Beliefs

Readers of Ages of Joy would likely want to know what the driving philosophy and beliefs are behind this site.

Readers would benefit from being familiar with the following:

1. Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy
2. Apostles Creed
3. Belgian Confession, especially Article 2

Premis of the Ages of Joy model

1. Genesis 1:1-2:4 is the revealed history of God's work to prepare planet Earth as a unique domain in which humans beings can thrive.
2. The Universe is old
3. The Earth is old
4. The Days of Creation are each of long duration (at least 1000 years or longer)
5. The Days of Creation are sequential
6. The Days cover most of Earth's history, especially the phases involved in becoming habitable
7. The Days of Creation are potentially discoverable as a testimony to God's work
8. Adam and Eve are the real, historical root of the spiritually-human family
9. The descriptions in Genesis 1 refer to the observable world as perceivable and relevant to the Hebrew people
10. The concept of Theistic Engineering is more correct and useful than the concepts of Theistic Evolution or Intelligent Design
11. The precise age of the Earth is neither given in, nor the concern of, Biblical creation passages
12. The Heavens and the Earth are subject to constant laws of physics from the Beginning by God's intent
13. God actively worked throughout the Days of Creation in many ways and at many times to Cause the outcome which He pre-ordained, namely a world inhabited by human beings created in His image.
14. Creation passages are interpreted as far as possible in the Light of the full testimony of Scripture over and above man's imagination and scientific hypotheses

Uniting principals of AOJ

• Naturalistic Evolution should give way to Theistic Engineering because of Biblical Testimony of a Creator
• Theistic Evolution should give way to Theistic Engineering because Evolution is wholly inadequate in explanatory power, even as a Tool of God
• Intelligent Design should give way to Theistic Engineering because the Identity of the Designer is provided by the Bible and He not only designed the Universe, but also implemented and sustains it
• Progressive Creationists should consider Theistic Engineering because it addresses the process of God's progressive, creative acts more clearly
• Young Earth Creationists should consider the creation of the Earth in Literally Six Days instead of Six Literal Days because of the testimony of God's Word and His creation
• Fans of Answers In Genesis (AIG) should consider Ages Of Joy (AOJ) because it provides a better framework for understanding the world, God's work, and our role of stewardship of the Earth

Dr. William Lane Craig interviewed on How Should Young Earth & Old Earth Christians Interact?