An Evaluation of Evidence for the Age of the Universe

[Hal P]

http://www.reasons.org/astronomers-age-of-universe

A group of Christians professionally trained in astronomical research has reviewed presentations by Drs. Danny Faulkner and Hugh Ross, covering arguments on the age of the universe. We appreciated the civility and respect of the discourse on a topic often generating more heat than light within the Christian community. Our analysis concentrates on arguments made by the speakers dealing with astronomical data and calculations, rather than about Biblical interpretation or biological evolution, because the former are our areas of professional expertise. We do note that, for example, one's view of Scriptural interpretation and theology will affect the range of models one would consider.

Our aim has been to assess the evidence for the age of the universe in the light of the arguments presented, using a standard scientific approach. Science seeks to make progress in understanding the physical world through inductive reasoning, rather than the watertight proofs found in mathematics. This means that scientific understanding advances through an enormous amount of focused, incremental efforts with many consistency checks in the context of a mutually accountable scientific community. Drawing sound conclusions about a general question such as the age of the universe cannot be done on the basis of one argument alone but requires many different independent experiments including tests that could falsify competing claims. Any conclusions, along with an evaluation of their certainty, are then made on the basis of the overall weight of the available evidence. There will often be some data that appear to disagree with the rest of the evidence; this does not automatically provide evidence for alternative hypotheses but often means that our theoretical understanding is not yet entirely complete.

Ross's arguments provide solid evidence that the universe is billions of years old. He presents several independent arguments, based on a wide range of data, indicating that the universe and most objects in it are much older than ten thousand years. The light-travel-time argument is particularly strong in both its basis in physical principles and its simplicity. Faulkner does not present evidence for a universe thousands of years old but rather makes claims for isolated inconsistencies in the case for great age. While it is common scientific practice to look for holes in well-established theories, the new contrary evidence must either be very strong to counter the existing evidence for the theory or else be supported by a new theory that readily explains both the new evidence and the old. We judge that the "inconsistencies" pointed out by Faulkner do not meet either of these criteria. In some instances the observations are completely consistent with our current understanding of these physical systems in the context of an old universe; in others, while universally accepted interpretations don't exist today and our knowledge is often still incomplete, such explanations are likely to be forthcoming as observations and theory progress. It is our professional judgment that the weight of the evidence overwhelmingly supports a universe that is billions of years old.

Gabriela Canalizo, Ph.D. (Associate Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Riverside)

Gerald Cleaver, Ph.D. (Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Baylor University)

Kyle Cudworth, Ph.D. (Director, Yerkes Observatory, Professor, The University of Chicago)

Pamela L. Gay, Ph.D. (Executive Director Astrosphere New Media Association, Edwardsville,

Illinois)

Deborah Haarsma, Ph.D. (Chair and Associate Professor, Physics & Astronomy Department, Calvin College)

Bruce Hrivnak, Ph.D. (Professor, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Valparaiso University)

Stephen Kane, Ph.D. (NASA Exoplanet Science Institute, Caltech)

William Keel, Ph.D. (Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Alabama)

Patricia Reiff, Ph.D. (Director, Rice Space Institute, Rice University)

Aaron Romanowsky, Ph.D. (Associate Specialist, University of California Observatories)

Matthew S. Tiscareno, Ph.D. (Research Associate, Department of Astronomy, Cornell University)

Rogier Windhorst, Ph.D. (Regents' and Foundation Professor, School of Earth & Space Exploration, Arizona State University)

Donald York, Ph.D. (Professor, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Chicago)

http://www.reasons.org/files/astronomers-statement.pdf

[MorningGlory]

I've always assumed most Christians DID believe in a universe that is around 14 billion years old.

[Guest man]

I've always assumed most Christians DID believe in a universe that is around 14 billion years old.

In the grand scheme of things, does it really matter how old the universe is?

Just curious.

[MorningGlory]

I've always assumed most Christians DID believe in a universe that is around 14 billion years old.

In the grand scheme of things, does it really matter how old the universe is?

Just curious.

No; it only matters that God created it.

[georgedrw81]

I've always assumed most Christians DID believe in a universe that is around 14 billion years old.

In the grand scheme of things, does it really matter how old the universe is?

Just curious.

No; it only matters that God created it.

Right

[Guest]

Poor Hal

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

Indeed They Error

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1 John 2:15

For A Man Will Not Get It

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Until He Kneels Before The Cross

And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Luke 20:17-18

And Confesses To God's Glory That Jesus Is LORD

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Romans 14:11-12

And The Truth About Cosmic Time

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Genesis 1:31

Will Pale Before His Eyes

His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

Revelation 1:14

>>>>>()<<<<<

Believe

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:9

And Be Blessed Beloved

Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

John 8:34-36

Love, Joe

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Colossians 1:16-17

[Guest yod]

I've always assumed most Christians DID believe in a universe that is around 14 billion years old.

Oh I've been called heretic for saying that "yom" doesn't always mean a 24-hour day from people who think the world is about 7 thousands years old

[Guest]

I've always assumed most Christians DID believe in a universe that is around 14 billion years old.

Oh I've been called heretic for saying that "yom" doesn't always mean a 24-hour day from people who think the world is about 7 thousands years old

However Long God's Yom May Be

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Exodus 20:10-11

Yod Is A Much Loved And Respected Defender Of God's Holy Word

Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. Psalms 119:160

And Of The Peoples Of Zion

Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 31:20

The Apple Of His Eye

For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. Isaiah 62:1

[~candice~]

I've always assumed most Christians DID believe in a universe that is around 14 billion years old.

Oh I've been called heretic for saying that "yom" doesn't always mean a 24-hour day from people who think the world is about 7 thousands years old

*Heretic .

*No, I am not being serious. I like Yod .

[Fez]

I've always assumed most Christians DID believe in a universe that is around 14 billion years old.

Oh I've been called heretic for saying that "yom" doesn't always mean a 24-hour day from people who think the world is about 7 thousands years old

*Heretic .

*No, I am not being serious. I like Yod .

Billion, shmillion, He's coming, get ready!