We can see very clearly in Scripture that the creation of the plants, animals, and mankind, itself—Adam and Eve—took place around 6,000 years ago. The Bible gives us enough information concerning the ages of the patriarchs and their descendants to make this conclusion hard to dispute. On the origins of mankind in the Garden of Eden—nearly six millennia ago—God’s word is clear.
Just as clearly, nearly all reputable geologists looking at evidence of our planet’s age conclude that the earth has been in existence for a long time! “Ask any geologist how old the Earth is,” writes American geologist G. Brent Dalrymple, “and the odds are very good that he or she will provide an answer very close to 4.54 [billion years]” (The Age of the Earth, p. 305). And, while future discoveries may overturn this conclusion, 4.5 billion years is very consistent with other evidence of the earth’s age, such as that taken from meteorites and lunar material.
An age of 6,000 years is certainly a far cry from 4,540,000,000!
Still, those who have put the Bible to the test in their lives have learned to trust it as the very word of God. So, what does the Bible truly say about the age of the earth? Surprisingly, it says both much more and much less than many understand!
Great read!