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[H814]How Old The Earth

by Johnson Philip, Joh

Christian students often wonder about how old the earth and the life upon it is ! This is to be expected because a literal rendering of the Biblical history gives a maximum of six to eight thousand years for life while many science books tell them that the earth is billions of year old and that human life is several millions of years old.

The question of the age of the earth is a tricky one because there are numerous methods to determine the age, some giving an age of only a few hundreds of years, others giving an age of a few thousand years, and still others giving an age in millions or even billions of years. All of them are scientific methods, but they give as widely differing ages as they ever can.

This means that ultimately the choice of dates is a philosophical matter. Since the prevailing philosophy of the times is that of evolution, long ages are preferred in contrast to smaller ages. It should be understood clearly that this is a choice based upon reasons outside of real science.

Since the theory of evolution demands long ages for earth and life, these ages are granted to them by philosophical choice. And since this is the dominant philosophy these days, only those methods of determining ages (dating) are mentioned in most books which conform to this theory. However an intelligent and open minded inquirer should know at least something about the other side, and so we will have a look at some of those methods which indicate smaller ages for earth and life. These are only a selected few, but the actual list is long enough to form a voluminous book.

A good amount of earth's surface is made up of layers called the geological layers. It was argued at one time that such layers need millions of years to accumulate to the thicknesses observed today. However, there were other geologists who used to point out that the same layers could have been laid down quickly in unusually large catastrophes in which water played an important part. This viewpoint was eclipsed after the
rise of the theory of evolution, but with advancement in the geological studies scientists have once again recognized the necessity of catastrophic events to explain much of geology. Once the role of catastrophic events is recognized, the millions of years assigned to the geological column becomes meaningless. It could have been laid in the one year flood during the time of Noah.

Radiocarbon dating, one of the best methods of dating recent samples, assumes that the production and decay of radiocarbon in earth's atmosphere is in equilibrium. Such an equilibrium is attained in a mere 30,000 years. But recent studies have made it clear that these two are NOT in equilibrium, implying that earth's atmosphere is less than 30,000 years old ! Moreover, radiocarbon dating of million of objects from all around the world seems to indicate very clearly that life is only about 6 to 8 thousand years old. Also, several researchers have concluded that results of this method of age-determination give very clear indications of Noah flood.

Cosmic dust from space is falling continually on the earth and moon. Since there are no winds or water flow on the moon to disturb the dust settling on it, the total depth of cosmic dust on its surface should give an idea of its age, and by implication the age of the earth. About 50 to 180 feet of loose dust should be found on the surface of moon if it is 4.5 billion years old. Men on the first spacecraft were really apprehensive about whether they will sink and die in this dust. But the actual amount of dust discovered there was only a few centimeters deep, implying that moon is extremely young.

The accumulation of different elements in the seas is another clock that can be used to determine age. Interestingly, most of them indicates ages of only a few hundreds or thousands of years.

Long ages are obtained usually by radioactive dating techniques. But these dates are not faultless because these ages disagree among themselves. Sometimes the age of a single rock differs by millions and even billions of years. For example, when rocks from a volcano, formed about 200 years ago, were tested by these methods, they indicated their age in millions of years ! Also, different methods of testing gave dates differing by millions of years ! Thus if a rock which is only two hundred years old is assigned an age of millions of years by these methods, it is natural that they will assign an age in billions of years for the earth which might not be more than 10,000 years old.

A good proportion of fossil ages are merely speculations. For example, the infamous Piltdown Man was claimed to be 500,000 years old. Forty years after its discovery people were told that parts of it were only a thousand years while some parts were only a few dozen years old.

The validity of Bible does not depend upon a young earth, because it only says that the earth was created "in the beginning". However, for the creation of mankind it does place definite limits. Man, according to a literal reckoning of the
Genesis history, is not more than 6000 years old. Even if one tries to stretch this age, it cannot be converted into the millions of years demanded by the evolutionists.

Christians must understand very clearly that the question of the age of the earth and living creatures is only in its infancy in science. Scientists themselves are not in a position to say why long ages are more valid than short ages. If their preference for long ages is examined in the light of established methods of the scientific method, it will become clear immediately that many of them prefer long ages over short ones because it fits better with their philosophy of origins. This is more of a philosophical cause and less of science.

Christians should note that the claimed long ages for the earth are not established scientific facts. There are numerous methods which are equally valid, but which give very short ages. Let science work its course without interference from philosophies, and one day it might come back to short ages. Whenever people have allowed science to grow without interference, it has only stood with the Bible, not against it.

Have you ever been to a church that claimed that the earth is young? Have you ever felt pressured into believing in a young earth, even though you felt the scientific evidence was contrary to a young earth? Have you ever thought that in order to be a Christian, you had to deny science, and believe in a young earth? You are not alone. Many churches preach that the earth is young, and many require you to profess this belief through their statement of faith, which includes a world that was created in six 24-hour days. No, you are definitely not alone...millions have been driven away from the church, and Christ, because of this very topic.

However, there is no need for this to happen. Yes, you can believe in an old earth, and become a Christian. Yes, the Word of God is without error, and its account of the creation story in Genesis is perfectly in line with the scientific record.

The doctrine of salvation has nothing to do with the age of the earth. The Bible does not say, ?Believe in a young earth, or be condemned to hell.? You can become a Christian and believe in an old earth.

Want to learn more? This website is here to help you. Let's start with a basic explanation of old-earth theology. There are several major positions one can take with regards to the old age of the earth and creation. With each position, you can believe in an inerrant Bible and a literal interpretation of Genesis. They are:

1. Progressive Creationism. In this theory, each day of creation is equated to a long period of time, and represents a specific portion of God's creative work which may overlap the other days of creation.

Even though Progressive Creationists believe in an old earth, they do not believe in evolution, but rather that each species was created a unique creation, from nothing, without evolving from an earlier species.

2. Theistic Evolution. Similar to Progressive Creationism, but with the added belief in evolution. Theistic evolution states that God used evolution to develop the species on our planet, including man. This can be broken down further...some believe that God created the first life form, then sat back and let it evolve on its own, while others believe that God was active in shaping the evolution of life throughout earth history.

3. The Gap Theory. This theory proposes that there was a ?gap? of time, of billions of years, between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. This theory claims that the earth of old somehow became ruined (some blame Satan and his fallen angels), and was later repaired by God as described during the six 24-hour days of creation. This theory became popular after being included in the Scofield Reference Bible in 1945, and many still hold to it.

Another popular term you may have heard recently is "Intelligent Design," or ID. You can find themes of intelligent design in both old and young-earth theory. The basic premise is that the universe and our world shows overwhelming evidence that it was designed by some higher being, and could not have happened by chance. Thus, the main target of ID personalities is the evolutionist. It should not be considered a separate form of belief...if you believe in a creator, then obviously you believe in ID.

Does it matter which position you believe in? No, it doesn't. The doctrine of salvation through Jesus Christ is not affected by the age of the earth, nor the methods God used to create the earth. Some people mix and match these theories. For instance, a Gap Theory believer may believe in evolution during the billions of years between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.

In an informal poll on this website, with over 1,100 respondents who believe in an old earth, 45 percent are Progressive Creationists, 32 percent are Theistic Evolutionists, 10 percent believe in the Gap Theory, and the rest are old earth, but undecided as to which position to believe in.

If this information has intrigued you, feel free to check out more of this website. If you feel trapped by years of young-earth belief, when you know that science does not support a young earth, then you are in the right place. We take young-earth arguments and show their faults, exposing them for being false science and bad theology. There is no need to worry any more about the age of the earth...you can be a Christian and believe in an old earth.

The Word "Day"

The first thing you should come to grips with is the concept of "time" in the creation account. It all revolves around this question: How long the "days" of Genesis 1? Young-earth creationists have written many thousands of pages of material, arguing that you can only interpret the Hebrew as a 24-hour day. Our argument here is much simpler, and will only take a few sentences.

How long is a day in Genesis Chapter 1? Consider this?the Bible says a day to the Lord is as a thousand years to man (II Peter 3:8). Remember, Adam was created on the sixth day, and these ?days? were as God sees days, because only God was here?not man. Man was only here at the very end of the sixth day.

Therefore, it doesn't matter how I interpret the word day in human languages?the question is, ?What is a day to God?? Think about this'if you are in the middle of space, and you are the all-powerful, all-knowing, eternal God of the universe, who never sleeps, then what is a ?day? to you? If you are eternal, what meaning does time have for you? Wow, there goes another million years! It won't matter because you have billions more!

If you are convinced that the earth is 4.5 billion years old, and you are convinced the world was created, and did not happen by chance, then you must come to the conclusion that a day for God is a long period of time. God gives us the term day so that limited, finite man can better understand the creation story.

Is this against the Hebrew use of the word translated Day ("Yom") in Genesis as the young earth proponents claim? Not at all. Yes, you can argue for a literal 24-hour day, but it is just as easy to find Hebrew scholars who believe in an old earth, and say that "day" is a long period of time. So, as a believer, it is up to you to decide who is right.

Consider the use of the word "Yom" by Moses. In the Genesis creation account and in Psalm 90 (written by Moses), it is used four different ways!

1. 12-Hour Period. In Genesis 1:5, it says "God called the light ?day,? and the darkness he called ?night.? And there was evening, and there was morning?the first day." This use of "Yom" is for a 12-hour period.

2. 24-Hour Period. In Genesis 1:14, it says "And God said, ?Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years,??. This use of "Yom" is for a 24-hour day.

3. The Entire Creative Week. In Genesis 2:4, it says "This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. In the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens." Here, "Yom" refers to the entire six-day creative week.

4. A Long Period of Time. Psalm 90:4 says, "For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night." In this instance, Moses says "Yom" is like a thousand years.

In each case, it is the same author, Moses, who uses the word "Yom" to represent a different period of time. Thus, young earth creationist claims that "Yom" is only a 24-hour day are completely unfounded by Scripture. For more, see Word Study: Yom on the Answers In Creation website, located at http://www.answersincreation.org/word_study_yom.htm

If you are convinced, and you have ignored Christianity because of this conflict of the length of creation, then you should know that salvation in Jesus Christ is just a prayer away.

Still skeptical?still can't overcome the arguments against an old earth by all those young-earth creationists? There are many people who can help you find answers. The Answers In Creation website was designed to provide answers to false young earth claims (see link below). Their articles will provide answers to the misleading claims made by young-earth creationists. You may also find a further explanation of old-earth belief in books and through other web sites on their links page. May God bless you as you seek the truth.

FOOTNOTE:

The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (1980, Moody Press) says of Yom:

"It can denote: 1. the period of light (as contrasted with the period of darkness), 2. the period of twenty-four hours, 3. a general vague "time," 4. a point of time, 5. a year (in the plural; I Sam 27:7; Ex 13:10, etc.)."

This article comes from the Answers In Creation website (http://www.answersincreation.org). The source article is located at http://www.answersincreation.org/old.htm.

Article Source : Religion In The Us

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Both Johnson Philip & Greg Neyman are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Johnson Philip has sinced written about articles on various topics from The Internet, Finances and The Internet. is a scientist and an acknowledged blogging guru having a. Johnson Philip's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.

Greg Neyman has sinced written about articles on various topics from Science, Religion and Computers and The Internet. Greg Neyman is the founder of the website ministry . The source article is located on. Greg Neyman's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.