Divine Revelation: The Earth's Age from a Christian Perspective

The Earth: How Old Does It Look?

The age of the Earth is a topic that has been debated for centuries. While many people believe that the Earth is old, there are also those who hold the view that it looks young. In this article, we will explore some key questions about the Earth's age from a staunchly conservative, biblical perspective.

1. What Does the Earth Look Like?

From a biblical perspective, the Earth does not have a distinct appearance of being either old or young. The perception of its age depends on the lens through which one interprets the evidence. Our culture has conditioned us to view geological features as "looking old," but this is merely a result of our preconceived beliefs.

2. Can Rock Layers and Canyons Indicate the Age of the Earth?

No, rock layers and canyons cannot definitively indicate the age of the Earth. Even if the Earth were millions or billions of years old, one could not simply look at these features and conclude that they "shout" old age. Throughout history, great minds like Newton did not see millions of years when observing the Earth. The perception of age is subjective and influenced by our belief systems.

3. What Evidence Supports a Young Age for the Earth?

There is a wealth of evidence that aligns with a young age for the Earth:

• Continental Erosion: The continents are eroding too quickly for them to be billions of years old.
• Helium in the Atmosphere: The amount of helium in the atmosphere suggests an age of around two million years, far less than the assumed billions-of-years age.
• Rapid Fossil Formation: Many fossils indicate rapid formation, with intact fins and scales on fish fossils suggesting quick burial and hardening of rock.
• Processes That Do Not Require Millions of Years: Coal formation, stalactite and stalagmite growth, opal formation, and rock and fossil formation can all occur relatively quickly under the right conditions.

These pieces of evidence point towards a young Earth, consistent with a biblical timescale.

4. What About the Salinity of the Oceans?

The oceans' salinity provides further evidence for a young Earth. Each year, rivers and underground streams deposit millions of tonnes of salt into the sea, with only a fraction returning to land. Even using the most favorable assumptions for long-agers, the absolute maximum age of the oceans is only a tiny fraction of their assumed billions-of-years age.

5. How Does Jesus' Testimony Align with the Age of the Earth?

Jesus' teachings align with a young age for the Earth. In Mark 10:6, He states that God made humans male and female "from the beginning of creation." This contradicts the idea that humans appeared billions of years after creation. Additionally, Romans 1:20 affirms that people have been able to see God's power "from the creation of the world." These verses indicate that the world cannot be billions of years old.

6. How Should We Define "Old" and "Young"?

The terms "old" and "young" are subjective and influenced by cultural conditioning. Our culture has indoctrinated us to believe that millions or billions of years constitute old age. However, from a biblical perspective, an age of thousands of years is considered ancient. We need to challenge our cultural influences and recognize that a thousand years is a significant period within human history.

7. What Are the Implications of Accepting an Old Earth?

Accepting an old Earth undermines the testimony of Jesus Christ as the Creator and puts death, suffering, and bloodshed before the Fall. It contradicts the biblical account that God declared His creation "very good" (Genesis 1:31) before the introduction of sin. Embracing an old Earth also distorts the logic of the Gospel, as it places the effects of the Curse before the Fall.

8. How Should We Approach Interpretation of Earth's Age?

When discussing the age of the Earth, it is crucial to approach interpretation through a biblical lens. We should be aware of our cultural conditioning and examine the evidence in light of Scripture. By aligning our beliefs with the Word of God, we can have confidence in a young age for the Earth.

In conclusion, while many may argue that the Earth appears old, it is essential to recognize that this perception is subjective and influenced by our belief systems. The evidence supports a young age for the Earth, consistent with a biblical perspective. By challenging cultural influences and interpreting the evidence through a biblical lens, we can embrace a young Earth and remain faithful to God's Word.