When did some Christians decide the earth is only 6,000 years old?

Question

I don't get it. I went to church and sunday school most of the time growing up and never once remember anyone mentioning this.
How do they think the fossils of animals that no longer exist are found in rocks? They are all over the place where I live in Northern Arkanas-it was once a shallow sea here.
How does it further their theology to say the earth is only a few thousand years old?

Answer 1

It has nothing to do with real theology and everything to do with taking the Bible too literally. You can thank Archbishop James Ussher of Armagh, Ireland for this one. He calculated, using the Bible and some astronomy, that the earth began on October 23, 4004 BC. He worked this out in 1645, and the idea has hung around since. It's just come into more prominence now because the evolution vs. creationism debate has flared up.

On a personal note and as a kind of disclaimer, I see no reason why Darwinian evolutionary theory shouldn't agree with religion.

Answer 2

You are trying to explain the Bible by what you see science says. You should be explaining science by what the Bible says.

The origins of `6000 years old earth come from the geneologies in the Bible. Basically take the ages of the people and count back through the generations to the creation and you get roughly 6000 years old.

God flooded the earth, fossils would have been created on even the highest mountains let alone Arkansas.

Answer 3

Most explanations of the earth's age at 6,000 years is based upon the genealogy found in the bible. They start from Jesus (approx 2000 yrs ago) and they read all the generations (who begat who) back to Adam. They must use some approximation of age because the ages at which fathers had sons is not always noted in the bible (although some are). Using an average of around 20 years of age to father a child they add up all the generations mentioned and come up with around 6,000 years. Another interpretation which is more open to debate is the statement that a day with god is a thousand years. The bible says it took god 6 days to create the heavens and the earth so at 1000 yrs to a day that makes 6000 years.

Answer 4

the Christian view that the universe and earth and man is about 6,000 yrs old comes from the Bible itself. Some passages are Genesis chpt 5 and11. Basically from Adam to Abraham is about 2,000 yrs and from Abraham to Jesus is about another 2,000 yrs and from Jesus to now another 2,000 yrs. The world flood was about 4,344 yrs ago. It is interesting to know that taking the world population growth rate for the last 100 yrs and applying it from the Flood to now gives us a population amount that is
similar to the actual world population now.

Fossils are usually preserved when they are covered up quickly with soil deposits. The world flood is probably responsible for most of the fossils we have now. There are whole groups of animals found fossilized together in many places and millions of fish and sea life buried for many square miles also. An animal that dies naturally usually gets eaten by other ones and so no fossilization is possible. Fossilization is rare in nature and we do not see worldwide fossilization happening other then the time of Noah's flood. Many church leaders used to not deal with these issues but since the last 40 years with the Creation movement growing it is now a main issue for many churches.

Most of the research and new dating methods that back up a young earth view are hardly known to the general public and most scientists but they exist and little by little will become more known. Remember that this is a specialized area of study and most scientists do not deal in it.

Answer 5

somewhat some the years = days idiots + interpret sayings -- That disputes the holy YHWH --- because of the fact all this required interpretation makes for confusion-- And YHWH no longer posta be da god o confyssion............It does placed Adam and Eve at 6000 years in the past... So now Christis honest climate followers say OG Despense all time sessions -- He maky stuff ---------- then Adam & have self assurance--------------- The church of superstition mentioned earth became flat some years--- Astronomers Dumb ??? it fairly is the story of the Grand Canyon------- The water from Noahs flood created the grand canyon---- unexpectedly -- 5500 years in the past---- they say there have been no mountains ( This explains how much less water is mandatory to hide the earth ) --- ( it additionally in no way rained earlier noahs flood -- So pastors tutor -- Making Noah considered one of great faith ) --- Now the water tension creates mountains making the water run to decrease ranges --And growth GRAND CANYON---------it is likewise why sea shells are atop the Himalayas -- All Christics do is placed the vehicle in opposite and attempt to locate the stunning street --- they may be the real misplaced sheep

Answer 6

Dear dismayedamerican,

May I say to you that there are a lot of people who claim to be "christian" but are not (Matthew 7:21-23). I amsure you have read the newspapers or heard the news of doctors (with M.D's) molesting their female patients. Or what about the pilots who flew their planes into the World Trade Center--they certainly looked like pilots! Or police officers that have used their authority to steal or commit other crimes--didn't they have the correct uniform and badge?
I say all that to this, just because a person says he is a christian does not make him saved or born again! These "christians" who have said the earth is 6000 years old may have been sincere but they were not correct. Bible study requires time and the need for God to open ones eyes--to give understanding. The Bible is absolutely true, but theologians and pastors are taught by their respective denominations what "Truth" is, and they accept it. The Bible says "Cursed is the man that trusteth in man..." A person needs to search the Scriptures for himself and study.
God uses a patriachal method for giving time references. If we follow this method, we find that the earth was created in 11,013 B.C. Noah's flood occurred in 4990 B.C. David became King of Israel in 1007 B.C. Judah and the Temple was destroyed in 587 B.C.

Answer 7

You are only trying to understand God and his creation by your sunday school class and the shallow sea in Northern Arkanass.

There are so many things than what mentioned above to see & explain the great creation of Almighty.

Answer 8

When you trace the genealogy provided for us in the Bible,you learn that man had his beginnings some 6000 years ago.
As to the age of the earth,the Scriptures in stating "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth"(Gen.1:1)leaves matters indefinite as to time.The actual time of creation of the material heavens and earth may have been billions of years ago.

Answer 9

I think it's the funniest thing that Protestant extremists use a Catholic archbishop to back their beliefs. A 17th Century priest is hardly the final arbiter of the meaning of Scripture!

The other thing I think is hilarious is the addition tacked onto the Lord's Prayer by a Catholic monk, that is now used by Protestants, but not by Catholics, except during the Mass, and THEN it's separated from the rest of the prayer by yet another prayer by the priest. Go figure!

Answer 10

a. bible is a fiction and was written by a group of authors in 2nd 3rd century AD at that time they could only think of earth a 2-4000 years old .

The only religion which has given the age of the earth to near accuracy is Hinduism