In February of last year, Al Mohler and John “Jack”Collins (OT Prof @ Covenant Seminary) had a debate on "Genesis and the Age
of the Earth." The debate did not
follow the traditional formal structure, but the interaction was very engaging. Here's more info on the event.
Dr. Mohler on the question of whether Old Earth Fallacies
(OEF's) constitute heresy (@ 20:00 mark).
He pointed out that some doctrines are more essential than others -
"theological triage." We do
not need to separate from a brother because he denies the young earth view.
Church leaders throughout history have mostly held that
we live in a youthful world (@ 46:30). Mohler
concluded that OEF's may have "potentially dangerous consequences" (@
40:00). He also admitted that much of
the data argues for an ancient earth yet at the same time pointed out that the
basis for many scientists view on the age-of-the-earth controversy is based on
a Darwinian framework with its billions of years. I hold that one can make a strong cases for a
relatively new planet based on history, philosophy and science and have written
a book on this, YES - Young Earth Science.
Is there a connection between Francis Collins and Jack
Collins? Francis Collins founded
BioLogos, led the Human Genome Project and is director of the National
Institutes of Health in Bethesda (where I was born). As you see there is a connection, but the
last man on the list is probably a different Jack Collins (☺). We responded to Francis Collins' views on
origins here.
Andrew Kulikovsky has written an excellent review of Jack
Collin's Science and Faith: Friends or Foes. Jack should listen to the
Duke. John Wayne's character finally
realized that Jesus was the Son of God indeed, but what did Jesus have to say
on this issue? He clearly supported the
young earth view (Mk. 10:6, Mk. 13:19, Lk. 11:50,51). Furthermore, God's sovereignty demonstrates
consilience with the young earth position.
Collins seems to endorse some form of the gap theory which has serious
flaws.
There was discussion of the scientific consensus, but is
should not be forgotten that there have been frauds in science as well as undue
political influence.
