by Deshpal Sandhu / October 2009, Updated Feb. 2010
How old is the Universe, the Earth, man? These questions have been asked for time immemorial, and there are varying estimates that range from about 6000 years to
billions of years. Scientific estimates are based upon theories that change from time to time so their current estimate of the age of the Universe, around 13.7 billion years,
is subject to change in the future. Sciences in general, whether Physics or Cosmology, Biology, Medicine or Genetics, even Economics and Sociology are in a constant
state of flux. Theories just a few years old are discarded and new ones proposed, so that which is considered to be ‘scientifically accurate’ today will most likely be
antiquated in the next decade or two. It helps to keep in mind that Science is still in a stage of infancy although few scientists will admit it. Most scientific theories are
formulated based on the philosophical bend of the scientist and may not be entirely objective. Consider the following quote from famous Astrophysicist George
F. R. Ellis: 'People need to be aware that there is a range of models that could explain the observations….For instance, I can construct you a spherically symmetrical
universe with Earth at its center, and you cannot disprove it based on observations….You can only exclude it on philosophical grounds.' In my view there is
absolutely nothing wrong in that. What I want to bring into the open is the fact that we are using philosophical criteria in choosing our models. A lot of
cosmology tries to hide that.” So by their own admission scientific theories are subjective and greatly influenced by the philosophical bend of the physicist or cosmologist
making the observations.
Biblical scholarship is no different than that of secular academia. Bible students have a wide range of estimates for the age of the Universe, from 6000 years to millions
and billions of years. Such a wide range is a result of subjective interpretations that are once again influenced by previously held beliefs and not necessaril
How old is the Universe, the Earth, man? These questions have been asked for time immemorial, and there are varying estimates that range from about 6000 years to
billions of years. Scientific estimates are based upon theories that change from time to time so their current estimate of the age of the Universe, around 13.7 billion years,
is subject to change in the future. Sciences in general, whether Physics or Cosmology, Biology, Medicine or Genetics, even Economics and Sociology are in a constant
state of flux. Theories just a few years old are discarded and new ones proposed, so that which is considered to be ‘scientifically accurate’ today will most likely be
antiquated in the next decade or two. It helps to keep in mind that Science is still in a stage of infancy although few scientists will admit it. Most scientific theories are
formulated based on the philosophical bend of the scientist and may not be entirely objective. Consider the following quote from famous Astrophysicist George
F. R. Ellis: 'People need to be aware that there is a range of models that could explain the observations….For instance, I can construct you a spherically symmetrical
universe with Earth at its center, and you cannot disprove it based on observations….You can only exclude it on philosophical grounds.' In my view there is
absolutely nothing wrong in that. What I want to bring into the open is the fact that we are using philosophical criteria in choosing our models. A lot of
cosmology tries to hide that.” So by their own admission scientific theories are subjective and greatly influenced by the philosophical bend of the physicist or cosmologist
making the observations.
Biblical scholarship is no different than that of secular academia. Bible students have a wide range of estimates for the age of the Universe, from 6000 years to millions
and billions of years. Such a wide range is a result of subjective interpretations that are once again influenced by previously held beliefs and not necessaril