What Does Dr. John MacArthur Believe About Genesis?

by Ken Ham on March 12, 2024
Featured in Ken Ham Blog

Over the past four decades of ministry, I’ve been disappointed by the low number of Christian academics, theologians, pastors, and leaders who will take a firm stand on Genesis publicly. Most won’t take a firm stand, allowing for compromise positions involving millions of years or even other evolutionary beliefs, and many of the ones who do believe in the straightforward teaching of Genesis aren’t willing to teach it to their congregations or others because it’s “too controversial.” Why is this so disheartening to me?

The reason so many Christians have accepted these ideas has nothing to do with Scripture and everything to do with taking man’s ideas about the past and adding them into Genesis.

Well, because this is an authority issue! Ultimately, the battle over Genesis isn’t about the age of the earth or God’s method of creation. The issue is “Who is your ultimate authority?” Is it God and his Word, or is it man and his (fallible!) word? You see, millions of years and evolution don’t come from the biblical text—you won’t find even a hint of long ages or slow and gradual processes in Genesis! The reason so many Christians have accepted these ideas has nothing to do with Scripture and everything to do with taking man’s ideas about the past and adding them into Genesis. And when that happens, man becomes the authority and God’s Word is reinterpreted in light of man’s ideas.

I’ve taught on Genesis for over 40 years because I care about biblical authority and I’ve seen the devastating consequences in the church and the culture when the authority of God’s Word is compromised! But I am thankful that, even though there aren’t many, there are still some pastors who are willing to stand on a literal Genesis—and even to do so publicly! One such pastor is my friend Dr. John MacArthur. And I recently had the opportunity to sit down with him and a cohost on The Master’s University’s podcast, The Art of Discernment. It was such an encouraging conversation, and I encourage you to listen to it and share it with others.

Equipping Pastors and Christian Leaders

Yes, I am so thankful for those who take a stand, as we do, on the authority of God’s Word, and it’s always exciting to see these courageous, godly men gather together for our annual Answers for Pastors conference at the Ark Encounter. You can join us this year, October 8–10, 2024, for Authority: Answering Compromise.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.

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