Introduction

One of the most contentious points between Old and Young Earthers, is the matter of scriptural authority over science. Young Earthers have staked out the position that scripture is suitable for deriving scientific facts, but that mainstream science is way off. On the other side, Old Earthers accept that scripture is not a scientific treatise, and that Genesis 1 is good for theology and some history, but not much else. In my opinion, both extremes miss the mark.

 

Scripture is Surprisingly Scientific

A careful study of mainstream science and scripture shows an amazing concordance that any Christian should be excited to see... and embrace.

 

For convenience of study, I have broken down the scientific insights of scripture by Creation Day, citing the verse and listing the specific scientific insight. Below most insights are simple logical conclusions, which show an amazing alignment with science.

 

Creation Day 1

The Heavens and the Earth formed (Genesis 1:1)

Conclusion: The sun, moon, and stars existed before Genesis 1:2

The Heavens and Earth had fixed laws (Jeremiah 33:25)

Conclusion: Physics was already active within the universe

Conclusion: Mainstream science should match the scripture

Water came from within the Earth (Job 38:8, Genesis 2:4)

Conclusion: Methane was likely outgassing with the water

The earth became covered in water (Psalm 104:6)

The water became covered in clouds (Job 38:9)

The clouds hid all light from the deep (Job 38:9)

Conclusion: The darkness came from the clouds, not for lack of a sun

Conclusion: The sun existed, but was blocked

Light eventually penetrated, drawing a circle around the deep (Proverbs 8:27)

Conclusion: The clouds rained into the deep, enough to let light through, but not show the sun

The rotation of the earth's surface through the sun's radiance was set (Jeremiah 33:20, 25)

Mountains were already forming beneath the deep (Psalm 104:6)

Conclusion: Plate Tectonics had begun

 

Confirmation: Read the scientific evidence confirming the science of Day 1

 

Creation Day 2

A separation formed between the clouds and the deep (Genesis 1:6-7)

Conclusion: The clouds continued raining into the deep, enough to discern a sky, but still not see the sun

 

Confirmation: Read the scientific evidence confirming the science of Day 2

 

Creation Day 3

The mountains rose violently out of the water (Psalm 104:7-8)

Conclusion: Plate Tectonics really took off. Violent earthquakes.

The waters rushed off the new land (Genesis 1:9, Psalm 104:9-10, Proverbs 8:29, Job 38:10-11)

The land dried (Genesis 1:9-10)

The land produced plants, eventually leading up to seeded plants (Genesis 1:11-12)

Conclusion: Plant evolution. It would end with seeded plants (such as grass and fruit trees)

Conclusion: Carbon Dioxide must have been dominant in the atmosphere

Conclusion: Combine Carbon Dioxide with Methane, and the atmosphere would be too hazy to see the sun, even after the clouds cleared.

 

Confirmation: Read the scientific evidence confirming the appearance of land on Day 3

Confirmation: Read the scientific evidence confirming the evolution of plants on Day 3

 

Creation Day 4

The sun, moon, and stars became visible (Genesis 1:14-15)

Conclusion: The Oxygenation by the plants cleared up the haze of the atmosphere

 

Confirmation: Read the scientific evidence confirming the appearance of the sun, moon, and stars on Day 4

 

Creation Day 5

Some event removed some hindrance to the flourishing of sealife and birds (Genesis 1:20,22)

Conclusion: The KT Impact removed the natural predators of sealife and birds

Conclusion: Sealife and birds would have been killed, too, but enough survived for God to bless

Enough sealife and birds survived the event for God to bless them (Genesis 1:22)

Whales resulted from the event and God's blessing (Genesis 1:21)

Conclusion: Whales flourished according to their kind... from mammals, not fish

Conclusion: Some land mammals survived the event of Day 5, and whales evolved from them

Conclusion: Any land mammals that survived or evolved on Day 5, were before Day 6

 

Confirmation: Read the scientific evidence confirming sealife and bird evolution on Day 5

Confirmation: Read the scientific evidence confirming whale evolution on Day 5

 

Creation Day 6

Some event removed the hindrance to the land producing modern cattle, creeping things, and Beasts (Genesis 1:24-25)

Conclusion: The Grand Coupure resulted in mass extinctions, leading to the evolution of new mammals

Mankind evolved a capacity to believe and obey God (Genesis 1:26)

Conclusion: The purpose of mankind's evolution was to enable human righteousness

Mankind was created male and female (Genesis 1:27)

Conclusion: Mankind was created before Adam and Eve

God blessed mankind to subdue the earth and its animals (Genesis 1:28)

Conclusion: The blessing was given when Homo Sapiens appeared in Africa, 250 Ka

Mankind was given every seeded fruit tree (Genesis 1:29)

Conclusion: This was part of the blessing 250 Ka

Conclusion: This occurred before there was a Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil

Conclusion: This occurred before Adam was commissioned to care for the Garden of Eden

Conclusion: This occurred before the creation of Eve

Conclusion: Male and female existed before Eve, and before the Garden of Eden

God saw all that He made, and Day 6 was over (Genesis 1:31)

Conclusion: He saw mankind; He did not yet interact with them

Conclusion: God's first interaction with mankind was after Day 6

Conclusion: Adam's commission over the Garden of Eden was after Day 6

 

Confirmation: Read the scientific evidence confirming mammalian evolution on Day 6

Confirmation: Read the scientific evidence confirming human evolution on Day 6