by John Holbrook Jr.
A Biblical View, Blog #036 posted March 13, 2017, edited March 9, 2021.
In my blog of February 20, 2017, I commenced a four-part series on natural history in the Bible. The first two parts were devoted to a discussion of the cosmology in Genesis 1:1 – 2:4, which I call the Creation Chronicle. The third part was devoted to a discussion of D. Russell Humphreys’ cosmological theory, which accounts for the events in that chronicle. This fourth part will be devoted to how the geologic column might fit into a 6,000 year history of the earth.
The geologic column was developed by geologists who were committed to the theory that the earth is millions (later hundreds of millions and still later billions) of years old. Consequently, they believed that the geologic strata were laid down over long periods of time, and they associated them with time periods and gave them names like eon, era, period, epoch, and age. I believe, however, that the Biblical record is accurate, that the earth is 6,000 years old, and that the geologic strata were laid down in relatively brief periods of time by cataclysms that divided those 6,000 years into eras and sub-eras, depending on the severity of the cataclysms involved. Thus, with the exception of the Ice Ages, I associate the geologic strata with events, not with the time periods between the events.
Suggesting that the age of Universe needs to be reduced from 20 billion years to 6,000 years may raise some questions about my sanity, but I do so nonetheless. First of all, I believe that the Word of God is trustworthy. Second, there are already serious questions about the dating methodologies by which cosmologists and geologists base their estimates of age, and I expect that we are about to see precipitous drops in their figures.
3977 BC – CREATION WEEK – See last week’s blog. I only need to add one thing. On the third day, God created the lithosphere, the upper portion of which probably consists of the HADEAN, ARCHEAN, and first two phases of the PROTEROZOIC STRATA (i.e. the PALEO-PROTEROZOIC & MESO-PROTEROZOIC STRATA).[1]
It was followed by
ERA 1 – THE EDENIC WORLD (3977-3977 BC = less than a year) = the Ancients’ Primordial Age. Decay, disease, and death had not yet entered Universe. It was ended by
3977 BC – THE ADAM DISTURBANCE – a universal cataclysm, which was caused by God’s Curse on Creation – In the year of Adam’s creation, at the time of the Fall, God changed the fabric of Universe, after which all things became subject to disorder and decay and plant and animal life became subject to disease and death (all effects that are captured in the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics). It probably laid down the NEO-PROTEROZOIC STRATA,[2] which contains the remains of plant and animal life.[3] It was followed by
ERA 2 – THE ANTEDILUVIAN WORLD (3977-2321 BC = 1656 years) = the Ancients’ Golden Age. It was ended by
2321 BC – THE NOAH DISTURBANCE – a global cataclysm which is also called Noah’s Flood – When Noah was 600 years old, torrential downpours from the sky and profuse up-gushing from subterranean reservoirs covered the land with water and drowned all men, animals, and birds with the exception of the passengers on the Ark. It probably laid down the entire PALEOZOIC STRATA.[4] Earth was covered by water from two sources: the precipitation of a vapor canopy above and the up-gushing of geysers from below. Rising water trapped life in the following order: In the (1) CAMBRIAN STRATA and (2) ORDOVICIAN STRATA, invertebrates dwelling on the ocean bottom were engulfed by sub-marine mud flows, magmas, and precipitating limestone from carbon-dioxide rich waters. In the (3) SILURIAN STRATA, free-swimming fish living near shorelines were over-whelmed by eroding material and rising waters. In the (4) DEVONIAN STRATA, large, free-swimming fish and shoreline plants were overwhelmed by eroding material and rising waters. In the (5) CARBONIFEROUS/ MISSISSIPPI STRATA and (6) CARBONIFEROUS/ PENNSYLVANIAN STRATA, land plants were overwhelmed by eroding material and rising waters. In the (7) PERMIAN STRATA, amphibians were over-whelmed by eroding material and rising waters. All other species fled to high ground, but were eventually drowned, leaving no traces.[5] It was followed by
ERA 3 – POSTDILUVIAN WORLD (2321-1464 BC = 857 years), the first phase of which was
—Phase 3A of the Postdiluvian World (2321-1870 BC = 451 years) = the Ancients’ Silver Age, the first period of which was
——-Period 3A(1) – The Initial Settlement and Migrations (2321-2221 BC = 100 years). The drier, warmer climate favored “primitive” plants and reptiles and suppressed more efficient “modern” plants and mammals. It was ended by
2221 BC – THE PELEG DISTURBANCE – a global cataclysm which caused the Division of the Land – When Peleg was in his mother’s womb, a tectonic upheaval broke up the single land mass into the continents and major islands that exist today. The disturbance probably laid down most of the EARLY TRIASSIC STRATA.[6] It was followed by
——-Period 3A(2) – The Rise of Babylon (2221-2070 BC = 151 years) – It was ended by
2070 BC – THE BABEL DISTURBANCE – a cataclysm which caused the Confusion of Language and the Destruction of the Tower of Babel – A blast from heaven confounded the Babylonians’ ability to speak in a common language, destroyed the tower of Babylon, and probably devastated much of the surrounding region. The disturbance probably laid down the MIDDLE AND LATE TRIASSIC STRATAS. [7] It was followed by
——–Period 3A(3) – The Rise of Civilizations (2070-1870 BC = 200 years) – It was ended by
1870 BC – THE ABRAHAM DISTURBANCE – a global cataclysm, which caused the Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah – When Abraham was 99 years old, a thunderbolt or volcanic explosion destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, eliminated the Vale of Siddim, and caused the African Rift or its greater expansion. The disturbance probably laid down the entire JURASSIC STRATA. [8] It was followed by
—Phase 3B of the Postdiluvian World (1870-1464 BC = 406 years) = The Ancients’ Bronze Age = the archaeologists’ Early Bronze Age, the first period of which was
——Period 3B(1)– The Pre-Job Period (1870-1667 BC = 203 years) – the archaeologists’ Early Bronze Age 1A. It was ended by
1667 BC – THE JOB DISTURBANCE – a regional cataclysm which caused Job’s First Trial – Job’s children died amidst raining fire, wind, and earthquakes. The disturbance probably laid down the entire CRETACEOUS STRATA.[9] It was followed by
——Period 3B(2) – The Post-Job Period (1667-1464 BC = 203 years) – the archaeologists’s Early Bronze Age 1B. It was ended by
1464 BC – THE MOSES DISTURBANCE (Venus Contact #1) – a global cataclysm, which terminated the Middle Kingdom of Egypt – When Moses was 80 years old, the comet Venus approached the earth after its perihelion. Its tail, which was repulsed by the sun, preceded it and engaged the earth first with dust, then pebbles, then boulders, and then heat from the molten comet, which together produced the ten plagues of Egypt which are described in both the Bible and the Papyrus Ipuwer. The disturbance culminated in a contact between the space charge sheaths of the two bodies (Earth and Venus), which remained intertwined for approximately six weeks. The disturbance enabled the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt, created a whirlwind or tornado which appeared as a Pillar of Cloud by day and a Pillar of Fire by night and accompanied the Jews on their journey down the southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula, parted the Red Sea at the Strait of Tiran, enabling the Jews to cross from the Sinai Peninsula to Midian, and then reunited the waters, thereby drowning the last pharaoh of the 13th Dynasty and his army. The disturbance probably laid down the entire TERTIARY STRATA.[10] This cosmic encounter also caused tremendous volcanic activity, which enveloped the earth in a dense cloud layer that prevented normal insolation for years. The lack of warming sunlight precipitated the 1ST NEBRASKAN = GUNZ ICE ADVANCE. It was followed by
ERA 4 – THE TURBULENT ERA[11] (1464- 665 BC = 799 years) = the Pleistocene Period (JH), better known as the Ice Ages, the first phase of which was
—Phase 4A of the Turbulent Era = The Reign of Venus (1464-c. 1008 BC = 456 years) = the Early Pleistocene Epoch (JH) = the Ancients’ Missing Age = the archaeologists’ Middle Bronze Age, the first period of which was
——Period 4A(1) (1464-1413 BC = 51 years) = Ice Age 1. As the volcanic ash slowly precipitated out of the atmosphere and insolation increased, the 1ST NEBRASKAN = GUNZ ICE ADVANCE gave way to the 1ST AFTONIAN ICE RETREAT. It was ended by
1413 BC – THE JOSHUA DISTURBANCE (Venus Contact #2) – a global cataclysm which occurred during the battle between the Israelites and the Amorites at Beth Horon – Meteorites fell on the battlefield. Either the earth’s axis shifted or the earth’s rotation ceased, causing the Sun to stand still in the sky and thereby prolonging the day in the Middle East and the night in the Americas. This cosmic encounter caused tremendous volcanic activity, which enveloped the earth in a dense cloud layer that prevented normal insolation for years. The lack of warming sunlight precipitated the 2nd NEBRASKAN = GUNZ ICE ADVANCE. It was followed by
——Period 4A(2) (1413-1261 BC = 152 years) = Ice Age 2. As the volcanic ash slowly precipitated out of the atmosphere and insolation increased, the 2nd NEBRASKAN = GUNZ ICE ADVANCE gave way to the 2nd AFTONIAN ICE RETREAT. During this period, the comet passed closely by the earth c. 1363 and c. 1312 BC, but there is no record of encounters on these dates. It was ended by
1261 BC – THE DEBORAH DISTURBANCE (Venus Contact #3) – a global cataclysm in which the stars fought, and flooding rains discomfited Sisera’s army. This cosmic encounter caused tremendous volcanic activity, which enveloped the earth in a dense cloud layer that prevented normal insolation for years. The lack of warming sunlight precipitated the KANSAN = MINDEL ICE ADVANCE. It was followed by
——Period 4A(3) (1261-1058 BC = 203 years = Ice Age 3. As the volcanic ash precipitated out of the atmosphere and insolation increased, the KANSAN = MINDEL ICE ADVANCE gave way to the YARMOUTH ICE RETREAT. During this period, the comet passed closely by the earth c. 1210, c. 1160 BC, and c. 1109 BC, but there is no record of encounters on these dates. It was ended by
1058 BC – THE SAMUEL DISTURBANCE (Venus Contact #4) – a cataclysm in which meteorites fell on the Philistines, accompanied by a great thundering in the sky. This cosmic encounter caused tremendous volcanic activity, which enveloped the earth in a dense cloud layer that prevented normal insolation for years. The lack of warming sunlight precipitated the ILLINOSIAN = RISS ICE ADVANCE. It was followed by
——Period 4A(4) (1058-1008 BC = 50 years) – Ice Age 4. As the volcanic ash precipitated out of the atmosphere and insolation increased, the ILLINOSIAN = RISS ICE ADVANCE gave way to the SANGAMON ICE RETREAT. It was ended by
1008 BC – THE DAVID DISTURBANCE – a global cataclysm which was caused by Venus Contact #5 – In David’s time, an angel (comet or planet?) nearly destroyed Jerusalem. The cosmic encounter caused tremendous volcanic activity, which enveloped the earth in a dense cloud layer that prevented normal insolation for years. The lack of warming sunlight precipitated the IOWAN ICE ADVANCE. It was followed by
—Phase 4B of the Turbulent Era = War in the Sky (1008-754 BC = 254 years) = the Middle Pleistocene Epoch (JH) = the Ancients’ Heroic Age = the Mycenaean Age. During this phase, the comet returned five times and participated in three cosmic battles involving it, Mars, and the moon. It was divided into three periods, the first of which was
——Period 4B(1) (1008-957 BC = 51 years) = Ice Age 5. As the volcanic ash precipitated out of the atmosphere and insolation increased, the IOWAN ICE ADVANCE gave way to the POST-IOWAN ICE RETREAT that lasted throughout this phase and into the next. It was ended by
957 BC – THE SOLOMON DISTURBANCE (Cosmic Battle #1) – In Solomon 24, the comet returned to the vicinity of earth and produced a battle in the sky involving it, Mars, and the moon. If this event affected the earth, its consequences were minor. It was followed by
——Period 4B(2) (957-855 BC = 102 years) = Continuation of Ice Age 5. As the volcanic ash continued to precipitate out of the atmosphere and insolation increased, the POST-IOWAN ICE RETREAT continued. This period was ended by
855 BC – THE JEHORAM DISTURBANCE (Cosmic Battle #2) – In Jehoram 7 and Akhnaton 6, the comet returned again to the vicinity of earth and produced a battle in the sky involving it, Mars, and the moon. Although the Bible does not record any ill effects associated with it, it was probably the cause of the plague or other affliction that struck Egypt and caused the oracles to maintain that an unacknowledged and un-atoned for patricide existed in the land. It was followed by
——Period 4B(3) (855-754 BC = 101 years) = Continuation of Ice Age 5. As the volcanic ash continued to precipitate out of the atmosphere and insolation increased, the POST-IOWAN ICE RETREAT continued. This period was ended by
754 BC – THE AZARIAH DISTURBANCE (Cosmic Battle #3) – In Azariah (Uzziah) 24, the comet returned again to the vicinity of earth and produced a battle in the sky involving it, Mars, and the moon that propelled it (Venus) into its current orbit (the ancients believed that Mars had vanquished Venus). The disturbance was also known as the Commotion in the Days of Uzziah. It probably included a titanic earthquake that affected the entire Middle East and a blast from heaven (a celestial thunderbolt, not a terrestrial lightning bolt) that struck in Italy near Vosnium. It was followed by
—Phase 4C of The Turbulent Era – The Reign of Mars (754-665 BC = 89 years) = the Late Pleistocene Epoch (JH) = the Ancients’ Iron Age = the Early Archaic Period, which was divided into three periods, the first of which was
——Period 4C(1) (c.754-695 BC = 59 years BC) = Continuation of Ice Age 5. During this period, as the volcanic ash continued to precipitate out of the atmosphere and insolation increased, the POST-IOWAN ICE RETREAT continued. Also during this period, Mars passed close by the earth c. 740, c. 724, and c. 709 BC, but there is no record of encounters on these dates. It was ended by
695 BC – THE AHAZ DISTURBANCE (Mars Contact #1) – In a global cataclysm in Ahaz’s regnal year 15/16, the day on which Ahaz died, the day was shortened by ten degrees on the sundial. This cosmic encounter caused tremendous volcanic activity, which enveloped the earth in a dense cloud layer that prevented normal insolation for years. The lack of warming sunlight precipitated the TAZEWELL ICE ADVANCE. It was followed by
——Period 4C(2) (695-680 BC = 15 years BC) = Ice Age 6, during which, as the volcanic ash precipitated out of the atmosphere and insolation increased, the TAZEWELL ICE ADVANCE gave way to the POST-TAZEWELL ICE RETREAT. It was ended by
680 BC – THE 1ST HEZEKIAH DISTURBANCE (Mars Contact #2 ) – In a global cataclysm in Hezekiah’s regnal year 14, the day was lengthened by ten degrees on the sundial, thereby correcting the previous displacement. This cosmic encounter caused tremendous volcanic activity, which enveloped the earth in a dense cloud layer that prevented normal insolation for years. The lack of warming sunlight precipitated the CAREY ICE ADVANCE. It was followed by
——Period 4C(3) (680-665 BC = 15 years) = Ice Age 7. As the volcanic ash precipitated out of the atmosphere and insolation increased, the CAREY ICE ADVANCE gave way to the POST-CAREY ICE RETREAT. It was ended by
665 BC – THE 2ND HEZEKIAH DISTURBANCE (Mars Contact #3) – In a global cataclysm in Hezekiah’s regnal year 29, a thunderbolt emanating from Mars destroyed the Army of Sennacherib during the night. This cosmic encounter caused tremendous volcanic activity, which enveloped the earth in a dense cloud layer that prevented normal insolation for years. The lack of warming sunlight precipitated the MANKETO ICE ADVANCE. It was followed by
ERA 5 – THE EARLY HISTORIC WORLD (665-2 BC) which I divide into four non-temporal parts: Part 5A–The Occident, Part 5B–The Middle East, Part 5C–The Orient, and Part 5D-Sacred History.[12]
—Part 5B – The Middle East, which was divided into four minor periods: 5B(1)-Late Archaic Period, 5B(2)-Classical Period, 5B(3)-Hellenistic Period, and 5B(4)- Roman Period BC.
——Period 5B(1) – Late Archaic Period (665-487 BC), which began with Ice Age 8. As the volcanic ash precipitated out of the atmosphere and insolation increased, the MANKETO ICE ADVANCE gave way to the BOREAL ICE RETREAT. When temperatures returned to normal at the end of the Boreal Ice Retreat, probably decades after the 2nd Hezekiah Disturbance, the Late Pleistocene Epoch (JH) ended and the Holocene Period (JH) began with the Atlantic Epoch (JH).[13]
© 2016 John Holbrook Jr.
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[1] These strata are associated with the Hadean Eon, Archean Eon, and Proterozoic Eon, which together comprise the Pre-Cambrian Super-eon (formerly called the Cryptozoic Eon) in the orthodox geologic column, about which geologists know very little. The reason, of course, is that the severity of the global flood in 2321 BC, which followed 1656 years after creation in 3977 BC, erased most of what had existed during prior to it, and the global cataclysm at the time of the Exodus in 1464 BC, which followed 857years after the flood, further confused the geologic record.
[2] These strata are associated with the third and final phase of the Proterozoic Eon in the orthodox geologic column.
[3] The end of the Antediluvian Era marked the end of the Primary System, which was called the Azoic, the Cryptozoic, and the Pre-Cambrian in the early years of geologic study.
[4] These strata are associated with the first phase of the Phanerozoic Eon in the orthodox geologic column.
[5] See Setterfield, Barry, Geologic Time and Scriptural Chronology, Barry Setterfield, Blackwood Australia, 1987.
[6] These strata are associated with the first phase of the Triassic Period, which is the first phase of the Mesozoic Era, which is the second phase of the Phanerozoic Eon in the orthodox geologic column.
[7] These strata are associated with the second and third phases of the Triassic Period, which is the first phase of the Mesozoic Era, which is the second phase of the Phanerozoic Eon in the orthodox geologic column.
[8] These strata are associated with the second phase of the Mesozoic Era, which is the second phase of the Phanerozoic Eon in the orthodox geologic column..
[9] These strata are associated with the third and final phase of the Mesozoic Era, which is the second phase of the Phanerozoic Eon in the orthodox geologic column.
[10] The Tertiary Period was the first phase of the Cenozoic Era, which was the third phase of the Paleozoic Era, which was the first phase of the Phanerozoic Eon in the orthodox geologic column. It contained the 1-Paleogene/Paleocene Epoch, 2-Paleogene/Eocene Epoch, 3-paleogene/Oliogocene Epoch, 4-Neocene/Miocene Epoch, and 5-Neogene/Pliocene Epoch. It also began the 1st Nebraska=Gunz Ice Advance.
[11] This era probably encompasses the entire PLEISTOCENE EPOCH, which was the first phase of the Quaternary Period, which is the third phase of the Cenozoic Era, which is the third phase of the Phanerozoic Eon.
[12] Era 5 – The Early Historic World is followed by Era 6 – The Late Historic World (2 BC – present), but the latter does not figure in this hypothesis.
[13] I consider the Holocene to be period 4 of the Cenozoic era, of which the Atlantic is its first epoch, because I believe that the cause of the ice ages, close encounters among the inner planets, ceased in 665 BC and the Boreal Ice Retreat brought the Quaternay=Pleistocene Period to an end.