CRST 290 Final Exam
Questions and Answers with Complete Solutions
2026 Update
Biblical Creationism, Intelligent Design, Old Earth vs. Young Earth Models,
Fossil Record, Geology, Biology, and Worldview Analysis
Liberty University
School of Religion | CRST 290 Creation Conversation
August 2026
Abstract
This comprehensive study guide and final examination document supports students
preparing for the CRST 290 final exam at Liberty University. The document comprises 40
multiple-choice questions organized across four theological and scientific domains:
worldviews and hermeneutics, origins and geology, biology and intelligent design, and
anthropology and ethics with 2026 apologetic updates. Each question includes a detailed
rationale demonstrating the application of biblical creationist frameworks and identifying
errors in naturalistic or theologically compromised positions.
Keywords: Biblical Creationism, Intelligent Design, Young Earth Creationism, Old Earth
Creationism, Irreducible Complexity, VRIO, Worldview Analysis, CRST 290, Fossil Record, Imago
Dei, Apologetics
,Section 1: Worldviews, Hermeneutics, and the Authority of
Scripture (Q1-Q10)
Q1: A student argues that Genesis 1-11 should be interpreted as theological poetry rather
than literal history because it contains figurative language. Which hermeneutical principle
best addresses this claim from a CRST 290 perspective?
A. A. Because Genesis uses some figurative elements, the entire passage must be treated as
non-historical allegory.
B. B. The historical-grammatical method interprets Genesis 1-11 as literal historical narrative
because its genre markers (e.g., genealogies, 'these are the generations of,' sequential days
with evening and morning) indicate historical reporting, and the presence of some figurative
language does not reclassify the entire genre. [CORRECT]
C. C. Genesis 1-11 should be interpreted through the lens of modern science to determine which
parts are historically accurate.
D. D. The New Testament's silence on the historicity of Genesis 1-11 indicates the passage is
theologically but not historically significant.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The historical-grammatical method examines genre markers within the text itself. Genesis
1-11 contains standard Hebrew narrative markers (waw consecutive, genealogical formulae, 'day' with
'evening and morning') indicating historical intent. Option A commits the fallacy of genre
reclassification based on selective features. Option C subordinates Scripture to science. Option D
assumes silence equals non-historicity.
Q2: Which statement most accurately describes the presuppositional nature of worldview
analysis in origins debates?
A. A. Both creationist and naturalistic scientists approach the evidence with identical
presuppositions and reach different conclusions only because of different data sets.
B. B. Naturalistic science operates from the presupposition that only natural causes are
admissible explanations, while biblical creationism operates from the presupposition that
Scripture is authoritative revelation; these foundational assumptions shape how each
interprets the same geological and biological data. [CORRECT]
C. C. Presuppositions are irrelevant to scientific inquiry because the scientific method eliminates all
biases.
D. D. Only religious worldviews involve presuppositions; naturalistic science is purely objective
and presupposition-free.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Worldview analysis recognizes that all interpretive frameworks operate from foundational
presuppositions. Naturalism's methodological naturalism excludes supernatural causation a priori,
while biblical creationism begins with Scriptural authority. Same evidence, different interpretive grids.
Option A incorrectly assumes identical presuppositions; C and D falsely claim scientific objectivity.
Q3: In the CRST 290 curriculum, the concept of the 'imago Dei' is foundational to the origins
debate. Which statement best articulates the theological significance of the imago Dei for
human origins?
A. A. The imago Dei means humans were created in the moral image of God but shares no
biological distinction from animals.
Page 2
, B. B. The imago Dei affirms that humans were specially created by God with unique
ontological status, bearing God's image in ways that establish human dignity, moral
accountability, and a distinction from all other created beings, which has direct implications
for rejecting naturalistic evolutionary accounts of human origins. [CORRECT]
C. C. The imago Dei is a New Testament concept that does not appear in Genesis and therefore has
no relevance to creation.
D. D. The imago Dei refers to humanity's physical resemblance to God's physical form.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The imago Dei (Genesis 1:26-27) establishes humans as unique image-bearers with inherent
dignity and moral capacity, directly contradicting naturalistic accounts that reduce humans to products
of undirected processes. Option A separates moral from biological uniqueness. Option C incorrectly
limits the concept. Option D literalizes a metaphor.
Q4: A secular biologist claims that science has disproven the biblical creation account because
radiometric dating establishes the Earth at 4.5 billion years old. Which response best applies
the CRST 290 framework for evaluating such claims?
A. A. Accept the radiometric dates unconditionally and reinterpret Genesis to accommodate billions
of years.
B. B. Acknowledge that radiometric dating methods operate on assumptions (constant decay
rates, known initial conditions, closed systems) that may not have held during catastrophic
events described in Genesis, and note that multiple dating methods frequently yield
discordant results when applied to the same geological samples. [CORRECT]
C. C. Reject all radiometric dating as entirely fraudulent and fabricated by anti-creationist
scientists.
D. D. Argue that radiometric dating is accurate but that God created the Earth with the 'appearance
of age.'
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CRST 290 teaches that radiometric dating rests on unverifiable uniformitarian assumptions.
The Genesis Flood would have disrupted the closed-system assumption, and discordant dates across
methods undermine confidence in any single result. Option A concedes to naturalism. Option C is
dismissive. Option D invokes the appearance-of-age argument, which has theological problems.
Q5: Which hermeneutical error is most commonly committed when interpreters attempt to
harmonize evolutionary theory with Genesis 1-3?
A. A. Reading too literally, which fails to account for the theological depth of the creation narrative.
B. B. Treating death before the Fall as compatible with Scripture, when Romans 5:12 and 1
Corinthians 15:21 explicitly connect human death to Adam's sin and Genesis 1:31 describes
the creation as 'very good,' which is theologically incompatible with millions of years of death
and suffering before the Fall. [CORRECT]
C. C. Applying grammatical-historical exegesis too rigorously to the Hebrew text.
D. D. Failing to consult modern scientific consensus when interpreting the biblical text.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most significant theological conflict between evolution and Genesis is the problem of
death before the Fall. Scripture consistently presents death as an intruder resulting from sin (Romans
5:12, 1 Cor. 15:21). Option A describes the opposite error. Option C describes correct hermeneutics.
Option D is not a hermeneutical error within a biblical framework.
Page 3
Questions and Answers with Complete Solutions
2026 Update
Biblical Creationism, Intelligent Design, Old Earth vs. Young Earth Models,
Fossil Record, Geology, Biology, and Worldview Analysis
Liberty University
School of Religion | CRST 290 Creation Conversation
August 2026
Abstract
This comprehensive study guide and final examination document supports students
preparing for the CRST 290 final exam at Liberty University. The document comprises 40
multiple-choice questions organized across four theological and scientific domains:
worldviews and hermeneutics, origins and geology, biology and intelligent design, and
anthropology and ethics with 2026 apologetic updates. Each question includes a detailed
rationale demonstrating the application of biblical creationist frameworks and identifying
errors in naturalistic or theologically compromised positions.
Keywords: Biblical Creationism, Intelligent Design, Young Earth Creationism, Old Earth
Creationism, Irreducible Complexity, VRIO, Worldview Analysis, CRST 290, Fossil Record, Imago
Dei, Apologetics
,Section 1: Worldviews, Hermeneutics, and the Authority of
Scripture (Q1-Q10)
Q1: A student argues that Genesis 1-11 should be interpreted as theological poetry rather
than literal history because it contains figurative language. Which hermeneutical principle
best addresses this claim from a CRST 290 perspective?
A. A. Because Genesis uses some figurative elements, the entire passage must be treated as
non-historical allegory.
B. B. The historical-grammatical method interprets Genesis 1-11 as literal historical narrative
because its genre markers (e.g., genealogies, 'these are the generations of,' sequential days
with evening and morning) indicate historical reporting, and the presence of some figurative
language does not reclassify the entire genre. [CORRECT]
C. C. Genesis 1-11 should be interpreted through the lens of modern science to determine which
parts are historically accurate.
D. D. The New Testament's silence on the historicity of Genesis 1-11 indicates the passage is
theologically but not historically significant.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The historical-grammatical method examines genre markers within the text itself. Genesis
1-11 contains standard Hebrew narrative markers (waw consecutive, genealogical formulae, 'day' with
'evening and morning') indicating historical intent. Option A commits the fallacy of genre
reclassification based on selective features. Option C subordinates Scripture to science. Option D
assumes silence equals non-historicity.
Q2: Which statement most accurately describes the presuppositional nature of worldview
analysis in origins debates?
A. A. Both creationist and naturalistic scientists approach the evidence with identical
presuppositions and reach different conclusions only because of different data sets.
B. B. Naturalistic science operates from the presupposition that only natural causes are
admissible explanations, while biblical creationism operates from the presupposition that
Scripture is authoritative revelation; these foundational assumptions shape how each
interprets the same geological and biological data. [CORRECT]
C. C. Presuppositions are irrelevant to scientific inquiry because the scientific method eliminates all
biases.
D. D. Only religious worldviews involve presuppositions; naturalistic science is purely objective
and presupposition-free.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Worldview analysis recognizes that all interpretive frameworks operate from foundational
presuppositions. Naturalism's methodological naturalism excludes supernatural causation a priori,
while biblical creationism begins with Scriptural authority. Same evidence, different interpretive grids.
Option A incorrectly assumes identical presuppositions; C and D falsely claim scientific objectivity.
Q3: In the CRST 290 curriculum, the concept of the 'imago Dei' is foundational to the origins
debate. Which statement best articulates the theological significance of the imago Dei for
human origins?
A. A. The imago Dei means humans were created in the moral image of God but shares no
biological distinction from animals.
Page 2
, B. B. The imago Dei affirms that humans were specially created by God with unique
ontological status, bearing God's image in ways that establish human dignity, moral
accountability, and a distinction from all other created beings, which has direct implications
for rejecting naturalistic evolutionary accounts of human origins. [CORRECT]
C. C. The imago Dei is a New Testament concept that does not appear in Genesis and therefore has
no relevance to creation.
D. D. The imago Dei refers to humanity's physical resemblance to God's physical form.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The imago Dei (Genesis 1:26-27) establishes humans as unique image-bearers with inherent
dignity and moral capacity, directly contradicting naturalistic accounts that reduce humans to products
of undirected processes. Option A separates moral from biological uniqueness. Option C incorrectly
limits the concept. Option D literalizes a metaphor.
Q4: A secular biologist claims that science has disproven the biblical creation account because
radiometric dating establishes the Earth at 4.5 billion years old. Which response best applies
the CRST 290 framework for evaluating such claims?
A. A. Accept the radiometric dates unconditionally and reinterpret Genesis to accommodate billions
of years.
B. B. Acknowledge that radiometric dating methods operate on assumptions (constant decay
rates, known initial conditions, closed systems) that may not have held during catastrophic
events described in Genesis, and note that multiple dating methods frequently yield
discordant results when applied to the same geological samples. [CORRECT]
C. C. Reject all radiometric dating as entirely fraudulent and fabricated by anti-creationist
scientists.
D. D. Argue that radiometric dating is accurate but that God created the Earth with the 'appearance
of age.'
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CRST 290 teaches that radiometric dating rests on unverifiable uniformitarian assumptions.
The Genesis Flood would have disrupted the closed-system assumption, and discordant dates across
methods undermine confidence in any single result. Option A concedes to naturalism. Option C is
dismissive. Option D invokes the appearance-of-age argument, which has theological problems.
Q5: Which hermeneutical error is most commonly committed when interpreters attempt to
harmonize evolutionary theory with Genesis 1-3?
A. A. Reading too literally, which fails to account for the theological depth of the creation narrative.
B. B. Treating death before the Fall as compatible with Scripture, when Romans 5:12 and 1
Corinthians 15:21 explicitly connect human death to Adam's sin and Genesis 1:31 describes
the creation as 'very good,' which is theologically incompatible with millions of years of death
and suffering before the Fall. [CORRECT]
C. C. Applying grammatical-historical exegesis too rigorously to the Hebrew text.
D. D. Failing to consult modern scientific consensus when interpreting the biblical text.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most significant theological conflict between evolution and Genesis is the problem of
death before the Fall. Scripture consistently presents death as an intruder resulting from sin (Romans
5:12, 1 Cor. 15:21). Option A describes the opposite error. Option C describes correct hermeneutics.
Option D is not a hermeneutical error within a biblical framework.
Page 3
