State of Creationism 2025: Why “New Creationism” Matters

If you’ve sensed growing angst inside young-earth creationism, you’re not imagining it. In my latest video, I walk through a revealing new essay by theologian Dr. Hans Madueme (Covenant College) published in the inaugural issue of New Creation Studies, a young-earth journal launched by what many are calling the “new creationists.” Dr. Madueme offers a candid, insider critique—naming both the promise and the pitfalls he sees in the movement. He even interacts with my work on “new creationism,” which makes this a timely chance to assess where things stand in 2025. As a Reformed Christian and a biologist, I care deeply about how Christians reason together in public. If you’re curious about why some creationist strategies keep stalling—and what a more academically serious alternative could look like—this one’s for you.

Watch the full breakdown here →

What’s in the video

I start by setting the scene: a brand-new peer-reviewed journal, New Creation Studies, has arrived, positioning itself as a home for a less combative, more academically engaged strand of young-earth creationism. Rather than cover the “Do we really need another creationist journal?” debate, I focus on Madueme’s essay, “Some Reflections on the State of Creationism,” because it functions like a family meeting—equal parts encouragement and rebuke.

Who is Hans Madueme? He’s a PCA theologian who, by his own account, came to young-earth creationism relatively recently. That vantage point lets him see the strengths and liabilities of the movement with fresh eyes. He affirms six-day creation and a global Flood, but he’s also frank about five chronic problems that “keep him up at night.” I highlight each, with examples:

1. Personality quirks and combative culture. Madueme describes creationist circles where sharp edges, thin skin, and distrust are common. I read several quotes where he calls out “intellectual self-righteousness”—the habit of assuming that if my framework is right, all my conclusions must be right, and everyone else must be wrong on everything. If you’ve watched ministry turf wars, you’ll recognize the pattern.
2. Lack of peace among creationists. He distinguishes disagreement (healthy) from discord (sinful). I connect his critique to public calls for unity from Logos Research Associates and the Creation Theological Society—signals that infighting has become a serious witness problem. I also share my own experience: many “new creationists” engage collegially across views; some large ministries discourage that.
3. Promise of the “new creationism.” Here’s the hopeful part. Madueme argues the future influence of young-earth thought—especially in Christian colleges and seminaries—depends on a posture shift. He sketches the same traits I’ve tracked on my blog: more curiosity-driven research, comfort with saying “I don’t know,” willingness to acknowledge the weight of mainstream evidence even while proposing alternative models, and genuine dialogue with Christians who disagree. In the video, I show how this differs from the answer-sheet apologetics many are used to.
4. Over-simplified epistemology. I summarize his warning against a blanket presuppositional move that treats all “our” conclusions as true and all “their” conclusions as false. That’s not how knowledge works; everyone has blind spots and inconsistencies. If you want a candid theological take on how we know what we know, you’ll appreciate this section.
5. The missing theologians. Madueme’s most stinging observation: recent energy in creationism has come from scientists, while serious theological work has largely retreated to in-house publishers. He urges creationist theologians to raise their game and publish in mainstream evangelical venues—not to please gatekeepers, but to sharpen arguments, serve the church, and face real critique. I add examples from my shelves: the imbalance is real.

Throughout the video, I pause to evaluate where I agree, where I differ, and why these debates matter for the church’s public witness. I make a practical prediction too: the large, combative model can generate attention and short-term wins, but it’s ill-suited to persuade thoughtful audiences over time. If young-earth creationism has a future beyond its existing echo chambers, it will look more like the “new creationism”—and it will require more humility, more scholarship, and fewer purity tests.

If you’re a pastor, a Christian educator, a student, or simply someone who wants Christians to argue well, this episode is a guided tour through a rare moment of self-reflection inside the movement. You’ll hear direct quotations (not caricatures), see where I think Madueme is exactly right, and where I believe the project still runs aground on scientific and hermeneutical realities. You’ll also get behind-the-scenes context on why some ministries avoid open dialogue—and what that costs their credibility.

Conclusion

I made this video to elevate a better conversation—one that prizes charity, intellectual honesty, and the long game of truth-seeking within the body of Christ. Whether you identify as young-earth, old-earth, evolutionary creationist, or undecided, you’ll come away with a clearer map of today’s fault lines and the fork in the road ahead. If you’ve ever wondered why creationist rhetoric can feel loud but thin—or how it might grow deeper and more persuasive—don’t just take my word for it. Hear a theologian inside the camp make the case, and then weigh my analysis as a biologist who cares about the church’s testimony.

Watch the full conversation here and join me in the comments: https://youtu.be/Zui7_HBeA1s?si=0jctqsjFk6QHelf6