Young Earth vs. Old Earth

Scientists have now established that the universe is about 13.7 billion years old. One factor that gives this estimate a great deal of credibility is that this estimate was found using a number of different methods, not just a single method. So, this estimate seems reasonably "certain," at least as certain as one can be when discussing the distant past! With my overriding principle that the Bible and science never contradict one another, I've typically believed the validity of science's concept of the age of the universe, while interpreting the six creation days in the Bible as "time eras," each of which could be billions of years long, and not necessarily all of the same length.

But something struck me recently. To the best of my knowledge, all of the methods that have been used to estimate the age of the universe have one assumption in common: The laws of physics have never changed. After all, why should we think that they had?

But they have changed! According to Genesis, before the Flood, the earth was surrounded by a canopy of water, and it did not rain - instead, streams of water (like sprinklers?) came from the ground and kept things watered. If the laws of physics had been the same before the Flood as they are now, these things would not have happened in that way.

So, we have reason to believe that the laws of physics have changed. While I have no problem with a Christian who believes in the "old earth" creation theory, the "young earth" creation theory might still be correct - each of the "days" in six days of creation might have actually been 24 hours, and God used whatever methods he wanted (including "changing" the laws of physics) to accomplish the tasks he wanted to in each 24 hour period.

The bottom line is I really don't think it matters whether one believes in the "old earth" or the "new earth" creation theory. All that is important is that one believes that God created everything in the way he chose to be best!

Great Smoky Mountains

I just returned from a short trip to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in east Tennessee/west North Carolina. The Smoky Mountains (also known as The Smokies) probably wouldn't be considered mountains by people used to the Rockies or the Alps - maybe they'd be better named The Big Rolling Hills. But they are beautiful! Full of trees and lush greenery and lots of wildlife. There are butterflies everywhere, and it's common to see deer, bears and wild turkey. The Smokies are also filled with rushing rivers and streams with cold, clear water.

I have a great sense of God when I am in the Smokies. Surrounded by his beautiful and perfect creations, I feel a strong connection to him. His fingerprints are everywhere. How good he is to provide us with a little hint of heaven! And how good he is to give us the wisdom to preserve this land and not let it be taken over by development and other uses.

A couple of relevant Bible verses:

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." -Romans 1:20

and not as directly related, but illustrating the same principle:

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." -Psalm 19:1

So, get out in nature and open your heart and mind to his presence, and get recharged!

voluntary simplicity

I think the "voluntary simplicity" movement is more consistent with the Christian life described in the Bible than the stereotypical contemporary American lifestyle of consumerism and "keeping up with the Joneses." Here are a few reasons:

1. Non-materialism: Voluntary simplicity advocates minimizing possessions as opposed to consumerism. Store up treasures for yourself in heaven, not on earth. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.

2. Minimizing negative impact on the earth: God created the earth for us to inhabit and enjoy, and we have a responsibility to take care of it. God's creations are perfect - the actions of humankind can only harm them.

3. Dedicating yourself to what is truly important to you: We're warned in the Bible through the parable of sowing the seeds how easy it is to get distracted by the details of everyday life. We're told to put first the kingdom of God, and the other things of this life will be taken care of.

4. Finding pleasure in the simple things: God provided us with so many things that we can easily enjoy, such as birds, sunsets, clouds, trees, pets, friends, streams, etc. God is the perfect artist and the perfect engineer. In order to enjoy life, we don't need to spend a lot of money, or have a big house, or a fancy car, or a high profile job.

5. Living for the moment: God forgives us for the past, and God will take care of the future - we only need to concentrate on the present. Don't delay happiness until you lose weight, or you finish school, or until you buy a house, etc. - you can always find another reason to delay happiness. Now is the time to be happy!

6. Natural health approaches: God created the body so that it has incredible self-healing capabilities. We only get in the way of these capabilities with over-dependence on medications.

In the book "Finding God at Harvard" edited by K. M. Kullberg, one of the writers says: "... a life centered on God and founded upon such values as simplicity rather than consumption, sharing rather than accumulation, and solidarity rather than "success" does not have to remain an abstract possibility. It can be a lived-out reality rather than a wished-for idea, one empowered and sustained by the wholeness that the resurrection of Jesus Christ makes possible for the inner self."

Google voluntary simplicity and learn more about this lifestyle and reflect on how well it fits in with the teachings of Jesus.