Is the Speed of Light Changing?: Part 1

My systematic theology I professor [Dr.Douglas F. Kelly] wrote a book called Creation and Change: Genesis 1:1-2.4 in the Light of Changing Scientific Paradigms. It is really very good!

Anyhow in chapter 7 "The Age of the World and the Speed of Light" he discusses a controversial reason for why scientists date some things to billions of years old. Check some of these quotes out!

Quote I: "The various methodologies employed to assess the age of the solar system (whether employed by advocates of an ancient of young world) are characterized by imprecision and repeatable experiments. Discussions of the chronology of the cosmos are somewhat problematical. Reasons for avoiding this question entirely, especially when one wishes to plead for the possibility of a young world, are not hard to find. (Pg. 137)"

Quote II: "...the vast majority of contemporary scientists accept as fact the high antiquity of the universe. Dr. David Wilkinson in his critique of Stephen Hawking states fairly and realistically the weight of informed opinion against all scientific attempts to argue for a young earth:

'Arguments used for such a young universe include a decay in the speed of light, problems with ages derived from solar clusters and problems with the Big Bang. These are supplemented by evidence for a young Earth, apparently shown by changes in the magnetic field strength, problems with radioactive dating, the explanation of the fossil record by means of the effects of a global flood and arguments against evolution. Some of these arguments do point to some inadequacies in current scientific theories, but have not convinced the vast majority of the scientific community that our picture of the origin of the universe is mistaken.' (Pg. 137-138)"

Quote III: "...even Christian scholars in the evangelical tradition generally accept the opinions of the broader scientific community regarding the cosmos, and are quick to dissociate themselves from attempts to question widely received views of a universe billions of years old. Respected authors such as Professors Davis A. Young, Pattle P.T. Pun and Dr. Hugh Ross could be mentioned."

Quote IV: "Those who believe that the early chapters of Genesis mean exactly what they say, will be inclined to favor new models that challenge the ancient world paradigm for the following reason. The biblical documents seem clearly to indicate a relatively young earth and solar system. Genesis chapters one and two speak, as we have already seen in this volume, of a completed creation within the space of six days as we know them from an earthly perspective. Then the genealogies of chapters ten and eleven of Genesis, and those of Matthew chapter one and Luke chapter three all concur in indicating a date of human and terrestrial history in terms of something less than ten thousand years since creation. (P. 139)"

Part 2 is coming today...:)