Old Earth creationism is a belief system that combines scientific understanding of the Earth's age with a religious perspective on creation. Proponents accept that the Earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old, as supported by geological and astronomical evidence. They interpret the Bible in a way that allows for long periods of time during the creation process, suggesting that the days mentioned in the Genesis creation account could represent long epochs rather than 24-hour days. This viewpoint contrasts with young Earth creationism, which asserts that the Earth is only a few thousand years old. Old Earth creationists often seek to harmonize scientific findings with their faith, believing that God played a guiding role in the development of life and the universe over billions of years.