Changes

Throughout the vast majority of Christian and Jewish history, the dominant view was [[Young Earth Creationism|the earth was young]], created roughly around 4000 B.C., and that the [[Great Flood]] in Genesis was a global and historical event.<ref name="HBackground">Terry Mortenson, [http://creation.com/the-19th-century-scriptural-geologists-historical-background The 19th century scriptural geologists: historical background]. ''creation.com''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> An extremely great number of Christian leaders throughout history, such as [[Basel the Great]], [[Augustine]], [[Martin Luther]], [[John Calvin]], and [[John Wesley]], believed in a young earth and/or a literal six-day creation.<ref name="HBackground"/>

Throughout the vast majority of Christian and Jewish history, the dominant view was [[Young Earth Creationism|the earth was young]], created roughly around 4000 B.C., and that the [[Great Flood]] in Genesis was a global and historical event.<ref name="HBackground">Terry Mortenson, [http://creation.com/the-19th-century-scriptural-geologists-historical-background The 19th century scriptural geologists: historical background]. ''creation.com''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> An extremely great number of Christian leaders throughout history, such as [[Basel the Great]], [[Augustine]], [[Martin Luther]], [[John Calvin]], and [[John Wesley]], believed in a young earth and/or a literal six-day creation.<ref name="HBackground"/>

However, during the [[Enlightenment|"Enlightenment,"]] society stopped placing [[Bible|God's Word]] first, where it belongs.<ref name="HBackground"/> They started replacing the clear biblical teaching of creation with a man-made belief in long ages.<ref name="HBackground"/> Belief in long ages was not a new idea when [[Charles Darwin]] wrote his ''[[The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection|Origin of Species]]''.<ref name="HBackground"/>

However, during the [[Enlightenment|"Enlightenment,"]] society stopped placing [[Bible|God's Word]] first, where it belongs.<ref name="HBackground"/> They started replacing the clear biblical teaching of creation with a man-made belief in long ages.<ref name="HBackground"/> Belief in long ages was not a new idea when [[Charles Darwin]] wrote his ''[[The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection|Origin of Species]]''.<ref name="HBackground"/> Additionally, [[theological liberalism]] developed in formerly orthodox denominations.

The science of [[geology]] also developed during this time.<ref name="HBackground"/> While some of the earliest geologists believed in a young earth, the old earth view soon took over.<ref>Mortenson, Terry (August 8, 2007). [https://answersingenesis.org/age-of-the-earth/the-historical-development-of-the-old-earth-geological-time-scale/ The Historical Development of the Old-Earth Geological Time-Scale]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> During this time, many Christians, including scientists and geologists strongly opposed this trend and defended the biblical and scientific view of creation.<ref name="HBackground"/>

The science of [[geology]] also developed during this time.<ref name="HBackground"/> While some of the earliest geologists believed in a young earth, the old earth view soon took over.<ref>Mortenson, Terry (August 8, 2007). [https://answersingenesis.org/age-of-the-earth/the-historical-development-of-the-old-earth-geological-time-scale/ The Historical Development of the Old-Earth Geological Time-Scale]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> During this time, many Christians, including scientists and geologists strongly opposed this trend and defended the biblical and scientific view of creation.<ref name="HBackground"/>