A Review of Coming to Grips with Genesis: Biblical Authority and the Age of the Earth

Over the last decade or more, I've spent more than a few hours discussing evolution and creation. When speaking to atheists, the discussion usually revolves around science. It's a different story, though, when debating Christian evolutionists. I've heard any number of ways these folks have “reconciled” their belief in evolution with Genesis. It can be frustrating to converse with someone who claims to believe the Bible but still insists it doesn't mean what it plainly says. They usually retreat to claims that Genesis is “allegory,” "poetry," “metaphor,” or even “myth” intended and understood to convey a “spiritual truth” rather that a literal one.

I refer you to Coming to Grips with Genesis: Biblical Authority and the Age of the Earth which puts to bed any compromise of Genesis – whether it be the gap theory, the framework hypothesis, the day-age theory, etc. It is a thorough treatment of the weaknesses in the most common areas of compromise and lays a Biblical foundation to address any novel idea you might encounter. In a real sense, this book is unlike any other book in the creation apologetic genre as it defends a young earth from a purely Scriptural perspective. It's more a combination of a history book and Bible commentary. The book is edited by Drs. Terry Mortenson and Thane Ury who both contribute along with 10 other authors to approach the issue from a variety of angles including the views of the church fathers, the genre of Genesis, the accuracy of genealogies, the views of Jesus and the apostles, and theodicy.

Be warned that this is not a light read. One complaint I sometimes have about certain books on creation (at least on some of the older books) is that they seem to lack gravitas. This book pushes the other extreme. I wouldn't say it is overly scholarly but it might be over the head of someone who is normally a casual reader. There is much to learn from this book but it will take a greater investment of time and energy than what some people usually invest.

When debating any proponent of a non-literal Genesis, this is an invaluable tool. It's thorough, convincing, and well documented. It is a “must have” for anyone interested in hearing what the Bible really says about the subject.