How old is the earth?

You know at first you might think that this question really isn't all that important, but in reality it is a very profound and important thing. For example, from a biblical perspective, the answer to this question leads us into concepts like Satan's fall, why he attacked Adam and Eve in the garden, God's pattern of redemption, God's method of creation, etc. From a scientific point of view, it is a concept that has far reaching implications. It touches on the concepts of ultimate creation of the universe and of life itself.



Biblically speaking, there is very little said about the creation of the heavens and the earth. It is certain that originally God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing. I am a solid believer in what has come to be known as the "gap theory" of creation. Gap theorists believe that Genesis 1:1 is a statement of the ultimate creation of the entire universe and the earth. Then there is a "gap of time" between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2, in which the good angel Lucifer becomes the bad devil Satan (Isaiah 14:12-17 and Ezekiel 28:12-19). How long was this "gap of time?" I have no idea and neither does any one else. There are speculations, but that is all they can be. Personally, I have no problem seeing almost the entire age of universe or earth (as stated by science) passing during this gap. I do know that the pattern that is seen consistently throughout scripture is that when there is disobedience or independence from God, judgment, destruction, and death occur - simply, the results of sin.



Finally, gap theorists believe that God takes it upon Himself to do something about this creation that has fallen into judgment, destruction, and death, as described in Genesis 1:2. God moves toward the fallen out of love and mercy. Guess what! That is another consistent pattern (type) set up in scripture that is never violated. Then in the verses that follow, there is a description of God's work on the behalf of the fallen creation (Genesis 1:3 - Genesis 2:3). These verses describe a restoring work of God, not necessarily a creation out of nothing work (only in two instances from Genesis 1:3 - Genesis 2:3 does God create out of nothing).



Interesting enough, science has come to very similar conclusions about how the universe was created. The big bang theory states that the entire universe came into existence out of nothing. Now, science insists in an atheistic or agnostic view of the event, but the starting point in both the scientific explanation and biblical explanation are essentially the same. Guys, that is remarkable because for years scientists believed that the universe was eternal, and creation out of nothing happened on a continual basis. Now, both science and religion agree that there was one point of creation. I would love to recommend a book to you guys that deals mainly with this subject. It is entitled, The Case For a Creator, by Lee Strobel.



Now, in support of my "gap theory" position I have a few biblical arguments. First, it is important to look at what the Bible actually says...



"In the beginning, God created the heaven(s) and the earth" Genesis 1:1.



The Hebrew word for created in this verse is bara' (Strong's Number H1254). It means "to create." It is found only in three places in Genesis 1 (1:1 = creation of earth, 1:21 = creation of animal life, and 1:26 = creation of man). This word carries with it the connotation of creation out of nothing, or bringing into existence. If we really understood the full implications of that, we would have no trouble at all believing anything else that is stated in scripture.



Another word for "create" is found throughout the first chapter of Genesis. It is 'asah (Strong's Number H6213). This word carries with it the idea "to manufacture or fabricate out of existing material." It is found in several places in Genesis 1:3 - 2:3 (1:7, 11, 12, 16, 25, 26, 31, 2:2, 3). Whenever a person creates anything, it always has to be after this fashion. We take previously existing material and shape it into what we have imagined.



God can cause material to wink into existence. He can also shape existing material into what He imagines it to be. The first verse of Genesis, as compared to Genesis 1:3-2:3, is distinct. Genesis 1:3-2:3 is characterized by a shaping of existing material, while Genesis 1:1 is the bringing into existence of that material. You might say that would be in complete keeping with a 6-day creation interpretation of the Bible, but we must compare scripture with scripture.



"For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else." Isaiah 45:18



The Lord is clear here. When He created the earth, it was not created "in vain." The words used in this expression are translated from the Hebrew word tohuw, which means "that which is laid waste, formlessness, confusion, emptiness." This word is also found in Genesis 1:2.



"And the earth was without form, and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."



We run into a problem if the narrative in Genesis 1:2-2:3 describes the creation of the earth, because it is clearly stated by God that He didn't create the earth as it is described in Genesis 1:2. Something occurred after Genesis 1:1, that something was the fall of Satan and a subsequent ruin of the original earth that was created perfectly, by a perfect God. Further evidence from scripture is as follows:



The word "was" is verse 2 can be translated "became." It is translated that way in the following verses: Genesis 19:26, Deuteronomy 27:9, and 2Samuel 27:4.



In 1 Corinthians 14:33 the Bible states;



"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."



God didn't create a chaotic world and then bring order to it. He created an ordered world that became chaotic through the rebellion of Satan, and then He reordered it.



So, how old is the earth? I have no real idea. It could be 5 billion or 15 billion years old for all I know, but I am convinced that God created it out of nothing, and out of love and mercy restored it to an ordered state in view of our creation. Which, by the way, I believe happened only 6000 years ago. There doesn't need to be any conflict between Christianity and science on the point of the age of the earth. Both groups need to just be honest about things. Scientists need to do real science and admit that there is uncertainty in their measurements, and Christians need to evaluate their own traditions by comparing them to what the word of God actually asserts.

Our first discussion

There has been a question that has come up of late, and I was wondering what you guys would have to say about it. Most of you know that I am a science teacher, but don't let that sway your answer, because I hold the scriptures as the ultimate "trump-card" to science. The question is: "How old is the earth?" Whatever your opinion is, let's all agree to "back up" our answers with scripture, science, or logic. In other words, let us know what specifically has lead you to that conclusion. I so look forward to our discussions!!!

Welcome

"Study to show thyself approved unto GOD, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." II Timothy 2:15

In this blog, I seek to do the things set out in this verse, and also encourage fellow believers to do the same. I would love this blog to be a place where an honest dialogue of the word can take place, and we can grow to love the Lord more through the study of His word.