Isaac Vail and Canopy Theory of 1874

Old theories usually die only because better evidence is provided to form new theories, If there is no new theory, then we might as well just keep the old ones. The problem with certain older theories is that they depend on literal biblical interpretations, such as water above the firmament.

Other accounts written around the time of biblical manuscripts demonstrate that most of the world believed the sky is blue because it is a dome with water above it. But now we know it's just space. So all theories that rely on the sky being a dome with water above it can safely be discarded.

The same goes for the "water above the earth". Cosmic understanding of ancient people dictated that there was water above the sky. Those are the same ancient people who believed ships could sail off the edge of the world, and that stars were actually very small lights attached to the dome of the sky. We don't believe that anymore. So, scientific theories based on ancient understanding are hokey at best.

Fountains of the deep is rooted in the story of creation that there was originally a fountain where all water came from. But now we know the earth isn't filled with water. NASA scientists have observed ice meteor clouds in the Milky Way Galaxy. And 45 billion tons of water per year enters earth's atmosphere from space.

Slightly more than that is blown off by solar wind. So, the earth loses a bit of water over time. Theories that rest purely on biblical evidence, while ignoring scientific evidence, are the reason so many people believe Christians aren't very smart.

The solar system passing through a galactic ice meteor cloud would account perfectly for the great flood, and there is actual scientific evidence to prove it.

 

From one of my early foundational books on the topic of creationism, The Christian View of Science and Scripture by Bernard Ramm, (Pasternoster Press, 1955).

"Another theory is that the earth from at least the time of man’s creation till the flood was surrounded by a canopy.* We have had difficulty getting back to the original sources of this theory even though we have been after it for years. Whether broached for the first time by {John Newton} Vail or not, we are not sure, but the trail usually leads to him. He has written The Earth’s Annular System (date ?), and The Deluge and its Cause (date ?). Available is H. W. Kellogg, The Coming Kingdom and the Re-Canopied Earth (1936) which apparently follows Vail closely. Kellogg has also published The Canopied Earth (n.d.). Another version of it will be found in C. T. Schwarze, The Harmony of Science and the Bible (1947). Schwarze accepts the gap theory and believes that God exploded the surface of the earth. The first thing to go up was the water and it formed an ice-lens mile think. Schwarze writes:

It [the canopy theory] claims that water on the earth was the first to feel the effect of that prehistory explosion and was shot out into or beyond the stratosphere where it solidified into hard ice miles in thickness, forming an oblate spherical canopy around the earth.​

Snip

… Its belief nowadays must be considered an oddity."


*Supposedly first advocated by Jerome* who got it from Ezekiel (“the crystal stretched above the Cherubim,” reference?). c.f. A. D. White, I, 324.

For Jerome, see his Epistola, lxix, cap. 6 (Migne, Patrologia Latina., vol. xxii, p.659).​

Rob

 

There is a lot of water underground, but the earth is not filled with water. The water table is a thin layer of water under the ground fed by rainfall and natural springs. But there isn't enough to cover the earth miles thick.

As to the existence of ice meteor clouds, NASA scientists have identified the existence of such massive clouds within the Milky Way galaxy.

 

Bore core samples have been taken for various purposes all over the world. There exists what is referred to as a water table, which is a layer of water about 20 feet thick under most land masses, even under the Sahara desert. And if the water from the great flood came from inside the earth, where did it all go? Back inside the earth? Then what caused it gather on top of the earth for a time, and then go back under the earth?

 

That theory stems from an ancient belief that land masses were actually floating on water, and that the seas had no bottom. It was also held that the sea remained in its place, because the gods (angels) of the sky were continuously victorious over the demons of the deep.

From that perspective it is possible that the sea just came up onto the land. But now we understand that gravity keeps the oceans from flooding the land, and land masses are not floating on water. And that the earth is mostly iron, not water. But I'll admit there are things unknown about the world.

It is possible we just haven't discovered large underground reservoirs of water.

 

I've read some introductory material on Hydroplate Theory. The problem with all creation and flood theories is that they attempt to justify the total duration of existence of the Universe as much shorter than scientific evidence seems to show. I believe creation scientists have tried tried to lay out a literal interpretation of scripture, and then worked the scientific evidence around that.

I don't think that will work. Ignoring scientific evidence in favor of literal biblical interpretations is at least as bad as ignoring biblical teaching in favor of scientific discovery. Since the creationists are unwilling to yield on the fact that everything was created at approximately the same time in the recent past, the theories produced are flawed beyond repair.

I understand that people gain some security from a literal interpretation of scripture. But they lose a lot more, because nothing rational makes sense when you do that. For all we know, the Grand Canyon could spontaneously vaporize at any moment, because God wanted it to.

If I were God, and I was going to create a Universe, I would make my Universe so my ultimate plan would be accomplished without further interference from me. That is, I wouldn't need to violate the physical laws that I myself imposed upon my creation in order to accomplish my ultimate plan for my creation.

So, it is possible that the earth is older than 10,000 years. But it is at the same time compatible to that that the world will last only 10,000 years. How can that be? The earth is so old that many worlds could have been, demarcated by global cataclysms that wiped out everything.

A flood isn't the only thing that can wipe out all terrestrial life. The Universe is a dangerous place! But I still encourage everyone to explore, in order to find truth. Truth, like gold, is where you find it!

 

Yes, that is correct. But creation took place in 6734 B.C. I know, it's tough to reconcile, but that seems to be the case.

 

It makes sense from the perspective that the planet earth might have existed much longer than what the Bible refers to as the world. We think in terms of the Universe. But ancient people had no concept of the Universe. They believed they could see the whole world, and beyond that was the edge.

Most ancient people never traveled more than twenty miles. There's conclusive evidence that the earth is 4.5 billion years old. It's curious that creation scientists do zero analysis of the data concerning that figure. They simply say "the secular age of the earth."

If they're not even going to discuss the science behind the 4.5-biliion-year age of the earth, they're guilty of intentional ignorance. If they can refute the scientific evidence, then maybe they have a case. But if they can't, they have to accept it. Just saying something is wrong doesn't make it so.

Violation of nature is a sin. So, we can be sure God didn't violate nature. Unless God violated His Own Creation, we can be confident that by employing the physical laws of nature, the approximate age of the earth can be determined by experimental observations.

The best observations man is capable of making dictate the earth is about 4.5 billion years old. It's not in God's plan for mankind for us to remain ignorant in the face of discovery. God wants people to understand their world. If we know better we can do better! My view permits both the Bible and science to be correct.

 

Radiometric dating is a scientifically valid means to date the earth. If you google that term, I'm sure you'll find plenty of evidence. The creation science refutations of radiometric dating are nothing less than comical, relying on literal interpretations of the book of Genesis, rather than on scientific proof.

I believe in the Bible 100%. But I think it's taking things too far to believe the Bible is literally scientifically valid.

 

I looked at Walt Brown. I find it difficult to believe he spent so much time on his project. First of all, before radiometric dating, the estimated age of the earth was calculated by independent criteria. It just so happens that radiometric dating confirmed the previous estimates are correct.

And, it isn't important to God or man that the story of creation to be literally correct. That story is to teach mankind who we are, not exactly how long the Universe has been here. Within the creation story lies the key to a scientific explanation that will allow mankind to become immortal again.

The story is a time capsule, that when viewed through a modern lens, will permit the biological defeat of original sin. Jesus is the bridge to the Father. But Jesus' sacrifice is only necessary to free mankind of guilt just long enough to open his mind to the knowledge of immortality and absolute power.

Focusing on how a literal translation of Genesis can be scientifically valid is Satan's diversion to throw mankind off the path to all truth. It really doesn't matter how long the world has been in existence. What matters is that God's children regain the former glory that existed before original sin, and return to Him in bodily form.

I have received my eternal inheritance from the Father while I still have the breath of life in me. Mankind requires this knowledge to avert global nuclear annihilation. But I've been resentful due to some things that have happened recently. So, I said to God, "Eternal Father, the people have been unjust to me. Either I want to die, or I want everyone else to die."

So God said, "I have placed man's inheritance in your hand. You be the judge of all mankind. If you hold it guilty and worthy of complete annihilation, keep quiet. If, on the other hand, you're heart should soften, then give My inheritance to the people."

I said to God, "You're positioning me to believe that I can leverage You! I'm not falling for it! You've given me just enough rope to hang myself."

I've been almost bedridden for the majority of the past 12 months, probably so I would reconsider. Now I'm starting to feel better, so I'll get back to my project soon. It's basically done. I just have to publish it.