The Age of the Earth
As far as I know, there is no universally agreed upon method for determining the age of anything. Some methods in use are carbon 14, radioactive isotopes, and such. When some of these are convenient or when they seem to support our favorite narrative, we stand by their reliability. When they do not offer “evidence” to our favorite theory, we claim they are untrustworthy.
Suppose there were invented a method of dating rocks and fossils that was infallible. Everyone agrees that finally we have found a method of dating ancient items that is truly accurate. This new procedure is so unfailing that no one can find anything to complain about. It yields very faithful results.
The scientists are excited about using this new tool for dating things that were previously in dispute. The technicians apply this new method to a rock sample and find it to be 6,000 years old. “We told you!” shout all the creationists. It fits and proves the narrative about God creating the universe and it being only 6,000 years old. The evolutionists are deflated and ashamed.
But soon after, a rock sample is tested that shows it being 14 billion years old. “We told you!” shout all the old earth scientists. Now the creationists are the ones who are ashamed of their public foolishness. One narrative is dominant for a while. Then the opposite narrative is king until the next piece of “evidence” is found.
I have another idea. What about the truth? How about stop trying to force every new discovery into the mold of the old narrative that our team wants to promote. What about the actual facts? How about trying pure observation, instead of bending the data so it sort of fits into the box we have made for it? Should not we bible believers have a love of the truth and true events, even if we cannot currently make them fit into a prefabricated story?
What about the truth? What a bizarre concept!
One time when Jesus was praying, he said, ...thy word is truth (John 17:17). The scriptures are absolute truth. We can confidently say what the bible says and we cannot say what the bible does not say.
“Adam had a pet dinosaur.”
The bible doesn't say that.
“Well, somewhere it says something about a dinosaur.”
The bible doesn't say that, either.*
“Well, it should!”
It should? When we stand upon “Thus saith the Lord”, we stand upon an authority that God esteems higher than His own name (Ps 138:2). When we claim the bible says something that it does not directly state, we are taking His name in vain. To stand upon hypothesis or speculation is fine, if we make it clear that we are giving our best guess as to what may be true.
The bible tells about God being creator of all invisible and material things, including the earth and mankind. It is likely He created Adam's family and his environment some thousands of years ago, not millions. However, that is not the entire story. Am I going to claim that I know about ALL events that happened then or before? The bible seems to allow for speculation about things that are almost mentioned in passing but not fully explained or developed. I believe God wants us to research and even use our imagination to search out His secrets.
God created all things. We can be certain of that and even adamantly say so. Exactly how and when are not so clear. There is embarrassment many times because people who claim to have much knowledge often deny that God is creator. The bible's statements do not conflict with true science.
Do not become another self proclaimed genius like atheists that “know” everything. As bible believers we do have an advantage. We have access to absolute knowledge, the bible. We just have to be sure we say what the bible says and not say what the bible does not say.
Oct. 19, 2023
* The bible does talk about dragons and reptilian creatures. If these are intended to be literal, they may be understood to be dinosaur type animals.