Topic(s): Old Testament
Todd Clippard
Biblically speaking, the earth and everything therein cannot be more than a few thousand years old. There is no scientific evidence that anything in existence is millions of years old. All dating techniques are subject to interpretation and change. Additionally, they do not take into account the idea of “mature creation.” That is, God created things with a state of maturity present in them.
For example, the formation of lead-206 is the result of the decomposition of uranium-238. Uranium is called a parent element and lead a daughter element. In dating rocks containing lead-206, it is assumed that all lead present is the result of the decomposition of Uranium-238. However, it is plausible that God created both the uranium and the lead at the beginning. Therefore, no assumption is warranted such as scientists want to make.
Another example: the stars are visible in the clear night sky. However, we know some of the stars are millions of light years away. A light-year is the distance light travels in a year (FYI – light travels at 186,000 miles per second.) But God created them as visible in the creation (Genesis 1:14-19). Some of the stars we see may no longer exist, but because they are so far away, the evidence of their demise has not reached our view!
The age of man must be within a week of the creation of the universe. The language of Genesis 1 does not allow for millions of years to transpire in between the “days.” Look at the phrase “in/at the beginning” as it appears in Genesis 1:1, Matthew 19:4, and Hebrews 1:10. God created everything “in the beginning.” God made man male and female “at the beginning.” God laid the foundations of the earth “in the beginning.” This phrase is of utmost significance. “The beginning” refers to the creation week. Additionally, all the beasts of the field were created the same day as Adam–Day 6. Where is the language in the Bible that allows for millions of years between the creation of beast and man on Day 6? It does not exist.
Moses said that in six days God made the heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is (Exodus 20:11). This statement is made in reference to the Sabbath Day. If there were millions of years in the first part of the creation, then the meaning of the Sabbath is lost. How long was the Sabbath? One day. Just like all the other days of the creation week.
