ICR speakers are often confronted about our insistence on a "literal" approach to Genesis—most often about our "interpretation" that the words of Scripture require viewing the created universe as "young." Usually, the argument is made that "science" has "proven" the Earth to be very old, and that we (ICR) are hurting our ability to "witness" by ignoring the "evidence."
The Scripture itself insists "Every word of God is pure. . . . Add thou not unto His words" (Proverbs 30:5_6). With the clear text given so precisely in Genesis, it seems impossible (unless there is another motive) to make the words say anything else.
"Interpreting" the Scripture to fit man's ideas is not new. The Scopes Trial in 1925 used "Day Age" arguments to "prove" creation because that was the "harmony" theory of the day. The "creationists" won the lawsuit but lost in the press and the public. The Dover Trial just concluded in December of 2005, used "Intelligent Design" (old age) as an argument of science. They lost both the lawsuit and in the press and the public.
Compromise with Scripture never works. All truth is part of the "good news"—and the gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). Science is what is "known" not theory or opinion. Philosophy is based on human "reason" and can "spoil" without Christ (Colossians 2:8).
The aim is always to bring the hearer to "the gospel"; not to win an argument; not to prove how much you know; not to "save" the unbeliever. Arguments do not save—the Holy Spirit does. The purpose is "sound doctrine" and "wisdom" (Titus 1:9; 2:1; Colossians 1:9-10; II Peter 3:18). The issue is our "worldview."
Is His Word infallible and inerrant? Is the Word the authority and accurate? Or—does His Word change as man changes? Does God's Word merely contain truth? Does man's knowledge supersede God's revelation? How will we treat God's Word?
ICR is committed to the absolute authority and genuine historicity of the revealed Word of God. Please stand with us in this vital hour.
