Why the Days of Creation Cannot be Ages
by Russell Leitch (May-August, 1999)
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Some Christians have tried to accommodate evolution's need for billions of years by claiming the “days” in the
Bible really mean ages. Scripture and science disagree.
The Hebrew word for day is “yom.” It is used over 2000 times in the Bible and only in rare instances does it
mean more than a 24-hour day. When a numerical adjective qualifies it (like, “the second day”) it always means
a 24-hour period. There are over 400 such examples in scripture. Over 700 times “days” ( yammin) is used and
always means a 24-hour day. Why should Genesis be an exception?
Four times in the creation story “day” is used for the daylight period (Gen. 1:5, 14, l6, 18) but no numerical
adjective is used. This emphasizes “day” and “night” in Gen. 1:5 mean light and dark, which would be senseless
if long periods were meant. Also, Genesis could have used “elom,” the Hebrew word for ages, or long periods,
but it did not. Obviously, the intent was not to indicate ages.
Genesis says the sun was created after plants; how could they have survived
long ages with no light? Further, we are told birds came before insects (as
did plants). If ages occurred how could insect-eaters go without eating for
ages?
God created everything “good.” But evolution says only the fittest survived in
a battle for existence ever since the beginning. Genesis tells us death came
only after the fall of mankind and sin caused “groaning and travailing” (Ro. 5:
12) Evolution ignores the whole basis of our fall from Grace.
More than 20 serious contradictions exists between Genesis and evolutionary doctrine. They cannot be merged
together. Even science is dropping Darwin's slow evolution and now proposes frivolous suggestions such as life
originating in outer space or changes from one type of creature to another coming in “jumps” (punctuated
equilibria).
Do not mistake the passage, “For 1000 years in thy sight are as but a day” (Ps. 90:4) as an indication days are
ages. The passage says they “are as,” not they “are” a day. This emphasizes a day is a short period; if not, it
would be saying 1000 years are as an age - meaningless.
Hundred of scientists with their doctorate from recognized universities now are active in showing the superiority
of creation over evolution. LSI
