The young age of the earth has become an essential doctrine of Christianity, but is in opposition to scientific discoveries. This has divided Christians and made Christianity ineffective in reaching out to the world.

The Christian and scientific communities are at war over a peripheral issue the age of the universe and earth. This issue has also caused destructive division among Christians.

A partial list of early biblical scholars who interpreted the creation days of Genesis Chapter 1 as longer than 24 hours: Josephus, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Hippolytus, Origen, Augustine. Others who believed creation was instantaneous and that the six days were figurative: Philo, Clement of Alexandria.

Ussher declares 4004 B.C. as the date of creation. 100 years later geologists studying the fossil record concluded that life must have existed on earth for at least 250 million years. In response, theologians developed "higher criticism" and declared the Bible's creation account to be myth. Goose, a Christian scientist, proposed the "appearance of age" hypotheses. Darwin's theory of evolution was rapidly accepted within the scientific community.

Christian Fundamentalism began but adopted Ussher's creation date as what they thought was the only defense against Darwinism. Creationism began to introduce scientific respectability to fundamentalism. The scientific community rejects Creationism. Creationists adopt the "appearance of age" concept and declare that the Bible is the only authoritative source of truth.

A detailed analysis.

More of the same.

The problems with evolution.

Creationists say "yes" but the scientific community has been alienated and rejects Christianity out of hand.

A brief introduction to the main points with Creationist responses.

A look at ten arguments and their severe problems.

Creationists must deny reality in the face of overwhelming evidence for an old universe and old earth.

The big bang. Many scientists hesitantly admit that it implies a Creator.

More problems with evolution.

The first humans appear about 30,000 years ago.

How Genesis 1 exactly matches with the scientific model.

Describing Genesis 1 from a scientific point of view.

Christians confirm the doctrine of biblical inerrancy, deny that Genesis 1 11 is mythical and make the age of the earth a non-essential issue.

We must end the war which is dividing Christians and making Christianity ineffective in reaching the world.