Age of the Universe Part 2: The Omphalos Hypothesis

After establishing the rules of reinterpretation in episode one, we move on to the greater challenge of actually dealing with the problem at hand. The verses say one age, thee science says another. What to do, what to do. Perhaps if the verses can't be taken non-literally, science can. Maybe the scientists have made a colossal blunder! Perhaps the light moves faster than we think, every dating method is off (conveniently so, as the mistake doesn't apply to any of the practical sciences), and fossilization happened within the past 6000 years! Maybe, but probably not so defensible for anyone with even a basic level of scientific knowledge. (this is not to say the science is perfect, it is too suggest there is a range of reasonably expected error, a topic Jewish ThoughtFlow will go more in-depth at a later time) Another famous explanation coined the Omphalos Hypothesis is that Hashem created the world in a completed state. Put simply, Hashem wanted a functioning universe for man. In order to do so, he created a world that was inhabitable. This includes full mountains, rivers, sun with starlight reaching the earth, and all the other luminaries. As simple as it sounds, this answer actually raises many philosophical problems. First, if we are assuming the world was created formed, with a suggested but non-real history, what is stopping us from suggesting that the world was in fact created last Thursday!? This is termed the "Last Thursdayism Problem", and is the main attack on the Omphalos Hypothesis. Second, the Omphalos Hypothesis is by definition unfalsifiable. There is no way to disprove that the world was created formed. If so, this should make it scientifically untenable. Third, the suggestion that the world was created old is to suggest that Hashem is misleading us with information. He is expecting us to believe Him and not our own eyes. Is this really what Judaism expects from us? Lastly, what is the purpose? I understand Hashem wanted a complete world. Fine. I can accept that part of a functioning world is sunlight, starlight, etc. Fine. But why the Earthly history? Why the fossils of animals that never really existed? Why the history of humans who never existed?? Why are there strata of Earth, suggesting an evolution which never happened? What is the purpose? As usual, Jewish ThoughtFLow goes where few have gone before, delving into the opposition to make sure the Torah perspective, perfect as we know it to be, can be understood by those with questions. And the way to figure out the answers? Delving into the sources to reveal the way Hashem wants us to view the world. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation: https://thechesedfund.com/jewishpodcasts/donate