I’m 100% YEC. Bible says six days, I believe it was six days. And I certainly go with six literal days being generally a 24 hour period per day.
Time is generally a constant, but God does have the power to manipulate the speed of time by His will. He has also created circumstances where time and space may fluctuate such as in regards to black holes and other such anomalies. However, those are not the norm by great measure, and is actually more likely the result of the fallen nature where such things came into existence after the fabric of time and space was ripped at the time of the fall and continues to experience degradation exponentially. From what I understand, gravity plays into the flow of time as well, so if one were in high earth orbit, time would pass slightly faster than someone on the ground where the influence of gravity is far stronger.
Though, specifically regarding black holes, they may have been created rather than being a result, they are probably the greatest things we know of that best represent the lake of fire or at least the gateway for that final place for the fallen angels (and man) when that last judgment happens.
Light is not a constant. The speed of light can and has been manipulated. One example of this is with the recent history(ish) channel special on time travel. In the program, one person demonstrated that light can be slowed down as he showed with his science project.
So what does this mean? Though time can fluctuate, it is only under certain circumstances. Such circumstances are not in the Genesis record but simply say “day”. So there is no reason to speculate beyond the literal meaning of a day which is a 24 hour period when Genesis was eventually written. See, it wasn’t written at the time of creation, but written much later when a 24 hour day had long been established. Usually, if things are to be taken in allegory, the bible makes certain to mention such as to be taken that way (always use context). But in the case of the genesis account, there is no such mention to not take it literally as it is written.
The other point, light is not a constant. So light that presumably takes millions of years to travel from far off points to us now at this time, well was not bound to the current state as the creation event was happening. There is no evidence that light is restricted to a certain speed in all cases, so it is most likely that during the creation event light travel was near instantaneous and then slowed down at some point.
Ok one more point on the basis of scientific thought. Often another stumbling block mentioned is carbon dating. But I tell you that the same carbon dating that registers things as being millions or billions of years old also dates the 1980’s Mt. St Helens eruption as being thousands of years old. So, 30 years ago now being thousands, I can see how rocks six thousand years old may say millions of years.
Finally, on the theological basis since the above is established. Sin and the resulting death did not happen until Adam. Man did not die before Adam’s sin and also animals did not die. There was simply no death at all. All creation groans for the day when death will be ended (Rom 8:22). Creation was perfect up until the point of sin. The only thing that was not good was that Adam was alone until Eve was brought into the picture. If you read the Genesis account, each step of creation says “and it was good” up until that point where it is written “is not good” regarding Adams insufficiency. But I think that non literal interpretation of the Genesis account actually undermine important articles of fundamental faith.
I mean, if sin and death in creation already existed before Adam, than what is the big problem with Adams fall? It would not change a thing in creation. Adam would have just been imitating what he was seeing around him. The whole deal with Satan tempting Eve would be just a old wives tale. Sin and death would have not entered through Adam and would make no since to be abolished by Christ. I mean if it didn’t really enter through Adam, why do we take it that it is or will be removed by Christ?, it’s just not consistent. But contrary to that, the bible is consistent, just man isn’t. Bible says sin and death came in by one, being Adam, and that it will be conquered by one, being Christ. Also that the earth was created in six days (animals didn‘t live and die for millions of years). And of course if we study our bibles and follow the lineage from Adam to Christ, it comes to about 4000 years (+ 2 from then to now). Not saying one cant be a Christian or Jew if they don’t believe YEC, but other positions do have underlining problems based on personal theory rather than being based on record. It causes confusion to the listener. Though of course, some are just being consistent of not being consistent. BTW, for those, I’ll point out that my post is literal and not allegorical… if that helps
Continuing on: As I read through the entire thread (mostly), I am not “limiting” God to a 24 hour period, God is limiting God to a 24 hour period, I’m just a believer. He said it was so (lit. Day), I believe it and not write in my own theories but continue my search for supporting evidence which is abundant as I have found regarding this subject. Some don’t believe that it matters, but everything matters when you take the entire bible in the flow of context. There is certainly cause and effect throughout the bible, and once one starts to tinker with that, it begins to unravel other points made in the bible. Some don’t have a problem with that, they take parts on ‘faith’ while disagreeing with other parts. I cant follow that, it’s not consistent with the true author of the bible whom is consistent and never changes as He has proven time and time again. I’m not a blind follower, but I believe what He says on the basis that He has proven consistent. Every time someone says I believe this and that but not that thing there, well consistently evidence emerges to show that that thing not believed was by fact something to be taken literal. But sadly, in many cases, consistently, the prophets were already put to death simply for the peoples dislike for what they said and not whether they were right or wrong.
It doesn’t matter what you believe or say, your going to be mocked. They mock you because they mocked Jesus first. So don’t worry about it, just believe what is written.
Peace out.