Starlight and a Young Earth.

Micaiah · #1 16th March 2003, 07:58 AM

Scripture speaks of God stretching out the heavens with His hand. While on one level this is clearly metaphorical, since God doesn't have an arm or hand, on another level I wonder if this may give insight into the way the heavens were created. It could provide some clues on how light could reach earth from distant galaxies in a short about six thousand years.

Isaiah 42:5
Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it:
(Whole Chapter: Isaiah 42 In context: Isaiah 42:4-6)

Isaiah 45:12
I have made the earth, And created man on it. I--My hands--stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded.
(Whole Chapter: Isaiah 45 In context: Isaiah 45:11-13)

Isaiah 48:13
Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, And My right hand has stretched out the heavens; When I call to them, They stand up together.
(Whole Chapter: Isaiah 48 In context: Isaiah 48:12-14)

Isaiah 51:13
And you forget the LORD your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens And laid the foundations of the earth; You have feared continually every day Because of the fury of the oppressor, When he has prepared to destroy. And where is the fury of the oppressor?
(Whole Chapter: Isaiah 51 In context: Isaiah 51:12-14)

Jeremiah 10:12
He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion.
(Whole Chapter: Jeremiah 10 In context: Jeremiah 10:11-13)

Jeremiah 32:17
"Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.
(Whole Chapter: Jeremiah 32 In context: Jeremiah 32:16-18)

Jeremiah 51:15
He has made the earth by His power; He has established the world by His wisdom, And stretched out the heaven by His understanding.
(Whole Chapter: Jeremiah 51 In context: Jeremiah 51:14-16)

notto · #2 16th March 2003, 08:27 AM

If the earth is only 6000 years old then we have witnesses the explosion of stars that have never existed in the first place.

Micaiah · #3 16th March 2003, 09:01 AM

Yes, if the stars were always that far way from earth.

notto · #4 16th March 2003, 09:23 AM

It would be a bit crowded, hot, and bright if at some point all of the fully formed stars and galaxies we see were within 6000 light years of earth. I think that this would not be possible and defy a few laws of physics.

Our galaxy is approximately 160,000 light years across and 3000 light years thick. Even compressing the matter from these stars down to 6000 light years would seem a bit of a stretch.

Nearby galaxies are 2,200,000 light years away. If they moved from under 6000 light years to 2,220,000 light years in 6000 years, what stopped this momentum and why did they slow down?

If the actual space of the universe stretched this much in this little time, why did this rate stop to the currently measured expansion and what evidence supports this theory?

Follower of Christ · #5 19th March 2003, 12:12 PM

There are a few theories (including some amazing new ones) on starlight.

If we're going to accept a secular theory, then one that backs up scripture should be as easily accepted by any christian.

wildbrumby · #6 23rd March 2003, 11:07 PM

Read the book "Starlight and Time"? by Dr. R Humphreys?

Smilin · #7 23rd March 2003, 11:11 PM

16th March 2003 at 08:23 AM notto said this in Post #4 If the actual space of the universe stretched this much in this little time, why did this rate stop to the currently measured expansion and what evidence supports this theory?

Notto, has the Hubble Constant been determined?
Last I read, measurement were still being taken..

I also remember reading that the rate of expansion is NOT constant but varies the further you travel out into the universe...

Smilin · #8 23rd March 2003, 11:14 PM

19th March 2003 at 11:12 AM Follower of Christ said this in Post #5

If we're going to accept a secular theory, then one that backs up scripture should be as easily accepted by any christian.

Disagreed,
Your turning a religious text into a science text which, IMO, is one
of the BIGGEST mistakes in Christianity today.

Scientists are of many religious beliefs, many choose no religion.
I have reference to a Native American legend/spiritual belief
that explains starlight as well.....

Are you willing to easily accept that one as well?

notto · #9 23rd March 2003, 11:17 PM

Today at 09:11 PM Smilin said this in Post #7

Notto, has the Hubble Constant been determined?
Last I read, measurement were still being taken..

I also remember reading that the rate of expansion is NOT constant but varies the further you travel out into the universe...

I'm not suggesting that the expansion rate is constant everywhere, just that for the whole 6000 year thing to work out, there would need to be some reason for it to stop expanding at the pace required, or some evidence that it did would be left behind.

Suggesting that all of the matter of the universe was within 6000 light years of earth or it vicinity (within the last 6000 years) or that the rate of expansion has changed as much as would be needed to have the universe be 6000 years old and to see the evidenc we see of vast distances is a bit ridiculous.

Smilin · #10 23rd March 2003, 11:21 PM

Today at 10:17 PM notto said this in Post #9

I'm not suggesting that the expansion rate is constant everywhere, just that for the whole 6000 year thing to work out, there would need to be some reason for it to stop expanding at the pace required, or some evidence that it did would be left behind.

Suggesting that all of the matter of the universe was within 6000 light years of earth or it vicinity (within the last 6000 years) or that the rate of expansion has changed as much as would be needed to have the universe be 6000 years old and to see the evidenc we see of vast distances is a bit ridiculous.

Exactly,,,
And let's not leave continental drift out of all this..
Not to derail the thread or anything...
I'm confused and concerned why the 6,000 year old
myth has been resurrected????????????