Appendix: "A Tentative Creation Model"
This model is based on my interpretation of the biblical account and
scientific evidence; it does not represent the official position of any
organization. It elucidates only my views as a creation scientist.
Scientists who differ with the assumptions inherent in this model need to
publish their own model of earth history. In this way all ideas can be
critically tested by the scientific method. I respect the right of any
individual to choose that model which fulfills his philosophical and/or
scientific view(s) of origins.
Scientific Basis — If the earth was created,
then created (primordial) rocks must now exist in abundance on the earth;
and if there was a worldwide flood, there must now also exist a vast amount
of sedimentary rocks resulting from that event. The Precambrian, and by
extension the similarly appearing non-Precambrian granites, are identified
as part of the primordial rocks of the earth. Evidence which supports the
above axiom includes:
- widespread occurrence of Po halos in Precambrian
granites(Gentry 1967, 1968, 1971b, 1974, 1984; Gentry et al., 1973, 1974);
- U/Pb ratios in coalified wood (Gentry et al., 1976a);
- Po-210 halos in coalified wood (Gentry et al., 1976a); and
- Pb and He retention in zircons (Gentry, 1982a,b).
Postulates and Singularities — This model allows for
considerable latitude in the operation of physical laws because I believe the
biblical record strongly suggests that the earth came to its present condition through
both natural and supernatural processes. The special time periods when supernatural
processes were operating on a global scale are called singularities. The Genesis account
appears to encompass at least three major singularities:
- the first six days of creation, consisting of literal 24-hour periods,
when the earth was called into existence,
- the Fall of man, a time characterized by degenerative changes to the
entire earth and life thereon, and
- the time of the flood, characterized by global changes both on the
surface and the interior of the earth.
A possible fourth singularity would be the division of the earth in the days
of Peleg (Gentry, 1984). Accelerated radioactive transformation rates are postulated
as being possible within each of these singularities, and in addition is considered
to be a factor in the generation of intense heat within the earth at the time of the
flood. In this model, creation week is considered to have occurred about 6000 years
ago and the flood, about 4300 years ago. The uniform action of physical laws between
singularities is an integral part of this creation model. However, a singularity does
not imply abandonment of natural laws, but only that an added factor was at work.
Creation Week Events — A continual series of creative
events is envisioned to have occurred throughout the period of Day 1, and quite
possibly more throughout Day 3. This scenario includes rapid, sequential
creation/formation of different rock types in close proximity, and this certainly
could have resulted in cross-cutting relationships [p. 326] of either the same or different
types of primordial rocks. These different rock types and textures result from rapid
crystallization of separate primordial (created) liquids. The appearance of dry land
out of a watery environment on Day 3 may have been accompanied by the rapid formation
of certain sedimentary rocks, in particular those that geologists classify as
Precambrian, which initially would have been free of fossils. Creation week may have
included volcanism and the formation/creation of some rocks which geologists classify
as intrusive. Conceivably, there may also have been mixing of different created-rock types.
Flood Events — The global flood is assumed to have
produced tremendous upheavals of the earth's crust. Excepting only newly created
matter (or rocks), the period of the flood was characterized by numerous occurrences
of both natural and supernatural formation, cooling, deposition, intrusion, uplift,
mixing, erosion, and volcanism. This model postulates that the bulk of fossil-bearing
sedimentary rocks probably formed during the opening and closing stages of the flood,
with lesser amounts being formed during the long period of subsidence, readjustment,
and run-off after the flood. Since the long-term geological effects of the flood may
have lasted for centuries, we should expect to find evidence of numerous combinations
of created rocks, the flood-related rocks, and the postflood rocks.
To illustrate, extensive volcanism during the flood and postflood periods
could have precipitated the intrusion of volcanic magma into sedimentary
formations. This would provide a mechanism whereby primordial and other
rock types, formed during creation week, could have mixed and interacted
with flood-related volcanic and sedimentary material. Consider that, as magma
moved upward toward the earth's surface, it could have passed through and melted,
or alternatively encapsulated, a variety of rocks, beginning with those created
on Day 1 or Day 3, and extending through those formed by volcanic and sedimentary
activity during the flood. When that magma finally solidified, it would have been
a composite of all those rocks. If the magma temperature was not too high, then the
composite rock would have been expected to contain unmelted fragments of many rocks
through which the magma had passed.
Summary — I propose most coarse-grained rocks,
such as the Precambrian granites and pegmatites, were created via rapid
crystallization from primordial liquids of differing compositions. But
for reasons stated above, not all rocks with coarse-grained characteristics
are necessarily composed of only created rock material. Neither do I consider
it impossible to duplicate every type of created rock. The types of created rocks
are not restricted except that they did not contain fossils at the time of creation.
Likewise, granites with Po halos, regardless of their "geological age," are
primordial rocks, created in such a way that they cannot be duplicated by
natural processes. (References are listed on p. 353.)
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