Cedarville Magazine, Spring 2017

In 1966 and 1967, the Day-Age Theory of creation was a hot topic on the campus of Cedarville College. The source of the debate? The Hebrew word yom . Translated “day” in Genesis 1 and 2, yom has a range of meaning in the Old Testament that can include an age or a period of history. In describing the creative process of God, the Day-Age Theory considers that perhaps Genesis was speaking in terms of great spans of time rather than 24-hour periods. Faculty and students debated the merits of both sides of the issue. Proponents wrote a stack of correspondence 6 inches tall to Cedarville President James T. Jeremiah. Views were published in the Whispering Cedars student newspaper. On January 14, 1967, the Board of Trustees met and, after careful research and prayer, affirmed that six literal 24-hour days of creation was the best biblical interpretation and articulated that to be Cedarville’s official position. The letter sent to pastors announcing the decision is also pictured here. One of the strong proponents of the 24-hour-day position was Arthur Williams, Professor of Bible, who initially sent a paper to all faculty supporting the 24-hour-day position. This paper was eventually expanded and published as a booklet, which is also shown. The College worked through a difficult theological debate to reach a position that Cedarville still holds uniquely among Christian colleges and universities — six literal 24-hour days of creation. The Day-Age Debate Cedarville Magazine | 31