Author, latest: A Matter of Days
Other books include Hidden Treasures in the Book of Job (2011) and 13 others
Founder, Reasons to Believe, an interdenominational, international ministry that communicates the basis for belief in the Bible as the true Word of God
On pastoral staff of Sierra Madre Congregational Church
Host of weekly broadcast TV program, Reasons to Believe,
TBN
BS, Physics, University of British Columbia
MS & Ph.D., Astronomy, University of Toronto
married to Kathy, 2 sons |
|
Guest Bio
Connecting Scripture with Science
CBN.com
–A MATTER OF DAYS
Many Christians believe the Biblical description of creation describes the universe, the Earth and life being created in six literal 24-hour days. Similarly, many Christians believe creation occurred only a few thousand years ago. In “A Matter of Days,” Hugh Ross offers a different interpretation of the events that occur in Genesis 1. He teaches that many Christian thinkers throughout history did not believe in a “young” Earth. For instance, scientists such as St. Thomas Aquinas, and philosophers like Augustine were convinced creation could have happened in six days, but that the days could be eras, not 24-hour periods. Philio, who lived from-13 B.C. to around 50 A.D. believed the six days described in the Bible were figurative, and that the number 7 as the day of rest was a metaphorical symbol indicative of order and completeness.
Hugh says Young –Earth Creationists, or those who believe the universe is about 6000-10,000 years old, believe that a 24-hour is more compatible with creation. Furthermore, many Young Earth scientists believe the universe is new but looks old. Hugh believes an old looking Earth is an impossibility. He says, if the Earth wasn’t actually old and only looked old, we could not establish anyone’s age or existence beyond present experience.
AN OLD EARTH
Hugh says that the Earth is actually billions of years old. The idea of an old Earth hinges on biblical and scientific ideas. One justification for the existence of an “old” Earth comes from the Hebrew word for “day,” which is “yom.” The word “yom” describes a finite unit of time that can equal 24 hours, or it can equal a longer, unidentified unit of time. It can describe: a portion of the day light hours, sunrise to sunset, sunset to sunset, or a segment of time without any reference to solar days (from weeks to a year to several years to an age or epoch), similar to the way people would say, “back in my grandfather’s day.” Thus, “yom” could refer to a time longer than a 24-hour day.
Other evidence for an “old Earth” comes from physical occurrences scientists are able to observe. Some of these include the expansion of the universe (Hugh notes that the bible speaks of God’s hand “stretching out” the universe) as measured by radiation temperatures, stellar burning and the instability of young stars, stellar cooling and the existence of “white dwarf” stars, (“cooled” stars which take millions of years to develop), and the decaying of radioactive isotopes (which take millions of years to decay.)”
FINDING GOD IN AN UNLIKELY PLACE
Hugh found Christ in college. His study of the Big Bang Theory led him to believe in the existence of a creator, but he didn’t know which of the “holy texts,” was historically and scientifically accurate. After reading the Bible, he was persuaded of the truth of its words. He was convinced the discoveries of science supported the truth of the Bible. He eventually founded Reasons to Believe in 1986, to show believers and non-believers the ways in which the science lines up with biblical fact. He has now authored several books, articles, videos and podcasts. In addition, he speaks around the world at universities, conferences, and churches.
CBN IS HERE FOR YOU!
Are you seeking answers in life? Are you hurting?
Are you facing a difficult situation?
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.
