Is this a true statement?

Question

Many intelligent people are thoroughly convinced that science has proven the earth to be billions of years old. How can they be wrong? The misconception builds on a neglect of the basic nature of “science” and a natural desire for moral autonomy. Actually, the age of the earth can be neither proved nor disproved by science. Scientific evidence can be compiled to support one model of earth history as compared to another, but such work amounts to a feasibility study, not proof.

Here's a scientist with real credentials. What do you think?

Dr. Walter is head of the Engineering Analysis and Design Department within the Energy Science and Power Systems Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Pennsylvania State University. He holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering with highest distinction, an M.S. in mechanical engineering, and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, all from Pennsylvania State University. He was a 1975 recipient of a prestigious National Science Foundation Fellowship, funding graduate study at the institution of his choice. At ARL, Dr. Walter has been the leader for a number of undersea propulsion development projects for the U.S. Navy. His research involves multidisciplinary development and testing of advanced air-independent engines and thermal power systems for various autonomous undersea vehicles.

Answer 1

In a sense its both true and false.

Science doesn't deal in "proof." We do the best we can with the data we have, and we make educated guesses. Typically, these guesses play out exactly as we predict, such as with all the data we collect about how old we think the earth is, or how atoms interact so we can create an atomic weapon, or how genetics works that we can anticipate the inevitably of evolution.

So, when the quote says: "Actually, the age of the earth can be neither proved nor disproved by science." That's true, science doesn't do proof. But the best we know with the information we have tells the earth is very, very old.

Answer 2

To answer this in the space provided here, and in the time have have left to write tonight, cannot be accomplished. Let me say that I have been schooled in the study and interpretation of the bible. I have preached the bible since the age of 17 and I believe that with the aide of good science, and following the biblical accounts given that validate the age of the earth, you can arrive at the conclusion that the earth is no more than 5-6 thousand years old and that the Grand Canyon is a great place to start.

Please check out the Christian research Institute in El Cajon, CA. They have some of the foremost experts on this subject. Dr. Henry Morris is a noted scholar on the position and can provide some good food for thought. Also a man named Ken Ham from Answers in Genesis, in the Dallas area, is another young earth source of excellence. Both of these can be found on the web as well.

Answer 3

Ted: All considered, you have to take into account, that it is based on speculation founded on "educated guesses". The problem is it is still a "guess" in spite, of how educated it is.
I, as a Christian, believe that the earth is millions of years old. This does not discredit Creation since the evidence of God's existence is available provivded, one wants to maintain an objective mind. Evidence can be found in the fossil record for one, referrring to the Cambrian Explosion a.k.a. by Paleontologists as "the Big Bang Explosion", in the Cambrian phyla [division] . Darwin had maintained that Evolution of specie development was gradual - but this record proves to the contrary and most Scientists (currently) are questioning the Evolutionary theory (see: www.dissentfromdarwin.org ) Here, is conclusive evidence that Darwin's theory is no longer plausible in spite, of the text books still promoting the theory. Another piece of evidence confirming the earth's surface to be about 6000 years (rounded) is the existence of U232 (Uranium). With U232, it has a decay point (break-down point) called a half-life of about a few thousand years. At this point, the U232 begins to decay into Pb (Lead). If the whole earth is millions or even, billions of years old, why then hasn't ALL the U232 decayed into Pb (Lead) by now? This is Physics - an established, plausible Science. Yes; the evidence is there, provided one is open-minded, doesn't allow his or her prejudices to become a barrier to truth and knows both, how and where to look. As the saying goes, "The truth is out there ... dude" !!!

Answer 4

All the models say hundreds of millions of years at the minimum, an those with the most precision indicate ~4.5 billion years. It cannot be proven to an absolute certainty.

The alternative to science is to pick one book attributed to an author who lived 2,500 years after the fact, and which was written down almost a millennium later. This despite the numerous other conflicting creation accounts. This doesn't even amount to a feasibility study.

Answer 5

Have you ever heard of the "Gap Theory of Genesis 1:1 - 1:2"?

It takes the given Hebrew words of those verses and translates them into words that are actually options from the Hebrew. I have done it myself. Anyone can, you just need a concordance and the Strong's numbers that are applicable to those words.

What is revealed when you do that is that the Earth can be as old as they say, or any age. It translates those verses to say,
" And the Earth BECAME a waste and a desolation" instead of the traditional " Now the earth was formless and empty, "

OF COURSE The Christians in this world reject it as being valid. But I am not like that. I explore the scriptures, check it, validate what was decided as being acceptable.

Answer 6

Science is not in the business of "proving" as in proving with absolute metaphysical certititude. Its just about coming as close to it as possible and having the best working model that we can. So although we can never in the most absolute sense of the word prove the world is however old. We can use all the available evidence to show that it is definitely most likely the case from what we can observe.

Answer 7

Yes, science HAS proven with a very, very high degree of certainty that the age of the earth is about 4-5 billion years. Come up with whatever bogus definition of science you want, quote from the 0.00000000001% of scientists who are creationists, but when the day is done, science is going to continue studying evolution and you can't stop it...

Answer 8

the bible clearly states that the earth is 6000 years something old. They try to say that one year equals a thousand.

Answer 9

It is not by our wisdom we know God but by his revelation.

Answer 10

it's the devil tring to fool you... Lol that's about all you'll get. funny that's one of the answers used to answer everything Christians thinks is a threat