A Biblical Case for an Old Earth

A Biblical Case for an Old Earth
David Snoke
Baker Books 2006

This book does exactly what is says in the title - it presents a biblical case for an old earth interpretation of Genesis One.

Although the author presents a case in favour of the day-age interpretation, the book is also very useful to any Christian who has concerns about Young Earth Creationism and for whom it would be useful to know that there are alternatives accepted by conservative, Bible-believing Christians. The author is a professor of physics and an elder in the Presbyterian Church of America.

As a proponent of the framework view I would take issue with some of Snoke's exegesis of the key texts where he argues that the days of Genesis One are intended to be understood as long geological ages presented in chronological order. However his critique of the so-called 'creation science' underpinning Young Earth Creationism is uncompromising, and his presentation of the evidence in favour of an old earth is strong and his analysis of the key 'animal death before the fall' issue is also powerful.

He also spends a chapter discussing Noah's flood and considers whether or not the flood required to be truly global or merely global in terms of the world view of the time.

In an important final chapter, Snoke points out a number of key 'non-negotiables' in terms of biblical Old Earth creationism including the historicity of Adam and Noah, the fact that all life was created miraculously by sovereign acts of God, and the fact that one day Christ will return and there will be a new heaven and earth.

This book would be useful valuable to any Christian reader perhaps most to Christian students and scientists and new converts who may be wondering if they really have to swallow Young Earth Creationism in order to believe in Christ as Lord and Saviour.

The value of the book is increased by the inclusion of study questions at the end of each chapter.