The Winsome Creationist

Steve Schramm
  • 4.7 (3)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Winsome Creationist, where we explore God’s world using a model-building approach, interact with a gracious tone, and take a firm stand on the literal truth of creation found in God’s Word. Join host Steve Schramm and occasional guests as they explore the mysteries and majesties from creation to the flood, babel to the cross, and everywhere in between.

  1. MAR 26

    Is Young Earth Creationism Compatible with the Divine Council Worldview?

    I respond to a question sparked by a Facebook post: are the Divine Council worldview and young age (young earth) creationism compatible, and can you take ancient Near Eastern scholarship seriously while upholding biblical authority? I clarify that young age creationists don’t deny dinosaurs, and I argue the “Bible vs. ancient Near Eastern background” framing is a false dichotomy because Scripture was written in an ancient Near Eastern context under God’s superintendence. I explain the Divine Council worldview as a royal hierarchy with Yahweh as “species unique,” other created elohim (including beings like malak, seraphim, and cherubim), and humanity as God’s imagers, with the New Testament “flipping the script” so humans become sons of God who will judge angels. I then outline young vs. old age timelines and argue there’s no necessary conflict, offering reasons the combined view can enrich topics like Babel and questioning the need for 13.8 billion years in God’s program. I recommend resources from my site, Tim Chaffey’s Fallen, and Michael Heiser’s Supernatural, The Unseen Realm, and Reversing Hermon, and I mention my upcoming book The Winsome Creationist. 00:00 Welcome and Setup01:05 The Big Compatibility Question02:50 Why ANE Context Matters06:04 Polemics and Scholarship11:23 Defining Divine Council12:02 Three Layers of Agency13:52 Elohim Explained18:23 Types of Spiritual Beings20:33 Monotheism Not Polytheism23:13 Imagers of God25:02 Imaging God and Agency26:01 Incarnation and Script Flip26:36 Royal Hierarchy and Divine Council28:40 Psalm 82 and Genesis 6 Fallout29:32 Young Earth vs Old Earth Timelines32:23 Why They Can Coexist33:35 Babel Myths and Flood Legends35:02 The 14 Billion Year Problem39:46 Mere Young Age Creationism41:04 Tim Chaffey and Fallen44:54 Holding Views with Humility47:46 Where to Start and Final Wrap

    52 min

  2. MAR 19

    Should Christians DIVIDE Over Young Earth Creationism?

    Responding to Ken Ham on Unity, Authority, and the Gospel *Important note: I appreciate Ken Ham's bold stand for the gospel and I take my family to his attractions every single year and we enjoy them immensely. I wish I didn't have to make this video, but I think it's very important that we clarify and get these issues right as we move forward to build a better creationism for the future.  --- In this episode, I’m back after a year away finishing my book, and I jump right into Ken Ham’s recent video where he says he’s willing to cause division in the church over young earth creationism. I explain why I think there’s a big difference between critiquing a view and attacking people, and why treating “my interpretation” as identical to “God’s Word” creates confusion—especially when young earth is called a first-tier issue while also being framed as non-salvific. We walk through the Bible passages being used to justify division (1 Corinthians 1, John 7, Luke 12, 1 Corinthians 11, Romans 16), and I argue they’re mainly about unity in the gospel and avoiding false gospels, not splitting over creation debates. I also look at Galatians 2 as an example of public disagreement that really was about the gospel. Finally, I talk about why young earth creationism is dying—often because of how people are treated—and why a more winsome, model-building approach matters for the future. 00:00 Divisive Creationism Question00:06 Channel Return and Book Update00:33 Why Respond to Ken Ham01:30 Young Earth Creationism at Risk03:21 Craig Critique and Personal Attacks05:17 Should We Divide for Authority07:47 First Tier Issue Confusion10:07 Testing First Corinthians Context13:58 Gods Word Versus Mans Word15:37 Judging Rightly John 719:11 Bereans and Scripture Authority22:47 Jesus Division Verses Applied25:23 Corinthians Divisions Context27:59 Head Coverings And Customs29:54 Debate Versus Division32:04 Romans 16 Warning Explained36:44 Unity On Gospel Only39:15 Creation Debate Without Schism41:22 Judging Motives And Charity43:02 Paul Confronts Peter Publicly46:38 Is Creation A Gospel Issue48:14 Why Young Earth Is Declining49:08 Winsome Future And Wrap Up

    51 min

  3. 04/24/2025

    Is Creationism a Hill to Die On?

    In this episode of the Winsome Creationist, I explore the question, 'Is creationism a hill to die on?' Through a candid, stream-of-consciousness discussion, I delve into whether being a young-age creationist holds the same level of importance as other Christian doctrines. We break down this larger question into smaller facets, examining creationism's significance in salvation, worldview implications, and its theological challenges. I also discuss the impact of evolutionary beliefs on biblical interpretations and the critical importance of understanding death in the context of creation. Join me as I brainstorm and reflect on these important issues that shape our theological understanding. 00:00 Introduction: Is Creationism a Hill to Die On?01:07 Defining the Importance of Creationism02:27 Creationism and Salvation: Are They Linked?03:37 Worldview Considerations: Evolution vs. Creationism05:33 Theological Implications of Evolutionary Beliefs07:06 The Role of Death in Creationism09:56 Conclusion: Why Creationism Matters

    20 min

  4. 04/10/2025

    Does the Bible SAY the Age of the Earth?

    Why doesn't the Bible specify the age of the earth? As a creationist content creator since 2016, I've often encountered this question. In this episode, I address it comprehensively. We explore common objections, examine a well-articulated version of the question from a commenter, and break down the logical, cultural, and theological dimensions of the topic. Additionally, we delve into biblical interpretation and practical implications of discussing the Earth's age, especially within a Christian worldview. I conclude that understanding the Earth's age is vital, not for arguing but for appreciating the theological and biblical importance. 00:00 Introduction: The Question of Earth's Age00:37 Common Objections and Misconceptions01:36 A Commenter's Thought-Provoking Question04:10 Analyzing the Argument: Is It Worth Discussing?06:03 Logical and Cultural Considerations16:14 Biblical Interpretation and Practical Problems20:40 Theological Implications and Conclusion

    26 min
  5. [Revisited] Do ANE creation myths cast doubt on Genesis?

    03/27/2025

    [Revisited] Do ANE creation myths cast doubt on Genesis?

    Hebrew Bible/Old Testament scholarship has undergone a major shift in recent decades. More and more, we hear that the Bible was written by just another culture in the ancient Near East, and that lots of borrowing and sharing of ideas between cultures have taken place. Has this happened? How? And if so, does that mean Genesis is not unique in its own right? How should Christians make sense of this issue? Let's talk about it! Link mentioned: https://biblearchaeologyreport.com/2019/02/22/three-ancient-near-eastern-creation-myths/

    26 min

  6. 03/13/2025

    The Three Pillars of Winsome Creationism

    In this episode of the Winsome Creationist podcast, I introduce the concept of Winsome Creationism and discuss its foundation in three key pillars: being attractive, able, and articulate. 00:00 Introduction to the Winsome Creationist 00:31 Exciting Updates and Upcoming Conversations 01:39 Defining Winsome Creationism 03:44 The Three Pillars of Winsome Creationism 09:53 Pillar 1: Being Attractive 12:52 Pillar 2: Being Able 19:06 Pillar 3: Being Articulate 32:17 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

    34 min

  7. 02/27/2025

    Mastering the "Columbo Tactic" for Young Age Creationism

    Want to have better conversations about young age creationism? In this episode, I break down Greg Koukl’s Columbo Tactic—a powerful way to ask the right questions, stay in control, and challenge assumptions without starting a debate. Learn how to use three simple questions to guide discussions and make your points persuasively. Timestamps:00:00 - Intro & why conversations matter02:30 - What is the Columbo Tactic?05:45 - The power of asking the right questions09:15 - Question 1: “What do you mean by that?”13:00 - Question 2: “How did you come to that conclusion?”16:45 - Question 3: “Have you ever considered…?”21:30 - Real-world examples & applications28:00 - How to stay winsome & persuasive32:00 - Final thoughts & next steps Want to sharpen your skills? Let me know how these tactics work for you in the comments!

    34 min

  8. 02/13/2025

    Dissecting Compromise

    In this episode of The Winsome Creationist, I dive into the heated debate over "compromise" in the Young Earth Creationist movement. Why is this word so frequently used, and is it actually helping or hurting the conversation? I break down the rhetoric, explore alternative approaches, and discuss how we can foster better discussions without resorting to name-calling. Let’s rethink the way we engage with those who hold different views. Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome back & life updates01:00 – Why Young Earth Creationists fixate on "compromise"05:00 – The difference between Young Earth & Young Age Creationism10:00 – How "compromise" is misused in debates15:00 – Is name-calling pushing people away?20:00 – A better way: Asking questions & building bridges25:00 – Practical steps for more productive conversations27:00 – Final thoughts & what’s next

    28 min
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out of 5
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About

Welcome to The Winsome Creationist, where we explore God’s world using a model-building approach, interact with a gracious tone, and take a firm stand on the literal truth of creation found in God’s Word. Join host Steve Schramm and occasional guests as they explore the mysteries and majesties from creation to the flood, babel to the cross, and everywhere in between.

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Schramm
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Steve Schramm

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