Review of “The Early Earth” by John Whitcomb (1972)

Well known as co-author of “Genesis Flood“, John Whitcomb has released (1972) this new book which should prove of interest to the same readers.

“Genesis Flood” — known to many of us already — is a well written account of an attempt to correlate modern geological and fossil findings with the Bible record of the Flood. The scope of the book is not limited by this concept however, and the record of creation —”evolution” — the authenticity of Scripture —are encompassed. It is well worth reading by those committed — as is Whitcomb — to the authority of Holy Writ.

“The Early Earth” is written specifically about the Bible record of creation as compared with the “doctrine” of Evolution. The approach is less technical than “Genesis Flood”, the format and style being clearly designed to draw a wider readership. The writer is open and forceful in his “fundamentalist” approach to the Bible, and has no hesitation in declaring the salvation offered through Christ.

The book should be readily understood by most readers — teenagers included — though several passing references (e.g. to the pre-deluge weather; to the effects of the flood on the earth’s crust; to the laws of thermo­dynamics) are not explained. They will be readily understood by those familiar with “Genesis Flood”. Quite a number of references are made to this latter book.

This is a book to be read carefully, weighing up the arguments put forward. It is possible to agree with the conclusions of the author without always agreeing with the path taken to that end. On page 102, for example, the author ridicules the idea that God would change an ape (at Eden) into a sinless and immortal man. The reasoning is hypothetical and not quite logical, in this reviewer’s opinion.

There will be one or two major points of doctrine which will not ring true to the Christadelphian ear, though the forthright dedication to Scripture will appeal. An excellent section, in which copious Bible passages are quoted, begins at the heading “Theistic Evolution”. An appeal is made to those who, in wanting to have the Bible AND a kind of evolution, want the best of both worlds. An interesting allusion is made to an encyclical of Pope Pius XII (1950) in which there is allowance for the view “that God put His spirit into the previously evolved bodies of ape-like creatures”. John Whitcomb will not countenance such a possibility.

The book is set out in a logical and readable pattern and good footnoting gives full details of quoted writings (another publication “The Origin of the Solar System” by the same author is cited.) It is in paper-back form, has five major chapter headings and concludes with an index of “Names and Subjects” and an “Index of Scripture”. The chapters are headed —

  • The Nature of Biblical Creation;
  • The Creation of the Universe;
  • The Creation of Plants and Animals;
  • The Creation of Mankind;
  • Was the Earth Once a Chaos?.

The following quotation (p.111) clearly reflects the attitude of the author and the guiding light of this book —

“Our basic problem today in the question of origins is not so much that we are ignorant of the theories and speculations of men. Our problem too often is that we neither know the Scriptures nor the power of God, and therefore deeply err in communicating God’s message to modern man. May God be pleased to grant to each of us a renewing of our minds through submission to His special revelation of truth in His infallible Word, that we might prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”