Scientists use a technique called radiometric dating to estimate the ages of rocks, fossils, and the earth. Many people have been led to believe that radiometric dating methods have proved the earth to be billions of years old. This has caused many in the church to reevaluate the biblical creation account, specifically the meaning of the word “day” in Genesis 1. With our focus on one particular form of radiometric dating—carbon dating—we will see that carbon dating strongly supports a young earth. Note that, contrary to a popular misconception, carbon dating is not used to date rocks at millions of years old.
Basics
Carbon Atom
Before we get into the details of how radiometric dating methods are used, we need to review some preliminary concepts from chemistry. Recall that atoms are the basic building blocks of matter. Atoms are made up of much smaller particles called protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons make up the center (nucleus) of the atom, and electrons form shells around the nucleus.
The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom determines the element. For example, all carbon atoms have 6 protons, all atoms of nitrogen have 7 protons, and all oxygen atoms have 8 protons. The number of neutrons in the nucleus can vary in any given type of atom. So, a carbon atom might have six neutrons, or seven, or possibly eight—but it would always have six protons. An “isotope” is any of several different forms of an element, each having different numbers of neutrons. The illustration below shows the three isotopes of carbon.
Some isotopes of certain elements are unstable; they can spontaneously change into another kind of atom in a process called “radioactive decay.” Since this process presently happens at a known measured rate, scientists attempt to use it like a “clock” to tell how long ago a rock or fossil formed. There are two main applications for radiometric dating. One is for potentially dating fossils (once-living things) using carbon-14 dating, and the other is for dating rocks and the age of the earth using uranium, potassium and other radioactive atoms.
Carbon atomic mass numbers
The atomic number corresponds to the number of protons in an atom. Atomic mass is a combination of the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. (The electrons are so much lighter that they do not contribute significantly to the mass of an atom.)
Carbon-14 Dating
Carbon-14 (14C), also referred to as radiocarbon, is claimed to be a reliable dating method for determining the age of fossils up to 50,000 to 60,000 years. If this claim is true, the biblical account of a young earth (about 6,000 years) is in question, since 14C dates of tens of thousands of years are common.1
When a scientist’s interpretation of data does not match the clear meaning of the text in the Bible, we should never reinterpret the Bible. God knows just what He meant to say, and His understanding of science is infallible, whereas ours is fallible. So we should never think it necessary to modify His Word. Genesis 1 defines the days of creation to be literal days (a number with the word “day” always means a normal day in the Old Testament, and the phrase “evening and morning” further defines the days as literal days). Since the Bible is the inspired Word of God, we should examine the validity of the standard interpretation of 14C dating by asking several questions:
Is the explanation of the data derived from empirical, observational science, or an interpretation of past events (historical science)?
Are there any assumptions involved in the dating method?
Are the dates provided by 14C dating consistent with what we observe?
Do all scientists accept the 14C dating method as reliable and accurate?
All radiometric dating methods use scientific procedures in the present to interpret what has happened in the past. The procedures used are not necessarily in question. The interpretation of past events is in question. The secular (evolutionary) worldview interprets the universe and world to be billions of years old. The Bible teaches a young universe and earth. Which worldview does science support? Can carbon-14 dating help solve the mystery of which worldview is more accurate?
Carbon Isotopes
The use of carbon-14 dating is often misunderstood. Carbon-14 is mostly used to date once-living things (organic material). It cannot be used directly to date rocks; however, it can potentially be used to put time constraints on some inorganic material such as diamonds (diamonds could contain carbon-14). Because of the rapid rate of decay of 14C, it can only give dates in the thousands-of-year range and not millions.
There are three different naturally occurring varieties (isotopes) of carbon: 12C, 13C, and 14C.
Carbon-14 is used for dating because it is unstable (radioactive), whereas 12C and 13C are stable. Radioactive means that 14C will decay (emit radiation) over time and become a different element. During this process (called “beta decay”) a neutron in the 14C atom will be converted into a proton. By losing one neutron and gaining one proton, 14C is changed into nitrogen-14 (14N = 7 protons and 7 neutrons).
David, I ask you not to engage non-profit in any discussions, as he is unwilling to listen to the Word of GOD Almighty.
Richard has an UNTEACHABLE spirit, he only wants his deceived views to be posted. When someone will not agree with his views, he posts walls of Scripture in order to keep others from continuing with their discussions.
David you have stated that Carbon Dating is accurate for 10,000 YEARS {Which is over 6,000 years!!???} so you must be an **EXPERT** in Carbon 14 dating science?? Or you are accepting the testimony of someone that believes that there is nothing on this earth which is over 6.000 years old which shows that he is not an **EXPERT SCIENTIST* on Caebon14 dating.
To say that all the dozens of strata in the Grand Canyon was caused by Noah's single flood about 3500 years ago is completely ridiculous since the Grand Canyon shows strata from dozens of floods with animals that have carbon14 dating over 100,000 years. Anything that shows something on this earth is over 6.000 years old proves there was earth before God's 6-day creation about 5,877 years ago!!!
David, you have stated that I believe in evolution and do not believe in God's six 24-hour day Creation about 5,977 years ago according to the best Bible Chronologists. Which is completely untrue!!
David, you have implied 3 things that no sane carbon 14 Dating scientist would agree with:
**That there were no Neanderthal Creatures discovered that were over 6.000 years old???
*That there were no Dinosaurs discovered that were over 6,000 years old.??? Carbon 14 dating shows that the **LAST DINOSAUR** on the old earth was 22,000 years ago!!
**That nothing in the Grand Canyon is over 6,000 years old.?? {ALL Ridiculous **LIES**} Carbon 14 Dating shows that there are many things in the Grand Canyon that are 10,000 to 50,000 years old!}
Since the 6-Day creation by God according to the best Bible Chronologists took place about 5,877 years ago!!! And you have stated that Carbon 14 dating is accurate up to 10,000 years????
There are about an equal number of Evangelical scholars on both sides of this belief. I believe it is important because the leading cause of college students with a Christian background; fall away from their faith when they find out that half of the evangelicals believe there were no dinosaurs found over 6,000 years old or there is nothing in the Grand Canyon over 6.000 years old!!
Actually David Genesis 1:1,2 and Jeremiah 4:23-28 are a **PERFECT MATCH**!!
Genesis 1:1,2: In the beginning God created the heavens an the earth. now the earth was **FORMLESS AND EMPTY**, **DARKNESS** {See Jeremiah 4:23-28 below!!} was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the **WATERS!** {And then God created **MORE WATER** on the old earth on the 3rd Day of Creation as per Genesis 1:6,10!!}
Genesis 1:3 And God said, "Let there be light!" ... and there was evening, and there was morning__ the **FIRST DAY** {Off God's 6-day Creation on the earth}
Does God's word say that the present earth was ever **FORMLESS AND EMPTY** with **DARKNESS**???
Jeremiah 4:23-28: The Lord Almighty said, "I looked at the earth and it was **FORMLESS AND EMPTY**, and at the heavens, and their **LIGHT WAS GONE**.I looked at the mountains, and they were quaking; all the hills were swaying. I looked and there were no people, every bird in the sky **HAD FLOWN AWAY**. I looked and the **FRUITFUL LAND HAD BECOME A DESERT**; all its towns lay in ruins before the Lord, before His fierce anger!" This is what the Lord says, The whole land will be ruined, though I will **NOT DESTROY IT COMPLETELY**, Therefore the earth will mourn and the **HEAVENS ABOVE GROW ** DARK**, because I have spoken and will not relent, I have decided and will not turn back!!"
Prophetic 7744: "Does God's word say that the present earth was ever **FORMLESS AND EMPTY** with **DARKNESS**???
Jeremiah 4:23-28: The Lord Almighty said, "I looked at the earth and it was **FORMLESS AND EMPTY**, and at the heavens, and their **LIGHT WAS GONE**.I looked at the mountains, and they were quaking; all the hills were swaying. I looked and there were no people, every bird in the sky **HAD FLOWN AWAY**. I looked and the **FRUITFUL LAND HAD BECOME A DESERT**; all its towns lay in ruins before the Lord, before His fierce anger!" This is what the Lord says, The whole land will be ruined, though I will **NOT DESTROY IT COMPLETELY**, Therefore the earth will mourn and the **HEAVENS ABOVE GROW ** DARK**, because I have spoken and will not relent, I have decided and will not turn back!!"
So, Richard, are you saying God created two (2) heavens and earths? And you'rr using Jeremiah 4:23-28 to support your theory regarding carbon 14?...WOW!
This prophecy you are referring to from Jeremiah is a VISION Jeremiah had about the JUDGMENT/destruction on the Jews in the land of Judea, there was darkness in the land and the people were in darkness EMOTIONALLY AND SPIRITUALLY... BUT YOU MUST READ THE WHOLE CHAPTER if you would like to understand what Jeremiah is talking about... Jeremiah 4:23-28, is the vision Jeremiah saw, it has NOTHING ... NOT ONE THING to do with Carbon 14, as a defense or support in THE TOPIC OF THIS DISCUSSION... or no other carbon foolishness.
BTW what happen to the first "OLD" earth ... if we're living in the NEW EARTH? You have no Scripture support wherein God says, the earth is forever formless and EMPTY... when God created the heavens and earth He said IT WAS GOOD.. God only does GOOD WORK and NEVER HAS TO RECREATE OR REDO NOTHING HE DOES...
Charles John Ellicott Commentary for English Readers COMMENTARY ON JEREMIAH 4-22-28
Jeremiah 4:22 - For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
(22) For my people is foolish.�Jehovah answers the prophet�s question. The misery comes to punish the folly and sottishness of the people. It shall last as long as they last, or till it has accomplished its work of chastisement.
Jeremiah 4:23
I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.
(23) I beheld the earth.�In words of terrible grandeur the prophet speaks, as if he had already seen the consummated destruction; and repeating the words �I beheld,� as if he had passed through four distinct visions, describes its completeness.
Without form, and void.�An obvious quotation from the tohu va-bohu of Genesis 1:2. The goodly land of Israel was thrown back, as it were, into a formless chaos, before the words �Let there be light� had brought it into order.
Jeremiah 4:24 - I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.
(24) The mountains, and, lo, they trembled.�The great earthquake in the days of Uzziah (Amos 1:1), of which we find traces in Isaiah (Isaiah 24:19-20), had probably made imagery of this kind familiar.
Jeremiah 4:25 - I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled.
(25) There was no man.�To chaos and darkness and the earthquake was added the horrible sense of solitude. Not man only, but the creatures that seemed least open to man�s attack, were fled. (Comp. Jeremiah 2:6.) The same thought re-appears in Jeremiah 9:10.
Jeremiah 4:26 - I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger.
(26) The fruitful place.�The Carmel, or vine-land, became as �the wilderness.� The Hebrew article points probably to the well-known desert of the wanderings.
At the presence of the Lord.�Literally, from before Jehovah, from before the heat of his anger. The original has the emphasis of repeating the preposition.
Jeremiah 4:27 - For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end.
(27) Yet will I not make a full end.�The thought is echoed from Amos 9:8; Isaiah 6:13; Isaiah 10:21, and repeated in Jeremiah 5:18. There was then hope in the distance. The destruction, terrible as it seemed, was not final. The penalty was a discipline. (Comp. Leviticus 26:44.)
Jeremiah 4:28 - For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it.
(28) For this shall the earth mourn . . .�As with all true poets, the face of nature seems to the prophet to sympathise with human suffering. (Comp. Amos 8:9; Matthew 24:29.)
Jeremiah 4:29 - The whole city shall flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they shall go into thickets, and climb up upon the rocks: every city shall be forsaken, and not a man dwell therein.
Charles John Ellicott was a distinguished English Christian theologian, academic and churchman. He briefly served as Dean of Exeter, then Bishop of the united see of Gloucester and Bristol.
Ella Charles John Ellicott whom you quote was a teacher in the extremely liberal Anglican or Episcopalian Church according to Wikipedia!
Actually David and Ella Genesis 1:1,2 and Jeremiah 4:23-28 are a **PERFECT MATCH**!!
Genesis 1:1,2: In the beginning God created the heavens an the earth. now the earth was **FORMLESS AND EMPTY**, **DARKNESS** {See Jeremiah 4:23-28 below!!} was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the **WATERS!** {And then God created **MORE WATER** on the old earth on the 3rd Day of Creation as per Genesis 1:6,10!!}
Genesis 1:3 And God said, "Let there be light!" ... and there was evening, and there was morning__ the **FIRST DAY** {Off God's 6-day Creation on the old earth}
Does God's word say that the present earth was ever **FORMLESS AND EMPTY** with **DARKNESS**???
Jeremiah 4:23-28: The Lord Almighty said, "I looked at the earth and it was **FORMLESS AND EMPTY**, and at the heavens, and their **LIGHT WAS GONE**.I looked at the mountains, and they were quaking; all the hills were swaying. I looked and there were no people, every bird in the sky **HAD FLOWN AWAY**. I looked and the **FRUITFUL LAND HAD BECOME A DESERT**; all its towns lay in ruins before the Lord, before His fierce anger!" This is what the Lord says, The whole land will be ruined, though I will **NOT DESTROY IT COMPLETELY**, Therefore the earth will mourn and the **HEAVENS ABOVE GROW ** DARK**, because I have spoken and will not relent, I have decided and will not turn back!!"
David and Ella a woman preacher would have you believe that there were no dinosaurs over 6,000 years old and nothing in the Grand Canyon is over 6,000 years old!!
Richard states: "Ella Charles John Ellicott whom you quote was a teacher in the extremely liberal Anglican or Episcopalian Church according to Wikipedia!"
Richard, does this make Ellicott's commentary less effect and truth?... and what's your point? And in what church and political social mindset and standing are YOU that disqualifies Ellicott's spiritual commentary? What are YOUR CREDENTIALS AND WHAT CHURCH ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THAT SUPPORTS YOUR CONSERVATIVE OR INDEPENDENT VIEWS?... INDEPENDENT BAPTIST?
Richard states: Actually David and Ella Genesis 1:1,2 and Jeremiah 4:23-28 are a **PERFECT MATCH**!!
Richard, how is Jeremiah a PERFECT MATCH to what? Is it your claim that it supports carbon 14? You make statements you can't explain in detail., because by your responses you've proven you have no clue as to what you're talking about regarding carbon 14 in this discussion. Where are your answers? This discussion is dead and void!
Ella I can completely understand why you have selected an extremely liberal teacher who does not believe the Bible is inspired by God since you are a woman preacher who does not believe the following Scriptures are inspired by God!!
I Timothy 2:11: A **WOMAN** should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a **WOMEN** **TO TEACH** or to assume authority **OVER A MAN**!
I Corinthians 15:34,35:**WOMEN** should remain silent in the churches, They are not allowed **TO SPEAK**, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about anything, they should ask their husbands at home; for it is **DISGRACEFUL** for a **WOMAN** **TO SPEAK IN THE CHURCH**!!
2 Peter 3:15,16: Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our **DEAR BROTHER PAUL** also wrote you with the **WISDOM GOD GAVE TO HIM**. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand {To unbelievers} which **IGNORANT AND UNSTABLE PEOPLE DISTORT**, as they do other Scriptures, to their own **DESTRUCTION**!
I Timothy 3:16,17: All Scripture is **GOD-BREATHEED** and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead and in view of His appearing and His Kingdom, I give you this charge: **PREACH THE WORD**; be prepared in season in out of season, correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear!!
I Peter 1:23-25: For you have been **BORN AGAIN**, not of perishable seed but the imperishable, through the living and enduring **WORD OF GOD**. For all people are like grass, and all their glory is like flowers in the field; the grass withers and the flowers fail, but the **WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER**!!
Ella, You now claim that you are an expert regarding Carbon 14 dating science. Carbon 14 dating shows that there were no Dinosaur remains found on this earth that were less than 22,000 years of age. Carbon 14 Dating also shows that there are many things in the Grand Canyon that are 10,000 to 50,000 years old. The best Bible Chronologists show that the 6-day creation of God including Adam took place about 5877 years ago.
Apparently you are an expert in Carbon 14 Dating that believes that Carbon 14 Dating is just a bunch of **HOGWASH** Even David who must also be a scientific expert ?? believes that Carbon 14 Dating is accurate for up to 10,000 years.
So if you believe that Carbon 14 dating is just a bunch of **HOGWASH** I have a small island called Manhattan that I can sell to you for just $24 dollars!!
1 Timothy 6:4 NKJV � he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
