The Origin of Old-Earth Geology and its Ramifications for Life in the 21st Century - Article Example

The Origin of Old-Earth Geology and its Ramifications for Life in the 21st Century The Origin of Old-Earth Geology and its Ramifications for Life in the 21st CenturyI. Introduction Various theories have been advanced in an attempt to explain the origin of the earth. Despite the convincing nature of most of them, when subjected to scientific retrospection, most fail to stand scientific criticism. There has been however an increasing desire to consider geological evidence and perspective in determining the age of the universe.

In recognition of this fact, Mortenson in his article: The Origin of Old-Earth Geology and its Ramifications for Life in the 21st Century, provides a geological perspective across various centuries to incorporate the views of scientists and geologists in quest for the objective explanation regarding the age of the universe. II. Brief overview and main points In an attempt to develop an objective basis upon which the age of the universe and that of the earth can be established, Dr. Mortenson draws upon diverse literature mainly geological based.

Through his argument, Mortenson convincingly demonstrates the relevance of the genesis geology today, explains the true nature of the 19th century debate with regard to postulations made about the age of the universe, dissects new theories about the history of creation, and examines the perceptions and evidence presented by scriptural geologists. III. Article Strengths In support of the way in which the credibility of scriptural geologists can be affirmed, Mortenson adds strength to the article through giving several illustrations on how spiritual geologist’s have to be believed by providing examples on how their concern about rejection of early chapters of Genesis has ultimately brought about religious decline of the church and moral decadence of the society especially in the Western countries.

On demonstrating the relevance of the early 19th century Genesis-geology debate to today, Mortenson presents his ideas in the most logical way with concision and precision. The author attains this first through providing relevant examples, and finally concluding that scientific truth is not self-explanatory, and that their interpretation is significantly influenced by the philosophical and religious assumptions of the scientist. IV. Article weaknesses Mortenson’s dismissal of Lyell’s way of interpreting the rocks through uniformitarianism on the grounds that it does not fit the facts, and erroneously assuming that evidence presented by catastrophism both on a global and a continental scale is becoming increasingly obvious does not in itself present any scientific or even logical basis to be accepted.

Therefore, this argument is weak in the sense that the author does not provide a credible basis upon which to adopt catastrophism as a new perspective and as such dismiss uniformitarianism. Secondly, the article’s weaknesses is revealed when Mortenson discusses about evolution theory as presented by Darwin and conclusively asserts that the dismissal of evolution is justified in the sense that emerging scientific evidence indicates that evolution does not fit the facts. This in essence weakens the argument presented in the article on the grounds that there was need to point out even just a single scientific research that has been conducted that forms a basis upon which Darwinism has been dismissed.

Thirdly, in his defense in favor of scriptural geologists, Mortenson assertion regarding the way in which scriptural geologists were opposed to the geological facts based on an argument that old-earth analyses were based on philosophical and anti-biblical assumptions and his conclusion that scriptural geologists were correct is a factual error. This is a factual error since there is no factual basis upon which his fallacious conclusion that they were correct was drawn from. V. Conclusion Conclusively, the age of the universe cannot be certainly appended as revealed from the old-earth geological theories.

However, there is hope that with clear research and impartiality with regard to the philosophical and religious orientations of geologists, there is a possibility of attaining an objective basis upon which the age of the universe can be established. ReferenceMortenson, T. (2003). The origin of old-earth geology and its ramifications for life in the 21st century. Featured in Sexual Reproduction, 1 (1), 1-9. Retrieved from www.answersinenesis.orticles/t/vl8/nl/old-earth-geology