Counsels on Christian Worldview

Counsel #7 — Alternate Layer Aging Methods

Picture: Counsel #7 — Alternate Layer Aging Methods CCW 144.1

Radiometric ages give a sequence of dates for the rocks, oldest in the lowest Paleozoic, and younger up through the rock formations. This sequence is meaningful, but doesn’t directly translate to specific years.^[216] We must look at other methods of determining time periods not dependent on the assumption of long ages. These methods identify changes that occur on the ground surface after prolonged exposure. Such an exposed surface does not remain unchanged. Wind or water, especially water, erodes the surface into creeks, valleys, or even canyons. Trees and other plants send roots down into the soil. Animals, including mice, thousands of worms, crabs and other small marine animals^[217] dig burrows in the ground. These burrowing activities, especially in places where water is depositing layers of sediment, churn up that sediment, and surprisingly quickly mix the sediment and destroy any evidence of multiple layers of sediment. If we find distinct, preserved layers of sediment in ancient rocks it tells us there was not time for normal burrowing activity to occur.^[218] CCW 144.2

“… [T]he fountains of the great deep burst open and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And the rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights. Genesis 7:11, 12 CCW 144.3

“In the days of Noah, men, animals, and trees, many times larger than now exist, were buried, and thus preserved as an evidence to later generations that the antediluvians perished by a flood.” Ellen White in Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 112 CCW 144.4

Reflect: Is your faith tested more by the creation/flood account or the naturalistic theory? CCW 144.5