Term

mature creationism

A 'young earth' theory holding that the original creation possessed an appearance of age, including adult humans and full-grown trees.

Filed underAnthropology & Hamartiology

Definition

A 'young earth' theory of creation which holds that the original creation had an appearance of age, so that even on the very first day, Adam appeared as an adult, trees appeared full-grown, and starlight from distant galaxies was already visible.

Connections

Follow this entry through the Lexicon.

Contrasted with: progressive creationismTerm
Related to: twenty-four-hour day theoryTerm

Sources

1.Wayne A. Grudem Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. 2nd ed.. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020). 15C.1Original citation: Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020, 15C.1.

Last revised August 14, 2026