Creation Time Line: Modern Science Parallel to Genesis Creation

About Creation Time Line (Relating Scripture and Science)

The following information provides a detailed comparison of scripture to science. Through this, the following basic principles are used to understand the intent of the creation story:

  1. The days in this are taken to be interpreted as “age” or to be metaphor for a long period of time. There is extensive biblical support for this position.
  2. The vantage point is from the surface of the Earth. This is just how a man would see things unfold if he was standing by watching it all happen.
  3. The descriptions are generalizations not covering every detail. In this short account, every aspect of Earth history could not be covered. Only things that would have been understandable to all generations are mentioned. The long line of ancient people had no knowledge of science and would have not understood a more detailed scientific report.
  4. Science provides a window to the physical events, but does not include the supernatural. We only get a complete understanding of creation by including both the spiritual view from scripture and the physical view from science. From scripture we see that it was God who made everything, through science we see how He made it happen.

There is much to learn in our generation with science providing a parallel account of creation. As stated in scripture: “The heavens declare the glory of God...” Ps 19:1 (NKJ)

The Creation Time Line: A Scientific and Scriptural Comparison

13.8 Ga: Beginning of Time

Scientific Description: Beginning of time: the big bang. God creates time and space, setting all the laws of Physics.
Scripture Quotation (NKJ): Gen 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

13.3 Ga: Evolution of the Universe

Scientific Description: Galaxies and the first stars coalesce from the primordial gases produced shortly after the big bang. The universe evolves according to the natural laws, which are the commands of God. He maintains control at every moment. Yet, He uses the forces of nature as His tools. Heavy elements are formed by fusion within stars. These elements are released into space through supernova explosions.

4.5 Ga: Formation of Sun and Earth

Scientific Description: The shock wave from a nearby supernova initiates the collapse of a large cloud of gas and dust. From this, many stars and planets form, including our sun and the Earth.

4.4 Ga: The Water World and Darkness

Scientific Description: The Earth cools within about a 100 million years of formation. A world wide ocean forms with a hot thick atmosphere of CO2, methane, water vapor, and many volcanic gases. God selects the Earth, a water world, to cultivate for life. The thick atmosphere prevents light from reaching the Earth's surface.
Scripture Quotation (NKJ): Gen 1:2 "The Earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters."

4.4-3.8 Ga: The Emergence of Light

Scientific Description: Gradual evolution of the Earth's atmosphere. God causes the atmosphere to become translucent, allowing light to reach the surface of the Earth.
Scripture Quotation (NKJ): Gen 1:3-5 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light...

3.9 Ga: Atmospheric Changes and the Firmament

Scientific Description: The late heavy meteor bombardment occurs. This may have affected the atmosphere's composition. Extreme heating during this event is thought to have made the Earth uninhabitable for any form of life. Following this, clouds lift and water vapor in the atmosphere is reduced. Some of the atmospheric changes may be due to the action of microbes. God may have created them for this purpose.
Scripture Quotation (NKJ): Gen 1:6-8 "...Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament."

3.8 Ga: The First Microorganisms

Scientific Description: This period is characterized by lower temperatures, loss of volatile elements from the atmosphere into space, and less water in the atmosphere. The first microorganisms appear.

3.0-2.0 Ga: Formation of Land and Tectonics

Scientific Description: Over about a billion year period most of the Earth's crust was formed during a high level of tectonic activity. Over half of Earth's land mass is formed during this time. God creates land by the natural system of plate tectonics that He invented. The bible implies that all the land was together in one supercontinent. This is known to have happened many times throughout geological history.
Scripture Quotation (NKJ): Gen 1:9-10 Then God said, "Let the waters be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear..."

850-580 Ma: The Origin of Plant Life

Scientific Description: Marine plants, especially photo-plankton thrive on the continental shelves. Land plants may have been present by 700 million years ago. DNA evidence suggests this, though there are no fossils of plants from this time. Mainly small moss like species, plus lichens and algae are present. Plant life is created. Sea plants were first. No mention of this in Genesis, because the focus is on the land and what was familiar to ancient people. Land plants came next. The descriptions in Genesis may not be intended to represent individual plant species, but the origin of land plants as whole.