Old Earth, Young Earth, or Both?

"In the beginning, G_D created the Heavens and the Earth." - Genesis 1:1

Many modern Bible readers approach the opening text of Genesis with a bias towards a Young Earth or Old Earth. I've passed people in hallways of public places, religious communities, and even at the gym arguing these positions as if they are clear and settled.

But as is so often the case, the Hebrew text of Genesis derails the quest for a simple answer. This is why each word of the text is surrounded by centuries of Rabbinic commentary.

We've covered some of these ideas in the past, for example, whether or not we should take the creation narrative literally¹, whether Adam was the first man², and what existed before our world³.

The Age of the Universe

Many people are interested in the age of the universe. On this topic, there is significant mystery, and perhaps this is strategic.

Jewish thought allows space for various opinions on this matter. In fact, there is a general principle on matters like this: as long as it is not a matter of Jewish law, there is no binding opinion one must adhere to⁴.

In other words, be open-minded.

Torah and Science

With this foundation, I'd like to briefly share the work of Dr. Gerald Schroeder.

Dr. Schroeder is an Orthodox Jew who has a Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics and Earth and Planetary Sciences from M.I.T.

He knows a thing or two about the universe from a Torah and science perspective. In fact, he has authored several works that explore the harmony between the creation narrative and the emerging sciences.

Dr. Schroeder posits a unique suggestion: