Counsels on Secular Worldview

Counsel #2 — Interpretations

Picture: Counsel #2 — Interpretations CSe 89.1

As we cannot witness historical events firsthand, our understanding of them is based on interpretations. The debate over the Earth's age centers on two main interpretations: conventional science and special creation. Conventional science, based on methodological naturalism as expressed in Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species, estimates the Earth's age at around 4.5 billion years using radiometric dating and accepts macroevolution as the primary driver of life's diversity. Special creation, rooted in a literal interpretation of the Bible, believes the Earth is much younger (a few thousand years) and rejects macroevolution. It proposes alternative explanations for the geological record and questions the accuracy of radiometric dating.^[89] CSe 89.2

“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.” Psalms 145:3 CSe 89.3

“God has permitted a flood of light to be poured upon the world in discoveries in science and art; but when professedly scientific men lecture and write upon these subjects from a merely human standpoint, they will assuredly come to wrong conclusions.” Ellen White inSelected Messages, bk. 3, p. 307 CSe 89.4

Reflect: How does our understanding of Earth's history impact our understanding of God's purpose for creation? CSe 89.5