How can I be a Christian and believe in an "old earth" if there had to be death before "the Fall".

Question

Young Earth Creationists make an interesting point that you cannot believe the Bible and believe in an earth older than 6-10k years old because any other viewpoint than this indicates that there were many years of death (whether animals or human) before the Bible's story of the Fall begins. The Fall of man, the original sin, led to death. That said, there had to be a time when there was no death, if there was no death, then billions of years equals billions of animals and not enough resources and land mass to support this compounding problem. With this in mind, can I claim to believe the Bible and still somehow believe the earth is as most scientist (only Christian Scientists believe in a young earth) believe is billions of years old?

Answer 1

Well clearly when you read the discussions in Genesis: "On the day you eat of the fruit you will die" is interpreted as spiritual death because Adam did not keel over immediately. That being the case there is nothing to suggest that animals couldn't die prior because the bible does not speak of animal spirits (I would prefer to think they have them but the bible is silent in this regard).

So, You can believe in evolution because there could have been physical death prior to the account just not spiritual death.

Okay that aside, I believe that the Genesis account (first 11 chapters are largely allegorical). I also don't believe that mountain ranges, canyons, geological evidence support a young earth. Christian's differ on these things.

You don't have to agree with me--just that would be where I'm coming from by holding to the other point.

Answer 2

exciting question. If any Christians answer, you will likely get the "properly, plant life died" (an objection that has been greater effective than satifactorily responded) or "Genesis is allegory" (which fairly merely element-steps the question) responses - alongside with the occasional hollow thought thrown in for good degree. Oh - and lest I forget, there is the previous Earth Creationist place - championed by ability of Hugh Ross, who has some exciting twists to the Day Age thought. Me? It became precisely this question which God used to start me on my long and not consistently comfortable adventure to the greater youthful Earth place, so i would be observing with pastime any responses.

Answer 3

There is nothing in the Bible to indicate that animals and plants did not die before 'the fall'. The test was given to reasoning humans only. If Adam hadn't violated Gods directive, he would be alive today, but not the animals in the garden. Again, the injunction against eating a particular fruit was given to mankind, not animal kind. Please note that, unlike animals, man was created with eternity in his heart. To the best of my knowledge, animals don't consider the future and whether or not they will be in it.

Oh, the earth is much older than 10,000 years. That time frame is mistaken, based on Bible chronology.

Answer 4

I don't see how any Christian can believe in the Bible and an 'old earth' philosophy.
Either the Bible is true and accurate or it isn't and 'old earth' doesn't fit in the Bible account of creation.

Answer 5

Spiritual death is what the interpretation of many Christians / theistic evolutionists hold. The contention for this they back with the fact that God said that if Adam and Eve ate from the tree they would die; and when they did...they didn't.

Answer 6

It is a spiritual death. Notice God told them that they would die if they ate of the fruit so therefore death had to be known to them. However they did not immediately die but became corrupted and experienced a spiritual death. It is the death of the connection between man and God.

Answer 7

Clearly, the "fall" of man only cursed humanity with mortality. There is no reason to believe that any other creatures possessed immortality prior to the "fall". Only man was made in God's image.

Jim, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/

Answer 8

Check it out on Google:
The Gap Theory of Genesis 1:1 - 1:2

It's possible. Anyone with a concordance can see the translation does not have to be traditional.

Answer 9

I would suggest asking these notable Christians who believe in an old Earth that question as they all seem to have worked it out:
http://www.reasons.org/resources/apologetics/notable_leaders/index.shtml

Answer 10

Exodus 12

1And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying,

2This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.

3And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.

4This day came ye out in the month Abib.


Please note the date at the top
http://www.jpost.com/