It is my understanding that young earth creationists generally think that both time and the universe were begun by God about 6,000 years ago ["the beginning" referred to in Genesis 1:1]. They generally arrive at this figure by adding the years often listed for the persons found in the geneologies of Jesus Christ together to determine the number of years from the creation of Adam to the birth of Jesus. Since it is generally believed that Christ was born slightly over 2000 years ago, those years are added to the equation.
Actually, it is more likely that most have adopted the figures and computations compiled by either John Lightfoot or James Ussher in the mid 1600s (and subsequently used by various followers) or some derivation from their works. Since the Bible tells us that a day with the Lord is as a thousand years, some YECs think the universe is about 12,000 years old. And because both Lightfoot and Ussher made a number of assumptions (that are questioned by many Bible scholars) in order to arrive at their calculations, some YECs adopt a somewhat longer period of time (up to about 55,000 years). Nevertheless, all of these are much shorter than the 11-20 billion years claimed by mainstream scientists.
The primary place young earth creationists seem to differ from other persons (primarily Christians, Jews and possibly Moslims) who accept the Genesis account as being true is that the YECs insist that each of the creation days set out in the first chapter of Genesis is a literal 24-hour period of time, and that all of creation took only 144 hours. They explicitly reject any words in--or interpretations of--the original Hebrew that suggest that a different time reference frame would be more accurate. Thus, they insist that the universe is only a few thousand years old.
This thread is addressed to the young earth creationists. I would like to give you a full and fair opportunity to present your side of the story, and to tell everyone precisely WHY you believe the universe is only a few thousand years old. Please observe the following points:
1. This thread deals with the age of the universe--not the age of the earth or life on the earth (or whether evolution occurred).
2. If you think that the weight of scientific evidence requires you to believe the universe is only a few thousand years old, please cite the evidence upon which you are relying.
3. If you think biblical scriptures require you to believe the universe is only a few thousand years old, please cite the scriptural reference. If the reference could be interpreted in a manner other than the way you interpret it, it would probably also help if you state why you think your interpretation is more likely than the other interpretation(s).
4. If the reason you believe the universe is only a few thousand years old is because that is what you read on a website, please cite the website, the author, and what was said there. Similarly, if it is because of a book, please cite the book (and page, if possible). Or if it is because that is what someone you respect told you, please tell who that person is.
Thank you!
Actually, it is more likely that most have adopted the figures and computations compiled by either John Lightfoot or James Ussher in the mid 1600s (and subsequently used by various followers) or some derivation from their works. Since the Bible tells us that a day with the Lord is as a thousand years, some YECs think the universe is about 12,000 years old. And because both Lightfoot and Ussher made a number of assumptions (that are questioned by many Bible scholars) in order to arrive at their calculations, some YECs adopt a somewhat longer period of time (up to about 55,000 years). Nevertheless, all of these are much shorter than the 11-20 billion years claimed by mainstream scientists.
The primary place young earth creationists seem to differ from other persons (primarily Christians, Jews and possibly Moslims) who accept the Genesis account as being true is that the YECs insist that each of the creation days set out in the first chapter of Genesis is a literal 24-hour period of time, and that all of creation took only 144 hours. They explicitly reject any words in--or interpretations of--the original Hebrew that suggest that a different time reference frame would be more accurate. Thus, they insist that the universe is only a few thousand years old.
This thread is addressed to the young earth creationists. I would like to give you a full and fair opportunity to present your side of the story, and to tell everyone precisely WHY you believe the universe is only a few thousand years old. Please observe the following points:
1. This thread deals with the age of the universe--not the age of the earth or life on the earth (or whether evolution occurred).
2. If you think that the weight of scientific evidence requires you to believe the universe is only a few thousand years old, please cite the evidence upon which you are relying.
3. If you think biblical scriptures require you to believe the universe is only a few thousand years old, please cite the scriptural reference. If the reference could be interpreted in a manner other than the way you interpret it, it would probably also help if you state why you think your interpretation is more likely than the other interpretation(s).
4. If the reason you believe the universe is only a few thousand years old is because that is what you read on a website, please cite the website, the author, and what was said there. Similarly, if it is because of a book, please cite the book (and page, if possible). Or if it is because that is what someone you respect told you, please tell who that person is.
Thank you!
