Many people wonder how old the earth really is. Scientists say the earth is billions of years old. But the Bible gives us a different picture. When we look closely at Scripture, we can find clues about how long the earth has been here.
A Young Earth Timeline from Genesis
The Bible doesn’t give a direct age of the earth. But it does provide genealogies (family trees) and timelines that can be added together. Most of this is found in the book of Genesis.
In Genesis 5 and Genesis 11, we read about generations from Adam to Abraham. The ages of each person when their child was born are listed. These details let us make a timeline from creation to Abraham.
From Adam to Abraham is about 2,000 years. If we add the years from Abraham to Jesus (about 2,000 years), and from Jesus to today (about 2,000 years), we can estimate:
- Creation to Abraham: ~2,000 years
- Abraham to Jesus: ~2,000 years
- Jesus to today: ~2,000 years
So according to the Bible, the earth is about 6,000 years old.
Key Bible Verses That Support a Young Earth
| Scripture | Text |
|---|---|
| Genesis 1:1 | “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” |
| Exodus 20:11 | “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them…” |
| Genesis 5:3 | “When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.” |
| Luke 3:23-38 | Lists the genealogy of Jesus, tracing His lineage all the way back to Adam. |
| Romans 5:12 | “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” |
These verses show that the Bible treats Adam as a real historical person. If Adam was real, and we can trace time from him to now, we get a rough estimate of 6,000 years.
Do Bible Days Mean Literal 24-Hour Days?
Some say the “days” in Genesis could be symbolic and represent long periods. But the text says, “And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day” (Genesis 1:5). That phrase suggests literal 24-hour days.
The word “day” in Hebrew is yom, and when it’s used with a number (like “first day,” “second day”), it almost always means a normal day. That’s how it’s used in Exodus 20:11, too.
Contrast With Scientific Views
Science often says the earth is about 4.5 billion years old. This is based on radiometric dating, fossils, and other methods. Some Christians believe the Bible allows for these long ages, and that Genesis is poetic.
Others hold firmly to the young earth view because they believe:
- Jesus treated Genesis as real history.
- Death came after sin, not before (Romans 5:12).
- God made the world "very good" (Genesis 1:31), which doesn’t fit with millions of years of suffering and death.
| View | Earth’s Age Estimate | Based On |
|---|---|---|
| Young Earth (Biblical) | ~6,000 years | Bible genealogies and literal Genesis days |
| Old Earth (Scientific) | ~4.5 billion years | Radiometric dating, geology, astronomy |
Real-Life Example: Archbishop Ussher’s Timeline
In 1650, Archbishop James Ussher calculated the age of the earth using the Bible. He estimated that creation happened in 4004 B.C. His work became famous and was even printed in the margins of some Bibles.
What Does This Mean for Christians?
Whether someone believes the earth is 6,000 years old or billions of years old, it’s important to know what the Bible says and why. Believing in a young earth often goes hand in hand with believing the Bible is accurate and trustworthy from beginning to end.
The focus should always return to Jesus. Colossians 1:16 says, “For by Him all things were created.” Jesus is not only our Savior, but also the Creator.
