Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE PAST

 THE PAST

One of the great questions involving the Bible considers the problem of the age of the universe and of course of the earth. Geology records that the earth has been in existence for billions of years whereas the Bible indicates a much shorter time span. It has always been a source of contention as to which of the estimates is correct.

Now I don’t propose a definite answer to the dilemma, but there are some clues as to how it may all be reconciled. There has always been mention that the earth in Genesis was already formed when it was created and so had its past, so to speak, inherent in the creation. In other words, it was created with a past already built in and so would appear to be older than it actually was. So when God said:

…Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, 

and the fruit tree that yields fruit… 

(Genesis 1:11)

…the grass, herbs and trees just were already and did not have to grow from seed. After all…

 

…God saw that it was good. 

So the evening and the morning were the third day. 

(Genesis 1:12,13)

This theory has been put forward to help explain the discrepancy between science and the Bible. But there is a miracle in the New Testament that may also give some evidence and credence to the above proposal. Anyone who has ever been involved with the making of wine knows that a good vintage takes time to mature and ferment. For that reason, some good wines take years to properly mature and develop which is why older vintages often are much more expensive that those of more recent years.

In considering this, look at John chapter 2 and the wedding in Cana. This involved the well known miracle where Jesus changed the water into wine. Jesus said:

…Fill the waterpots with water… 

(John 2:7) 

And after they were filled full to the brim, He said:

…Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast… 

(John 2:8)

And when the master of the feast tasted it, he called the bridegroom and said:

…You have kept the good wine until now. 

(John 2:10)

So, if the best wine was the water turned to wine and good wine comes with aging, then the “age” of the wine must have been built into the miracle. And if aged wine can be produced by God in an instant then why not an aged earth or universe?

Perhaps this is one reason why materials and substances seem to be older and to test older than they may really be. Perhaps it’s one explanation to help resolve the dichotomy between science and the Bible. At the very least, it does give one something to think about.