Counsels on Secular Worldview

Counsel #14 — Questioning Radiometric Dating

Picture: Counsel #14 — Questioning Radiometric Dating CSe 39.1

Radiometric dating, a cornerstone of the modern naturalistic theory of origins, is trusted for its indications of hundreds of millions of years that it gives. Biblical creationists reject this time scale but lack a sufficient explanation for the discrepancies.^[39] However, significant evidence casts serious doubt on this time scale. Most rock layers differ significantly from what would be expected with slow deposition over millions of years. Fossils dated by radiometric methods at millions of years contain preserved proteins that should degrade in a few thousand years. These discrepancies challenge the accuracy of the accepted time scale. Why, then, do many scientists, including some creationists, continue to support the naturalistic theory? CSe 39.2

“If you want to become wise, you must begin by respecting the Lord. To know the Holy One is to gain understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 NIRV CSe 39.3

“[God’s] word is given for our instruction; there is nothing in it that is defective or misleading. The Bible is not to be tested by men's ideas of science, but science is to be brought to the test of the unerring standard. CSe 39.4

“Yet the study of the sciences is not to be neglected. Books must be used for this purpose; but they should be in harmony with the Bible, for that is the standard.” Ellen White in Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, pp. 425, 426 CSe 39.5

Reflect: In the face of significant discrepancies in radiometric dating, why do you think so many scientists and creationists yet believe in a millions-of-years old earth age? CSe 39.6