Answers in Genesis has opened a new attraction – Truth Traveler. They are now operating in the tourist towns of Pigeon Forge, TN and Branson, MO. The web site declares:
At Truth Traveler Pigeon Forge, the past isn’t just remembered—it’s experienced! This cutting-edge 5D attraction transports you to pivotal moments in Biblical history while immersing you in breathtaking virtual reality with motion seating, sensory effects, and interactive storytelling. But the journey doesn’t stop there! Rae’s Stargazer Planetarium takes you beyond the stars to explore the vast wonders of the cosmos in a spectacular, larger-than-life dome experience. Complete your adventure with themed snacks, a gift shop packed with time-travel essentials, and an experience that will leave you in awe. See https://truthtraveler.com/
We pray that many will come to receive the gospel through this attraction and that believers will be strengthened in the faith.
After viewing the planetarium presentation, I sent this letter to TT with my concern that twice the narration of the Planetarium (which is awe-inspiring) dogmatically stated that the universe is 6,000 years old.
Here is the email I sent to TT, although — admittediy — It’s unlikely that they will broaden the options of their chronology,,,
Dear ______,
Congratulations to you and the AiG team for all the planning and preparation involved to launch Truth Travelers! We appreciated the preview of the attraction and planetarium last week. We have already been spreading the word.
We hope the 7C’s presentation will be a fruitful witness and that the planetarium will challenge guests to respond in faith and adoration such as in Psalm 8 and 19.
A friend of mine, Gorman Gray, published a book years ago titled: The Age of The Universe: What are the Biblical Limits? This information on “YBC” is presented at his web site www.YoungBiosphereCreation.com which is also advocated by the Facebook Group team at “Young Biosphere Creation – The Best Model.”
There are many similarities with YEC and YBC such as a careful exegesis of Genesis ch. 1, sequential solar “days”, and Flood Geology (as in Morris & Whitcomb). But a case can be made that YBC interpretation harmonizes better with the wording in the Genesis text and with observable science (such as astronomy and light years).
I hope the two statements in the planetarium script about the stellar heavens being 6,000 years old won’t trigger unnecessary criticism that would detract seekers from the gospel and overall apologetic value of Truth Travelers.
Charles Hodge (1797-1878), a nineteenth-century conservative Presbyterian wrote:
“if [an interpretation of Genesis ch. 1 brings the Mosaic account into conflict with facts, and another sense avoids such conflict, then it is obligatory on us to adopt that other.… The Church has been forced more than once to alter her interpretation of the Bible to accommodate the discoveries of science. But this has been done without doing any violence to the Scriptures or in any degree impairing their authority.”
This reminds me of the how the church persecuted of Galileo for advocating the novel view that the sun, not planet earth, is the center of the solar system…but eventually corrected their view.
The Christian apologetics ministry, Cross Examined, published an article “A Matter of Days: Interpreting the First Chapter of Genesis” by Jonathan McLatchie. He summarized:
“In any case, while there is ongoing scholarly debate between those competing interpretations, reading Genesis 1:1 as a description of events that take place prior to creation week is at the very least plausible, if not somewhat favored as the most likely meaning. Thus, there is certainly no room for dogmatism that Genesis 1 commits one to a young Universe or earth, regardless of what one thinks about the age of the biosphere (which will relate to how one understands the ‘days’ of creation week).”
Even without observing the bara is used for “create” in 1:1 and asa (make/work) used in 1:7,11,12,16, etc., the YEC English reader may have cause to pause:
- There is no “Let there be” command to create planet earth (it us dark and water covered in verse 2).
- Light is made before the sun (if the sun is created on Day 4).
- Plant life was created before the sun (if the sun is created on Day 4)
- Days 1-3 are interpreted as 24 hour solar days in 1:2-13 before the earth orbits the sun (if the sun is created on Day 4).
I realize any changes in the TT script (omitting “6,000 years”) would come from the AiG leader(s), but felt I owed it to you and the team to voice this sincere feedback for consideration.
I have been to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum and pray God will continue to use this ministry, guiding to give the wisest biblical and scientific answers about origins and beyond.
Once again, thank you for your commitment to this outreach attraction.
Yours in Christ,
John Woodward M.Div. D.Min.
Sevierville, TN
Young Biosphere Creation 