Young Earth Creationism And Intelligent Design

• Published in: Science and Christianity pp. 42 - 55
• Main Author: Stump, J. B
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: United States John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated 2016; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Bible; Christians; Intelligent Design; irreducible complexity; secular science; Young Earth Creationism
• ISBN: 1118625277; 9781118625279; 1118625137; 9781118625132
• DOI: 10.1002/9781119415206.ch4

This chapter begins with some historical perspective on two contemporary schools of thought which have been enormously influential among Christians in America. It first addresses Young Earth Creationism, and end up back in the courtroom to see the influence and particular approach to science and religion characterized by the movement known as Intelligent Design. One of the main arguments used by the Intelligent Design movement is for what they call irreducible complexity. The chapter then addresses what led to the development of Young Earth Creationism, what is the status of Young Earth Creationism today, where did Intelligent Design come from and what is the strategy of Intelligent Design. Young Earth Creationists today are first convinced that the Bible gives a very different explanation for natural history than "secular" science does. The Young Earth Creationist position dramatically increased in popularity among conservative Christians in the latter part of the 20th century.