Gen 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
In the Christian circles, it can be difficult to have in-house discussions or debates to address certain aspects of the doctrines we may differ due to fear of division. Our differences ought to give us opportunities to take and hold positions of what we believe the Bible teaches. The starting point is not by our own presupposition (assume beforehand), we begin by reading the word and try to understand what the Author meant to communicate. If we observe a painting, our interpretation of it is a non issue. All that matters is what the painter intended to convey, and we attempt to see it from his point of view. I think it was Martin Luther who said that he was not married to his positions we would call “non essentials”. If someone convinced him by scripture and by plain reason, he would be willing to change some of his positions.
One area we can have an in-house debate is the age of the earth. I for one hold the position of “young earth creation” and not “old earth creation”. I plan to share some passages that led me to hold that position. My place is not to convince anyone to change their position if different from mine but for you to see how I arrived there. You are welcome to share with me yours. Creation from a Christian point of view is an “essential doctrine”, how long God took to create in my judgement is non-essential and open to debate and should not bring division. In the essential Doctrines we have a ground for unity, on the non-essentials we have some liberty and in all things we demonstrate charity. To continue.