Theological problems with old-age models for life

Abstract

The traditional Christian understanding of the origin of the world is that around 6,000 years ago it was created by God over a period of six days—literally one week. This process, described in Genesis 1, reached its high point with the creation of ‘man’ in the divine image (Gen 1:26–27). The Creation is further elaborated in Genesis 2 where the tree of the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil are introduced (Gen 2). Adam and Eve live together in this Edenic paradise until Eve is tempted by the serpent to eat the forbidden fruit which she shares with Adam (Gen 3:6). At this point the earth is cursed and nature thrown into disarray (Gen 3:17–18). Adam and Eve are driven from the Garden of Eden with its tree of life (Gen 3:22–24). Consequently, death reigns supreme throughout creation (Gen 3:19).