clear teaching on creation, how can we trust its teachings on salvation, sin, and eternity? Jesus believed in a literal, historical Genesis, as seen when He refers to the creation of man and woman in Mark 10:6: "But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female." If Christ affirmed the Genesis account, shouldn’t we?
The age of the earth may not seem like a salvation issue, but it is deeply connected to how we view Scripture. If we begin to compromise on Genesis, where do we stop? Does our faith rest on human interpretations of science, or on the unchanging Word of God?
The Gospel at Stake
The Gospel message is clear: sin brought death into the world, and Jesus’ death and resurrection defeated sin and death once and for all. The Bible promises a new creation where death will be no more (Revelation 21:4). But if death was always part of God’s plan, as long-age theories suggest, then what is the significance of Christ’s sacrifice? How can we hope for a new, perfect creation if there was never a perfect creation to begin with?
What will you do?
If you’ve never considered these questions, now is the time to reflect. The Bible calls us to trust in God’s Word fully, without compromise. Jesus Christ came to save us from sin and death, offering eternal life to those who believe in Him (John 3:16). Don’t let modern theories distort the clear message of Scripture. Instead, come to know the Savior who created the world, died for your sins, and offers you a place in His restored creation.
Will you trust in His Word and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today?
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